We are lucky to live in one of the most biodiverse hotspots in the United States. Our region features many acres of old-growth pines, cypresses, and oaks. To celebrate our community forests, Apalachee Audubon is partnering with the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN), a national network of protected, publicly accessible heritage forests, to highlight and promote the unique old-growth and native forests in the Florida panhandle. Our goal is to increase community awareness, education, and enjoyment of these special places.
Explore the Old-Growth Forests of Wakulla County
Beginner
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Description: This state park contains the largest single-vent spring on Earth, but this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what this park offers. Take the boat ride down the Wakulla River to see massive bald cypress trees, a pristine spring-run, and a huge diversity of bird, fish, reptile, and mammal species. Trails in three separate units of the park offer visitors the chance to view unusual karst windows and sinkholes, old-growth hardwood forest containing several champion trees, and a wide variety of both plant and animal species.
Access: The main entrance is well-marked and located on Highway 267. The Cherokee Sink trailhead is located on Highway 61 two miles south of Highway 267 and the River Sinks Tract trailhead is located on the southeast corner of the Highway 319 and New Light Church/CJ Spears Road intersection.
Amenities: Wheelchair friendly river boats, restrooms, restaurant, gift shop, swimming area, benches, picnic shelters.
Key Wildlife Species: Florida manatee, American alligator, white-tailed deer, yellow-crowned night heron, black vulture, pied-billed grebe, a wide variety of other bird/fish/mammal species.
Ochlockonee River State Park
Description: One of the jewels of the Florida State Park system, the park conserves intact longleaf-pine dominated flatwoods and a beautiful stretch of the Ochlockonee River. Hiking trails, a wildlife drive, and paddling opportunities permit access to much of the park and provide the opportunity to view a wide range of wildlife species. Look for “cat-faced” longleaf pines that mark their use in the turpentine industry of the early 1900’s, white bands signifying red-cockaded woodpecker nests, and the black charring on trees caused by regular prescribed fires.
Access: The main entrance is located on Highway 319, approximately 3 miles south of Sopchoppy.
Amenities: Campground, restrooms, accessible fishing/observation deck, boat ramp and dock, picnic pavilions, outdoor shower and water fountain, accessible kayak and canoe launch.
Key Wildlife Species: Red-cockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, “white” gray squirrel, red-headed woodpecker, brown-headed nuthatch.
Intermediate
Wakulla State Forest
Description: This state forest is comprised of one main tract in Wakulla County, with two smaller tracts located in both Leon and Wakulla Counties. The forest contains eight natural community types, ranging from old-growth longleaf pine upland to mature floodplain swamp. Designated trails access these, and other, natural features while 19 miles of forest roads can be explored as well. The property is deceptively complex and it can be easy to get lost. However, incredible discoveries such as pristine springs, massive sinkholes, and gargantuan cypress trees await those who make the effort to explore the property thoroughly.
Access: The main unit and trailhead is accessible from Highway 267, just east of the entrance to Wakulla Springs State Park, or from a parking area at the end of Staten Road. The 8 Mile Tract can be accessed from Highway 61 approximately two miles south of its junction with Highway 319. The Woodville Tract is accessible from Highway 363, just south of Woodville.
Amenities: Picnic tables, designated trails.
Key Wildlife Species: Gopher tortoise, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Southern fox squirrel, Bachman’s sparrow, pileated woodpecker.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: Otter Lake Recreation Area
Description: The Otter Lake Recreation Area contains habitats much different from what many think of when they think of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Instead of wide expanses of salt marsh, this area conserves mature longleaf pine sandhill complete with gopher tortoises, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and Southeastern pocket gophers. A nine-mile trail loops around Otter Lake and a shorter, five-mile trail passes through mature sandhill. Both trails offer views of magnificent Otter Lake, old-growth longleaf pine trees, and many plant and animal species difficult to found in the area.
Access: Parking and trailheads can be found at the end of Otter Lake Road near Panacea.
Amenities: Picnic tables and pavilion, boat launch, restrooms.
Key Wildlife Species: Red-cockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoise, Southeastern pocket gopher, brown-headed nuthatch, Bachman’s sparrow, Florida black bear.
Advanced
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: Cathedral of Palms and Shepherd Spring
Description: If you are looking for a quintessential Florida hike, look no further. A 5.9-mile-long section of the Florida Trail passes mature hydric hammock that includes a section of incredible old-growth cabbage palm. The trail can be done as a one-way or loop depending on your interest. While beautiful, this hike can be wet, rugged, and buggy. However, a reward for the effort exists in the form of Shepherd Spring, a third-magnitude spring that is considered one of Florida’s most pristine springs. Feel free to swim but be sure to keep an eye out for the resident alligators!
Access: Parking is available off of Spring Creek Highway, right at the intersection of Highway 367 and Highway 365.
Amenities: A kiosk with a map. Be sure to take a photo of the map before hiking into this remote area.
Key Wildlife Species: American alligator, blue-striped ribbon snake, a wide variety of migratory birds.
Apalachicola National Forest: Bradwell Bay Wilderness
Description: Without question, this is one of the wildest and intimidating natural areas in the Panhandle. The wilderness contains dense tupelo and pond cypress swamps, some of which contain old-growth trees. The Florida Trail offers a chance to hike through 12 miles of this wilderness or a shorter, 6-mile-long day hike is possible as well. Consider, however, that many consider this to be Florida’s most intense hike as much of it involves slogging through water and mud. The effort required to access this wilderness is what has kept it wild and 12 acres of virgin, uncut cypress forest reward those who make the effort to reach it.
Access: Follow County Road 368 west from Crawfordville to Forest Road 365. In 2 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 348 and follow it to its junction with Forest Road 329. Turn left to cross the bridge over the Sopchoppy River and look for the trailhead in 0.2 miles on your right.
Amenities: None.
Key Wildlife Species: Southern dusky salamander, wood duck, Florida black bear, bobcat, two-toed amphiuma.
