Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

State park · Escambia County

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

State park · Escambia County

3

2401 Bauer Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506

Photos

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Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by AdventureBro (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by AdventureBro (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by AdventureBro (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Steven Gray (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by dylangentile2016 (Atlas Obscura User)
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park by null

Highlights

Wet prairie preserve with rare carnivorous plants, wildlife, boardwalk  

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2401 Bauer Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506 Get directions

floridastateparks.org

Information

Static Map

2401 Bauer Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506 Get directions

+1 850 492 1595
floridastateparks.org

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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@atlasobscura

The Most Wondrous State Parks to Visit During the Government Shutdown

"This rugged, swampy Florida state park is home to many different species of endangered carnivorous pitcher plants. Thousands of these strange specimens lurk within the marshland, waiting to prey upon any unsuspecting insects. The park gets its name from actual tar kilns that were built in the 19th century to process tar from the area’s yellow pine trees. The processed tar was turned into naval stores which were used in the manufacturing of both soap and wooden ships. Visitors can still spot the occasional “cat face” (v-shaped notch or scar) in some of the older pines that show where workers placed ceramic jars to collect the sap.  Today the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park is one of the best places in the state to find pitcher plants. It’s home to Florida’s largest cluster of white-top pitcher plants, a rare carnivorous plant found only between the Mississippi and Apalachicola Rivers along the Gulf Coast. You can also spot the sweet pitcherplant and Chapman’s butterwort waiting to snack on a bug or two. The plants, which look beautiful and harmless, use bright colors and sweet, aromatic nectar to lure their prey to their deaths. In addition to the carnivorous plants, the park is also home to about 100 species of plants and animals. Migratory birds flock to the wet, marshy landscape. Other animals, like alligator snapping turtles, bobcats, raccoons, and opossum, live within the park as well. A roughly half-mile-long boardwalk winds atop parts of the wetlands. You can also wander along one of the nature trails, or find a secluded spot to sit down and have a picnic." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/state-parks-government-shutdown
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@atlasobscura

20 Unique Outdoor Escapes in the United States

"This rugged, swampy Florida state park is home to many different species of endangered carnivorous pitcher plants. Thousands of these strange specimens lurk within the marshland, waiting to prey upon any unsuspecting insects. The park gets its name from actual tar kilns that were built in the 19th century to process tar from the area’s yellow pine trees. The processed tar was turned into naval stores which were used in the manufacturing of both soap and wooden ships. Visitors can still spot the occasional “cat face” (v-shaped notch or scar) in some of the older pines that show where workers placed ceramic jars to collect the sap.  Today the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park is one of the best places in the state to find pitcher plants. It’s home to Florida’s largest cluster of white-top pitcher plants, a rare carnivorous plant found only between the Mississippi and Apalachicola Rivers along the Gulf Coast. You can also spot the sweet pitcherplant and Chapman’s butterwort waiting to snack on a bug or two. The plants, which look beautiful and harmless, use bright colors and sweet, aromatic nectar to lure their prey to their deaths. In addition to the carnivorous plants, the park is also home to about 100 species of plants and animals. Migratory birds flock to the wet, marshy landscape. Other animals, like alligator snapping turtles, bobcats, raccoons, and opossum, live within the park as well. A roughly half-mile-long boardwalk winds atop parts of the wetlands. You can also wander along one of the nature trails, or find a secluded spot to sit down and have a picnic." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/20-outdoor-escapes-in-the-united-states
View Postcard for Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
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15 Florida Places to Be Nurtured By Nature

"This rugged, swampy Florida state park is home to many different species of endangered carnivorous pitcher plants. Thousands of these strange specimens lurk within the marshland, waiting to prey upon any unsuspecting insects. The park gets its name from actual tar kilns that were built in the 19th century to process tar from the area’s yellow pine trees. The processed tar was turned into naval stores which were used in the manufacturing of both soap and wooden ships. Visitors can still spot the occasional “cat face” (v-shaped notch or scar) in some of the older pines that show where workers placed ceramic jars to collect the sap.  Today the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park is one of the best places in the state to find pitcher plants. It’s home to Florida’s largest cluster of white-top pitcher plants, a rare carnivorous plant found only between the Mississippi and Apalachicola Rivers along the Gulf Coast. You can also spot the sweet pitcherplant and Chapman’s butterwort waiting to snack on a bug or two. The plants, which look beautiful and harmless, use bright colors and sweet, aromatic nectar to lure their prey to their deaths. In addition to the carnivorous plants, the park is also home to about 100 species of plants and animals. Migratory birds flock to the wet, marshy landscape. Other animals, like alligator snapping turtles, bobcats, raccoons, and opossum, live within the park as well. A roughly half-mile-long boardwalk winds atop parts of the wetlands. You can also wander along one of the nature trails, or find a secluded spot to sit down and have a picnic." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/florida-nature
View Postcard for Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

julie c

Google
This is a great little park with a path to the water, some shade covered by trees. The path is level and easy to walk, there are lovely pitcher plants to see along the boardwalk. There is a bathroom as well. Love birding here.

Sarylee Flores

Google
Beautiful and diverse scenery. Trails are a couple miles long. So it doesn't feel busy even if the parking is full. Dogs must be leashed

Wendy Taffar

Google
Beautiful walk in late March. Good weather for walk and not to buggy. Partly paved walkways and partly boardwalk. Maintained enough for a wheelchair.

Going with the Gadings

Google
Quick hike/walk around the Bayou Trail for an hour or so before sunset. Main part of trail is well marked and accessible. Pit toilet at trailhead had TP and hand sanitizer and was otherwise clean. The offset trails were not as well marked. The QR codes along the trail are a nice touch to learn a bit more about the environment. All pitcher plants we saw were dried up/dead, which we assume is due to the season/recent cold snaps in the area.

Maggie Murphy

Google
Absolutely beautiful. Great hike. And relaxing yet stimulating environment well maintained and clean.

PhuketThai CookingAcademy

Google
Love this walking trail. Such a nice walk and beautiful scenery 😍

Sarah G

Google
The boardwalk was well maintained, but a bit short considering the lovely water around it that we could only see and not approach. That being said, I did not do the 7.2 mile trail. This is definitely a kid and elderly friendly state park. Plus the QR codes posted allowed us to learn much more about the wildlife in the area.

Mercy J

Google
Beautiful park. Nice walking/running trail exactly 3 miles each way if u follow white blazes. Shaded for lot of the trail..Beautiful birds. Port a jon at trail head. Clean and stocked.