Lake Talquin State Forest
The forest is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including a variety of bird species, Bobcats, Coyotes, White-tailed Deer, Fox Squirrels, and the state-threatened Gopher Tortoise. The landscape features a range of ecosystems, from the dominant upland pine forests to flatwoods, sandhills, floodplain forests, and swamps. The presence of the Ochlockonee River and Lake Talquin adds to the forest’s significance, as both are designated Outstanding Florida Waters. We recommend three locations within the forest, Fort Braden Trails, Bear Creek and High Bluff Recreation Area, which are about half an hour’s drive from each other.
*
Sites At This Location
High Bluff Recreation Area
If you are in the area visiting Joe Budd WMA you should head to this small site which provides access to and views of Lake Talquin. Scan the lake from the fishing pier, looking for Anhingas, Great Blue Herons and Wood Storks along the shoreline and in offshore trees, as well as wintering Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Horned Grebe on the open water. In winter, there is a huge Double-crested Cormorant roost viewable from the pier and a small flock of American White Pelicans can be seen occasionally. Small numbers of Forster’s Terns are present from fall through spring and both Caspian and Common Tern have been recorded visiting the lake. Bald Eagles and Ospreys nest in the area. Wood Ducks can be seen year round and Broad-winged Hawks in summer. During fall migration check the oaks around the campground for Red-eyed Vireos, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Summer Tanager and Orchard Orioles. Fall flowers attract numerous butterfly species including Long-tailed Skipper, Palamedes Swallowtail and Red-spotted Purple.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 2,857 acres
Fort Braden Trails
This site offers extensive hiking trails that are blazed in orange (compared to horse trails in pink or yellow). Pick up a map at the entrance and bring water. One of the best trail choices is the Center Loop: hike north from the parking area and stay right at every split on the orange-blazed trail to make a 2-mile loop back to the parking area. The trail will take you through open areas and xeric oak uplands good for Wild Turkeys, Acadian Flycatchers (summer) and White-eyed Vireos, then reach bluffs overlooking Lake Talquin. It follows the lake edge for nearly a mile before circling back through the uplands. Watch overhead for Mississippi Kites in summer and scan the lake for wintering Common Loons and Horned Grebes. Weedy and brushy areas have wintering sparrows including Chipping, Song and White-throated.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 590 acres
Bear Creek
The entrance trail to this family-friendly site is a paved interpretive trail, which then connects to the 2.5-mile Ravine Trail and the 3.0-mile Bear Creek Trail. The former hugs the creek ravine, and its hardwood forest is good for Northern Parula and Hooded Warbler in spring and summer. The first mile of the longer Bear Creek Trail is very productive in April and May and again in September and October; look and listen for Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo and Summer Tanager in the spring, and migrants such as American Redstart and Kentucky Warbler in the fall. The latter portion of the trail has pine flatwoods, good for Red-headed Woodpecker and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Broad-winged Hawks and Swallow-tailed Kites nest in the area. Take water and insect repellent, and pick up a map at the entrance kiosk. Butterfly viewing is excellent in spring. Check the flowering Florida Anise trees, along both trails, for gossamer-wing butterflies such as Henry’s Elfin, Banded Hairstreak and Spring and Summer Azures.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 442 acres
