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09-07-2006, 07:46 PM
Location:
Torreya State Park
Route 2, Box 70
Bristol, Florida
Torreya State Park is located off of State Road 12 on County Road 1641, 13 miles north of Bristol in the Florida panhandle. Interstate 10 is approx. 15-20 minutes away.
Weather:
Hot and humid in the summer, can reach freezing tempatures in the winter. Much of the park, including the campground, is atop bluffs and slightly cooler. If you hike down into the swamps it can get very hot and humid.
Campground Condition:
Torryea State Park (named for a rare tree that only grows here along the Apalachicola River and a mountainside in China) is perfect for those that just want a quiet respite away from the crowds. The park offers a beautiful view of the Apalachicola river from a high bluff (150 feet, mountainous by Florida standards), tours of an 1800s house, and some of the best hiking in the state. The nearest town is 15 miles away, so there aren't a lot of casual park goers.
There are 30 campsites, plus a "yurt" available. If you're curious, the yurt is approx. 20' across, and is a round wood structure covered with canvas. It has heat, air conditioning, and running water. The campsites are all spacious and well kept. There isn't much shrubberry to screen each site for privacy, but unless it is a holiday there won't be a lot of other campers to worry about. The camp area is well shaded, situated beneath tall pines and oaks. It sits on another of the park's many bluffs, with gorgeous views of the surrounding area.
Did I mention the hiking? The trails will take you through swamps, past confederate gun pits, along waterfalls, offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding hills, past the Apalachicola River, down into ravines... Some of the hardwood hammocks and high pine forests reminded me of hiking through Pennsylvania.
For the truly adventurous, there are two primitive camping areas deep in the woods, accessible only by foot. Each offers fire rings surrounded by benches. Luckily, there is a stock of firewood within a mile of each site so you won't have to carry your own. One is on a bluff overlooking swampland, while the other is atop a steep, narrow bluff with an incredible view of the river. A dome tent would be a tight fit in the latter location, but a one man tent would be preferable for the hike anyway.
Bathroom/Shower Facilities:
The facilities are older but servicible and well kept.
Campground Road Conditions:
The roads through the park are in excellent shape, the campground road is located on a dirt road in fairly good condition. They are all a pleasure for bikers, with plenty of twisties and steep hills. The county road leading to the park was in horrible condition, but it was (thankfully) resurfaced this week.
Personnel/Host/Ranger Attitude:
As with most Florida parks, the rangers are friendly and knowledgeble. Being a lesser used park, there isn't as much staff as there are at most others and they have more to do.
Area Attractions:
This part of the panhandle is "Florida's Best Kept Secret." There aren't many attractions other than peace and quiet. The nearest town, Bristol, is 15 miles away and doesn't have a lot of ammenities to offer. This particular area calls itself a Sportsman's Paradise, with plenty of good fishing and hunting.
Area Riding:
If you have a good map or reliable GPS, there are some decent back roads through the forests. Most of the state and US highways in the area are fairly straight and unexciting.
Additional Information: http://www.abfla.com/parks/Torreya/torreya.html
Torreya State Park
Route 2, Box 70
Bristol, Florida
Torreya State Park is located off of State Road 12 on County Road 1641, 13 miles north of Bristol in the Florida panhandle. Interstate 10 is approx. 15-20 minutes away.
Weather:
Hot and humid in the summer, can reach freezing tempatures in the winter. Much of the park, including the campground, is atop bluffs and slightly cooler. If you hike down into the swamps it can get very hot and humid.
Campground Condition:
Torryea State Park (named for a rare tree that only grows here along the Apalachicola River and a mountainside in China) is perfect for those that just want a quiet respite away from the crowds. The park offers a beautiful view of the Apalachicola river from a high bluff (150 feet, mountainous by Florida standards), tours of an 1800s house, and some of the best hiking in the state. The nearest town is 15 miles away, so there aren't a lot of casual park goers.
There are 30 campsites, plus a "yurt" available. If you're curious, the yurt is approx. 20' across, and is a round wood structure covered with canvas. It has heat, air conditioning, and running water. The campsites are all spacious and well kept. There isn't much shrubberry to screen each site for privacy, but unless it is a holiday there won't be a lot of other campers to worry about. The camp area is well shaded, situated beneath tall pines and oaks. It sits on another of the park's many bluffs, with gorgeous views of the surrounding area.
Did I mention the hiking? The trails will take you through swamps, past confederate gun pits, along waterfalls, offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding hills, past the Apalachicola River, down into ravines... Some of the hardwood hammocks and high pine forests reminded me of hiking through Pennsylvania.
For the truly adventurous, there are two primitive camping areas deep in the woods, accessible only by foot. Each offers fire rings surrounded by benches. Luckily, there is a stock of firewood within a mile of each site so you won't have to carry your own. One is on a bluff overlooking swampland, while the other is atop a steep, narrow bluff with an incredible view of the river. A dome tent would be a tight fit in the latter location, but a one man tent would be preferable for the hike anyway.
Bathroom/Shower Facilities:
The facilities are older but servicible and well kept.
Campground Road Conditions:
The roads through the park are in excellent shape, the campground road is located on a dirt road in fairly good condition. They are all a pleasure for bikers, with plenty of twisties and steep hills. The county road leading to the park was in horrible condition, but it was (thankfully) resurfaced this week.
Personnel/Host/Ranger Attitude:
As with most Florida parks, the rangers are friendly and knowledgeble. Being a lesser used park, there isn't as much staff as there are at most others and they have more to do.
Area Attractions:
This part of the panhandle is "Florida's Best Kept Secret." There aren't many attractions other than peace and quiet. The nearest town, Bristol, is 15 miles away and doesn't have a lot of ammenities to offer. This particular area calls itself a Sportsman's Paradise, with plenty of good fishing and hunting.
Area Riding:
If you have a good map or reliable GPS, there are some decent back roads through the forests. Most of the state and US highways in the area are fairly straight and unexciting.
Additional Information: http://www.abfla.com/parks/Torreya/torreya.html