Hop In Your Car And Take Big Bend Scenic Byway For An Incredible 220-Mile Scenic Drive In Florida
By Marisa Roman|Published June 10, 2021
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Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
If you’re the type of weekender who likes to get a bit off the beaten path, then we have an adventure for you. Florida has an incredible selection of scenic byways to choose from that offer up a drive that will be more rewarding than you can imagine. The best part about scenic byways is that they usually pepper in recreation, culture, history, and most importantly, scenery! There is no shortage of driving through natural beauty in Florida, especially when you hop on the Big Bend Scenic Byway.
The Big Bend Scenic Byway in Florida is truly a spectacular trip, clocking in at 220-miles from tip to tail.
What makes this byway so unique, besides the fact that it weaves throughout the beauty of nature, is that it is comprised of two exciting corridors - the Forest Trail and the Coastal Trail.
The Forest Trail dates back to the 1800s when it was considered to be the “Wild West” of Florida with pioneer farms, cowboys, trappers, and more. Meanwhile, The Coastal Trail was initially discovered back in 1528 by Panfilo de Narvaez.
Today, road-trippers can hop on the Big Bend Byway and make their way through the stunning St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, which is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Stop in beautiful small towns and cities like Eastpoint, Carrabelle, and Apalachicola, maybe finding a place to rest for the night or a delicious selection of restaurants to choose from.
While the entire byway does take 200 miles to complete and you can drive it in one day, we recommend making a weekend out of the drive so that you have time to stop and explore to really get the most of the experience.
Have you ever driven the Big Bend Scenic Byway in Florida before? Share with us your experience in the comments section! We’d love to hear about your journey and where you chose to stop along the way. Also, if you’re looking for more information about this byway, including a complete guide to exploration along the 220 miles, click here.
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