LAKE TALQUIN STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller November 8, 2025

Lake Talquin State Park lies west of Tallahassee, Florida. It borders a large reservoir on the Ochlockonee River.

Wooded bluffs line the shores, trails wind through ravines up to 70 feet deep, and picnic areas dot the grounds. Visitors come to the lake for boating and fishing.

Lake Talquin State Park Boardwalk's East Staircase

The Jackson Bluff Dam was built in 1927 to block the Ochlockonee River and create Lake Talquin for hydroelectric power.

Water was backed up into a 14.5-mile-long, 12,000-acre lake. Old river channels were flooded and formed steep bluffs and deep ravines.

The lake's name, Talquin, is a blend of Tallahassee and Quincy due to its proximity to both.

Florida Power Corporation owned the dam and donated land to the state in 1970. The state turned it into a park, and the dam still operates nearby.

The main entrance is at 14850 Jack Vause Landing Road, Tallahassee, FL 32310. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Boats, canoes and kayaks can be launched at the ramp. You can fish from the pier or shore for speckled perch, largemouth bass, striped bass, bream and catfish.

Hike the 1.1-mile loop trail to the overlook or spot wildlife on the boardwalk. Sightings include deer, squirrel, turkey and the occasional bear.

Picnic tables are near the water. Bring drinks and snacks as there are no concessions at the park.

Pets must be leashed. Avoid swimming due to alligators. Check their website for seasonal closures.

• Black bears roam the park at times and bald eagles and osprey soar over the lake year-round. 

• The lake holds prime spots for black crappie fishing. 

• Old cypress stumps mark the pre-dam riverbed. 

• The park links to adjacent state forest tracts for more trails.

LAKE TALQUIN STATE PARK WEBSITE

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