Florida River Island is a recreation area and campground next to the Florida River in the Apalachicola River WMA, and naturally the Florida River splits and surrounds a small land mass here forming the namesake “island”. The camping itself however is not on the island. Camping can be done via tent, RVs or whatever but this is a primitive campground for the most part, without running water or electricity. Expect a vault style toilet, some fire rings, and picnic type facilities and that’s it. The perks are that you’re pretty isolated out here, you have access to a little boat launch to get on the Florida River which is a rather tannin colored thing full of fish and the usual suspects, you get to check out the Florida River Bridge, and you’re adjacent to the Apalachicola National Forest and near the Florida National Scenic Trail Savannah Trailhead. It isn’t too much of a stretch from this location to run down to Tate’s Hell State Forest or up to Lake Talquin State Park and Lake Talquin State Forest. For that matter you’ll find Leon Sinks and Wakulla State Park on the opposite side of the national forest too.
I came to this place trying to see if the namesake Florida River Island was something to be hiked. What I found was once I crossed the Florida River Bridge it was overgrown and didn’t seem trail like, and the island wasn’t happening since I didn’t have a boat. I also wanted to check out the campground for future use as a potential place of nice solitude to get away to. Safe to say that when I walked over to the vault bathroom and a scorpion ran away from the door that I knew I wasn’t going to be staying there anytime soon. But in all fairness I’ve camped in a lot of rougher seeming areas since this experience, so maybe, maybe I’d do it now. If you have ambitions, be sure to contact the Northwest Florida Water Management District about reserving a spot.
I did however enjoy the ride up a forest road to get there, it was highly scenic, and someday I’m going to do some Florida Trail from the nearby Savannah Trailhead (see map).
Address:
4750 SW Forest Road 188
Bristol, FL 32321
