By:
Submission
Explore a range of different ecosystems and enjoy the stunning views of Lake Talquin on the 1242-acre Fort Braden Tract. This recreation area features two designated Trailwalker trails and one Trailtrotter trail.
Three hiking trail loops range from 3 to 5 miles in length and are moderately strenuous, with steep inclines and narrow footing in some areas.
Two equestrian trail loops each extend 5 to 6 miles in length. Riders should expect an amazing trail that will include low-water crossings, inclines and winding trails. NOTE: All horses must have proof of current negative Coggins test results when on state lands. All children under the age of 16 are required to wear a protective helmet while riding on state lands.
Primitive campsites for both individual and group camping are available. Campers must obtain a State Forest Use Authorization for overnight camping from the Lake Talquin headquarters on Geddie Road.
Facilities include picnic pavilions and a trail head restroom.
The center trail is filled with babbling brooks and lots of wet trail. However wow just wow its beautiful. Use lots of bug spray!!! There is no need for sunscreen because that whole trail is canopy covered. It's well worth the walk. It's a little over 3 miles.
Beautiful forested area with trail leading to the lake. Very quiet and peaceful despite being close to Tallahassee. The trail is not always clearly defined so watch for blazes, and some parts can have some standing water. Also keep an eye out for snakes as I almost stepped on a large one. Still, recommend for the views and the atmosphere.
The woods are a spectacular place of peace for me. I have a horse, so with my “natural atlas“ iPhone app, I find I can go just about anywhere. Just 20 or 30 feet off of a busy highway, I find myself in the woods on sandy, well maintained roads. We diverge onto narrow trails with deep puddles, find clear ponds and open meadows. We see bear, deer, turkey, raccoons, possums, and alligators. It’s a great place to go out on a horse, on foot, in a four wheel truck, a four wheeler or side-by-side. Just teach other kindly, and leave it the way you sound found it. Pick up any trash you see
We had an opportunity to hammock camp at primitive site 2 on the west trail for 3 days. Beautiful site and very well maintained, but absolutely NO privacy. The trail runs right beside the camp, so our dog was constantly barking at hikers, everyone could see everything, and when bathroom time came it felt very exposed. We really wished they had made the main trail farther away and given the site a more private walkway up to it. We did have an alligator bellowing right beside our camp one morning at 4am, though. It was LOUD! We hiked over to site #1, too, and noted that it was much less private. It's on a plateau that's not very obscured by trees, so the whole site is visible from all angles. It's also much sunnier than site 2, and it has an easier walk down to the water.
Out in Fort Braden, there are wide shaded walking trails that lead to Lake Talquin with primitive campsites. We walked straight on from the parking area to the lake. It was an easy dirt trail that got skinnier and more wooded the closer we got to the lake. There was one tree down in the path. While we were by ourselves most of the time, we did see other people, including people who were walking their dogs and hiking. There are also horse trails. We did not see the campsites. Our young child enjoyed the walk.
While we be back? Probably, but we want to try other trails, too.
