Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area is a protected area located in the state of Florida.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
Covering over 581,000 acres, it is home to a variety of wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and black bears. Some good reasons to visit the area include the opportunity to observe and photograph wildlife, hunting and fishing opportunities, and hiking and camping in the wilderness.
There are several specific points of interest to see within the Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area, including the Apalachicola River, which flows through the heart of the area and provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Visitors can also explore the many hiking trails that wind through the forests and wetlands, including the Apalachicola Trail, which is a popular destination for hikers and backpackers.
Interesting facts about the area include its status as one of the largest contiguous tracts of forested land in the southeastern United States, as well as its importance as a habitat for many rare and endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Florida panther.
The best time of year to visit the Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area depends on the visitor's interests. For those interested in hunting and fishing, the fall and winter months are ideal. Spring and summer are better for hiking and camping, as the weather is generally warmer and more conducive to outdoor activities. Whatever the season, visitors to the area are sure to be impressed by the natural beauty and abundance of wildlife found within its borders.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Smith Creek Landing
|
||
Smith Creek Hunt Camp
|
||
Bloody Bluff Landing
|
||
Gardner Landing
|
||
Butcher Pen Landing
|
||
Hickory Landing
|
Apalachicola National Forest
Fort Gadsden Historic Site
Wilderness Mud Swamp/New River
Tate's Hell State Forest
Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area