Florida Trail in Wakulla
Florida’s own National Scenic Trail, the Florida Trail, is a 1,400-mile footpath
stretching from the northern edge of the Everglades at Big Cypress National Preserve
to Pensacola Beach. Attracting hikers from around the country, the Florida Trail
runs for nearly 100 miles through the wild lands of Wakulla County—Aucilla
WMA, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and the Apalachicola National Forest.
In St. Marks NWR, hikers enjoy more than 50 miles of solitude along the estuarine
fringe of the Gulf of Mexico. A sweeping view awaits backpackers at the Ring Levee
campsite, where the sweep of the Big Bend is never more obvious from land. West
of the visitor center, hikers encounter the remains of historic Port Leon, Wakulla
County’s first county seat, and have to hail a boat to cross the St. Marks
River into St. Marks. The community of St. Marks is a favorite stop for long-distance
hikers looking for a warm shower and a cold drink. Briefly following the St. Marks-Tallahassee
State Trail, the Florida Trail turns west to cross the Wakulla River along US 98
and heads back towards the shoreline, leading hikers past remnants of Civil War-era
salt works; into The Cathedral, a hallowed ground of ancient sabal palmetto; and
Shepherd Spring, a glistening pool of milky blue water. In this section, visitors
can access the Florida Trail from Greenwood Road, Spring Creek Road, or Wakulla
Beach Road. St. Marks NWR is the only National Wildlife Refuge that permits overnight
camping for backpackers; permits must be obtained in advance from the visitor center
and are only granted for backpackers making the full 53-mile traverse of the refuge.
As hikers enter the Apalachicola National Forest, they have access to several small
communities with services that appeal to backpackers—motels, restaurants,
and groceries, in nearby Medart, Panacea, and Sopchoppy. The Sopchoppy section of
the Florida Trail parallels this magnificent tannic river and includes a traverse
of Monkey Creek on a brand-new long-span bridge constructed by volunteer labor—an
F-Troop trail crew from the Florida Trail Association. Farther west, Bradwell Bay
is considered one of the toughest hikes in the United States, according to Backpacker
magazine, with nearly 8 miles of knee-to-waist-deep water to wade through in order
to see virgin pines and cypress deep within the swamp. Six trailheads through the
Wakulla County portion of the Apalachicola National Forest provide day hikers quick
access to beauty spots and historic sites, including the Langston Homestead near
Smith Creek and steephead ravines along the Ochlockonee River, where Florida azalea
and Florida anise bloom each spring.
