B: The Forgotten Coast

Beginning at the Alabama border, the coastal stretch of this region covers the inside route of Northwest Florida's snow-white barrier islands and Emerald Green seas. Here paddlers can experience historic sites and enjoy Southern hospitality. This region also has a wealth of unspoiled rivers, including the Perdido, Coldwater, Blackwater, Yellow, Juniper / Sweetwater, Shoal, Holmes Creek and Econfina Creek.

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4: Apalachicola Bay / Chipola

Along the coast, vast tracts of unspoiled public lands and islands are featured in this segment, from the high dunes of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park to the wild palm-lined shores of St. Vincent Island to the old-growth coastal forests of Cape St. George State Reserve.

Apalachicola Bay is a dominant natural feature, providing incredibly productive fishing and shellfish harvests. Not only will paddlers see numerous oyster boats and their crews scouring the waters of Apalachicola Bay, but if they time their trip right, succulent oysters await at the annual Apalachicola Seafood Festival (early November).

Just inland from the bay, paddlers can enjoy 10 mapped paddling trails through small bays and down remote cypress and tupelo lined creeks. These scenic streams bear intriguing names such as Whiskey George and Thank You Ma'am. They are part of the state-owned Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area. Some overnight trips are possible.

A major tributary of the Apalachicola River is the Chipola River. Several springs feed into the river and some caves can be found along the steeper banks. A small shoals known as "Look and Tremble" can give paddlers a thrill.

57 miles of circumnavigational trail

1 state designated paddling trail

A network of mapped paddling trails around Apalachicola Bay

Florida Cities: Apalachicola, Eastpoint, Port St. Joe, Marianna

Contact: Contact our Region B Director or Trailkeeper for more information by clicking here.

Launch Sites

Day Paddles and Overnight Camping Trip Maps

Areas

Multiday Trail Maps

Environmental Considerations

Be wary of strong winds in open water sections
Currents moving through passes can be strong and expect challenging surf at times
Portage required at Stump Hole, near Tower Primitive Campsite
Do not disturb bats inside caves along Chipola River. Many are endangered.

Emergency Contacts

Police, Fire and Medical Emergencies: 911
Gulf County Sheriff: 850-227-1115
Franklin County Sheriff: 850-670-8500
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Hotline: 1-888-404-3922

5: Ochlockonee / Wakulla

Paddling trails abound in this segment. River trails range from the larger Ochlockonee, to the tannin-colored Sopchoppy, to shorter spring fed streams such as the Wakulla and Wacissa. Paddlers can also explore two different connected lake systems near Tallahassee: the Lake Bradford Chain of Lakes and the Lafayette Passage Trail.

Following the circumnavigational trail along the coast, paddlers can observe major geologic changes that have taken place over millennia. St. George and Dog islands mark the end of a chain of barrier islands that have been formed by sediments deposited by the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers while islands to the east are sections of land isolated by rising sea levels.

Paddling east on the Crooked River through Tate's Hell State Forest you'll have a good chance of spotting a Florida black bear.

The second half of the segment along the coast spans the entire length of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Here, you'll see unspoiled marshy vistas, tree islands, and an historic lighthouse.

100-103 miles of circumnavigational trail

8 mapped River/Interior Trails

Florida Cities: Tallahassee, Quincy, Crawfordville, Carrabelle, Panacea, St. Marks