National park · United States
Apalachicola National Forest
Entry is free; only the six day-use areas charge $3 per vehicle, so plan a free trail or pay $3 at Camel Lake, Silver Lake, Wright Lake or Leon Sinks — go Nov–Apr, start before 9:00 in summer.Entry is free; only the six day-use areas charge $3 per vehicle, so plan a free trail or pay $3 at Camel Lake, Silver Lake, Wright Lake or Leon Sinks — go Nov–Apr, start before 9:00 AM in summer.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,330 km²900 sq mi
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 2,330 km²900 sq mi
- 575,849 acres (about 2,330 km²) per the forest's own figure; boundary acreage varies slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Apalachicola National Forest covers about 575,849 acres (2,330 km²) of the Florida Panhandle in Franklin, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties, roughly 4 miles southwest of Tallahassee. It is the largest of Florida's three national forests: flat longleaf pine and wiregrass, sinkholes, savannas and cypress swamps, with 85 miles of marked hiking trails and a 68.7-mile stretch of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Driving in is the only practical way — there is no public transport to the forest.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1936.
Size and age
2,330 km²900 sq mi · national park since 1936
575,849 acres (about 2,330 km²) per the forest's own figure; boundary acreage varies slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Free access to almost the whole forest: forest roads, the Florida Trail and dispersed camping cost nothing.
- Longleaf pine and wiregrass savanna with carnivorous plants — sundews, pitcher plants and butterworts — along the Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway.
- Leon Sinks boardwalks over steep limestone sinkholes, 20 minutes from Tallahassee.
- Quiet swimming lakes with white sand beaches at Camel Lake and Silver Lake for $3 a vehicle.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool and dry; hunting season, wear orange
- FebDry; general gun season usually ends mid-month
- MarWarm days, wildflowers starting, low humidity
- AprBest all-round: dry trails, savannas in bloom
- MayHot by midday; go early, ticks and deer flies
- JunAfternoon thunderstorms most days; humid
- JulHottest, wettest; trails can flood
- AugHeat and storms; swimming lakes at their best
- SepStill wet; storm risk, fewer people
- OctRain eases, humidity drops, day-use hours shorten to 18:00Rain eases, humidity drops, day-use hours shorten to 6:00 PM
- NovDry and mild; best walking and camping
- DecCool, often clear; hunting season active
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alligators in lakes, swamps and riversAll year · Present wherever there is water; never feed them — fed gators lose their fear of people and become dangerous. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Red-cockaded woodpeckerAll year · Endangered; look for nest cavities in living longleaf pines. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Carnivorous plants and savanna wildflowersMar–Jun · Sundews, pitcher plants and butterworts in the wet prairies; orchids later in spring. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Ticks, deer flies and mosquitoesMay–Sep · Worst in the wet summer months; repellent and long trousers help. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black bear and gopher tortoiseMar–Oct · Monitored species; store food in a vehicle, not a tent. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Tallahassee
Drive southwest on SR 20 or SR 267; the forest edge is about 4 miles from the city and Leon Sinks is about 20 min out.
15–40 min
From Apalachicola
US 98/319 north to the Franklin County sections and Fort Gadsden; no public transport.
1–1.5 h
From Crawfordville (Wakulla Ranger District office)
57 Taft Drive; maps and information, then forest roads west.
30 min from Tallahassee
From Bristol (Apalachicola Ranger District office)
Office for the western districts; call ahead for current road and fire conditions.
1 h from Tallahassee
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Munson Sandhills (Leon County) | Turkey oak and bluejack oak on deep sand; the Munson Hills mountain-bike loops and part of the Florida Trail. | Open; free parking at the St. Marks Bicycle Trailhead on Woodville Highway. |
| Leon Sinks Geological Area | Boardwalks over steep limestone sinks, 640 acres, interpretive signs. | Day-use fee $3 per vehicle; no swimming, diving, bikes, horses or hunting. |
| Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway | 31 miles of road across wet prairies with orchids and carnivorous plants, oak, cypress and longleaf pine. | Open; drive it, pull off at marked spots. |
| Camel Lake and the Liberty County lakes | Swim beach, bathhouse, boat ramp and the Trail of Lakes. | Day-use fee $3 per vehicle; camping $8 per site. |
| Franklin County lakes and river sites | Wright Lake, Hickory Landing and Fort Gadsden State Historic Site on the Apalachicola River. | Wright Lake $3 per vehicle; Fort Gadsden no fee. |
Sketch map
- 1Tallahassee · Town≈30.438, -84.281Map ↗
- 2Leon Sinks Geological Area · Trail≈30.309, -84.346Map ↗
- 3Munson Hills trailhead (St. Marks Bicycle Trailhead) · Ranger station≈30.363, -84.310Approximate; on Woodville Highway south of Capital Circle.Map ↗
- 4Silver Lake Recreation Area · Beach≈30.404, -84.408Map ↗
- 5Lost Lake Recreation Area · Viewpoint≈30.364, -84.379Map ↗
- 6Camel Lake Recreation Area · Sleep≈30.277, -84.987Map ↗
- 7Wright Lake Recreation Area · Beach≈30.001, -85.001Map ↗
- 8Fort Gadsden State Historic Site · Village≈29.938, -85.010Map ↗
- 9Apalachicola Ranger District office, Bristol · Headquarters≈30.432, -84.976Approximate; Bristol town centre.Map ↗
- 10Wakulla Ranger District office, Crawfordville · Headquarters≈30.176, -84.375Approximate; 57 Taft Drive, Crawfordville.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry (roads, trails, dispersed camping) | Free | person | No general entrance fee for the national forest. |
| Day-use fee area (Camel Lake, Silver Lake, Wright Lake, Leon Sinks) | US$3 | vehicle per day | Self-service, exact change or a check to USDA Forest Service; 2026 estimate. |
| Apalachicola National Forest annual day-use pass | US$40 | pass | Covers the forest's day-use fee areas and day-use/camping at Hickory Landing, Mack Landing and Whitehead Lake; 2026 estimate. |
| Camel Lake or Wright Lake campsite | US$8 | site per night | First come, no reservations; 2026 estimate. |
| Hickory Landing, Mack Landing or Whitehead Landing campsite | US$3 | vehicle per day | Boat-ramp hunt camps with vault toilets; 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
General forest entry no permit
Day-use fee areas permit or guide
Camping no permit
Hunting permit or guide
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Not allowed in any of the forest's day-use areas, including Camel Lake and Wright Lake.
- Camping limits
- Maximum 14 days in any 30-day period in one location; generators off after 22:00; no hook-ups at any campground.Maximum 14 days in any 30-day period in one location; generators off after 10:00 PM; no hook-ups at any campground.
- Hunting-season camping
- Dispersed camping is restricted during general gun season, usually mid-November to mid-February (check dates).
- Leon Sinks restrictions
- No swimming, diving, hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATVs or motorcycles; motor vehicles only in the parking area.
- Horses
- Not allowed on the Florida National Scenic Trail or in developed recreation areas; allowed on the Vinzant Horse Trail and most forest roads.
- Pets
- Allowed but must be restrained or on a leash.
- Fires
- Open fires may be banned when fire danger is high; check before you light one.
Where to stay
In the park
Camel Lake campground
10 sites with table, grill and fire ring; drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers; $8 per site.
In the park
Wright Lake campground
20 sites, same facilities plus an RV dump station; $8 per site.
In the park
Hickory, Mack and Whitehead Landing hunt camps
12, 10 and 6 sites with vault toilets and boat ramps; $3 per vehicle per day.
In the park
Dispersed camping on forest roads
Free anywhere outside developed areas, 14 days in 30; no amenities.
Near the park
Tallahassee
The nearest full range of hotels and motels, 15–40 min from the fee areas.
Near the park
Apalachicola
Small-town lodging near the western, Franklin County sections.
Safety
Alligators medium
Sinkholes at Leon Sinks high
Summer heat and thunderstorms medium
Flooded trail sections medium
Hunting season medium
Patchy phone signal low
Accessibility
- Camel Lake, Silver Lake and Wright Lake day-use areas are fairly level and reachable by wheelchair, with accessible bathhouses.
- Leon Sinks has boardwalks but steep sink edges; stay on the decking.
- Fort Gadsden's interpretive path is level and riverside.
- Most forest roads are sand and can be soft; check conditions after rain.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; there are no bins on forest roads.
- Leave vegetation and water systems intact when camping away from developed sites.
- Do not feed alligators or any wildlife, and keep food in a vehicle.
- Use existing fire rings and respect fire bans in dry periods.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Apalachicola National Forest?
Nothing. There is no general entrance fee for the national forest — forest roads, trails and dispersed camping are free. Only the day-use fee areas (Camel Lake, Silver Lake, Wright Lake and Leon Sinks) charge $3 per vehicle per day, paid self-service with exact change or a check to USDA Forest Service. A $40 annual pass covers those areas plus day-use and camping at Hickory Landing, Mack Landing and Whitehead Lake.
What are the best hikes in Apalachicola National Forest?
For an easy half-day, the Leon Sinks boardwalk loops over the sinkholes, the 1-mile Camel Lake interpretive trail and the 5-mile Wright Lake loop. For something longer, the 9-mile Trail of Lakes at Camel Lake, the 8-mile and 5-mile Munson Hills bike loops, or a section of the 68.7-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, which crosses the forest southeast to northwest and can flood after heavy rain.
When is the best time to visit Apalachicola National Forest?
November to April: dry, mild and comfortable, with March, April, October and November the strongest months. Summer (June–September) brings daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity and flooded trail sections. If you visit in general gun hunting season, usually mid-November to mid-February, wear high-visibility orange.
Do I need a pass or permit?
No permit for general entry, trails or dispersed camping. You pay only at the day-use fee areas, and you need a state hunting licence if you hunt. Camping in developed campgrounds is first come, first served — there are no reservations.
Can I camp for free?
Yes. Dispersed camping anywhere outside developed recreation areas is free, with a limit of 14 days in any 30-day period in one location. It is restricted during general gun hunting season, usually mid-November to mid-February. Developed sites cost $8 per night at Camel Lake and Wright Lake, or $3 per vehicle per day at Hickory, Mack and Whitehead Landings.
Are there alligators?
Yes, wherever there is water. They normally avoid people, but never feed or approach them — fed alligators lose their fear and become dangerous. Keep dogs out of the water and watch the bank in swamps and lakes.
How do I get there without a car?
You cannot, realistically. There is no public transport to the forest; it is about 4 miles southwest of Tallahassee and reached by car on SR 20, SR 267 or US 98/319. Forest roads are sand and can be soft after rain.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go