Apalachicola Basin Trails

The Apalachicola Basin is the most ecologically diverse natural area in the southern U.S. and a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve.

Apalachicola Riverkeeper

Trail Locations and Description

01 / 11

Hiking Trails

Garden of Eden

  • Length: 3.7 mile loop
  • Directions: Heading north from Bristol, go 1.6 miles to Garden of Eden Road, turn left at the sign, and continue 0.4 mile to the parking area. From I-10 exit 174, head south on CR 12 for 20.3 miles, passing Torreya State Park. Turn right at Garden of Eden Road.

Torreya Trail

  • Length: 6 mile loop
  • Directions: Found near the entrance to Torreya State Park at 2576 N.W. Torreya Park Road

    • Bristol FL 32321

    • Fee: $3 vehicle entry fee

Torreya Challenge Trail

  • Length: 7.5 mile loop
  • Directions: Found off of the Torreya Trail, close to Stone Bridge within Torreya State Park
  • Fee: $3 vehicle entry fee

High Bluff Coastal Trail

  • Length: 9 mile loop
  • Directions: Follow US 98 for 2.7 miles west of Carrabelle, the trailhead is on the right.
  • Fee: $2 day use fee

Gap Point Trail

  • Length: 2.5 mile out and back
  • Directions: From US 98 at Eastpoint, cross the bridge over to St. George Island. Turn left on SR 300 and follow the road until it ends at St. George Island State Park. The trailhead for the Gap Point Trail is at the campground, 4.5 miles past the ranger station. The parking area is near the playground
  • Fee: $6 vehicle entry fee

Paddling Trails

Apalachicola River Blueway

  • Length: 106 miles

Cypress Creek and the Upper Dead Lakes

  • Length: 1.3 miles to the upper Dead Lakes where you can explore various braids and side channels.
  • Directions: To reach the Cypress Creek ramp from the south, travel about 9 miles north of the downtown Wewahitchka IGA store on SR 71. Just past the SR 73 intersection on your left, turn right off of 71 onto 73A. The intersection should be marked by a boat ramp sign. Travel a half mile and turn left onto SE Nadine Stone Landing Road (73B). Travel a half mile to the launch. From the north, head south on SR 71 from Blountstown. 5.5 miles past Scott’s Ferry on the Chipola River, turn left onto 73A at boat ramp sign and use directions above.

Crooked River to Brandy Creek

  • Length: 2 miles to Brandy Creek, 1.5 miles up Brandy Creek
  • Directions:  Rock Landing Campground is at east end of Rock Landing Road. Go north out of Carrabelle on CR 67 about 10 miles to turn right (east) on Rock Landing Road. Campground is 2.6 miles down lime rock road and follow sign to landing.

Upper Kennedy Creek

  • Length: 3 miles north or south of Cotton Landing
  • Directions: To reach Cotton Landing, take the paved County Road 379 north from Sumatra about 3 miles to Forest Road 123 on the left, marked by a sign for Cotton Landing. Forest Road 123 is like a loop and both branches lead about 3 miles to 123B, which takes you about a mile to  Cotton Landing . There is not a Cotton Landing sign at the 123B junction, so look for the numbered road sign.
  • Best at high water levels

Fort Gadsden Creek and Poplar Branch

  • Length: 2.8 miles to Apalachicola River - 1.5 miles down Poplar Branch
  • Directions: To reach the launch, travel either 17.5 miles north on SR 65 from US 98 near Eastpoint or 6.7 miles south of Sumatra on SR 65. At the Helispot 34 sign across from Forest Road 143 (Randy Sapp Road), turn west and drive only 319 yards before turning right. The launch is 220 yards ahead. The sand road is passable except after severe weather.

Cash Creek to High Bluff Creek

  • Length: 3 mile out and back
  • Directions: From Carrabelle, FL, travel on US 98 West for about 12 miles, turn right on SR 65 North and travel for about 4 miles. Cash Creek entrance is on the right.
  • Bathrooms available