Big Bend Scenic Byway
Two Big Bend routes south of Tallahassee: a Coastal Trail from Apalachicola to St. Marks and a Forest Trail through the Apalachicola National Forest.
Also known as Coastal Trail and Forest Trail
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source
- Length220 miles[1]Same figure on the Florida Scenic Highways page.
- Drive timeNot verified
- RoadsUS 98, US 319, SR 65, SR 300/CR 300, CR 30A, SR 363, CR 59, SR 267, SR 263, SR 20, CR 375 and CR 299[3]
- Start and endReached from Apalachicola in the west, Tallahassee in the north or Newport in the east; it splits into a Coastal Trail and a Forest Trail[3]
- Fees and passesNone for the byway[1]
- Best seasonApril, when the weather is still cool and insects are few, is good for hiking and kayaking[4]Spring break (mid-February to mid-March) brings crowds on the coastal section.
- SurfaceNot verified
- Vehicle notesNot verified
- Seasonal closuresNot verified
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 29, 2026.
About the drive
The Big Bend Scenic Byway covers the part of Florida where the Gulf coast curves west. It has two parts: a Coastal Trail along US 98 from Apalachicola through Eastpoint, Carrabelle and Panacea, and a Forest Trail that loops through the Apalachicola National Forest toward Tallahassee.
On the coast, spurs run out to St. George Island State Park and down to the St. Marks lighthouse in the national wildlife refuge. Inland are Wakulla Springs, one of the world's largest freshwater springs, and the sinkhole trail at Leon Sinks.
It is a long, two-part route, so most people pick one trail or a few stops. The state program says it can be reached from Apalachicola, Tallahassee or Newport.
Stops along the way
-
Apalachicola
Old river port where the Coastal Trail begins.
Official information · 29.72577, -84.98325 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
-
Carrabelle
Fishing town where the byway follows the harbor.
Official information · 29.85327, -84.66435 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
-
St. Marks Lighthouse
Lighthouse in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, at the end of a spur.
Official information · 30.07383, -84.17964 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
-
Leon Sinks Geological Area
Interpretive trail past sinkholes in the Apalachicola National Forest.
Official information · 30.30926, -84.34594 · about 5.5 mi from the route line
-
Wakulla Springs State Park
One of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs.
Official information · 30.22579, -84.27287 · about 2.6 mi from the route line
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
Farmers markets within about 25 miles
- Red Hills Online MarketTallahassee, FL · about 3.4 mi from the route · listed as year-round
- Frenchtown Heritage Market PlaceTallahassee, FL · about 3.9 mi from the route
- Downtown MarketPlace TallahasseeTallahassee, FL · about 4.1 mi from the route
- Downtown Farmers' and Produce MarketTallahassee, FL · about 4.1 mi from the route
- MidTown Farmers Market at Lake EllaTallahassee, FL · about 4.7 mi from the route
Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.
In season during the best months to drive
The drive's best months are Apr. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.
- Maple syrupFeb, Mar, Apr
- PeasApr, May, Jun
- RhubarbApr, May, Jun
- KumquatsJan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Regional desserts
- Key lime pieFlorida's official state pie (Florida Statutes 15.052).
Bake it at home
Keep exploring
Scenic drives nearby
- Scenic Highway 30AFL · about 97 mi away
- Florida Black Bear Scenic BywayFL
- A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal BywayFL
- River of Lakes Heritage CorridorFL
- Ormond Scenic Loop & TrailFL
- Indian River Lagoon National Scenic BywayFL
More scenic drives in Florida
Food and farms in the area
Sources
- America's Byways: Big Bend Scenic Byway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Big Bend Scenic Byway (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Big Bend Scenic Byway (Florida Scenic Highways, a program of FDOT) (checked 2026-10-29)
- America's Byways: Big Bend Scenic Byway, visitor services (FHWA byways.org, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).