Apalachicola National Forest

Understand

The Apalachicola National Forest covers 575,849 acres (233,038 hectares) in Franklin, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties in the Florida Panhandle. It is the largest of the three national forests in Florida and one of 154 national forests and grasslands in the United States administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The drainage areas of the Apalachicola National Forest are parts of the Sopchoppy, Ochlockonee, New River, and Apalachicola watershed basins.

Ranger District Offices Visitor Information and Interpretive Displays are available at both district offices and the supervisor's office for the Apalachicola National Forest.

Apalachicola Ranger District, Bristol. Phone: +1 850 643-2282. Hours: M-Th 8AM-4:30PM, F 8AM-4PM. Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taft Drive, Crawfordville. Phone: +1 850 926-3561. Hours: M-Th 8AM-4:30PM, F 8AM-4PM.

History The region was dominated by a longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem, similar in the coastal plain of the United States. The original old-growth forest had trees 90–120 feet tall, many of which were 120 to 250 years old, along with dense groves of younger tall saplings. The old-growth forest was cut between 1880 and the early 1900s for lumber. Many of the remaining pine trees were tapped for gum, which was distilled for turpentine and rosin. In the mid-1930s the USDA Forest Service bought large areas of these damaged cutover lands. One such area became the Apalachicola National Forest in 1936. The mission of the Forest Service was conservation, to care for the land and assure that it would be used to serve the public. During and after World War II demand was great for timber, and the availability of heavy equipment allowed extensive harvest in this and other national forests. Clearcut areas were prepared and replanted with slash pine. The older pine trees have regenerated naturally from stands cut between 1900 and 1935, but about 25% of the acreage that was originally native longleaf is now in slash pine plan

Getting there

The Apalachicola National Forest is about 4 mi (6.4 km) southwest of Tallahassee. The only way to reach it is by car, as there is no public transportation to this destination.

Getting around

There are roads, trails, and paths throughout Apalachicola National Forest.

See

The Apalachicola National Forest has six day use areas, four of which are fee areas. Each fee area is a self-service fee area (exact change required or checks made out to USDA Forest Service are accepted). The fee is $3 per vehicle. An annual pass for $40 may be purchased, which covers all day use fee areas on the Apalachicola National Forest. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in any of these areas. Abundant wildlife may be seen in each area, including birds and alligators. All day-use areas are open from 8AM to 8PM from May to September and from 8AM to 6PM from October to April. The annual pass is also valid for day-use and camping at Hickory Landing, Mack Landing and Whitehead Lake. A map of all the recreation areas in Apalachicola National Forest can be downloaded (PDF format) here.

1 Camel Lake Recreation Area. Camel Lake Recreation Area in Liberty County has a designated swim area with a white sand beach on a beautiful lake. A nearby bathhouse includes flush toilets. Outdoor (cold water only) showers for rinsing off are provided. Picnic tables and grills are scattered among trees with views of the lake. One medium sized shelter is provided on a first come basis. A water fountain and some water spigots are available. The site is fairly level and easily accessible to people in wheelchairs. A small boat ramp is available. Motorized boat use is limited to electric trolling motors. Three trails are nearby: the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Trail of Lakes, and the Camel Lake Interpretive Trail. A volunteer host lives on site. Camping is also available here. Day-use fee: $3 per vehicle per day. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Fort Gadsden State Historic Site. Fort Gadsden in Franklin County is the site of an historic fort and several battles. Interpretive exhibits and artifacts are displayed along a level pathway on the banks of the Apalachicola River. Picnic tables, drinking water and vault toilets are available. This area is also accessible by boat. No fee. (updated Dec

Do

Bicycling Bicycles are welcome on public roads in the Forest, on designated motorized trails and on the designated mountain bike trail at Munson Hills in Leon County. The public roads are fairly level, but may be deep sand. Public parking for Munson Hills Trail is available at the St. Marks Bicycle Trailhead on Woodville Highway, just south of Capital Circle. The mountain bike trail is on sandy soil with gently rolling slopes through narrow pine trees. The trail is marked by blue blazes and divided into two loops: an 8-mile loop and a 5-mile loop. A bike rack, water fountain, and restrooms are available near the trail entrance. You can download a map (PDF format) of the Munson Hills Trail here.

Hiking The Apalachicola National Forest has approximately 85 miles of designated hiking trails, although hikers are welcome anywhere in the Forest. Pets are allowed, but must be restrained or on a leash. The Apalachicola National Forest offers six interpretive trails: Camel Lake (1 mile), Fort Gadsden (1/2 mile), Leon Sinks (5 miles), Silver Lake (1 mile), Trail of Lakes (9 miles), and Wright Lake (5 miles). Camel Lake in Liberty County is marked with blue blazes and is one loop. Fort Gadsden in Franklin County is marked with blue blazes and is one loop. Leon Sinks in Leon County has two loops and has blue, green, and white blazes on different sections. Silver Lake in Leon County is marked with blue blazes and is a single loop. The Trail of Lakes in Liberty County is marked with blue blazes and is a single loop. Wright Lake in Franklin County is marked with blue and white blazes on different sections, but is a single loop. Fee: Applicable if parking in a developed recreation (fee) area. Part of the Florida National Scenic Trail passes through the Apalachicola National Forest. The Trail travels approximately from Southeast to Northwest through the Forest. It is an orange blazed trail, unpaved for hiking, 68.7 miles total. Much of this trail is flat, dry pine and palmetto

Sleep

Lodging There are no hotels or motels within Apalachicola National Forest. Try the nearby cities of Apalachicola or Tallahassee if you need traditional lodging.

Camping Camping can be enjoyed during all seasons on the Apalachicola National Forest, although summer camping would be without air conditioning. None of the campgrounds have hook ups and generators may not be run after 10pm. Be aware that at certain times of the year, due to high fire danger, open fires may not allowed. Visitors may stay a maximum of 14 days within a 30-day period, in one location, except during hunting season. Campsites are available on a first come basis; there are no reservations. Pets are allowed, but must be restrained or on a leash. The Apalachicola Nati