TheArmchairExplorer - Florida
Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway
Along the Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway
The Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway is a designated National Forest Scenic Byway that traverses the western side of Apalachicola National Forest. The route is about 35 miles long and is paved all the way, although there are no services of any sort. The Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway also passes close to the Fort Gadsden National Historic Site, just in case you'd like to check out the site of a fort built by the British during the War of 1812 that was destroyed by a single cannon ball a few years later. Just make the turn on Forest Road 129 (the Fort Gadsden Road - south of Sumatra) and you'll be there within a couple miles.
The campsites along the scenic byway are universally accessible and most can accommodate RVs. For those who like their countryside a bit rougher, there are also several primitive hunt and fish camps in the region.
The savannas are a mix of longleaf pine flatwoods, warm wetlands and cypress bogs. There are more than 100 species of wildflowers growing here, with many that flower in the different seasons.
Wildflowers in the savannas along the Scenic Byway
Photos courtesy of Byways.org
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway
Apalachicola National Forest
Bald Point State Park
Big Bend Scenic Byway
Bradwell Bay Wilderness
Camp Helen State Park
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Econfina River State Park
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Falling Waters State Park
Fort Gadsden Historic Site
John Gorrie Museum State Park
Lake Jackson Mounds State Park
Lake Talquin State Forest
Lake Talquin State Park
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park
Mud Swamp-New River Wilderness
Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park
Ochlocknee River State Park
Orman House State Park
Pine Log State Forest
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
St. George Island State Park
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
St. Marks River State Park
St. Marks NWR
St. Vincent NWR
San Marcos de Apalache State Park
Tate's Hell State Forest
Three Rivers State Park
Torreya State Park
Wakulla State Forest
Area map courtesy of National Geographic Topo!
State Forests