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Big Bend Scenic Byway
Three-Year Calendar
Byway Events Maps Photographs Information
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Big Bend Scenic Byway
Big Bend Scenic Byway
The Big Bend Scenic Byway is a 220-mile scenic drive that is divided into two distinct trailsCoastal and
Forestwhich beckon you, the traveler, to explore undiscovered North Florida. Be transported to a dierent
time and place through our wildlie, waterways, woods, and way o lie. Youll be surprised at the diverse
scenery, places, and experiences that await you. Discover something new. Relive your childhood...searching or
shells on a beach, eating ice cream at estivals, riding a horse through the woods, shing on a dock on the bay,or watching sunsets over the water. There are un activities or the whole amily. Historic orts, battlegrounds,
museums, wildfowers, butterfies, birds, and animals. coastal dunes, orests, rivers, beaches, and marshland. Fishing villages,
historic towns, and rural communities. Fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, and biking. Shopping, resh seaood restaurants,
plays, great lodging, and estivals. So make the most o your visit, whether you have a day, a week, or a month. There are no
crowds, high prices, or pressures. The Big Bend is slower paced, relaxed, and ull o great values! You wont be disappointed...
rain or shine. Its time to make memories!
Acknowledgements
This publication was prepared on behal o the Big Bend Corridor Management Entity by Diane Delaney and Don Lesh o
Applied Sustainability Enterprises and designed by Rex Adams o Adams Graphics. We wish to thank the ollowing people and
organizations or providing photographs or the Calendar, including: Diane Delaney, Carol Roberts, Apalachicola Bay Chamber
o Commerce, Wakulla County TDC, Lou Kellenberger, Betsy Kellenberger, Jim Schmid, Florida Division o Forestry, Erik
Lovestrand, Rob Diaz de Villegas, and U.S. Forest Service.
We grateully acknowledge the Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byway
Program or their support o this publication and the nancial assistance provided by
the Florida Department o Economic Opportunity. In addition, this publication was
unded in part, through a grant agreement rom the Florida Department o Environmental
Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program, by a grant provided by the Oce o
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act o
1972, as amended, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. #NA10NOS4190178.
The views, statements, ndings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein are those o the
author(s) and do not necessarily refect the views o the State o Florida, NOAA or any o their subagencies.
September, 2011.
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January
Season o plays, music, and art opens at Dixie Theatre, Apalachicola (FC)
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is a keystone speciesbecause o the number o other species--birds, insects, reptiles, and small
mammals--that will eventually inhabit the nest cavities they excavate in
mature pine trees. Due to loss o habitat, their numbers have dwindled
to about 5,000 groups representing one percent o the birds original
numbers. Through conservation eorts, the rich pine orests along the Big
Bend Scenic Byway are now home to the largest population o RCWs in the
United States.
The tallest North American
bird, the Whooping Crane (Grusamericana) is one o the mostamous endangered species
in North America with only aew hundred let in the wild. Mating or lie, they
can live 22 to 24 years. The St. Marks NWR, in
partnership with the Whooping Crane Eastern
Partnership, has managed the almost miraculous
eat o reintroducing Cranes to the reuge as a
wintering ground. This is only the beginningthe
program hopes to increase the number o Cranes
and their chances o survival.
Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis ) live in theBig Bend area as living ossils, having survived
or over 200 million years. Although Alligators
have a heavy body and a slow metabolism, they
are capable o short bursts o speed, especially in
very short lunges. In Florida, it is illegal to eed
wild Alligators at any time. I ed, the Alligators
will eventually lose their ear o humans thereby
becoming a greater danger as they associate
people with ood.
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Coastal Trail East
Coastal trail EastMap
Description: 47.3 miles on Coastal Highway US 98. From east to west, start in Wakulla County at the community oNewport with two spur drives (Lighthouse Road/CR 59 through the St. Marks National Wildlie Reuge and Port Leon Drive/
SR 363 to the city o St. Marks). The Byway crosses over the Wakulla River and continues on US 98 through Medart and the
picturesque shing village o Panacea. At Ochlockonee Bay the trail crosses the Ochlockonee Bay Bridge into Franklin County
and the beach community o St. Teresa, ending at Summer Camp at the intersection with Sopchoppy Highway/US 319.
Attractions: Newport (R, F, B): Wakulla County Park (I, R, W, P, C, B), St. Marks National Wildlie Reuge & Lighthouse (I, R, W, P, B)
City o St. Marks (I, R, L, F): San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park (I, P, B), Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad
Trail State Park (R, B), Waterront Park (I, R, W, P, B)
Wakulla River (R): Wakulla Beach Road with access to Florida National Scenic Trail (R)
Panacea (I, R, L, F, C, B): Bottoms Road (W), Otter Lake Recreation Area (B, W, R, P), Gul Specimen Aquarium (I, W, B),
Big Bend Maritime Center (I, W, B), Rock Landing (R, F), Mashes Sands Recreation Area (R, W, P, B)
Bald Point State Park (I, R, W, P, B): Leonards Landing (I), FSU Marine Laboratory (I)
Byway Information Centers:St. Marks National Wildlie Reuge Visitors Center and the Wakulla Welcome Center in Panacea
Legend:I-Interpretation, R-Recreation, W-Wildlie Viewing, L-Lodging, F-Food, P-Picnic, C-Camping, B-Bathrooms
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Mardi Gras Festival, Apalachicola (FC)
In Florida, butterfies and their migration
create a colorul spectacle. More than
160 butterfy species breed in Florida. In
addition, approximately 200 other species
have been recorded passing through Florida.
Many are not ound anywhere else in North
America. From September to November,
Monarch Butterfies (Danaus plexippus) andother butterfies are especially noticeable as
they migrate through rom the north, turning
west along the Big Bend as they head to
Mexico.
River systems in the Big Bend
region support habitat or Sea
Cows or Manatees (Trichechusmanatus latirostrus). Considered
vulnerable to extinction, theManatee depends on the healthy environment
o Big Bend area waters. The Manatees closest
relatives are the Elephant and the Hyrax (a small,
gopher-sized mammal). A herbivore, the Manatee
is believed to have evolved rom a wading,
plant-eating animal and may eat as many as 60
dierent plant species.
The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)is so named because o its ability to dig
large, deep burrows, up to 40 eet in length.
With a liespan o 60 years, this Tortoise
is a valuable component o the ecosystem
because it is a keystone species and can
inorm managers about the health o the
entire system. More than 360 other species
have been known to take reuge in Gopher
Tortoise burrows.
February
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Coastal Trail Central
Coastal trail CEntral Map
Description: 23.1 miles on Coastal Highway US 98. Traveling east to west rom Summer Camp and the intersection withSopchoppy Highway US 319, continue on the Coastal Highway toward the seaside town o Carrabelle. Watch or a route change
beore town on Gul Avenue/30-A. The Byway ollows the coast, passing Frog Pond, entering Carrabelle at the Riverwalk on
Marine Street. The Byway then continues over the Carrabelle River on Coastal Highway 98, ending at the intersection with SR
65.
Attractions: City o Carrabelle (I, R, L, F, B): Frog Pond (W), Riverwalk (I, P, B), Carrabelle Historic Museum (I, B), Camp Gordon
Johnston Museum (I, B)
Carrabelle Beach (I, R, P, B): Crooked River Lighthouse (I, R, W, P, B)
Tates Hell State Forest (I, R, C, B): High Blu Hiking Trail (I, R, W, P, B), State Forest Driving Trail to the Cathedral o the
Palms (W)
Byway Information Center:Carrabelle Chamber o Commerce
Legend:I-Interpretation, R-Recreation, W-Wildlie Viewing, L-Lodging, F-Food, P-Picnic, C-Camping, B-Bathrooms
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March
Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion, Carrabelle (FC)St. Vincent Island Open House (FC)
Battle o Natural Bridge Reenactment, Woodville (LC)Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival, Ochlockonee River State Park (WC)
Spotting a Florida Black Bear (Ursusamericanus foridanus) along the Big BendScenic Byway is a thrilling sight, and one
that is becoming more common or both visitors
and residents. A subspecies o the American Black
Bear, the Florida Black Bear lives in six core areas
across the state. The Big Bend Scenic Byway is in
the Apalachicola Core Area where orests and
interconnected greenways provide essential habitat.
Known locally as seaside bears, they can ound
along the bay, oraging or Crabs and Turtle eggs or
dining on Oyster bars at low tide.
The Big Bend region is a globally important area or songbirds and waterowl. This area lies on the eastern ringe o the
Mississippi Flyway and hosts large numbers o birds rom both the Midwest and the Atlantic seaboard during migratory
periods. Occasionally, a all-out phenomenon occurs when a severe storm causes exhausted songbirds to land,
sometimes carpeting the ground with their numbers. A good place to spot a all-out is at St. George Island State Park.
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Coastal Trail West
Coastal trail WEst Map
Description: 25.6 miles on Coastal Highway 98. Traveling east to west, this trail begins at the intersection with SR 65heading toward the oyster-producing community o Eastpoint. Watch or the route change rom US 98 in Eastpoint to Patton
Drive/SR 30. The Byway ollows St. George Sound to the Bryant Patton Bridge. Cross the bridge to St. George Island, then turn
west at Gul Beach Drive/SR 300 to Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. Return to the mainland, and ollow the
Byway east on South Bayshore Drive back to US 98. Cross over the Apalachicola River on the John Gorrie Bridge to historic
Apalachicola. The Byway ends at the boat dock on Market Street.
Attractions: Eastpoint (F): Marion Millender Park (W, P), Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center (I, W, B)
St. George Island (I, R, L, F, B): Dr. Julian G. Bruce SGI State Park (I, R, W, P, C, B), Little St. George Lighthouse (I, B),
Island Bike Trail (R)
Apalachicola (I, L, F, B): St. Vincent National Wildlie Reuge Visitor Center (I, B), Apalachicola Maritime Museum (I, B),
Orman House State Park (I, B), Chapman Botanical Gardens (P), John Gorrie State Park (I, B), Chestnut Street Cemetery (I),
Dixie Theatre (I, B)
Byway Information Centers:St. George Island Visitor Center, Apalachicola Chamber o Commerce
Legend:I-Interpretation, R-Recreation, W-Wildlie Viewing, L-Lodging, F-Food, P-Picnic, C-Camping, B-Bathrooms
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April
Apalachicola Antique & Classic Boat Show (FC)Riverront Festival, Carrabelle (FC)
Pioneer Breakast/Tallahassee Jazz and Blues Fest, Tallahassee Museum (LC)Worm-Gruntin Festival, Sopchoppy (WC)
Wakulla Wildlie Festival, Wakulla Springs State Park (WC)Wild About Wakulla (WC)
Humanatee Festival, St. Marks (WC)
As rainall reaches Floridas sandy soil, it combines with carbon dioxide and decaying vegetation to orm a mild carbonic
acid that slowly dissolves the underlying porous limestone, enlarging its small cracks and pores. Over thousands o years,
these small pores and cracks expand to become underground caves and caverns. Collectively, these interconnected caves are
the pipes through which groundwater fows within the Florida aquier to the springs, where groundwater is orced up and
onto the surace.
Springs are classied based on the amount o water discharged. The largest magnitude 1 springs discharge at least 65
million gallons o water a day. The volume o water fowing rom a spring is dependent upon a variety o actors: the water
pressure in the aquier beneath it, the number o caves leading to the spring vent or opening, and the size o the vent itsel.
Wakulla cave is a branching, fow-dominated cave and is the longest and deepest known submerged reshwater cave system
in the world. Wakulla Springs is one o the worlds largest, discharging an average o 260 million gallons o water per day.
Its spring pool is an impressive 315 eet in diameter, and the huge vent is estimated to be 82 eet wide, 50 eet high, and 185eet deep. The spring orms the Wakulla River, which fows 9 miles (14 km) to the southeast where it joins the St. Marks
River. Ater a short 5 miles (8.0 km), it empties into the Gul o Mexico at Apalachee Bay. This reshwater input is essential in
maintaining Apalachee Bays incredibly rich ecosystem.
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Forest Trail East
ForEst trail EastMap
Description: 28.6 miles. Traveling east to west in Wakulla County, turn o o Coastal Highway US 98 at Newport ontoBloxham Cuto/SR 267, passing Wakulla State Forest and Wakulla Springs State Park. Ater crossing US 319 turn onto
Springhill Road/CR 2203 to Capital Circle SW, passing the Tallahassee Regional Airport, ending at the intersection with
Blountstown Highway/SR 20.
Attractions: Bloxham Cuto/SR 267: Wakulla State Forest (I, R, W, P), Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
and Lodge (R, L, F, I, W, P, B); Cherokee Sink (R, W, P, B)
Apalachicola National Forest access rom Springhill Road: Leon Sinks Geological Site (I, R, W, B, P), Trout Pond
Recreational Area (I, R, W, P, B), Historic GF&A Bike Trial ( R), Lost Lake Recreational Area (I, R, W, P, B)
City o Tallahassee (F, L, B, I): Tallahassee Museum (I, R, W, F, B), Mission San Luis de Apalache (I, B)
Byway Information Centers:Visit Tallahassee, Tallahassee Museum
Legend:I-Interpretation, R-Recreation, W-Wildlie Viewing, L-Lodging, F-Food, P-Picnic, C-Camping, B-Bathrooms
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May
Tour o Historic Homes, Apalachicola (FC)Plein Air Paint-Out, Apalachicola (FC)
Military Muster, Mission San Luis (LC)Blue Crab Festival, Panacea (WC)
Many o the rivers
along the byway are
called blackwater
deep, slow-movingchannels that fow through swamps
and wetlands. As vegetation decays
in the water, tannins are leached out,
resulting in tea-colored acidic water.
Most major blackwater rivers are in
the Amazon River system and the
southern United States, where they
support distinctive fora and auna.
The striking array o habitats, plants, sh, reptiles and amphibians in the Apalachicola River basin make it one o the most
productive estuaries in North America, and a treasure o biodiversity. The Apalachicola Rivertogether with its tributaries, the
Chattahoochee and Flint Riversdrains a 20,000-square-mile watershed, comprising the largest foodplain orest in Florida. It is
estimated that its discharge into the Gul o Mexico accounts or 35 percent o the total reshwater contribution to the west coast o
Florida. The Apalachicola Bay supplies 10% o all Oysters harvested nationally and has the 3rd largest Shrimp harvest in Florida. It
is also the second largest o 25 existing National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) sites in the nation. The variety o habitats and
unique geography make the river, bay, and surrounding orests home to numerous endemic, rare, and imperiled species
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Forest Trail Central
ForEst trail CEntral Map
Description: Description: 69.6 miles in length. The trail begins at the intersection o Capital Circle SW and BlountstownHighway/SR 20. Traveling east to west on SR 20, the trail passes recreational areas o the Apalachicola National Forest and
Lake Talquin State Forest. Beore the Lake Talquin Dam, turn let onto Smith Creek Highway/CR 375. This portion o the trail
borders the Ochlockonee River and passes through the center o the Apalachicola National Forest. Turn onto Rose Avenue/CR
22 to visit the quaint town o Sopchoppy. Return on CR 22 to Curtis Mill Road/CR 299, through the National Forest and rural
countryside to Sopchoppy Highway US 319. The trail ollows US 319, passing the Ochlockonee River State Park, then crosses
the Ochlockonee River into Franklin County. The trail ends at Summer Camp at the intersection with Coastal Highway 98. Note
that there are no gas stations through the National Forest.
Attractions: Blountstown Highway / SR 20: Apalachicola National Forest - Silver Lake Recreational Area (I, R, W, P, C, B),
Lake Talquin State Forest - Fort Braden Trails (I, R, W, P, C, B), Lake Talquin State Park - River Blu Picnic Site (P, W, R, B, I),
Historic Ft. Braden School (I), Leon County Park - Luther Hall Landing (I, R, W, P, C, B), Apalachicola National Forest -
Vinzant Riding Trail (R, W), Lake Talquin State Forest near CR 375 - Bloxham Tract (W, P, B) Smith Creek Highway /CR 375: Apalachicola National Forest - Pine Creek Landing (R, W, C), Two Rivers Bridge & Porter
Lake Campground (I, R, W, P, C, B), Florida National Scenic Trail (R, W), Mack Landing (R, W, P, C, B)
City o Sopchoppy (F, I, C, B): Historic GF&A Depot (I, B), Historic School & Gym (I), Myron B. Hodge City Park&
Sopchoppy River (I, R, W, P, C, B)
Curtis Mill Road/CR 299: Apalachicola National Forest Wood Lake Landing (R, W, P, C, B)
Sopchoppy Highway /US 319: Ochlockonee River State Park (C, I, R, W, B, P)
Byway Information Centers:Ft. Braden Library, Sopchoppy Historic Depot
Legend:I-Interpretation, R-Recreation, W-Wildlie Viewing, L-Lodging, F-Food, P-Picnic, C-Camping, B-Bathrooms
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June
Wetlandsincluding marshes, swamps, and bogs
are crucial to a healthy coastal environment. Wetlands
support an astonishing array o sh and wildlie; they
eed sh in the bays, provide nutrients to the ood
chain in estuaries, and serve as breeding areas and
shelter or numerous sport and commercial sheries.
Wetlands also act as water storage and ltering
systems, moderating run-o and keeping water clean.
Water fowing rom the salt
marshes into the bay supports
vital sea grass beds. The sea
grasses, which thrive in the
shallow water, produce oxygennecessary or all other sh and animal lie in these
waters. They are also valuable or water birds
and other aquatic predators because they serve
as nurseries or sh and shellsh. Apalachee Bay
contains one o the most productive sea grass
beds in Florida. They are easily impacted by
pollution, boat propellers, and storm water run-
o.
Even though there is
an abundance o springs,
rivers, marshes, tidal fats,
and wetlands in the Big
Bend, conservation and
stewardship is everyonesresponsibility to sustain
these resources or uture
generations. In addition
to the invaluable sh and
wildlie habitat that they
provide, they also buer
inland areas rom large
storms and hurricanes.
Fishing is antastic along the Byway, hire a guide or try a charter