|
Lake George
State Forest
Total Acreage: 19,648
Counties: Volusia |
|
|
 |
Made up of three
tracts of land,
Lake George State Forest is primarily comprised of slash pine,
longleaf pine, bottomland hardwoods, and interspersed
cypress and bay depressions. In 1998 nearly half the
acreage of Lake George State Forest was damaged during
the Firestorm wildfires. Restoration efforts included
harvesting salvage timber and reforestation with longleaf
pine and slash pine.
The Bluffton Mound and Midden at the Bluffton Recreation
Area illustrate the rich archaeological history of the
St. Johns River and Lake George area. For thousands
of years early Florida Indians inhabited the area. Explorers
of the 18th and 19th centuries first noticed the large
mounds of freshwater shellfish that were created by
the Indians. Later, the shell mounds attracted some
of Florida's earliest archaeologists. Today, little
of the mounds exist as most were excavated for material
to build roads.
Past uses of Lake George State Forest include timber
management, naval stores production, grazing and hunting.
Prior to 1910, logging canals were dug through the swamps
to remove cypress logs. In the 1930's much of the area
was forested in longleaf pine and slash pine and used
for cattle grazing. Starting in the 1960's, slash pine
was planted as previous owners had aggressively harvested
the forest.
Location
Lake George State Forest is located in northwestern Volusia County near the towns of Barberville and Astor. To access the forest north of State Road 40 (Astor Tract) take Riley Pridgeon Road, located 1/2 mile east of the town of Astor. To access the forest south of State Road 40 (Mary Farms/Dexter Tracts) take St. Johns River Road, located 1/2 mile east of Astor. This goes to the Bluffton Recreation Area. An entrance for hunters is located on State Road 40 - 31/4 miles east of Astor.
The forest is open to visitors during daylight hours.
Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians are welcome on roads,
designated trails and permanent fire lines. Contact Lake George State Forest to obtain a State Forest
Use Permit for primitive camping or for vehicle access to portions
of the Mary Farms/Dexter Units (except during Special
Opportunity Hunts).
Lake George State Forest is managed as a by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission.We encourage non-hunting recreationists to check the Wildlife Management Area regulations and season dates before visiting Lake George State Forest. Visit MyFWC.com/hunting for information.
