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Wet-prairie landscapes surround a picturesque coastal bayou teeming with rare plant and animal species

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

Wet-prairie landscapes surround a picturesque coastal bayou teeming with rare plant and animal species

Hours

8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year

Fees

$3 per vehicle; $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers

Location

2401 Bauer Road
Pensacola FL 32507

Get directions

Contact Info

850-492-1595

Park Menu

  • Experiences & Amenities
  • History
  • Events
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Welcome to Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

At over 4,000 acres, Tarkiln Bayou Preserve is home to four species of endangered pitcher plants as well as other rare and endangered plant species.

Pay Online, Single-Use Day Pass

The carnivorous white-topped pitcher plant is unique to the Gulf Coast and found only between the Apalachicola and Mississippi rivers.

Almost 100 other rare plants and animals depend on the wet prairie habitat, including the alligator snapping turtle, sweet pitcher plant and Chapman's butterwort.

A boardwalk offers visitors a view of the wild and beautiful Tarkiln Bayou. Visitors can enjoy a picnic and then take a hike on the nature trails to observe the rare plants and animals.

For a more adventurous outing, visitors can take a day-hike across the park to the Perdido Bay.

Plan Your Visit

Kiersten Wilson, Park Manager
Learn

Manager's Message

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve is home to multiple species of endangered pitcher plants, as well as other rare and endangered plant species. The rare, carnivorous white-topped pitcher plant is unique to the Gulf Coast and is found only between the Apalachicola and Mississippi Rivers.
dolphin, carnivorous, plants, marsh, ADA
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The Bayou

The bayou that lies at the center of the more accessible portion of the park is just one highlight of the vistas to be found in the preserve.
Walking, hiking
Learn

Tarkiln Bayou Nature Walks

For most of the year at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, visitors can easily view carnivorous white-topped pitcher plants from the boardwalk over the wetlands. Explore diverse ecosystems along Tarkiln Bayou State Park's nature trails.

Experiences

Birding
Birding
Fishing
Fishing
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Hiking
Hiking
Picnicking
Picnicking
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit
Mountain Bike Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park Photo Gallery

trail, ADA, Bayou
ecosystem, flowers, bayou
Pitcher, plant, wetland
water, ecosystem
Blooming water lily flower among green lily pads.
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
Hike, walk, nature, Tarkiln
water, lake
Close up image of gopher tortoise face and shell.
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Gopher Tortoises at Tarkiln Bayou

Living along the many fire breaks, trails and the main park drive, the gopher tortoise can often be seen foraging and traveling from burrow to burrow when the weather is warm enough.
Numerous White Top pitcher plants are mixed among the lush green vegetation.
Learn

Pitcher Plants Within Tarkiln Bayou

Many types of rare carnivorous pitcher plants can be viewed at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park.

People Make the Parks

Scott Hoxie standing by a gate in his ranger uniform.

Staff Spotlight

Scott's childhood interests in the outdoors are what eventually led him to be a park ranger at Big Lagoon, Perdido Key and Tarkiln Bayou state parks.
Volunteer Jeff Junior stands in front of park truck and forest of trees.

Volunteer Spotlight

For Jeff, seeing the endangered pitcher plants in bloom and sunsets on Tarkiln Lake are the perks of working at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park.
Friends of Pensacola State Parks

Friends of Pensacola State Parks

Friends of Pensacola State Parks is a nonprofit group that supports Big Lagoon, Perdido Key and Tarkiln Bayou Preserve state parks.

Park Map

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Florida State Parks

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