State Parks and a Wildlife Refuge to Take a Walk at in Florida’s Big Bend Region
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
What happens when a northern ice mogul marries a bread heiress? A soothing, native and spectacular garden blooms. New Yorker Alfred B. Maclay was president of the Knickerbocker Ice Company and married Louise Fleischman, of the Fleischman Bread Company. In the 1920s, they purchased a winter estate in Tallahassee and today, the grounds are open for the public to enjoy.
Wander down the pink-brick walkway along Lake Hall. Veer off the main path to discover the secret garden, the fairy-tale-like walled garden and the clear reflection pool. If visiting over the weekend, good chance is you’ll see a wedding ceremony.
Walkers will enjoy the Big Pine and Boy Scout Nature Trails located next to the gardens. These easy trails meander through the wooded hillsides along Lake Hall. Peak blooming season is January 1 – April 30, but all year-round, the gardens are lush with indigenous plants.
Rating: Easy
Location: Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is located one-half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319.
Contact Information:
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32309
Telephone: (850) 487-4556
www.floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens
Park Entrance Fee: $4.00 per group for up to 8 people
Park Hours of Operation: Open year round; 8:00 a.m. to sunset
Florida Caverns State Park
Maintaining a year-round temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the Florida Cavern offers a refreshing alternative to walking in the mid-day heat. Fragile stalactites, stalagmites and soda straws are some of the geological wonders adorning the cavern rooms during a 45-minute tour, Although the ranger will have one, bring a flashlight to spot those grayish-brown, furry things on the walls. Yes, they’re bats, most likely an Eastern Pipistrelle.
During the Seminole Wars of the 1800s, Native Americans hid in the caves. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) excavated rock and installed cave lighting between 1938 and 1942 to open Florida Cavern and create the state’s only cave system developed for public touring,
Visitors choosing to explore the park on their own can hike either the two-mile Cavern Trail System, consisting of seven named trails, or the six-mile Upper Chipola Trail. The former cuts right through the long, skinny Tunnel Cave on the Floodplain Trail. The Upper Chipola Trail is multi-use for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, and leads through the woodlands along the Chipola River. Expect to see American beech, Southern Magnolia, white oak and dogwood trees along the trails.
Rating: Easy to Moderate
Location: Florida Caverns State Park is located 3 Miles North of Marianna, off U.S. 90 on S.R. 166.
Contact Information
Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
Telephone: (850) 482-9598 (Central Time Zone)
www.floridastateparks.org/floridacaverns
Cave Tour Information: Call (850) 482-9599.
Park Entrance Fee: $4.00 per vehicle.
Cave Tour Fees: Vary from $5.00 to $8.00, plus tax. Tours regularly sell out and the last cave tour leaves at 4:30 p.m. CST, daily. Organized group tour fees available.
Park Hours of Operation: Open year round; 8:00 AM to sunset
St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge
Visitors are awe-struck by the thousands of migratory monarch butterflies stopping over at the Refuge between late-October and early-November. A handful of other butterfly species are commonly seen, too.
Built in 1866, the 80 foot lighthouse is a must-see. Short trails are easily accessible near this historic landmark, including the half-mile Levee Trail along the Apalachee Bay. Look for blue crabs in the water and butterflies around the plant-life.
Established in 1931 for migratory wintering birds, the Refuge has 75 miles of hiking trails. About 50 miles of the 1,400 mile Florida Trail winds its way across the refuge and through different habitats. Since it is a wildlife refuge, all hikers must wear 500 square inches of safety orange while on the Florida Trail during Refuge big game gun hunts. Contact the Refuge Office for dates, but typically runs on selected dates between mid-November and mid-January; a spring hunt is scheduled each April.
Medium-length hikes following old logging roads are the 12 mile Deep Creek Trail and 6.5 mile Stoney Bayou Trail. Both are loop trails and begin 1.5 miles south of the Visitor Center. For an easy hike, try the Plum Orchard Pond Trail, a 1/3 mile long, boardwalk trail which begins behind the Visitor Center.
Rating: Easy to Strenuous.
Location: From Tallahassee, FL-363 south to US-98, east on US-98 to Newport, south 3 miles on County Route 59 to the visitor center.
Contact Information:
St. Marks NWR Headquarters
P.O. Box 68
St. Marks, FL, 32355
Telephone: (904) 925-6121
www.fws.gov/saintmarks
Refuge Admission Fees: Daily passes can be purchased for $4/car.
Refuge Hours of Operation: Open year round, dawn to dusk.
Torreya State Park
Believe it or not, but rock bluffs, cliffs and valleys do exist in Florida. Toss in the rare Florida torreya tree along with the winding Apalachicola River, and the result is one of Florida’s most challenging, yet rewarding trails. The seven-mile loop Apalachicola River Bluffs Trail reaches vistas of 150 feet above the Apalachicola River.
If short on time, depart from the historic Gregory House (an 1800s plantation home) and head southwest towards the Rock Bluff Primitive Camp. Rock outcroppings on the Apalachicola River make it the perfect resting point. Time permitting, when returning to the trail head, take the Weeping Ridge Trail to the 25-foot waterfall. Taking the trail east from the Gregory House will lead to the Confederate gun pits utilized during the Civil War.
The Bluff’s sister trail, the Torreya Challenge (TC), lives up to its name as hikers tackle seven miles of steep slopes and few switchbacks. Both trails traverse Florida’s hilly terrain and hardwood forests. Fall colors are similar to that of the Appalachians and during the winter, the Appalachian’s foothills can be viewed.
Rating: Moderate to Strenuous.
Location: Torreya State Park is located off S.R. 12, on C.R. 1641, 13 miles north of Bristol, FL. About 1 hour west of Tallahassee.
Contact Information
Torreya State Park
Route 2, Box 70
Bristol, FL 32321
Telephone: (904) 643-2674
www.floridastateparks.org/torreya
Park Admission Fees – $2.00 per vehicle.
Park Hours of Operation: Open year-round, 8:00 AM to sunset
Let Dr. Tom Lead the Way
Depending on the time of year and your interests, find yourself thigh-deep in a watery bog or dipping your toes in a natural spring. Dr. Tom’s Nature Tours are hands-on excursions exploring the Big Bend’s various eco-communities.
There are nine trips to choose from and vary from half day to full-day adventures. Discover ecosystems in areas such as the Apalachee Savannahs, Tallahassee Hills and Wakulla County Coast. Learn biology, geology and history of these areas while hiking and wildlife watching. Excursions are limited up to six people and led by Tom Eads, an educator, scientist and photographer.
Rating: Easy to Moderate
Contact:
Dr. Tom’s Eco Tours
Telephone: (850) 224-1435
www.tomeadsphoto.com
Fees: Varies between $69 – $100 per person, per trip.
While enjoying Florida’s hiking and walking trails, be sure to protect yourself from:
Mosquitoes, chiggers and ticks. These critters are commonly found on Florida’s trails, be sure to use insect repellent and be sure to spray your ankle-areas and boots, too. Avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, hair spray, etc.
Sunburn and heatstroke. Wear appropriate sunscreen and head-covering and keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Don’t over-exert yourself.
Blisters. Those strappy sandals may look good, but chances are they aren’t durable for the trail. Wear appropriate socks and shoes on your feet.
Rashes. Keep away from unfamiliar plants. Poison oak and ivy can be found on the trail.
