In an extensive natural corridor that the Florida Trail follows in its arc around the east side of the Orlando metro area, Bronson State Forest is a surprisingly wild destination.
Along the 12.2 mile route spanning from the edge of Orlando Wetlands Park to Chuluota Wilderness, the trail hits a broad array of habitats along the St. Johns River basin.
These include floodplain-rim stands of ancient live oaks and towering cabbage palms, floodplain forests and bayhead swamps, pine savannas, sandhills, and scrub.
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Overview
Location: Christmas & Chuluota
Length: 12.2 miles linear
Central trailhead: 28.5919, -81.0423
Fees: $2 per person day use fee at Phillips Rd trailhead
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Forestry Service
Phone: 407-971-3500
Leashed dogs welcome. Insect repellent a must. Primitive campsites must be reserved in advance.
Seasonal hunting occurs in some portions of the forest. Check ahead before you make plans for outdoor recreation.
The forest is laced with a network of rough forest roads. Active cattle leases mean the potential of encounters with cows and bulls along the trails.
Always check on water levels in the St. Johns River in advance of hiking this section. Flood conditions make the northeast corner of this route dangerous to traverse. An alternate route through Orlando Wetlands Park bypasses this corner.
Directions
From Interstate 95 in Titusville, drive west on SR 50 for 10.3 miles through the town of Christmas to Fort Christmas Road. Turn right. Continue 2.3 miles, passing Fort Christmas. After the curve in the road, continue continue a half mile and turn right on Philips Rd. Follow it 1.5 miles, taking the jeep track at the sign for Bronson State Forest to the Joshua Creek trailhead. This is the only official trailhead providing direct access into Bronson State Forest.
Directions to the Wheeler Road and Chuluota Wilderness trailheads flanking this section are provided under those individual hike segments, below.
Hike
Of this 12.2 mile route connecting three trailheads, only seven miles are within the boundaries of Charles H. Bronson State Forest.
Those seven miles lie in the middle, so the start and end points are in adjoining public lands. For the full traverse, begin at Wheeler Rd and end at Chuluota Wilderness.
Florida Trail, Wheeler Road to Joshua Creek Along this 8.6-mile route spanning the eastern side of Bronson State Forest, experience the majesty of ancient oak and palm hammocks near the St. Johns River. 
Florida Trail, Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek 3.9 miles. Enjoy natural beauty and botanical diversity along a scenic segment of the Florida Trail connecting Chuluota Wilderness and Bronson State Forest. Using the primary trailhead for the forest at Joshua Creek, you can also make round-trip hikes to scenic destinations or tackle a 9.5-mile loop using the River Trail.
In addition to the River Trail Loop, the Northeast Loop shows off the wildest corner of the forest, with access to the Florida Trail via Orlando Wetlands Park.
Trail through a hardwood hammock near South SloughSouthbound / Northbound
Florida Trail, Mills Creek Woodlands Discover a fairyland of ferns at the center of a spectrum of fascinating habitats along this 2 mile linear section of the Florida Trail.
Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch Savor a thousand shades of green amid enormous trees by following the Florida Trail 4.6 miles through ancient palm hammocks along the St. Johns River floodplain at Seminole Ranch.Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Bronson State Forest
Bronson State Forest Despite more than 40 miles of hiking and multi-use trails, Charles H. Bronson State Forest is a lightly-visited destination hidden behind more popular public lands. Slideshow
See our photos from the Florida Trail in Bronson State Forest
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Pine Lily Preserve In every season, wildflowers are the highlight along more than 4 miles of trails at Pine Lily Preserve, where its namesake lilies bloom in late summer. 
Hidden Pond Preserve Putting together several loops providing perspectives on pine flatwoods, prairie, swamp, and a showy pond, Hidden Pond Preserve offers a very enjoyable 1.9 mile hike.
Savage Christmas Creek Preserve Protecting more than a thousand acres, Savage Christmas Creek Preserve east of Orlando has more than 8 miles of trails through panoramic prairie and pine flatwoods landscapes. 
Orlando Wetlands For a hike filled with the flutter and squawk of birds, Orlando Wetlands is one of the best birding spots in the state. This 5-mile loop follows our favorite route.
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