Around North Florida

Tallahassee, Florida is best known as the capital of Florida and the home of two famous universities: Florida A&M University and Florida State University. Yet, it is also known by the locals for its canopy roads.

What are canopy roads, you ask? They are typically narrow, tree-lined roads where the tops of the oak trees formed a canopy over the roadway. You will find the oak-lined canopy streets and roads in many other cities such as Mobile, New Orleans, Pensacola, Charleston and Savannah. Local government in Tallahassee and Leon County, Florida has established guidelines and citizens groups that work with the government agencies to protect the canopy roads. They are working to ensure protection is in place to guide development adjacent to canopy roads. Even though many of them have become major thoroughfares for commuters living in suburban areas of the city, the local residents recognize the importance of maintaining the canopy roads.

According to the Leon County website the canopy roads in Tallahassee and Leon County were originally old Indian trails which eventually became market roads that were lined with live oaks planted by plantation owners. These oaks are dripping with Spanish moss that gives them a mysterious appearance especially at night.

The maintenance of the canopy roads in Tallahassee and Leon County require ongoing pruning, according to the county website, to ensure that minimum federal and state road standards are met to allow traffic to flow without obstruction. Despite these standards and given the heavy traffic on some roads during peak travel times, negotiating these thoroughfares require careful driving. One must always be alert because the roads are somewhat unforgiving and a careless driver could either run into one of the trees, a ditch, or oncoming traffic.

The main canopy roads found in the Tallahassee area and in Leon County are:

Old Bainbridge Road
Centerville Road/Moccasin Gap Road
Meridian Road
Miccosukee Road
Old Centerville Road
Old Bainbridge Road
Old St. Augustine Road
Sunny Hill Road
Pisgah Church Road

Despite the canopy roads in Tallahassee and Leon County being difficult to navigate at times, they are well-regarded by most residents of Tallahassee and Leon County. Many of the city's and county's prime neighborhoods are located along the canopy roads. These roads helped to give Tallahassee and the area their distinct flavor. The moss-draped oak trees represent the old Florida panhandle that is slowly giving way to urbanization. There are also hiking trails that run parallel to several of the canopy roads.

If you have a chance to visit Tallahassee, you should take the time to drive along one of their many canopy roads and experience the beauty and natural setting of one of northern Florida's most treasured resources.