Total Acreage: 13,045
Counties: Duval, Nassau |
Cary State Forest
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Cary State Forest was one of the original Florida State Forests and was established in the mid-1930s. The state forest attracts many visitors each year for the educational experience provided by its open air teaching pavilion and nature trail. Cary State Forest plays an important role in the environmental education of the area's school children as it is a regular site for field trips.
Location
Cary State Forest is located in northeastern Florida near Jacksonville in Nassau and Duval Counties.
Take I-10 to the Baldwin/US 301 exit. In Baldwin, drive North on U.S. Hwy. 301 for 7 miles. Watch for the turns in Baldwin.
When you get to Bryceville, you will go under a caution light and pass by a fire station on your right. Stay on U.S. Hwy. 301. We are on the right 0.5 miles past the fire station. You will see the green Cary State Forest sign. Turn down the dirt road (Pavilion Road) and drive to the grass parking area.
In Callahan, drive South on US Hwy. 301 for 13 miles. When you pass Ford Road, you only have 2.5 miles remaining. Don’t turn in at the Division of Forestry District office. Continue past it, and watch for the green Cary State Forest sign at the entrance. Turn left on the dirt road (Pavilion Rd.), and drive down to the grass parking area.
Natural Features
PHOTO: A boardwalk crosses over wetland areas of the Adams Wilderness Trail. |
The ecosystems on Cary State Forest are varied and include
longleaf pine/wiregrass, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods,
baygalls and cypress ponds. Other noted wildlife species
found on the forest include: wild turkey, bobcat, great
horned and barred owl, wild hog, white-tailed deer, pileated
woodpecker, yellow-throated vireo and pinewood tree frog.
The following species are listed as endangered, threatened
or species of special concern and can be found residing
on the forest: eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, Sherman's fox squirrel, and the Florida black bear.
Cary State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management
Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For specific regulations and dates on hunting, contact
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
at 904/ 758-0525
Recreation
Cary State Forest offers the public a variety of passive,
resource-based, recreational opportunities which include:
hiking, primitive camping, wildlife viewing, horseback
riding and hunting.
Three primitive campsites are located on Cary State
Forest. A restroom facility with showers is provided
for campers and day use visitors. A State Forest Use
Permit is required for use of all campsites. Reservations
are recommended since campsites are available on a first-come,
first-serve basis. You can obtain a State Forest Use
Permit and make reservations by telephoning Cary State
Forest at 904/266-5021.
The Nature Trail at Cary State Forest winds and twists
through a cypress swamp and includes a boardwalk that
takes hikers across the wetlands. The Nature
Trail boardwalk is dedicated to the memory of Lee and
Mimi Adams, whose memorial funds were donated by their
estate for the construction of the boardwalk. The Nature
Trail at Cary State Forest is included in the Division
of Forestry's Trailwalker
Program. Information on this hiking program is available
at the trailhead kiosk, forest headquarters, our website
or by telephoning 850/414-0871.
Horseback riding is a popular activity on the forest
and is allowed on all open forest roads as well as two designated
eight mile horseback riding trail. The 12 mile Fireline Trail and Red Root Trail
takes horseback riders through many different forest ecosystems
which include: mature longleaf pine stands, immature slash
pine stands and basin swamps.
The S. Bryan Jennings Environmental Education Center
was built and dedicated as an outdoor teaching pavilion in 1972 and is available for use by the public. The Division
of Forestry uses the pavilion to enhance the education
of school groups, boy scouts and other groups about forestry
and the environment.
Part of Cary State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For specific regulations and dates on hunting, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 904/ 758-0525 or www.myfwc.com.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's
forest resources, the Division of Forestry has developed
rules which apply to all State Forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.
Trails |
Campsites |
Other |
|
Hike |
Bike |
Horse |
Canoe |
Camp
sites |
with
Electric |
Leashed
Pets OK |
More Activities |
 Nature |
none |
|
none |
Primitive*
|
none |
|
Picnicking, Hunting |
* State Forest Use Permit Required
Contact Us
Primary Contact
- Devon McFall, Forester
Cary State Forest
Florida Division of Forestry
7465 Pavilion Drive
Bryceville, Florida 32009
Telephone: 904/ 266-5021 (weekends: 904/ 266-5020)
Email Cary State Forest
Secondary Contact
- Todd Knapp, Resource Administrator
Division of Forestry
7247 Big Oaks Road
Bryceville, Florida 32009
Telephone: 904/ 266-5011
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