Protecting more than 571,000 acres of vast interior swamps, pine flatwoods, and a portion of the Woodville Karst Plain, the Apalachicola National Forest is a massive place, and a soggy place.
Tributaries born in swampy bays and bogs drain towards the Sopchoppy, Ochlockonee, and Apalachicola Rivers.
This is a wild landscape, a major destination for anglers and hunters, with many landings and hunt camps used during spring and fall hunting seasons.
While a handful of very scenic paved roads cross the forest, most roads here are dirt, heavily rutted and often full of deep mud holes.
A handful of recreation areas hug natural lakes and river shorelines. Campers are welcome at Camel Lake Recreation Area, Wright Lake Recreation Area, and Porter Lake Recreation Area.
Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Land Manager: USDA Forest Service
Phone: 850-523-8500
Fees: Day use ($3 per vehicle) and camping fees are charged at most of the popular recreation areas, including Silver Lake, Camel Lake, Porter Lake, Wright Lake, and Leon Sinks. Always check ahead to see if a particular location is open.
An annual vehicle pass costs $40. Your National Parks / National Federal Lands Pass is honored at all of these locations for day use fees.
Ranger Stations:
Apalachicola Ranger District, 11152 NW SR 20, Bristol. Phone: 850-643-2282
Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taff Drive, Crawfordville. Phone: 850-926-3561
Both ranger stations are typically open Mon-Fri 8-4
Recreation Locations
Click on any location above to pull up details on that destination.
Exploring the Forest
Even if you never leave your car to explore the trails, a trip through the Apalachicola National Forest will convince you that it is worth visiting time and again.
The scenic drives alone – especially along SR 65, SR 67, and the Big Bend Scenic Byway – mean immersion into longleaf pine forests and places of botanical beauty.
More daring drivers and off-road cyclists try out the many clay and sand backroads that lead to places like Post Office Bay and Monkey Creek.
Hikers find that its challenging hiking trails have their payoffs, including one of Florida’s most remote sections of the statewide Florida Trail.
Trails and Recreation Areas
Botanical Highlights
Home to the fabled Bradwell Bay Wilderness, a stand of virgin cypress and white pine, the Apalachicola National Forest is also one of the best places in the eastern Panhandle to see pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants in its bogs.
The top areas for viewing pitcher plant blooms in March and April are along the western edge of the forest near Sumatra and the Apalachee Savannas. Here are some of our photos from that area.
Articles
NEARBY: Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Bristol , Crawfordville , Sopchoppy, Tallahassee | PART OF: Northwest Florida