PORTIONS OF THE FOREST & TRAILS REMAIN CLOSED due to Hurricane Ian damage
One of the most popular destinations for outdoor recreation in the Orlando metro area, Little Big Econ State Forest offers expansive natural landscapes to explore.
It protects more than 10,000 acres along the floodplain of the Econlockhatchee River as it flows through lush forests towards vast marshes where it meets the St. Johns River.
With extensive trail systems dedicated to specific uses and several multi-use trails, it provides easy access to nature and a buffer between suburbia and rural lands in Seminole County.
Little Big Econ State Forest offers extensive hiking, biking, and equestrian trailsResources
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Overview
Location: Geneva, Oviedo, & Chuluota
Headquarters: 1350 Snow Hill Rd, Geneva
Primary Trailhead: 28.683460, -81.117605
Fees: $2 per person day use fee at Barr St, Snow Hill, and Jones East trailheads
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Forestry Service
Phone: 407-971-3500
Leashed dogs welcome. Insect repellent a must. Primitive campsites available.
Hunting is permitted only in the Kilbee and Culpepper Tracts. Check hunt season dates and wear bright orange during hunts.
The forest is laced with a network of rough forest roads that can be used to interconnect signposted/blazed trails.
Flooding can be an issue in this forest because of its proximity to river floodplains and the tributaries and swamps that feed the rivers. Check water levels in advance of your visit and never enter flowing water on foot.
Directions
See specific trail destinations for driving directions to trailheads.
About the Forest
Named in Muscogee, Econlockhatchee means “river of many mounds,” as evidenced by the middens found along the lower banks of this usually-placid river.
It is a floodplain river, which means heavy rainfall in the region will cause the waters to rise quickly, making all trails – land and water – unsafe.
Trees commonly fall off the banks due to flood scouringThe scouring nature of these floodplain events created significant bluffs, oxbow ponds, and dry side channels.
These provided a place to perch hiking and biking trails to optimize scenic views and surprisingly rugged terrain.
Cypress swamp along the Flagler TrailHiking
Florida Trail
The linear hiking-only Florida Trail traverses more than 12 miles of the forest, stretching from Chuluota to Oviedo with one designated backcountry campsite along its length.
Thanks to its river views and varied scenic beauty as well as proximity to the Orlando metro, it is one of the most popular day hike destinations on the statewide Florida Trail.
Florida Trail, Little Big Econ State Forest
One of the most beautiful hikes near Orlando is rugged, too: the Florida Trail atop bluffs above the Econlockhatchee River through Little-Big Econ State Forest.
Flagler Trail
Spanning from Geneva to Chuluota, the linear Flagler Trail largely follows a 1910 spur of the Florida East Coast Railway.
In addition to showcasing the remains of the railroad trestle at the Econlockhatchee River, it provides a tie-in between most of the trail systems west of Snow Hill Rd.
Flagler Trail north of the riverA multi-use path, it is a narrow right-of-way traversing haunting cypress swamps and deeply shaded palm hammocks as well as former ranchland.
Trailheads at both ends provide access: In Chuluota, the prominent Snow Hill trailhead along Snow Hill Rd, and in Geneva, Geneva Wilderness Preserve.
Multi-use bridge over the river along the Flagler TrailAs it is physically separated from another piece of the same railroad right-of-way for several miles, we refer to it as the Flagler Trail South.
The Flagler Trail North spans from the village of Geneva north into Lake Harney Wilderness Area, ending at the former trestle location across the St. Johns River.
Flagler Trail South
Following a historic railroad route, the southern portion of the Flagler Trail provides a sometimes rugged, sometimes gentle offroad ride between Chuluota and Geneva.
Kolokee Trail
A white-blazed spur between the Florida Trail and the Flagler Trail, the Kolokee Trail offers a deeply forested landscape at a spot once occupied by a turn-of-the-prior century railroad town.
Kolokee Trail junction with Flagler TrailUsing the three trails together, you can make a balloon hike of 4.7 miles from the Barr Street trailhead, with the trail bridge over the Econ the far pivot point of the hike.
Little-Big Econ Kolokee Loop
Tieing together the Florida Trail, the Kolokee Trail, and the Flagler Trail, the 5.6-mile Kolokee Loop in Little Big Econ State Forest shows off the best facets of the its humid subtropical forest.
River Trail & Culpepper Trail
Both of these lengthy trails, inside adjacent Bronson State Forest, can be accessed via the Brumley Rd trailhead of Little Big Econ State Forest.
Where they diverge, the River Trail follows the Econlockhatchee River upstream, a scenic round-trip hike with multiple deep scrambles along the river basin.
River view from a bluff on the River TrailThe Culpepper Trail follows the river downstream, leading into the vast floodplain where the Econlockhatchee flows into the St. Johns River.
Econ River Trail
A little-known trail in a remote corner of Little Big Econ State Forest, the River Trail offers outstanding views from the river bluffs and an archway of ancient oaks to get there.
Culpepper Bend
One of the lesser-known trails of Little Big Econ State Forest, Culpepper Bend leads you to an outstanding panorama where the Econlockhatchee River meets the St. Johns River.
Tunnel of oak hammock on the River TrailBiking
In addition to the multi-use Flagler Trail, there is a dedicated set of off-road cycling trails built and maintained by SORBA Orlando.
Primary access is via the parking area at Jones East, along Snow Hill Rd. The trail system, color coded for difficulty, can also be reached from the Flagler Trail just south of the Econlockhatchee River.
Marker along the off-road trailsCyclists are also welcome on the forest roads of the Kilbee Tract along SR 46 just west of the St. Johns River.
Forest road in the Kilbee TractPaddling
Nineteen miles of the Econlockhatchee River winds through the forest, with take-out points at the eight mile mark and at C.S. Lee Park along SR 46 after the river melts into the St. Johns River floodplain.
Upriver access is from a small parking area off Chuluota Rd (CR 419) at Willingham Rd in Oviedo. Intermediate access is at the bridge at Snow Hill Rd.
Econlockhatchee River Paddling Trail
Along a blackwater river surrounded by dense subtropical forest, the Econlockhatchee River Paddling Trail offers a remarkable perspective of Florida landscapes from the water.
Paddlers should keep watch for obstructions such as snags and sandbars. Alligators commonly sun along the banks of the river, which is tannic.
Some sloping grades provide pulloffs for paddlersCamping
One primitive camping area with several reservable sites — West Camp — is only a quarter mile east of the Barr Street trailhead via the Florida Trail.
One of the sites is dedicated for group use. All sites must be reserved online in advance.
River access for water near West CampEquestrian Trails
Shown in brown on the official State Forest map, the network of equestrian trails provides both loop and round-trip options.
Access to these trails, with ample parking for horse trailers, is located along Snow Hill Rd close to Forestry Headquarters.
Junction of equestrian trail with Flagler TrailOther Activities
Birding
Birders should focus on the open ranchland, hammocks, and expansive river floodplain reached via Brumley Rd access to the Culpepper Trail and the north end of the River Trail.
Watch for flocks or families of sandhill cranes in the broad prairies, and migratory birds across the river basin.
Listening for warblers in the forestThe Kilbee Tract provides palm-dotted prairies adjoining the confluence of the rivers, another good spot for migratory birds.
Hike the Florida Trail northbound from Snow Hill Rd to enter prime Florida scrub-jay habitat within the first quarter mile.
Great egret at the Kilbee TractBotanical Study
During the summer months, pink marshmallow and red swamp hibiscus blooms color the prairies along the rough roads of the Kilbee Tract.
Bogs in the easternmost reaches of the forest are known for their clusters of hooded pitcher plants and sundews.
Careful eyes will spy botanical treasuresIn the ancient live oak hammocks, giant air plant and butterfly orchids can be spotted high up in oak limbs.
Southern magnolia and wild citrus scent the perimeter lands that the Florida Trail follows south of its junction with the Flagler Trail.
Lush subtropical forest along the Florida Trail/Kolokee LoopThe humidity around the river encourages the riotous growth of air plants in the oaks and cedars along its bluffs.
A long tunnel of palm hammock is a highlight of the Flagler Trail south of the river.
Swamp hibiscus in the Kilbee TractFishing
Anglers with a Florida freshwater fishing license are welcome to either boat or paddle up the Econlockhatchee River or use the trail system to walk in and fish from the river beaches.
A pontoon with anglers makes its way downriverHunting
Seasonal hunting is permitted on two tracts of Little Big Econ State Forest in accordance with FWC regulations for fall deer season and spring turkey season, Kilbee and Culpepper.
Most of the remainder of the forest is crisscrossed by trails and remains entirely off-limits to hunting during those open seasons to protect other visitors.
Please consult the FWC Hunt Dates link below for a map of permitted hunting zones and exact dates of upcoming hunts.
The Kilbee Tract off SR 46 is primarily used by huntersTrail Map
Please see the link at the bottom of the page to download the full state forest trail map.
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from Little Big Econ State Forest
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Geneva Wilderness Area
Showcasing prairie ponds amid scrub on the edge of a pine flatwoods, Geneva Wilderness Area offers two loops of gentle paths on which to explore the habitats.
Florida Trail, Mills Creek
As the Florida Trail follows the curve of the basin in which Mills Creek into a bowl of marshlands, enjoy old-growth trees and long boardwalks along this 2 mile hike
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.
Black Hammock Wilderness Area
Black Hammock is a bit of Old Florida in Oviedo, with a trail showcasing a delightfully long boardwalk and a loop through scrub habitats above Lake Jesup