Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve’s Garden of Eden Trail temporarily closed from tornado damage

December 2, 2014

Damaged trees along the uplands trail at the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines preserve. Photo courtesy Nature Conservancy.
Damaged trees along the uplands trail at the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines preserve. Photo courtesy Nature Conservancy.

On Nov. 17, 2014, a tornado touched down at the  Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve in the Florida Panhandle near Bristol. This is the location of the beautiful Garden of Eden Trail.

While the trail and some of the natural communities were severely impacted, the staff and preserve facilities at the preserve were safe after the storm.

“It was close to an F4 tornado, and took out many trees along the uplands trail and in the ravine,” said preserve manager David Printiss.

The estimated repair will take a minimum of two months.

“The damage in the uplands can be easily removed with machinery, however the damage in the ravines must be removed by hand,” Printiss advised.

Garden of Eden Trail is located just east of the Apalachicola River and North of State Road 20. Take State Road 20 to Bristol, and go north on County Road 12. Look for signs on the left. Click here for map.