Explore unique ecosystems at Bear Creek
A wealth of wildlife, birds and wildflowers await visitors to Bear Creek Educational Forest just west of Tallahassee in Quincy. Located within the Lake Talquin State Forest, Bear Creek focuses on education, with an array of learning experiences for visitors.
This 492-acre tract of the forest meanders through many natural communities including wetlands, sandhills and dramatic steephead ravines. Along with a variety of birds and wildlife, an abundance of tree species are found in the forest.
There are three trails marked with orange (3 miles), blue (2 miles), and green (3/4 mile ADA trail) blazes. Parts of the forest are audio enhanced along the trail where the trees tell their own stories.
• The Living Forest Trail (green) starts at the parking area and ends at the observation deck. The trail has a hard paved surface and is .66 miles in length round-trip.
• The Ravine Trail (blue) starts near the observation deck and loops around the pond. This 1.8-mile trail is moderately strenuous with steep inclines. The Ravine trail is a designated Trailwalker program trail.
• The Bear Creek Trail (orange) begins across Beaver Dam. This trail skirts Bear Creek and traverses a range of ecosystems within a span of 3 miles. The hike is moderately strenuous, with steep inclines and narrow footing in some areas. A ½ mile spur of the Bear Creek trail connects Pittman Dam to the top of the ravine.
Bear Creek State Forest is free and open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Wear long pants, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent and plenty of water. Pack a lunch if you plan on exploring one of the longer trails.
Bear Creek State Forest is dedicated to teaching students of all ages about sound forestry practices, focusing on environmental education with hands-on learning. Bear Creek Educational Forest offers diverse educational programs for groups on subjects such as forest management, photosynthesis, aquatic organisms, orienteering and ecosystems. A newly constructed classroom holds 60 students and enables foresters and rangers to give an overview lesson before exploring the forest.
Download brochure: RavineTrailArboretumBrochure_2016
For more information click here or call (850) 681-5892.
Bear Creek Educational Forest
8125 Pat Thomas Pkwy.
Quincy, FL 32351-0214
::MAP::
Directions:
8125 Pat Thomas Parkway
Quincy, Florida 32351
Bear Creek Educational Forest is located in Gadsden County, south of Quincy.
• From Interstate 10: exit onto Highway 267. Go south on Highway 267 for 4.8 miles. The entrance will be on your left.
• From Highway 20: turn north onto Highway 267. Follow Highway 267 for 7.5 miles. The entrance will be on your right.
Note: Lake Talquin State Forest offers an abundance of recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, camping, horseback trails and off-road bicycle trails. For more information, click here.