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Located in a natural water recharge area, Tiger
Bay State Forest consists of large areas of swamp with
embedded pine islands and a large pine ridge area. The purchase of this forest began in 1977 under the
Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, with additional
acquisitions made in 1994 and 1998. Tiger Bay State
Forest is located among several publicly owned lands
which create wildlife corridors for species listed as
endangered, threatened or of special concern. Roaming
habitat is available for the Florida black bear as well
as potential nesting and foraging area for the bald
eagle.
Tiger Bay State Forest was severely impacted by the
1998 Summer Wildfire Firestorm. Approximately 15,000
acres of the forest were burned during these catastrophic
wildfires. Restoration included extensive salvage timber
removal and reforestation efforts have been completed.
Wetlands in Tiger Bay State Forest. |
Natural Features
Tiger Bay State Forest was named after its largest
physiographic feature, Tiger Bay, an extensive wetland
that provides a critical aquifer recharge for the local
area. Pine islands are dotted throughout the extensive
hydric swamp forest and comprise 40% of the property.
Also found on the forest are two lakes, Indian Lake
and Scoggin Lake, and several ponds. Coon Pond is a
natural water body, while Rattlesnake Pond, Woody Pond,
and Ranch Pond are man-made ponds that are available
to the public for fishing. Three additional unnamed
man-made ponds are also located on the forest.
Recreation
Recreational activities include hiking, bicycling,
horseback riding, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting,
nature study and photography. Horseback riding and
bicycling are allowed on
forest roads designated for
their use only. Tiger Bay State Forest contains 1 hiking
trail (Buncombe) in the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Hiking Program and 1 equestrian trail (Rima Ridge) in the Division’s TrailTrotter Program. An equestrian campground has been added to the Rima Ridge Tract with 5 primitive campsites, a small horse corral (16’ x 16’), non-potable water supply and water trough for watering horses. Contact Tiger Bay State Forest to obtain State Forest Use Permits for primitive camping.
 Prickly Pear Cactus bloom. |
Tiger Bay State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management
Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission. Indian Lake and Rattlesnake Pond are open
for fishing and small boat use. Hunting for whitetail
deer, hogs, and small game is permitted during designated
seasons. For hunting and fishing rules and designated
seasons see Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission brochures “Tiger Bay Wildlife Management
Area” and "Rima Ridge Unit, Tiger Bay Wildlife
Management Area".
Location
Tiger Bay State Forest is located in the central section of Volusia County, approximately 7 miles west of Daytona Beach, Florida. The forest extends north and south of US Highway 92.
Three forest access points are located off of US Highway 92:
- To access the Rima Ridge Tract,
go 4 miles west of the I-95/US 92 interchange on US
92 and turn north (right) onto Indian Lake Road for
approximately 1 3/4 miles, this road takes you into
the forest;
- The South Entrance leading to
Rattlesnake Pond is 6 miles west of I-95/US 92 interchange
on US 92, the entrance is on the south (left) side
of the road;
- The North Entrance is 7 miles
west of the I-95/US 92 interchange on US 92, the entrance
is on the north (right) side of the road. Access to
the Rima Ridge Tract is also available by taking SR
40 approximately 5 miles west of I-95, the entrance
is on the left side of the road. Tiger Bay State Forest
office headquarters is located on the north side of
US Highway 92, one-half mile west of the South entrance.
Parking for horse trailers is available at the headquarters.
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. READ
MORE
Trails |
Campsites
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Other
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Hike |
Bike |
Horse |
Canoe |
Camp
sites |
with
Electric |
Leashed
Pets OK |
More Activities |
Nature
Trail |
none |
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Primitive*
Youth Groups |
none |
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Picnicking, Fishing (boat ramp), Hunting
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* State Forest Use Permit Required
Contact Us:
Division of Forestry
Tiger Bay State Forest
4316 W. International Speedway Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32124
Telephone: 386/ 226-0250 or Email Tiger Bay State Forest |
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