Best known as the location of Florida Caverns State Park, which offers Florida’s only show cave as well as excellent hiking and camping, Marianna is one of the larger communities in Florida’s Central Panhandle region along I-10 near the Alabama border. Nearby public lands offer places to explore outdoors.
Blountstown Greenway
A ribbon of asphalt that connects communities and parks within the historic Apalachicola River town of Blountstown, the Blountstown Greenway is ideal for walking or biking and, in part, serves as a path for the Florida Trail through the center of town. Heavily shaded by deep upland forest for much of the journey, it connects [...]
Econfina Nature Trail
Sluicing its way through high bluffs and low flatlands, Econfina Creek is one of Florida’s most beautiful and unsung waterways. The Florida Trail follows it for nearly 20 miles through Washington and Bay Counties. This easy day hike will give you a good taste of the geologic wonders to be savored along its shores. Although [...]
Falling Waters State Park
Iconic as the home of Florida’s tallest waterfall, Falling Waters State Park is a showcase for Florida geology. The park sits atop a high ridge, offering steep slopes on its short but delightful trail system and scenic views, when the leaves are few, from the picnic area and campground to lower elevations. The highlight of [...]
Florida Caverns State Park – Caverns Trail System
Most people come to see the stalactites and stalagmites at Florida’s only show cave. But the hiking’s even weirder at Florida Caverns State Park. One of the best parts of Florida Caverns State Park is its Caverns Trail System, an interconnected group of nature trails that surround the big show cave. Most folks don’t step [...]
Florida Trail, Econfina Creek
Following the course of Econfina Creek, this protected segment of the Florida Trail provides a gorgeous weekend backpacking experience, particularly in springtime when the mountain laurel and azalea are in full fragrant bloom. The upper portion of the creek flows swiftly through steep-sided clay banks, with ravines and vegetation reminiscent of the Appalachian Mountains. As [...]
Garden of Eden Trail
Try one of Florida’s toughest day hikes on for size: local legend has it this was the Garden of Eden, and from the lush forests and rare flora along this trek, they might be on to something. This is one hike that’s no walk in the park. In fact, I’d rate it the second most [...]
Lake Talquin State Forest – Fort Braden Trails
Showcasing bluff forests and deep ravines above Lake Talquin – a dammed reservoir in the Ocklochnee River west of Tallahassee – the Fort Braden Trails offer enough hiking for a weekend in the woods. Built and maintained by Florida Trail Association volunteers, the trail system includes the Central, East, and West Loops, all of which [...]
Lake Talquin State Forest – Ravine Trail
If you think Florida doesn’t have steep trails, this one will dispel the myth. To the west of Tallahassee, The Ravine Trail at Lake Talquin State Forest is part of the Terry Rhodes Trail System at the Bear Creek Educational Center south of Quincy, and is notable for clinging to the edges of a rather [...]
Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
What a delight to find a cool pool of bright blue water beneath tall cypresses—and a trailhead at the same time! Just off I-10 in the eponymous town of Ponce De Leon, this first-magnitude spring pumps out 14 million gallons of water a day, creating Spring Creek. Resources Overview Location: Ponce de Leon Length: 0.6 [...]
Spring Creek Park
Along US 90 in Marianna, a highway pulloff provides a quiet place to duck into the woods and sit a spell along the shores of a crystalline waterway—Spring Creek. The creek begins at Blue Spring, a swimming area to the north, and flows into a reservoir on the opposite side of US 90. Here, at [...]
Three Rivers State Park
Defined by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers creating the Apalachicola River, Three Rivers State Park includes Lake Seminole, a top-notch bass fishing destination, as well as a large lakeside campground with a wheelchair-accessible rental cabin, picnic pavilions, two hiking trails, and canoe rentals. Resources Overview Location: Sneads Length: Up to 2.5 [...]
Torreya State Park – Torreya Hiking Trail
One of the most rugged hikes in Florida, the Torreya Hiking Trail treats you to an billowing landscape of bluffs and ravines, rising to 300 feet above the Apalachicola River at Logan’s Bluff. The unusual landscape means unusual plant communities as well, including some of the rarest species in the state in the ravines. You’ll [...]
Trail of Lakes
By itself, the Trail of Lakes is a 3.9-mile blue blazed connector between two portions of the Florida Trail around Camel Lake, a soggy, boggy walk in the Apalachicola National Forest. To enjoy it as a day hike with no shuttling, you can use the Florida Trail to create a 9.5-mile loop (starting and ending [...]
