Hiking Osceola National Forest

Part of a much larger mosaic of public lands stretching to the Suwannee River basin and the Okefenokee Swamp, Osceola National Forest is Florida’s youngest National Forest.

A portion of it protects the Pinhook Swamp, an ecologically diverse landscape of pine flatwoods and pocosins where carnivorous plants thrive.

Hooded pitcher plants

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover

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Overview

Location: Olustee
Address: 24874 US Highway 90, Sanderson, FL 32087
Fees: $5 day use fee at Ocean Pond and Olustee Beach
Restroom: At day use areas and some campgrounds
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone: 386-752-2577

The forest is open 24 hours except as posted at day use areas, which are open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs permitted except at beaches on Ocean Pond.

Random camping permitted except during deer hunting season. Wear blaze orange during hunts. Some campgrounds require advance reservations.

Directions

From Lake City, follow US 90 east. From Jacksonville, follow Interstate 10 west to Sanderson, then US 90 west to Olustee. Click on any of the icons above for specific directions to trailheads and other destinations we describe in Osceola National Forest.

About the Forest

When the land for Osceola National Forest was acquired, much of it had been actively worked for timber production and turpentine camps.

In recent decades, large swaths of the forest have undergone restoration to bring back the original longleaf pine and wiregrass habitat that once blanketed the Southeast.

Pine forest at Mount Carrie Wayside

South of US 90, more than 3,000 acres of the forest was designated the Olustee Experimental Forest in 1931.

On this part of the forest, scientists worked on breeding the best of Southern pine species to improve disease resistance and increase timber production.

Among the pines in Olustee Experimental Forest

The forest is home to many endangered and threatened species, including Florida black bear, indigo snakes, gopher tortoises, and fox squirrels.

Birders will appreciate the many places where it’s easy to see red-cockaded woodpeckers in their nesting colonies in old-growth longleaf.

Fox squirrel tail head and foot behind charred tree

A fox squirrel attempting to reach its nest in a burning tree

Olustee Battlefield, which is Florida’s oldest piece of public land, preserved by the state legislature as a war memorial, is a state park entirely surrounded by the National Forest.

In these pine flatwoods, Union and Confederate forces met at the Battle of Olustee, Florida’s largest and bloodiest battle of the Civil War.

Monument at Olustee Battlefield

Hiking

One of the earliest pieces of the Florida Trail was built in the late 1960s across Osceola National Forest. It boasts one of the trail’s few camping shelters.

This 20 mile segment of trail is known for immersing hikers in the beauty of the longleaf pine forest, but that’s not all you’ll see along it.

Natural oils create the rainbow effect

Cypress swamps — which, when the cypress needles fall off in winter, can glisten in a rainbow of colors to create a “rainbow swamp — are also part of the landscape.

It’s rare that you won’t end up with wet shoes when hiking across Osceola National Forest on the Florida Trail. These are some of the hikes you can do on the FT.

White and orange blazes on longleaf pine in forest

Florida Trail, Nice Wander Loop

In the Osceola National Forest, this short loop along the Florida Trail adjacent to Olustee Battlefield is one of the easiest places in the state to see red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Dense understory along hiking trail in pine flatwoods

Florida Trail, Ocean Pond to Turkey Run

An easy linear hike or round trip with a stop at the Florida Trail’s oldest shelter, this short segment of the Florida Trail in Osceola National Forest is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Pine flatwoods orange blaze and footpath

Florida Trail, Turkey Run to Deep Creek

In the northwest corner of Osceola National Forest, this 11.4 mile segment of the Florida Trail offers strong contrasts between pine flatwoods and bogs.

In addition, Osceola National Forest has a handful of shorter nature trails that provide interpretation of the habitats as well as great spots for birding.

One of the longer loops in the forest traverses the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness, a rugged and wild area that is a Congressionally designated federal wilderness area.

Fanny Bay Trail

Starting at the westbound Sanderson rest area along I-10, the Fanny Bay Trail leads you through pine flatwoods into a cypress swamp with ancient cypresses

Mount Carrie Wayside

The short, easily accessed Mount Carrie Wayside in Osceola National Forest showcases an old growth longleaf pine forest with a population of red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Olustee Battlefield Trail

The hike through Olustee Battlefield is short, but its historical significance is great. More than 2,000 men died in this forest on February 20, 1864, when Confederate and Union forces met and fought Florida’s bloodiest battle

Trampled Track Trail

An interpretive walk with extensive details on timbering history, the Trampled Track Trail leads to a waterfront view on Ocean Pond.

Camping

Ocean Pond Campground is CLOSED indefinitely for public safety

Most campers who visit Osceola National Forest focus on its well-known beauty spot, Ocean Pond.

The campground here is along the cypress-lined lake, with pleasant, breezy sites and a swimming beach.

Small beach at the Ocean Pond Campground

Ocean Pond is the only full campground, with a bathhouse and sites that can accommodate RVs and campers.

Tent camping is permitted at the other camping areas, which are called hunt camps. Of these, West Tower is the largest and has portable toilets near its landmark tower.

Tenting at Cobb Hunt Camp

In all, there are six designated camping areas plus Ocean Pond Campground. Random camping is otherwise permitted in the forest except during general gun (deer) hunting season.

There is also the Landing Group Camp along Ocean Pond, which is available for families and groups to camp together and must be reserved in advance.

Florida Trail symbol and blazes on fence

The Florida Trail passes through several camping areas in Osceola National Forest

Fishing

Anglers have access to Ocean Pond via Olustee Beach, where there is a boat ramp. Another ramp is at the group camp.

On the western edge of the forest in Lake City, Watertown Lake has both a boat ramp and pier.

Boat at boat ramp with signage and a pier

Ramp and pier at Watertown Lake

National Forests in Florida Implement New Fees

July 24, 2019// by Sandra Friend

Effective July 26, 2019, fees go up at many National Forest campgrounds, boat ramps, and recreation areas

Safety During Deer Hunting Season

November 8, 2018// by Sandra Friend

During hiking seasons in Florida, you are often sharing the trails with hunters. General gun season – deer hunting – is the main hunting season for hikers to be concerned about.

Do Not Feed the Bears

February 27, 2018// by John Keatley

Bear bagging is the art of hanging your food properly out of reach of bears. If you’re a Florida backpacker and haven’t learned how, here’s a short course. Securing your food from bears is required in the Ocala, Osceola, and Apalachicola National Forests.

The Weeks Act: a Century of Conservation

May 18, 2011// by Sandra Friend

A follow-up to the conservation legacy of Teddy Roosevelt’s administration, The Weeks Act was signed by William Howard Taft in March 1911. It authorized the Federal government – for the first time – to purchase private land to protect watersheds throughout the eastern United States.