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Big Bend Scenic Byway

Explore Undiscovered North Florida

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Byway Central Itinerary

 Picnic facilities  area are located near the scenic point where the Ochlockonee and Dead Rivers intersect. Ochlockonee, which means "yellow waters," is a mix of brackish, tidal surge, and fresh water. Pristine and deep, the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

 


Byway East Itinerary

Wakulla Springs is internationally known as one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world and the park is host to an abundance of wildlife, including White-Tailed Deer, Alligators, Suwannee River Cooters, Manatees, Wood Ducks, Anhinga, Yellow-Crowned Night Herons, other birds, and snakes. A nature trail offers a leisurely walk along the upland wooded areas of the park.

Daily guided riverboat tours provide a close encounter with wildlife and glass-bottom boat tours are offered when the water is exceptionally clear. Swimming is a popular activity during the hot summer months but the water temperature remains a constant 69 degrees year-round.

The Wakulla Springs Lodge was built in 1937 by financier Edward Ball and is open year-round. Wakulla Springs State Park and Lodge is listed on the Natural Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Natural Landmark.


Byway East Itinerary

Bald Point State Park is located on Alligator Point where the Ochlockonee Bay meets Apalachee Bay. The coastal marshes, pine flat woods, and oak thickets support a diverse biological community that makes this park perfect for birding and viewing wildlife. View migrations of birds and butterflies in the fall into winter. This park offers sunbathing, fishing and hiking and facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions.


Byway West Itinerary

Miles of undeveloped beaches on this barrier island offer ample opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, canoeing, boating, hiking, camping and nature study. Two natural boat ramps provide access to the bay for small boats. The park has six large picnic shelters equipped with grills, tables and nearby restrooms. The campground features 60 campsites with water, electric, a central dump station and two bathhouses. 


Byway West Itinerary

Wright Lake is a quiet scenic lakefront recreation area that offers a host of amenities and activities for campers and day-trippers. The area around the clear, spring-fed lake offers both a day-use area for swimming, picnicking, and hiking, and a campground in a beautiful forest setting along one portion of the lakeshore. It is perfect for fishing and boating. Swimmers can enjoy the white sand beach, and a nearby bathhouse includes flush toilets and hot showers. Picnic tables and grills are scattered among trees with views of the lake.

The campground includes 18 campsites with picnic tables, grills, tent pads and fire rings. The recreation area is fairly level and easily accessible. Hikers can enjoy a 4.6-mile interpretive trail that circles the lake.