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State Forest Recreation
New Entrance Fees Effective March 2nd, 2009
A new $2.00 per person entrance is in effect for Florida’s state forests.
For those visitors who frequently visit Florida’s state forests, the Department offers an Annual Day Use Entrance Pass. This user friendly pass remained at $30.00 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase. It allows the driver and up to 7 passengers entry into any Florida state forest for an unlimited number of visits.
Some of the recreational activities to be enjoyed at Florida’s state forests include hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, geocaching, paddling, fishing, and hunting. The Division of Forestry also offers two outdoor recreational programs called the Trailwalker and Trailtrotter Programs. Both programs provide reward incentives for people who either hike trails or horseback ride on designated trails in Florida’s state forests.
“Space, solitude and self-reliance is what Florida’s State Forests are known for, it’s what keeps the visitors returning for more,” said James R. Karels, Director of the Division of Forestry. “With more than one million acres at 35 diverse state forests across the state, I encourage everyone to take some time and treasure the unique beauty that awaits you in the state forests.”
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Outdoor recreational opportunities on Florida's
State
Forests are as diverse as the resources themselves.
Most recreational opportunities in Florida's State Forests
are passive in nature. Utilizing old roadbeds and fire lanes
as trails, people can physically brush up against Florida's
natural and untamed resources.
Whether it's by bicycle, horse,
or foot, visitors to State Forests in Florida can experience
first-hand the same
outdoor elements that early settlers and inhabitants once experienced. In addition to providing outdoor recreation, state forest trails serve as outdoor classrooms for people of all ages to explore and learn.
A locked gate or closed road does not mean a state forest is closed to the public. Due to minimal staff or lack of facilities, some state forests require visitors to obtain a State Forest Use Permit for entrance onto the forest. In addition, any group activity on a state forest requires that a State Forest Use Authorization be obtained in advance by contacting the state forest you plan to visit.
Many state forests are open to regulated hunting and fishing under the direction of the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) . Hunting requires a license and permit and is allowed
only in designated Wildlife Management Areas during appropriate
seasons. Fishing also requires a valid license.
We encourage
non-hunting recreationists to check the Wildlife Management
Area regulations and season dates before visiting.
Have a question about recreation on state forests?
Contact Us
Lorna L. Tucker, Public Information / Marketing Specialist
Division of Forestry
3125 Conner Blvd. C25
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
Telephone: 850-414-0871
FAX: 850-921-6724
Email: FLDOFrecreation@doacs.state.fl.us
Space, Solitude, and Self-Reliance
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