The Apalachicola National Forest, established in 1936, is the largest national forest in Florida, spanning over 576,000 acres across the Panhandle. While it stretches across four counties, the portion within Wakulla County represents the forest’s eastern district, occupying the entire western half of the county.

This region is a vital ecological transition zone where the high, sandy "Munson Sandhills" meet the low-lying coastal plains and the dramatic limestone formations of the Woodville Karst Plain.

One of the defining features of the Wakulla County section is the Leon Sinks Geological Area. Unlike the flat, swampy pine savannas found further west, this area is characterized by karst topography—a landscape formed by the dissolving of underlying limestone. Here, the ground has collapsed into a series of spectacular wet and dry sinkholes, disappearing streams, and natural bridges.The Leon Sinks are part of one of the most extensive underwater cave systems in the world, which hydrologically connects directly to the famous Wakulla Springs. Visitors can explore this "Swiss cheese" geology via a series of interpretive trails, including the Sinkhole Trail, which leads to Big Dismal, a 100-foot-deep sinkhole filled with striking turquoise water.

Wakulla’s side of the forest is also home to the Silver Lake Recreation Area, the largest developed recreation site in the entire forest. Situated just south of State Road 20, Silver Lake features a 250-foot white sand beach and a mile-long interpretive trail that winds through a lush forest of longleaf pine, ancient cypress, and moss-draped oaks. It is a premier destination for swimming, non-motorized boating, and picnicking.

Further south lies the Bradwell Bay Wilderness, a massive, primitive "bay" or swamp of titi trees and hardwoods. This area is famously difficult to traverse; the Florida National Scenic Trail cuts through its center, often requiring hikers to wade through waist-deep water. It offers a glimpse into the wild, prehistoric Florida that existed before modern drainage and development.

Ecologically, the Wakulla district is a stronghold for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. You can often spot their nesting sites—marked by distinct white rings painted on longleaf pine trunks—along the forest roads. The area is also home to black bears, gopher tortoises, and rare carnivorous plants like pitcher plants that thrive in the boggy "savannah" patches. Because this ecosystem relies on fire to clear out invasive hardwoods and stimulate the growth of wiregrass, the U.S. Forest Service conducts one of the most active prescribed burn programs in the country here. This management ensures that the Wakulla portion of the forest remains an open, sun-drenched woodland, preserving the iconic "Old Florida" landscape for future generations.

Note: The location shown on our map for Apalachicola National Forest is simply a road intersection near the center of the Wakulla section of the forest. There are no visitor or interpretive centers within the forest in Wakulla County.
Activities & Facilities

Picnic shelterDogs allowedShort hiking trailsLong hiking trailsPaved bike trailsMountain bike trailsHorse trailsSwimmingRiver or lake kayakingMotor boatingATVs/motorcycles allowedTent campingHuntingFishing

• Apalachicola National Forest official website
• Interactive visitor map for all national forests