Apalachicola National Forest, Florida

Florida Vacation Guide to Apalachicola National Forest Trails

Florida’s largest National Forest has a variety of trails for hiking, cycling, horseback riding but given February is Florida Hiking Trails month, we’re focusing on the hiking trails - 85 miles of them. There are six interpretive trails in total, along with one wilderness trail. Botanical treasures, virgin forest and diverse ecosystems make the Apalachicola National Forest Tallahassee’s wilderness gem. Among the 1-mile Camel Lake, 1/2-mile Fort Gadsden, 1-mile Silver Lake and 9-mile Trail of Lakes, the following pathways are the highlights of this forest:

Florida National Scenic Trail

Sixty four miles of the  Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) twist through the forest (in particular the Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area).

Leon Sinks Trail

If you’re into Karst and limestone the 5-mile trail that runs through Leon Sinks Geological Area is fascinating.  Stare into an aquamarine pool at the Hammock Sink or into a 130 foot deep sinkhole from an viewing platform. This trail has two loops and is marked with blue, green and white blazes for different sections.

Wright Lake Trail

This path loops for five miles through creeks and bogs, including bridge crossings – the trail is marked with blue and white blazes in different sections. Make sure you repeat it in springtime when the pitcher plants are blooming.

Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area

If you want to get wet, take the 18-mile swamp walk through the Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area. The virgin slash pines and cypress trees are worth the slog. There are multiple access points to the trail but either way it’s a challenging hike and should not be done alone. Hikers can backpack without a permit and camp with no fees, but notify family and friends of your hiking schedule and plans, as the Forest Service does not monitor travellers in the forest.

Hiking with Pets

You can hike with your pets but they have to be on a leash.

Tell us…

What’s your favorite hiking trail in Florida?