Tate's Hell State Forest

Welcome to Tate's Hell State Forest located in Franklin County, Florida along the Gulf coast between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee Rivers.

Forest History: In the 1960's and 1970's timber companies began to dramatically change the landscapes of Tate's Hell State Forest. Roads were built, ditches were dug, and many pine trees fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus were planted. Public access to the area increased dramatically. In 1994, the State began purchasing the lands of Tate's Hell State Forest with money raised through the Conservation and Recreation Lands program in order to help protect the waters of Apalachicola Bay.

There was a time when Tate's Hell State Forest consisted of at least a dozen types of natural communities including; wet prairies, wet flatwoods, seepage slopes, baygalls, floodplain swamps, floodplain forests, strand swamps, and bottomland forests. Today it is primarily floodplain swamps, baygalls, bottomland forests, wet flatwoods, and strand swamps. Past activities have disrupted the natural ecosystems within in the forest and the Division of Forestry has made restoring these ecosystems a high priority.

There is an old legend as to how this forest got it's name. It is said that a farmer by the name of Cebe Tate journeyed into Tate's Hell Swamp with a shotgun and hunting dogs seeking out the panther that was eating his livestock. It is said that Tate was in the swamp for seven days and nights and over the course of that time was bitten by a snake and had to survive by drinking the swamp waters. Eventually he reached a clearing near the town of Carabelle and said his last words, "My name is Cebe Tate and I just came from Hell!"

Today the waters of Tate's Hell Swamp serve as a nursery area for wildlife in the Apalachicola Bay. Some of the tributaries that run from the swamp to the Gulf of Mexico include the creeks of Rake, Doyle, Juniper, Whiskey George, Cash, High Bluff, Bear, Cow, Alligator, Trout, Womack, Sandbank, Sanborn, Gully, Fish, and Deep. Wildlife: Tate's Hell State Forest helps protect the home of numerous wild animals including black bears, white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, and bald eagles. Some rare species of plants including Chapman's Butterworts and Thick-leaved water willows also grow inside the forest. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Tate's Hell State Forest boasts over 35 miles of rivers for boating and fishing, numerous campsites, and miles of multipurpose trails. Come on out and explore.

This forest grew by 376 acres in September 2022.