With an elevation topping nearly 35 feet, Bear Bluff offers one of the most outstanding views from St. James Island.
Sit on the bluff among the tall pines, wild flowers and twisting oaks, and watch the Ochlockonee River, an Outstanding
Florida Water, meander through the salt marshes. This secluded spot offers one of the widest, unobstructed views across
the river and Ochlockonee Bay, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Directly across the river is St. Mark’s National Wildlife
Refuge, a 68,000 acre wildlife preserve. With this view, you might forget where you are, but the tall palm trees standing
proudly in the salt marsh, the white sand below your feet, and the gentle, warm breeze remind you, you are in Florida—
an untouched part of Florida.
Unlike many islands, which are surrounded by one body of water, St. James Island is surrounded by several—the
Ochlockonee River, Crooked River, Carrabelle River, Ochlockonee Bay, Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve and the Gulf of
Mexico. All rivers are navigable by boat. Where the Ochlockonee River meets the Gulf, is a nutrient rich estuarine bay
boasting outstanding recreational fishing and delicious seafood.
Almost 1 million acres of public land including: Apalachicola National Forest, Ochlockonee River State Park, Tate’s
Hell State Forest, Bald Point State Park and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge surround Bear Bluff, further offering
numerous recreational opportunities.
The gently rolling topography of St. James Island boasts pine plantations and hardwood hammocks as well as small and
large, fresh water spring-fed lakes. Deer and wild turkey are abundant.
Bear Bluff on St. James Island is a blend of conservation, recreation and timber production. Outdoor enthusiasts,
hunters, fishermen and conservationists will all appreciate this area of Florida, known as the Forgotten Coast, for its
beauty and seclusion.
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4,067 +/- acres located on St. James Island, Franklin County, Florida
- Deep water access to the Gulf of Mexico
- Close to Apalachicola National Forest (564,961 acres), St. Marks National
Wildlife Refuge (68,000 acres), Tate’s Hell State Forest (202,000 acres),
Ochlockonee River State Park (392 acres) and Bald Point State Park (4,859 +/- acres)