As fall descends upon Florida’s Forgotten Coast
Franklin County teems with unspoiled nature, seasonal wildlife, and events to make this November one to remember.
Boasting hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine, protected wilderness, Franklin County is heaven for hikers. Within Tate’s Hell State Forest, visitors can traipse among ancient, 150-year old dwarf cypress trees, native pitcher plants, and coastal scrub ecosystems that populate the High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail along the St. George Sound.
High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail at Tate’s Hell State Forest, North Florida.
For photographers, shell collectors, and wanderers wishing to get lost in nature, the 12,350-acre barrier island, St. Vincent Wildlife Refuge, is just a 22-mile boat or ferry ride from Apalachicola, offering over 14 miles of shoreline and 80 miles of sand roads. Meanwhile, sites such as the forested salt marshes of Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island and Bald Point State Parks offer opportunities for wildlife encounters, where black bears, ghost crabs, raccoons, and loggerhead turtles share space with migratory birds.
Fall in Franklin County is the peak occasion for aviary enthusiasts and lepidopterists. In addition to the common monarch butterflies, you’re likely to find families of swallowtails, gossamer-winged and brush-footed butterflies, metalmarks and skippers.
Birdwatching at St. George Island State Park, Florida panhandle.
Birders are encouraged to pack their binoculars and cameras to capture glimpses of around 300 native and itinerant species, including peregrine falcons, hawks, terns, and the endangered snowy plover, which make their homes both within the area’s numerous preserves.
Top birdwatching spots include Old Carrabelle Beach, renowned for its shallow oyster beds populated by shorebirds such as black skimmers, sanderlings, and ruddy turnstones; Wright’s Lake Recreational Area within the Apalachicola National Forest for numerous woodpecker and hawk species; and the picturesque streets of Apalachicola itself, where old-growth pines shelter bald eagles, hawks and barred owls, and its waterfront hosts egrets, herons and other wading birds.
Beyond these outdoor experiences, the cities of Franklin County offer must-attend festivities, beginning with the sixty-second Annual Florida Seafood Festival on October 31-November 1. Featuring a feast of fresh, local seafood, oyster shucking and eating contests, and artisan exhibits, Battery Park in Apalachicola attracts thousands to this event each year.
On November 5, witness the full Beaver Moon ascend and illuminate St. George Island and the November Sunset and Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse. A family-friendly event, those over 40 inches tall are permitted to scale the tower for breathtaking, panoramic views of St. George Island, Apalachicola and the Gulf.
Further lighting up the sky, the Lantern Fest will be held November 8 from 6–10 p.m. at the Crooked River Lighthouse at Carrabelle Beach. Promising a night filled with the bluegrass melodies of the Bottom Dollar Boys, special dance performances, ancient blacksmithing and craft demonstrations, festive fare, and retail offerings, the event’s main draw is over 100 handcrafted, locally made hanging lanterns designed to ignite the night and observe the lighthouse’s one-hundred-and-thirtieth birthday.
Whether you’re a nature lover seeking solace or city dweller craving community and connectivity, Franklin County appeals to residents and visitors alike to celebrate the season with a land full of rich history and unspoiled beauty.
Learn more at Floridasforgottencoast.com.
