Torreya State Park, home of the rare Torreya tree, is located in Liberty County, Florida, just 50 miles west of Tallahassee. This beautiful 13,735 acre Florida state park is also home to the historic Gregory House, a plantation style house that lies along the high bluffs and overlooks the Apalachicola River.
This historic park was built during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and remnants still exist from that time. Guests love to visit this scenic area to hike, camp, kayak, picnic, bird watch and discover the unique features inside the 1850s plantation house.
Activities
Plan your escape from everyday life with a visit to Torreya State Park. You’ll feel as though you have been transported to another time after spending a few hours or several days inside this peaceful area.
Explore the challenging hiking trails through the picturesque shady woods and along the Apalachicola River and out to a small waterfall surrounded by history. Then have a picnic lunch at one of the large picnic areas that feature pavilions, tables, BBQ grills, restrooms, a playground and a horseshoe pit.
Then don’t forget to schedule in time to visit the historic Gregory House and finish out your day with a stay at the campground or inside the park’s cracker cabin or yurt.
Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Torreya State Park:
Tour the Gregory House at Torreya State Park
Visit the historic Gregory House during your visit to Torreya State Park. This majestic 3,000 square foot home was built during the mid 1800s by plantation owner Jason Gregory. At that time it was positioned at Ocheesee Landing along the west bank of the Apalachicola River.
In 1935 the house was donated to the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC then painstakingly dismantled it brick by brick and moved it across the river to where it sits today. Tours of this historic home not only showcase the craftsmanship of those CCC workers who rebuilt the house but also the mid 1850’s furniture that provide guests with a glimpse into the past.
Boating at Torreya State Park
Bring your kayak or canoe and spend a relaxing (or adventurous) day on the Apalachicola River. A small boat ramp that accesses the river is available inside the park.
Hiking at Torreya State Park
Discover the challenging trail system inside Torreya State Park. This park’s 16 miles of hilly trails and steep ravines offer challenging hiking conditions for those interested in exploring these ‘Mountains of Florida’. They’re also ideal for those who want a leisurely walk through the picturesque woods while taking in the sights and sounds of nature throughout the park.
Here are a couple of the trails at Torreya State Park:
- Weeping Ridge Trail – A moderate 1 mile trail through the shady hardwoods and out to a small waterfall inside a deep ravine.
- Torreya Trail – A moderate 6.7 mile loop with many hills and a few difficult elevation changes. This trail is considered one of the hardest hiking trails in all of Florida.
Fishing at Torreya State Park
Pack your fishing gear and a Florida freshwater fishing license and head over to Torreya State Park. Visitors enjoy angling for redfish, sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder, Spanish mackerel, black drum, pompano and bluefish in the Apalachicola River.
Birding at Torreya State Park
Bring your binoculars and take a leisurely walk along the trails inside Torreya State Park. The park’s location, in the diverse natural communities of the Florida panhandle, offers visitors a look at many different bird species. As many as 100 different bird species have been observed here.
As you walk near Stone Bridge and along the river and out to the historic Gregory House you may spot an American Robin, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal, Bachman’s Sparrow, Pine Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren or a Yellow-throated Vireo.
Nature and Wildlife at Torreya State Park
Many beautiful plant and wildlife species may be observed throughout Torreya State Park. Guests exploring the trails through the pine forest and along the river and swampland will see big leaf magnolia trees, the Florida yew tree, and many wildflowers.
The park is named for the Torreya tree. This endangered tree, also known as Taxifolia tree, once thrived throughout this area. Now it may only be found on the high bluffs along the river. Some of the wildlife that may be seen inside this area include butterflies, deer, snakes, birds, turtles, gray fox, beaver and bobcat.
Pets at Torreya State Park
Pets are allowed inside Torreya State Park but must be supervised and kept on a hand held leash no longer than 6 feet. Pets are not allowed in park buildings (this include the cabin and yurt).
Camping at Torreya State Park
Spend the night nestled under the shady pines and along the picturesque Apalachicola River at Torreya State Park. The park offers modern and primitive camping options, a yurt and a rustic cabin for guests to book for a few peaceful nights.
The 30 campsites have electric and water connections and access to nearby bathhouses. The primitive campsites are located on top of a wooded ridge overlooking the river and accessible only by foot.
Torreya State Park proudly features the only yurt in the entire state of Florida. The yurt is a large round tent with a floor, screened windows, a skylight, lockable wooden door and a deck. It accommodates up to 5 people and has electricity (and heat/AC), a full/twin bunk bed, a queen size bed, table and chairs.
The rustic cracker style cabin sleeps up to 6 people in one queen size bed and 4 bunk beds. The cabin has a table and chairs, heating, air conditioning and a deck.
No pets are allowed in the yurt or cabin.
Park Location
Torreya State Park
2576 NW Torreya Park Rd
Bristol, FL 32321
Phone: 850.643.2674
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Torreya State Park:
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