• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Cary State Forest tower view

Cary State Forest

Protecting more than 20 square miles of forest northwest of Jacksonville, Cary State Forest has over 20 miles of marked trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use

Baldwin      ( 30.401215, -81.924140 )      21.4 miles

137 shares

In the 20 years since we first visited Cary State Forest, it’s more than tripled in size.

That’s thanks to the acquisition of large tracts of former timberlands west of Jacksonville, all of which can be roamed on their networks of roads.

Encompassing eleven different habitats, with major ones including longleaf pine, wet flatwoods, cypress domes, and swamp forests, this is a place of botanical beauty.

But it takes a walk or a ride to see it up close, and time to pause for the little things.

Cary State Forest Nature Trail Pitcher plants blooming on the edge of a cypress dome


Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in North Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Bryceville
Length: 21.4 miles in three trails
Headquarters: 30.401215, -81.924140
Address: 7465 Pavilion Rd, Bryceville
Fees: $2 per person
Restroom: At the S. Bryan Jennings Pavilion off US 301 at Pavilion Rd
Land manager: Florida State Forests
Phone: 904-266-8398 weekdays, 904-266-8396 weekends

Open dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs welcome.

Please be aware of hunting seasons in the forest and wear bright orange if you choose to hike or camp during them. Hunting is not permitted in the Cary Tract.

Cary State Forest


Directions

 
From Interstate 10 exit 343, Baldwin/Starke, head north on US 301 for 9 miles. After you pass the Bryceville fire station and a “Welcome to Cary State Forest” sign on the right. Keep alert for the first turnoff, Pavilion Road. Turn right and drive 0.4 mile to the trail kiosk and grassy parking area at its intersection with Fire Tower Rd. This is the parking area for all of the trails within Cary State Forest. To reach the headquarters building, turn left on Fire Tower Rd and you’ll find it on the right.

About the Forest

The original portion of the forest off US 301 in Bryceville is where we’ve explored and enjoyed the beauty of the pine flatwoods and seepage bogs along the Cary Nature Trail.

This is the location of the S. Bryan Jennings Pavilion, built in 1972. When we visited it, it was an environmental education center with adjacent family campground.

It’s since been renovated into an open-air pavilion, and a youth group campground established elsewhere, plus a more formal campground established just south of Pavilion Road.

Cary State Forest Adams Boardwalk along the Cary Nature Trail


But the forest is now has additional tracts checked across the landscape between Bryceville and the northern Jacksonville suburbs.

In addition to the original tract, now called the Cary Tract, there are now three more: Monticello, Norfolk Southern, and Thomas Creek.

The Norfork Southern Tract is along Pritchard Rd north of Old Plank Rd. It currently only has a walk-in entrance and old roads to explore.

The Monticello Tract, which interconnects via forest roads with the Cary Tract, has a walk-in entrance at the western terminus of Garden Street.

The Thomas Creek Tract spans between US 301 and Thomas Creek Rd south of Callahan. Its forest roads are accessible from an entrance off US 301.

Cary State Forest Cypress knees in a cypress dome


Hiking Trails

Although hikers are welcome to use any of the multi-use trails in Cary State Forest, only the Cary Nature Trail is designated hiking only.

It’s an easy walk on a loop through the pine flatwoods with several outstanding highlights, including a boardwalk through a cypress dome and pitcher plant bogs.

Cary State Forest

Cary Nature Trail

In the vast mosaic of pines and cypress swamp west of Jacksonville protected by Cary State Forest, the 1.4 mile Cary Nature Trail makes a great family outing

Biking and Equestrian Trails

Currently the only blazed multi-use trails are on the Cary Tract, accessed via the same trailhead as the Cary Nature Trail.

These trails are much longer, best suited for offroad biking with fat tires or for equestrian use.

The 7.8-mile Red Root Trail is the easier of the long trails for cyclists, as it follows existing forest roads. Watch for the red blazes.

Cary State Forest The hardwood forests can be surprisingly dense


The 12.2-mile Fireline Trail follows where fire lines have been built in the past, and may be again in the future. It has teal blazes.

It’s definitely best suited for equestrians, as it ventures into the swamps and wet flatwoods, but hikers are also welcome to give it a try.

Don’t wander out there without a map. Download the park map from the button at the bottom of this page to see the location of these trails. They start from the main trailhead.

Cary State Forest Forest road in the Cary Tract


Camping

With six sites, the Cary State Forest Campground is in the pine forest just south of Pavilion Drive and immediately east of US 301. Leashed pets welcome.

Given its proximity to the highway, there is some road noise but the pines help to filter it. It’s an easy walk over to the Cary Nature Trail and the S. Bryan Jennings Pavilion.

Electricity is provided at the sites, and they can accomodate either car campers, vans, or RVs in spaces up to 45′ deep. A dump station and bathhouse are nearby.

All campsites must be reserved in advance. Fee is $14 per site, up to 8 people. Your food must be protected from bears, as they roam this forest.

Cary State Forest In the pine flatwoods near Pavilion Rd


Hunting

Seasonal hunting is permitted in a portion of Cary State Forest in accordance with FWC regulations for fall deer season and spring turkey season.

During those open seasons, other forest visitors must wear bright orange for their safety.

Please consult the FWC Hunt Dates link below for a map of permitted hunting zones and exact dates of upcoming hunts.

Hunting is not permitted in the Cary Tract, where the nature trail and campground are located.

Hunt Dates

Cary State Forest Old feedlot clearing in Cary State Forest


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Cary State Forest


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Camp Milton Arboretum

Camp Milton Historic Preserve

On a walk through Camp Milton Historic Preserve, discover Civil War stories through a grove of historic trees that have tales to tell beneath their leafy shade

Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail

Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Following a historic railroad route that sparked the Battle of Olustee during the Civil War, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail spans 14.6 miles from Jacksonville to Baldwin

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Biking, Day Hikes, Equestrian, Florida State Forests, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, North Florida, Off Road Biking, Trails, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Baldwin, Botanical, Callahan, Car Camping, Cary State Forest, Developed Camping, Dog-friendly, Fernandina Beach, Florida State Forests, Jacksonville, Wildflowers

Reader Interactions

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

NORTH FLORIDA

NORTH FLORIDA OVERVIEW
East Coast Greenway. Florida Trail

Amelia Island. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Lake Butler. Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Micanopy. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. White Springs

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook
Five Star Trails Gainesville & Ocala guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Sinkhole pond with cypress knees and duckweed

Manatee Springs North End Trails

Manatee Springs North End Trails
Morning light in the upland forest at Manatee Springs

Manatee Springs Scenic Trail

Manatee Springs Scenic Trail
Grassy path edged by dense diminutive scrub forest

Cedar Key Scrub East Loop

Cedar Key Scrub East Loop
Archway at Fort Clinch

Fort Clinch Walking Tour

Fort Clinch Walking Tour

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2022, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact