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Marshy bottomlands in forest

Simmons State Forest

With more than 3600 acres along the St. Marys River, Simmons State Forest offers nearly 12 miles of hiking in a botanically significant basin on Florida’s border with Georgia.

Simmons State Forest  |  Callahan
( 30.794640, -81.938328 )      11.9 miles

Encompassing more than 3,600 acres along the Florida border in Nassau County just south of Folkston, Georgia, Ralph E. Simmons State Forest offers an expansive getaway for hikers.

The sluggish tannic waters of the St. Marys River form both the forest’s edge and the state boundary, snaking around bends marked by sandy beaches.

White diamond blaze in forest Woodlands in Simmons State Forest (Karen Miller)


The dips and slopes where upland and riverine habitats meet incubate some of North Florida’s rarest flora.

Some of the more unusual species include purple baldwina, hartwrightia, and a lovely flower named for the flower hunter himself, Bartram’s ixia.

roserush bloom up close Roserush in bloom


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Explorers Guide North Florida and Panhandle Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State Exploring Florida's Botanical Wonders 50 Hikes in North Florida

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: Callahan
Length: 10.4 miles in 2 trails
Primary Trailhead: 30.794640, -81.938328
Address: Lake Hampton Road, Hilliard, FL
Fees: $2 per person
Restroom: None
Land manager: Florida State Forests
Phone: 904-845-4933 weekdays, 904-845-3597 weekends

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Trails and campsites are closed during hunting season. Check the forest’s website for hunting dates.

St Marys River


Directions

 
From the west side of the Interstate 295 beltway in Jacksonville, take exit 28B to follow US 1/US 23 north for 12 miles to Callahan. Continue north along US 301/US 1 through Hilliard and Andrews for another 16.5 miles to Boulogne, just shy of the Georgia border. Turn right on SR 121/Lake Hampton Rd.
 
The first turnoff into the forest is on the left and leads to Scott’s Landing. The next turnoff on the left is the trailhead for the Yellow and Red Trails. After 2.5 miles from US 301, Penny Haddock Rd is on the left. Turn left on it and continue 0.8 mile to the final trailhead in the forest, which provides access to the White Trail.

About the Forest

When we first visited Simmons State Forest for 50 Hikes in North Florida, the trail system was primarily a set of blazed forest roads, with spurs that led to the St. Marys River.

The trail system we originally documented has changed for the better, as has the forest under the state’s care, its sandhills restored.

turkey oaks in winter colors Sandhills with turkey oaks (Karen Miller)


While the forest road system continues to be a draw for cyclists and equestrians, three multi-use trails are now clearly marked with color-coded diamonds.

Access to the St. Mary’s River is provided for boaters and paddlers, with a small dedicated recreation area at the end of Scotts Landing Rd.

Seasonal hunting occurs, with the forest a popular destination for deer hunters in fall. Recreational users are not permitted on the trails during deer hunting season.

Trail sign with multiuse markings Shared forest road on the Red-Yellow Trail (Karen Miller)


Biking

Off-road cyclists are welcome on any of the forest roads and marked trails, which are mainly natural surfaces.

While the Yellow and Red Trails mainly follow sand roads, you’ll find grassy stretches and deep erosional features along the White Trail loop.

Trail junction on sand road Sand road at the junction of the Yellow and Red Trails (Karen Miller)


Camping

Two primitive campsites along the St. Marys River can be accessed from the White Trail or by paddlers along the river.

No permit is required, but campsites cannot be used during designated hunting seasons other than small game season.

A group campsite sits just off Scotts Landing Rd, and a cabin is along the St. Marys River. Both can be used during hunting season by hunters with a valid hunt permit. Call ahead to reserve.

View of river through trees St. Marys River from river bluff at campsite


Hiking

The trail system at Simmons State Forest is open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. There are two separate trailheads with independent loops.

From the Lake Hampton Rd trailhead, the Yellow and Red Trails can be taken as a chained pair to make a 3.6 mile loop out to the river, or you can do just the Yellow Trail for a 1.8 mile loop.

White diamond blaze in forest On the White Trail (Karen Miller)


The trailhead at Penny Haddock Rd provides access to the 7-mile White Trail.

Overlaid on a network of forest roads, a hike along marked loop is 8.3 miles long when you take the side trips to the riverside campsites.

Pine forest with grassy understory

Simmons White Trail

At Ralph E. Simmons State Forest, the White Trail is a 7 mile loop through the rugged and diverse northernmost extent of the forest, with side trails to campsites along the St. Marys River.

Grassy footpath in woods

Simmons Red Yellow Trails

At Ralph E. Simmons State Forest, the Yellow and Red Trails provide a 3.6 mile figure-eight hike with a picturesque view of the St. Marys River and the state of Georgia beyond.

Paddling

Used by paddlers doing a circumnavigation of the Florida coastline, the St. Marys River can be accessed by paddlers from the boat ramp at the end of Scott’s Landing Rd.

It marks the state line between Florida and Georgia and like the Suwannee River, rises from the Okeefenokee Swamp. It is notable for cypresses of significant size.

Paddling downstream provides access to the riverside campsites within the state forest.

River with broad sand beach
Beach on the St. Marys River (Karen Miller)

Equestrian

Equestrians are welcome to explore any of the trails and the forest road network within Simmons State Forest. The trailhead at Penny Haddock Rd has a sizable parking area.

forest road Forest road in Simmons State Forest (Karen Miller)


Trail Map

Simmons State Forest Trail Map
White Trail upper right

Explore More!

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Big cypress in a narrow tannic waterway

Bethea State Forest

With nearly 40,000 acres along the Florida-Georgia border, John M. Bethea State Forest provides an important corridor for wildlife migrating between the Okefenokee Swamp and Osceola National Forest.

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

Young longleaf pines

Jennings State Forest

Protecting the headwaters of Black Creek, one of the northernmost freshwater tributaries of the St. Johns River, Jennings State Forest spans across almost 24,000 acres west of Jacksonville.

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) Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida State Forests, Hikes, North Florida, TrailsTag: Botanical, Callahan, Florida State Forests, Primitive Camping, Riverfront, Simmons State Forest, St. Marys River, Wildflowers, Wildlife Viewing

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Grassy footpath in woods

Simmons Red Yellow Trails

Simmons Red Yellow Trails
Pine forest with grassy understory

Simmons White Trail

Simmons White Trail
Longleaf pine and saw palmetto

Dunns Farm Trail

Dunns Farm Trail
Young longleaf pines

Jennings State Forest

Jennings State Forest

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