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Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner - James R. Karels, Director

Jennings State Forest:
•	Map: Jennings State Forest (JSF) (pdf, 229k)
•	Map: JSF Trailtrotter Trails (pdf, 501k)
•	Map: JSF Trailwalker Trails (pdf, 830k)
•	Bird Checklist (pdf, 581k)
Links:
	Jennings SF (SJRWMD)
•	Wildlife Management Areas

State Forests:

• Find a State Forest

• Fees and Information

• Recreation Programs

• Recreation At-A-Glance

• Recreation Guide (pdf, 5M)

• State Forests Brochure (pdf, 623k )

• Volunteer Opportunities

‘Nicole's Law’ for state forest equestrian riders under 16 years of age.

Campers- help ensure the health the Florida's forests. Use firewood from the area where you plan to burn it: More Tips

Protect forests for the future with Friends of Florida State Forests

Wetland restoration is an integral part of the Division of Forestry’s management of state forest resources. More

Resource Management Plans guide management activities on state forests. More.

Total Acreage: 23,997 Counties: Clay, Duval

Forestry Home > Forest Management > State Forests >

Jennings State Forest

Location | Natural Features | Recreation | Contacts

Jennings State Forest was purchased through the State of Florida's Conservation and Recreation Lands Program, Preservation 2000 Program, and the Save Our Rivers Program in cooperation with the St. John's River Water Management District. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry has management responsibility for Jennings State Forest.

The Division of Forestry's multiple-use management system creates a balance between the conservation of natural resources, including sustainable forest management and hunting; ecosystem management and protection; and outdoor recreational use. Photo of wildlife viewing blind, Photo of mesic flatwoods.

Location

Jennings State Forest can be found in the northern section of Clay County, which is located in northeastern Florida. The forest is approximately 10 miles southwest of Jacksonville, and 5 miles southwest of Orange Park. The State Forest has 5 entrances along the perimeter of the forest. Access to the eastern section of the forest is available from State Road 21 to County Road 220A, and access to the western section is available from U.S. 301 to County Road 218. The forestry center is situated on the north end of Long Horn Road which adjoins State Road 218. Map of Jennings State Forest

Natural Features

Rare plants such as Bartram's Ixia (above) and St. John's Susan can be observed, as well as uncommon herbs growing in seepage slope communities.

There are more than 15 different natural biological communities on Jennings State Forest, each with unique plants, animals, and physical characteristics. This results in an abundance of wildlife residing in the forest. Fire is needed to maintain many of these communities. The Division of Forestry uses prescribed fire to manage these communities in order to maintain the required habitat for the many unique plants and animals that occur within them. Included among the different types of natural communities are sandhill, slope forest, flatwoods, seepage slope, dome swamp, blackwater stream, and seepage stream. Photo of bottomland forest.

Raccoon, otter, alligator, and wading birds can be seen along North Fork Black Creek and other tributaries found throughout the forest. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, hawks and song birds can be found in the uplands.

Several ravines can be found in Jennings State Forest, representing the slow but never ending process of erosion by the force of water. These ravines are located along seepage streams leading to North Fork Black Creek. The spring fed streams are visible when canoeing between Powell Ford and Ellis Ford on North Fork Black Creek. Photo of ravine.

Recreation

The forest is open during daylight hours for hiking, bicycling, canoeing, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. Be advised that other recreational activities occur on the forest during seasonal hunts.

State Forest contains 2 hiking trails (Fire and Water and North Fork Black Creek) that are included in the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Hiking Program.

The North Fork Black Creek Trail is a 5 mile loop trail that offers a variety of ecosystems for the hiker to explore. Canoeing is available on North Fork and Black Creeks with several landings along the waterways.
The Fire and Water Nature Trail is an informative 1.7 mile trail which will give you an insight into how fire and water effect the various forest communities as well as explain our restoration efforts on the forest.

PHOTO: Red-breasted sunfish.

Jennings State Forest is open to regulated hunting and fishing under the direction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We encourage non-hunting recreationists to check the Wildlife Management Area regulations and season dates before visiting Jennings State Forest.

Hunting requires a license and permit and is allowed only in designated Wildlife Management Areas during appropriate seasons, fishing also requires a valid license. Visit MyFWC.com/Recreation for information.

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 guidelines.