Munson Hills Mountain Bike Trail and Trailhead

The 7.5-mile Munson Hills Mountain Bike Trail and the 14-mile Twilight Loop offer a scenic and challenging ride through some of the most rolling terrain in the Apalachicola National Forest. Free from traffic hazards, this trail provides cyclists the opportunity to quietly explore remote areas - whatever their ability. This trailhead is co-located with the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Park bike trail, a paved 16-mile rail-trail connecting Tallahassee with the coastal community of St. Marks.

Bicyclists can also ride on numbered Forest Roads throughout the forest. Road cycling also is available on the Tallahassee-St Marks Historic Railroad State Trail.

Biking Tips

Ride in control. Pass others slowly and in single file.
Speak up from a distance. Anticipate meeting riders around the bend as you approach turns.
Remain on center track, even if the trail is muddy. Dismount and walk if necessary. Please don't damage surrounding vegetation by riding across it.
Respect the land and route closures.
Help teach new riders proper trail etiquette.
Leave wildlife undisturbed.
Pack out litter!

Nature Viewing

The trail dips down through oak hammocks and winds its way through piney flatwoods, providing opportunities to observe songbirds, deer, fox squirrels, frogs, snakes and the gopher tortoise, a protected species whose burrows provide homes to as many as 40 other animals.

Volunteers

Members of the Tallahassee Mountain Bike Association maintain the trail in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.

General Information

Amenities

Drinking water
Interpretive site
Toilets
Parking
Picnic tables

What are Munson Hills?

Munson Hills are sand dunes associated with a shoreline located here a million years ago. The sandhills form a foundation for a towering longleaf pine forest intermixed with ponds and wetlands. Frequent burning of the longleaf pine-wiregrass community creates this unique ecosystem.

Before roads dissected the land, fires naturally spread after summer lightning storms. Plants and animals, such as wiregrass and gopher tortoises, have adapted and evolved with fire. Wiregrass is so closely tied to the natural fire cycle that it will only produce seed after a late spring or summer fire.

For a spectacular display of new plant growth and flowers, visit a longleaf wiregrass area a few months after a fire. Keep an eye out for the purple blazing star, yellow colic root or perhaps a rare orchid.

Free