Big Bend Scenic Byway
Byway Length: 220 Miles
Designated: November 14, 2006
FDOT District: 3
Overview
“Explore Undiscovered North Florida” on Florida’s Big Bend Scenic Byway where city lights give way to horizons of towering pines and blue-green Gulf waters. The “Bend” is where Florida’s Gulf Coast curves westward, sheltering vast seagrass beds, marshes, winding rivers, sugar-sand beaches, deep forests, and crystal springs.
The natural beauty of the Bend has attracted human travels and settlement since circa 15,000 BC. While traveling the byway, visitors can explore the natural resources which have supported and sustained the lives of generations past and present.
Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city, welcomes travelers to this 220-mile scenic wonderland where wildlife outnumbers people. Over 300 species of birds, 2,500 plant species, and more carnivorous plants (30) than any similarly sized area in the world call the Big Bend region home. The Forest and Coastal Trails, offering two distinct experiences, culminate in a two-day drive unlike any other.
Byway Video: Belle of the Byway
Byway Website: floridabigbendscenicbyway.com
Byway Map: Downloadable PDF Map
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Big Bend Scenic Byway Map
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Byway Resources
Big Bend Facebook: facebook.com/FloridaBigBendScenicByway
Big Bend YouTube: youtube.com/user/BigBendScenicByway
Big Bend Twitter: twitter.com/BigBendScenic
Big Bend Tour Itineraries: floridabigbendscenicbyway.com
Big Bend Traveling Information:
floridabigbendscenicbyway.com/traveling-information
BBSB Coastal Trail Tour Info: floridabigbendscenicbyway.com/…bbsb_map_coastal.pdf
BBSB Forest Trail Tour Info: floridabigbendscenicbyway.com/…bbsb_map_forest.pdf
General Directions
Travel on I-10 to exit #85 (US 331 S). Travel south on US 331 to US 98. Travel west on US 98 toward Destin to W 30A intersection.
Approximately 220 miles in length, the Big Bend Scenic Byway can be accessed from Apalachicola in the west, Tallahassee Regional Airport in the north, or Newport in the east.
It includes SR 65 from the Franklin/Liberty County Line to US 98/SR 30 at the coast. At this point, it spurs to the west on US 98 to include Apalachicola. Returning east on US 98, another spur includes St. George Island via South Bayshore Dr. to SR 300 and CR 300 to St. George Island State Park, returning to US 98 via SR 30. From here the corridor travels eastward along the coast to Carrabelle, then follows the harbor on Marine St., returning to US 98 via CR 30A. The Byway continues east on US 98 through St. Teresa, Panacea, Medart, and Newport.
This segment features two spurs, south on SR 363 to St. Marks and south on CR 59 to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. From Newport, the corridor forms a loop: northwest on SR 267/CR 2203, north on SR 263, west on SR 20, south on CR 375 to Sopchoppy, then south on CR 299 to US 319 until it connects once more with US 98 at the coast.
Associated Resources
These are specific resources for this byway. See Associated Florida Resources for connections to organizations affecting all byways in Florida.
Walton County:
http://www.co.walton.fl.us
Walton County Tourist Development Council:
http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com
Walton County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.waltonareachamber.com/
Wakulla County:
www.wakullacountytdc.com
Wakulla County Tourist Development Council:
www.VisitWakulla.com
Franklin County Tourist Development Council:
www.SaltyFlorida.com
Leon County Tourist Development Council:
www.VisitTallahassee.com
Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.apalachicolabay.org/
Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau:
http://www.visittallahassee.com/
Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce:
www.carrabelle.org
Apalachicola National Forest:
www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/apalachicola
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge:
www.fws.gov/saintmarks
