Big Bend Scenic Byway
Big Bend Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in Florida. Within Florida it covers roughly 240 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Big Bend Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
Big Bend Scenic Byway is a 220-mile National Scenic Byway across Florida's Gulf Coast panhandle, linking Apalachicola to Tallahassee. Along the way it threads through the Apalachicola National Forest. The route splits into two connected legs: a Coastal Trail that follows US 98 along the Gulf from Apalachicola east to Newport before turning north to Tallahassee, and a Forest Trail that heads west on State Road 20 into the Apalachicola National Forest, south through the small town of Sopchoppy, and back to US 98. Along the way the byway threads together a national wildlife refuge, three state parks, three historic lighthouses, and a stretch of undeveloped Florida beach island, giving it a mix of longleaf pine forest, blackwater rivers, and open Gulf coastline rarely found together on one drive. As a federally designated National Scenic Byway, it's one of only a handful in Florida, and its length means most travelers plan it as a multi-day loop rather than a single afternoon out.
- Apalachicola to Tallahassee
- ~220 miles (Coastal + Forest Trails)
- Apalachicola National Forest
- 3 historic lighthouses
- national wildlife refuge & 3 state parks
- National Scenic Byway
Plan a drive on Big Bend Scenic Byway →
What is a National Scenic Byway?
National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.
Where to Stay along Big Bend Scenic Byway
No campgrounds are listed close to Big Bend Scenic Byway yet, but there are rooms near the route.
Campsite, lodging, RV rental and membership links are affiliate links — booking through them may earn Road Sorties a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Recreation.gov links are not affiliate links.