Fresh water flowing from Wakulla Spring accounts for most of the Wakulla River’s outflow. In winter, the spring serves as a thermal refuge for the Florida manatee. Here, water connects natural habitats with places where you can discover the coast, forest areas and history in different ways.
Wakulla Spring and the Coastal Landscape
The Wakulla Unit of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge provides access to a tidal beach on Apalachee Bay. A section of the Florida National Scenic Trail runs for about 5.5 miles through this unit. It includes the popular hike through the “Cathedral of Palms” to Shepard Spring—a route that reveals the landscape along a specific trail.
Mashes Sands Beach offers a different coastal view, surrounded by saltwater marshes. A Mobi-Mat extends there to the water’s edge, making the beach fully ADA-accessible. Check the condition of the mat before your visit if this access is important to your plans.
At Ochlockonee River State Park, longleaf pine forests stand alongside natural communities such as pine flatwoods and sandhills. The trails make it possible to observe a variety of wildlife, including the red-cockaded woodpecker. The park is also considered an excellent place for boating and fishing. The range of experiences spans forest habitats and wildlife viewing to activities on the water.
Trails with Very Different Characteristics
At Wakulla State Forest, you can hike, ride horses, bike, picnic, watch birds and explore nature. Existing forest roads, old roadbeds and designated trails provide access for these activities. One specific option is the Double Springs Multi-use Trail: The 4.5-mile loop includes low-water crossings, inclines and winding paths. These features give you a clearer idea of the route without implying a general difficulty rating.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail has a different design. It runs for 16 miles from Florida’s capital to the coastal community of St. Marks. The paved trail is designated for running, hiking, biking and skating, and is recognized as a National Recreation Trail. The difference is clear when choosing between them: here, a paved route and several named activities contrast with a loop featuring crossings, inclines and curves.
The Wakulla Unit also offers a distinct trail experience with its section of the Florida National Scenic Trail: about 5.5 miles run through the refuge, including the popular hike through the “Cathedral of Palms” to Shepard Spring. The routes described can therefore be distinguished not only by length but also by their layout and trail features.
History by the River and the Railroad Tracks
At San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, the museum displays pottery and tools excavated near the original fort. A self-guided interpretive trail is open to visitors. Tucker’s Point is also in the same park: The fishing spot is where the St. Marks River meets the Wakulla River. The museum, interpretive trail and fishing spot each give your visit a different focus—excavated artifacts, a walk or the confluence of two rivers.
The restored Sopchoppy Depot was built around 1891 and now serves as a museum with historical exhibits. The Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory offers another way to explore the region’s natural world: Its aquariums focus on animals such as seahorses, hermit crabs, electric rays and red-and-white-spotted calico crabs. Discoveries here range from local railroad history to marine life.
If you plan your trip around your interests, you’ll find a range of options in Wakulla County: coastal landscapes and wildlife viewing, trails with different surfaces and route features, or history showcased in a museum and at a river confluence. The specific details about routes, landscapes and exhibits can help you weigh these options.
Discover more destinations: Crawfordville, St. Lucie, Sarasota, Martin, Osceola, Lake, Franklin County, Clay.
For the broader travel overview: Florida.
