Porter Lake Hunt Camp
Open year-round with no fee. Primarily functions as a hunt camp during general gun season; non-hunters may also camp during this period. Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days. No potable water available.
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued July 22 at 5:15AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **BERTHA MOVING AWAY. TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ARE CANCELLED.** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - All watches and warnings have been canceled * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * STORM INFORMATION: - About 160 miles west-southwest of Panama City - 29.4N 88.3W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ ...TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS HAVE ENDED AS BERTHA MOVES AWAY FROM THE REGION... At 4 AM CDT, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located about 165 miles west-southwest of Panama City. Bertha was moving to the west at 5 mph. This general motion away from the region will continue through Thursday. Maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph. As Bertha moves further from the eastern Panhandle and in the direction of Louisiana, weather conditions along the coast will slowly improve today. Lingering gusty squalls this morning will diminish around midday. Lingering windy conditions are still expected. Sustained winds along the coast near 25 mph are expected until this afternoon, so a Wind Advisory is now in effect for coastal communities along the Panhandle and Forgotten Coasts. Ocean and surf conditions will be slower to improve. Very rough surf will continue into Thursday morning. Substantial improvement in seas over the open Gulf will finally get underway on Thursday. At the beaches, life-threatening rip currents will continue through Friday. Beachgoers should heed the advice of beach flags and plan to have fun out of the water. Minor coastal flooding is likely this morning during the high tide cycle along the coast of Apalachee Bay west of the Aucilla River and along the Florida Panhandle coast. 1 to 2 feet of inundation over normally dry ground near the shoreline is expected around the time of high tide. No additional coastal flooding is expected after the this morning's high tide cycle. Brief downpours through today may cause short-lived nuisance flooding and ponding of water on roads, mainly over the Panhandle. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Minor coastal flooding remains possible around the time of high tide this morning along the Panhandle coast and the Forgotten Coast. Normally dry ground near the shoreline may experience 1 to 2 feet of inundation. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Little additional impact is anticipated at this time across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Beachgoers should remain out of the water today due to dangerous surf conditions. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- As it pertains to this event...this will be the last local statement issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL regarding the effects of tropical cyclone hazards upon the area.
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued July 21 at 11:17PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **BERTHA MOVING FURTHER AWAY FROM THE EASTERN PANHANDLE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton * STORM INFORMATION: - About 130 miles west-southwest of Panama City - 29.4N 87.7W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 6 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ ...IMPROVING CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY AS TROPICAL STORM BERTHA MOVES AWAY FROM THE REGION... At 10 PM CDT Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located about 130 miles west-southwest of Panama City. Bertha was moving to the west at 6 mph, and a generally westward movement away from the region will continue on Wednesday and Thursday. Maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph. As Bertha moves further and further from the eastern Panhandle, weather conditions along the coast will slowly improve on Wednesday. Gusty squalls will diminish after Wednesday morning, and sustained winds will decrease throughout the day. Ocean and surf conditions will be slower to improve. Minor coastal flooding remains a concern through Wednesday morning. Very rough surf will continue into Thursday morning. Substantial improvement in seas over the open Gulf will finally get underway on Thursday. At the beaches, life-threatening rip currents will continue through Friday. Beachgoers should heed the advice of beach flags and plan to stay out of the water. Minor coastal flooding is possible during the high tide cycle Wednesday morning along the coast of Apalachee Bay west of the Aucilla River and along the Florida Panhandle coast. 1 to 3 feet of inundation over normally dry ground near the shoreline is expected around the time of high tide. No additional coastal flooding is expected after the Wednesday morning high tide cycle. Brief downpours through Wednesday may cause short-lived nuisance flooding and ponding of water on roads. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the coastal Florida Panhandle and Apalachee Bay. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Florida Panhandle. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL around 4 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
Travel Management & Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service are reviewing the Executive Order, entitled "Removing Unnecessary and Counterproductive Restrictions on Access to Federal Lands" issued May 29, 2026, that may affect travel management on National Forest System lands. Any changes to public…
About
Porter Lake Hunt Camp is a dispersed primitive camping area in Liberty County within the Apalachicola National Forest. The site provides primary access to Porter Lake, offering opportunities for fishing and non-motorized boating. Paddlers can explore winding channels through the floodplain forest of the Ochlockonee River basin. A trailhead for the Florida National Scenic Trail is located here, with routes heading east toward Smith Creek and Bradwell Bay and west toward Vilas and Camel Lake. The camp functions primarily as a hunt camp during Florida's general gun season, though camping is permitted for non-hunters during this period as well. Visitors should remain aware of the hunting environment when visiting during season. Facilities are minimal, consisting of a vault toilet and picnic tables. There is no potable water available; a natural well exists but is not suitable for drinking. Campers should bring their own water supply and be prepared for primitive conditions. There is no fee to camp at Porter Lake Hunt Camp. The Forest Service enforces a 14-day camping limit. The area is reached via Forest Highway 13 just west of Smith Creek Highway.
Directions
Forest Highway 13 just west of Smith Creek Highway.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (850) 643-2282 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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