This State Park Is A Must-Visit For Hikers Visiting Florida

Florida has no shortage of destinations for nature lovers who want to explore the salty waters of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Coast, subtropical ecosystems, and the world-famous Everglades National Park. The Florida Panhandle also boasts a hidden gem that is a must-stop for hikers visiting Florida. Dubbed the "Mountains of Florida," Torreya State Park is a scenic destination that features 16 miles of trails that lead hikers through high plateaus, bluffs, and deep ravines blanketed by lush hardwood forests.

Located less than an hour west of Tallahassee, off of Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, Torreya State Park is a scenic natural landmark. It is named after a rare species of Torreya tree that grows only along the broad, shoreline cliffs that reach more than 150 feet above the Apalachicola River. Unlike a majority of the Sunshine State, areas of Torreya State Park gain quite a bit in elevation and can be hilly. The park is home to a wide range of rare flora and diverse wildlife, including deer, beavers, bobcats, gray foxes, Barbour's map turtles, and more than 100 species of birds. Torreya State Park has numerous hikes suitable for beginners looking to take in all of the natural splendor, as well as experienced trail trekkers wanting a new challenge.

At just around one mile and with an average completion time of 30 minutes, the Weeping Ridge trail is the shortest hike in Torreya State Park. The easy-to-moderate route leads through dense hardwood forests to one of the park's deepest ravines, which features a 25-foot-tall waterfall. Another well-traveled route in the park is the Torreya Trail, a 6.7-mile loop with an elevation gain of about 800 feet, making it an excellent half-day trek. The trail has patches of rough terrain and steep climbs and is considered one of the more difficult hikes in the state. As you traverse the bluffs and hilly passages that make up the Torreya Trail, you'll become immersed in the park's thriving wilderness.

For a day-long adventure, set off on the Torreya Challenge trail. Living up to its name, the Torreya Challenge trail is a difficult, 12.5-mile loop that weaves through Torreya. The route has an elevation gain of 1,653 feet and takes over five hours to complete on average. While it can be a feat, the Torreya Challenge trail offers incomparable scenic views of the "Mountains of Florida" and the Apalachicola River.

While Torreya State Park has excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and picturesque landscapes all year round, a particularly popular time to explore this state park is during the fall months. While northeastern and midwestern destinations receive most of the hype for fall foliage, Florida's Torreya State Park boasts southern sugar maple, sweetgum, and sourwood trees that overflow with vibrant, autumnal leaves.

Take your trip to the next level by backpacking through the Torreya wilderness. You can pitch a tent at one of the several primitive camping sites that sit on top of a wooded ridge in the state park. Torreya also has 30 shaded campsites with electric and water hookups, as well as a 20-foot round, rentable yurts that make for a more upscale — but still eco-friendly — accommodation. These on-site camping areas provide unobstructed views of the Apalachicola River and surrounding wildlife.

Torreya State Park is a popular destination for adventurers who enjoy geocaching. Simply defined, geocaching is a modern-day "treasure hunt" that uses handheld global positioning systems (GPS) devices to find caches that contain items like logbooks and unique trinkets. History buffs will appreciate the number of historic sites within Torreya State Park boundaries, including old barracks that were once used during the Civil War. Another tourist stop is the Gregory House, a Southern mansion constructed in the 1840s that was restored and rebuilt by workers of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.

In addition to exploring the park on land, visitors can often be found swimming, canoeing, or kayaking in the waters that border the state park. The Apalachicola River has the highest diversity of freshwater fish species in Florida, making it a sought-after area for boating. On your next trip to the Sunshine State, visit Torreya State Park for some incredible hiking and other outdoor adventures.