Hiking
The Forgotten Coast is a hiker’s paradise, offering miles of undeveloped coastline for long treks along the beaches. Extensive longleaf pine forests occupy the area. There are more than a dozen state parks, conservancies, and managed areas.
St. George Island State Park provides miles of undeveloped coastline ideal for long walks and hikes. Home to sea turtles, this park delivers one of the best shelling opportunities you will find in all of Florida.
For a rugged 18-mile hike through wild Florida, look no further than Econfina Creek’s Florida Trail. The adventurous will face terrain varying from ravines to wiregrass fields to rolling sandhills. This hike is best enjoyed in the cooler fall and spring temperatures.
Paddling
One of the best ways to experience the Forgotten Coast is from sea level. Whether you paddle a kayak, a canoe, or a stand-up paddleboard, you’ll experience wild Florida in an intimate and personal way as you glide quietly through its rivers, canals, lakes, and bays. Several outfitter and guide services provide both rentals and guided ecotours led by experienced naturalists. Nearby Wakulla Springs State Park is a favorite, featuring the longest and deepest known submerged cave system in the world. And, for a truly primordial experience, try a paddle through the Dead Lakes.
Birding
The Forgotten Coast is a popular destination for bird-watchers, offering the quiet relaxation of pristine white-sand beaches that the entire family will enjoy and countless opportunities for some of the best birding in the country. The area is home to hundreds of species: birds of prey, waders, coastal birds, and songbirds. It is an extremely active nesting location, as well as a resting area for migratory species.
Twenty-one sites on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (www.floridabirdingtrail.com) are located within an easy drive on this stretch of coast. This 2,000-mile, self-guided highway trail connects and unifies 515 birding and wildlife viewing sites throughout Florida. Of special note are the St. Vincent Island and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuges.
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge is an undeveloped island that is part of the natural barrier forming Apalachicola Bay. Accessible only by water, the island is a true natural wonder, undisturbed by man, and a haven for threatened species such as sea turtles and red wolves.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 70,000 acres, including 43 miles of coastline, and is one of the oldest refuges in the nation. Many consider it to be the best birding site east of the Mississippi River. St. Marks is home to more than 150 species of birds, including more than 20 nesting pairs of American bald eagles.