77.6 miles. Diving into the heart of Florida’s largest National Forest, the Apalachicola section of the Florida Trail traverses some of the wettest, wildest swamp forest found outside of the Big Cypress Swamp.
The legendary Bradwell Bay, a swamp basin in the heart of the Apalachicola National Forest, protects a stand of virgin pine forest. Crossing it when it is wet, which is often, is one of the most difficult feats on the Florida Trail.
Known for its botanical beauty, particularly for its pitcher plant bogs and terrestrial orchids, the Apalachicola is often soggy underfoot, with its many titi swamps and wet pine flatwoods.
By contrast, beautiful views await on the river bluffs of the Sopchoppy and Ochlockonee Rivers. Best hiked in spring, when the flowers are at their peak, it is a challenging hiking destination.
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Trip Planning
This is one of the more remote sections of the Florida Trail. Cell coverage does not extend across the entire route for all carriers. Paved road crossings are few.
The Apalachicola National Forest is always generally wet. Expect to wade a portion of your hike every day.
Hiking poles are a must for traversing gnarled, rooty swamps of black gum, cypress, and titi.
Camping and Lodging
Lodging is only available at the two ends of this section, Sopchoppy and Bristol. Sopchoppy has a delightful AirBnB called The Treehouse as well as a city campground along the river.
Camel Lake Campground is at the north end of the forest on the way to Bristol, and there is one small motel in the town itself, a block from the roadwalk.
Random camping is permitted in the Apalachicola National Forest except during fall deer hunting season. However, habitats are largely wet or overgrown.
To make your hike more pleasant, the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association has constructed a string of designated campsites on high ground across the entire forest.
Well-spaced, each includes benches and a fire ring plus space for a handful of tents.
Now that campsites exist north and south of Bradwell Bay, only use Bradwell Island (a slight high spot in the swamp with no infrastructure) in an emergency.
Dogs
Leashed dogs are permitted, but consider their health and safety traversing soggy ground. Wet paws for days may not be ideal for your pup.
Wildlife
Alligators live in the swamps, even under the placid waters of Bradwell Bay. A healthy population of Florida black bears inhabits the forest.
The US Forest Service requires backpackers use of a bear bag or bear canister, and car campers secure their food.
Water
Swamp water is everywhere. Flowing water is a different matter. Flowing water sources are identified in our app, but essentially anywhere the trail crosses a bridge, look for a stream.
Some are very narrow. A handful are too deep below the bridge to reach. Water sources are near all the campsites.
The trail crosses several rivers through this section, with seasonal access to the Sopchoppy possible in a few places.
Resupply
Pick up your groceries at either end of this hike, since there’s nowhere to resupply along it.
Sopchoppy has a Dollar General and a convenience store. Bristol has a Piggly Wiggly and several convenience stores as well as a Dollar General.
Parking & Shuttle
Designated trailheads are identified in the mileage chart below. Shuttles can involve significant distances across the forest.
Getting across the forest from east to west can be a challenge as there is only one possible paved route diagonally from Sopchoppy to Bristol.
Most access roads to trail crossings and to many of the trailheads are dirt, and can be rough or too muddy to drive at times, particularly in the vicinity of Bradwell Bay.
Long distance hikers should join the Florida Trail Hikers Facebook group to request assistance.
Particuarly considering the vast distances involved for drives, be sure to compensate any shuttle volunteers for their gas and time.
Safety
Flooding
Flooding makes the hike along the Sopchoppy River dangerous, since dropoffs are hidden by floodwaters.
Check the National Weather Service flood gauge before hiking and roadwalk around the Sopchoppy River if it is flooded.
Contact the Apalachicola National Forest at 850-926-3561 regards flood conditions and advisories on water levels in Bradwell Bay.
Bradwell Bay is one of the most challenging pieces of the Florida Trail, even though it can be done as a day hike.
It is almost always flooded, but the question is how high. The water levels and a muddy bottom with deep holes means slow going.
In times of high water, Bradwell Island campsite floods. Don’t count on using it except in an emergency.
Because it is so remote and the crossing is lengthy, Shuler Bay can also be troublesome to cross if flooded. Check the gauge for New River in advance.
Hunting
Check the FWC website for hunting season dates. Wear a bright orange shirt or vest if you choose to hike during hunting seasons.
Backpackers are limited to using designated campsites during general gun season, also known as deer season, late fall/early winter.
Roadwalks
Although you will follow an unpaved forest road for a long stretch north of Indian Creek to traverse a massive swamp, there is only one real roadwalk along this section.
It’s a doozy. 11.2 miles from the north end of the Apalachicola National Forest via CR 12 into Bristol and then on a high bridge across the Apalachicola River.
While it takes you right into town past services, it can be unnerving at times due to the large number of logging trucks speeding past to a lumber mill centrally located along it.
People
With the lack of dry campsites and difficult forest roads for vehicles, you will encounter very few people in the forest other than hunters.
The main exceptions are in town, where folks are friendly, and at the two recreation areas the trail crosses.
At Porter Lake, there’s a restroom and water tap. Anglers are the main day users but be cautious of people camped out there, since camping is discouraged at that spot.
Camel Lake is a pleasant fee site with a bathhouse and flush toilets and a camp host at the campground.
Trail Map
Mileages
Key mile markers south to north.
0.0 – Carraway Cutoff trailhead
0.3 – St. Marks NWR / Apalachicola NF boundary
1.9 – Bent Sapling Camp +
8.6 – Sopchoppy River Camp +
8.9 – Oak Park trailhead
10.7 – Monkey Creek bridge
12.8 – Martian Camp +
13.0 – FR 329 trailhead
18.3 – Monkey Creek trailhead
20.7 – Bradwell Bay South trailhead
22.9 – Bradwell Bay Scenic Area
25.2 – Bradwell Bay West trailhead
26.0 – Mantis Camp +
29.1 – Langston House trailhead
31.8 – Porter Lake Recreation Area
36.2 – Indian Creek Camp +
36.3 – Jewel trailhead
41.8 – Sapling Head Camp +
42.7 – Great Wall of Titi
50.5 – Vilas Camp +
50.6 – Vilas trailhead
55.1 – Shuler Bay
57.5 – junction Trail of Lakes
57.7 – Bonnet Pond Camp +
60.9 – Camel Lake Recreation Area $
62.9 – Memery Island Camp +
66.2 – Savannah trailhead
75.7 – Veterans Memorial Park
76.3 – BRISTOL
77.6 – Apalachicola River
$ fee charged. + designated campsite.
Trail Segments
Details about all segments of the Florida Trail in this section are in The Florida Trail Guide and app.
Each is described from the perspective of a day hiker, noting landmarks, water, and campsites along the way.
Not all are oriented from south to north, but this is the order they are in northbound.
Side Trails
Trails that interconnect with and sometimes share a portion of the Florida Trail route.
Public Lands
Public lands this section of the Florida Trail crosses.
Connections
These sections of the Florida Trail adjoin Apalachicola to its south and north.