Falling Waters State Park (Blog Hike #828)

Trail: Wiregrass Trail

Hike Location: Falling Waters State Park
Geographic Location: south of Chipley, FL (30.72527, -85.52884)
Length: 1.3 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: December 2020
Overview: A semi-loop featuring the tallest waterfall in Florida.
Park Information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/falling-waters-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940584
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: In the Florida panhandle, take I-10 to SR 77 (exit 120).  Exit and go south on SR 77.  Drive SR 77 south 0.8 miles to State Park Road and turn left on State Park Rd.  State Park Rd. deadends at the park in 2.2 miles.  Pay the park entrance fee and drive the main park road to the waterfall parking area, where the road's pavement ends.

The hike: When most people think of tall waterfalls, the towering cascades of the southern Appalachians or the seasonal gushers of Yosemite come to mind long before anything in Florida.  Yet Florida has its own version of towering cascades, one of which is found at Falling Waters State Park.  This waterfall comes with a twist: rather than spilling off of a cliff high above you, Branch Creek starts at your feet and plunges 73 feet into a limestone sinkhole with no visible water outlet.  I enjoyed the unique scenery this park has to offer, and everyone should come here at least once to check out Florida's version of waterfall watching.

            Located on some of the highest land in Florida, tiny 171-acre Falling Waters State Park protects not only the waterfall but also a pond and its surrounding fantastic longleaf pine forest.  Before the land became a park, industrial activities including a grist mill, a whiskey distillery, and an oil well occupied this site.  The park was established in 1962, and today it features a 24-site developed campground, some picnic shelters, and a small system of hiking trails.  The route described here uses most of the park's trails and passes every major point of interest in the park, thus offering a grand tour of all Falling Waters State Park has to offer.

Trailhead at waterfall parking area

            From the waterfall parking area, first notice the Joyce Carter Memorial Butterfly Garden, an area that features plants that attract butterflies in season.  Two concrete paths lead from the parking area to the waterfall: a direct route on the left and a winding route graded for wheelchairs on the right.  Taking the straighter route leads to a boardwalk and a 4-way trail intersection in only a couple hundred feet.  The option going right leads to a wheelchair-accessible overlook high above the waterfall, and the option going left leads to an overlook of a pair of dry sinkholes.  After exploring these two overlooks, continue straight to descend to the main waterfall overlook.

Dry sinkholes, as viewed from overlook

            The main waterfall overlook platform sits on the south wall of the sinkhole, and the moderate-volume waterfall starts above you and ends way below you.  The circle-shaped sinkhole has the feel of a large well, and my fear of heights got the better of me as I peered over the overlook railing toward the bottom of the sinkhole.  I had never seen a waterfall like this one before, so take some time to enjoy the interesting scenery.

Top of waterfall

Bottom of waterfall

            After taking in the waterfall, climb back up the steps and head down the boardwalk signed as leading to the lake.  This boardwalk was under construction on my visit, although I have hiked on far sketchier boardwalks than the one they were repairing.  Just before a short-cut boardwalk exits right to head back to the waterfall parking area, you pass the site of the old oil well.  Drilled in 1919, oil was never found in commercially exploitable quantities in this area, and the well was capped in 1921.

Small park lake

            At 0.3 miles, you reach the park's small lake, where several small streams converge.  The trail heads around the east side of the lake, passing a swimming area and a lakeside picnic shelter.  Ignore two side trails that exit right to a secondary parking area, and begin following the trail that leads to Pine Ridge Campground.

Longleaf pine forest

            The dirt/grass trail heads around the north end of the lake through more longleaf pine forest dotted with magnolias before beginning the gradual climb to the campground.  The park's west boundary comes close on the left before you arrive at Pine Ridge Campground at 0.7 miles.  The trail ends at the campground, and there are no other trails that go to the campground.  Thus, your options are to walk back to the waterfall parking area on paved park roads or retrace your steps past the park's lake.  For a little variety, if you do not care to see the waterfall a second time, you can use the short-cut boardwalk, which links to the wheelchair-accessible waterfall trail, as a slightly shorter route back to the waterfall parking area.