Twin Rivers
State Forest

Twin Rivers State Forest is comprised of 14 noncontiguous tracts. These lands were purchased with funds from the Save Our Rivers (SOR) program, created by the Florida State Legislature in 1981, the Preservation 2000 program, established in 1990 by the Florida State Legislature, and the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program.

Historically, the junction of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers was an important point of commerce. In the 1800's, both rivers were used as major commercial routes, steamboats were a common sight as they carried passengers, freight and mail on the rivers. Today, the majority of the forest lies within the 100-year floodplain of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers.

In 1995, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, was given lead management responsibility for Twin Rivers State Forest, under a special lease agreement with the Suwannee River Water Management District. Using an ecosystem management approach, the primary management objective of the Division of Forestry is to restore, maintain and protect all native ecosystems. Through sound multiple-use management practices, a proper balance is maintained between resource utilization and resource protection.

Multiple-use on the state forest includes forest management, ecosystem restoration, recreation, wildlife management, watershed protection and environmental education.

Location

Twin Rivers State Forest is located along the banks of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers. The forest encompasses eastern Madison, western Hamilton, and northwestern Suwannee counties in northern Florida.The Twin Rivers State Forest office is located on Hwy. U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the town of Live Oak.

Natural Features

Wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, bobcat, otter, beaver, alligator and wild turkey are frequently seen on Twin Rivers State Forest.

There are many natural communities within Twin Rivers State Forest. Among these are sandhill, floodplain, swamp and sinkhole communities. Found within the natural communities are a wide variety of tree species. For example, American elm, river birch, sweetgum, water hickory and bald cypress can be found in the floodplains. Located in the drier sandhill areas are longleaf pine, turkey oak, post oak and live oak. In addition, clear running springs are located on the Anderson Springs and Pott Springs Tracts.

Trailtrotter Program... Explore the forest on horseback!

Recreation

Each of the tracts on Twin Rivers State Forest offer many recreational opportunities which include: nature study, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, canoeing and fishing. Twin Rivers State Forest contains 2 hiking trails (Ellaville and Anderson Springs) that are included in the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Hiking Program.

In addition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has designated several tracts as a Type I Wildlife Management Areas for hunting (Visit MyFWC.com/hunting for information.). Full facility camping is not available on the forest; however, a few primitive camp areas are located along multiple-use trails. Permits are required for special or group recreational activities and can be obtained from the Twin Rivers State Forest office at no charge.