Torreya State Park

This park is named after the Torreya tree, the world’s rarest evergreen, which only grows on bluffs on the eastern side of the Apalachicola River. Still in decline, this tree is the subject of much study, and can be seen here, alongside wonderful vantages of the Apalachicola River. The most productive birding spots are the areas of the trail around Stone Bridge, down by the river northwest of the historic Gregory House, and on the trails to Rock Bluff Primitive Campground. As in much of extreme north Florida, watch for northern birds like Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Brown Creeper in winter. Brown-headed Nuthatch and Bachman’s Sparrow occur in the sandhills, and the high canopies along the river can be good for Yellow-throated Vireo in spring. Spring and fall are ideal times for butterfly enthusiasts to visit. This park is one of the most reliable spots in Florida for Mourning Cloak (early spring). May is good for seeing Banded, King’s and Striped Hairstreaks; a fall day can produce more than a dozen skipper species. The park features more than 17 miles of hiking trails and numerous camping options.