Uncover hidden places, natural wonders to explore this spring in the Big Bend

Longtime residents of Florida's Big Bend and Panhandle region are well aware that this part of the state is blessed with many parks, nature trails, and other natural areas that are open to the public.Leon County alone has more than 3,000 acres of community parks, boat landings, greenways, and campgrounds, and the City of Tallahassee currently has 94 parks totaling almost 4,000 acres, with more than 70 miles of recreational trails, and six more parks scheduled to open by 2024.However, newer residents, especially newly arrived students from other communities, are less likely to know about all the nearby special places just waiting for exploration during the bug-free days of winter and early spring.