Overnight at Apalachicola National Forest

[adamkunzler]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question...it sort of fits.

I live in Tallahassee (not for very long) and wanted to get some backpacking in to test my gear for my upcoming through hike. Do any of you have any recommendations for hikes or camping places near Tallahassee? I've confirmed that dispersed camping is allowed in the National Forest just west of Tallahasse...but I'm having a hard time finding places to park a car and get on a trail.

Thanks!

Adam

[louisb]

The Florida Trail is about an hour south of Tallahassee and is a good place to get out. Here is an interactive map that will allow you to zoom in and check out the trail. http://tinyurl.com/kvc6x7wand this link will take you to the Apalachee chapter of the FTA which lists some local hiking areas. http://apalachee.floridatrail.org/ If you don't mind a little bit of a drive you can head over to Torreya State Park and find some of the best hiking in the area. Hope that helps.

--louis

[louisb]

Try that first url again. http://tinyurl.com/kvc6x7w

[louisb]

Okay, forget the short version because I can't seem to cut and paste today. http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/vi...365f39626cfe03

--louis

[adamkunzler]

Louis, thanks for the links! That interactive one is pretty neat. Do you think there are a lot of people out this time of year at Torreya?

[perrymk]

I wrote a guide for my own personal use of day hiking trails around Tallahassse. I have at least 30 listed; I'm sure I missed a few. PM your email address and I'll send you the PDF. It has a map of the area with approximate trail locations, directions, trail maps, and some info (restrooms, fees, etc.). Several of the trails are amenable to overnight hikes.

What I'm told is probably the best AT training hike in the area is to do both loops at Torreya State Park. This should be about 7 miles for each loop for a total of 14 miles. There are also some primitive campsites along the way. Other options I think might be good include Bear Creek trails (around 5-6 miles), Fort Braden trail (9 mile loop with early outs if desired). Inside Tallahassee city limits the Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Trails are very nice and have multiple options. I think one of the loops is marked at 7 miels although one could do more or less.

There are a few loops and point-to-point hikes along the Florida Trail. Map 9/10 is probably your best bet. Add the map on either side if you like.
http://ftashop.floridatrail.org/thru-trail-maps/

Some links of interest:
http://www.floridahikes.com/apalachi...ational-forest
http://www.floridatrail.org/panhandle-region-2/

[louisb]

Torreya is always popular but the primitive campsites are usually available. (Unless the boy scouts have invaded) Phipps park is my usual Sunday hiking spot in town so if you see a tall bearded guy hiking there with a full pack it is probably me.

--louis

[perdidochas]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question...it sort of fits.

I live in Tallahassee (not for very long) and wanted to get some backpacking in to test my gear for my upcoming through hike. Do any of you have any recommendations for hikes or camping places near Tallahassee? I've confirmed that dispersed camping is allowed in the National Forest just west of Tallahasse...but I'm having a hard time finding places to park a car and get on a trail.

Thanks!

Adam

haven't been there, but I've heard good things about Torreya state park, which is just west of Tallahassee.

[MockingJay]

I grew up in West Florida and lived in Tallahassee for about 12 years. I would second the suggestions about Torreya SP and the Lake Talquin State Forest sites out on HWY 20 and on the north side of Lake Talquin such as the Lines Tract. The Fort Braden trails has some good elevation and camp sites close to the lake...those trails seemed to be seldom used except by horse riders but that was several years ago. The trails were always well maintained. Maybe I went to the wrong section of the FT but it always tended to be boggy and buggy everytime I tried to hike various sections. This may be too far of a drive but Providence Canyon SP is about 2 hours north in SW Georgia. There's a 7 mile backcountry loop there and it also has some good elevation to try your trail legs out on an overnighter. I was back in Tally last month for a short visit and it made me miss all the parks. Without a doubt, for living in Florida, you have a good slection of backpacking options at your disposal within a short drive. Enjoy!

[TLHiker]

I live in Tally as well. I frequent the Talquin Ft Braden tract frequently for over night and 2 nighters. Very few people use that place other the horse riders as previously stated. Torreya is awesome but from the last conversation I had with them they've really cracked down on restrictions out there. Also, there's a large section of the Florida trail that runs through the St Marks Wildlife Refuge that I've been eyeing myself.