Day Hiking in the Ocala National Forest, Florida

The Ocala National Forest is just north of Orlando Florida and is Florida's second largest National Forest. This National Forest has about 383,000 acres and is a favorite location for many outdoor enthusiasts. There are almost a dozen day hiking trails in the Ocala National Forest and all are considered easy to hike due to the semi-flat terrain in this area of Florida (USDA, n.d.).

Hiking in the Ocala National Forest offers many day hiking locations and overnight hiking trips as well. This National Forest has trails as short as a half mile to ones that can combine to 100 miles. The Ocala National Forest is a popular camping and hiking location in Florida year round.

Favorite Day Hiking Trails in Central Florida

The Florida Timucuan Trail is a short day hiking trail that takes your past some of the springs in Central Florida and past magnificent magnolia trees. This Florida trail is less than a mile long (0.9) and offers a shaded picnic area and flush toilets. The Timucuan day hiking trail is located in the Alexander Springs Recreation Area.

Another favorite short day hiking trail in the Ocala National Forest is the Florida Clearwater Lake Nature Trail. This Florida trail is a mostly shaded trail that wraps around Clearwater Lake and is 1.3 miles in length. This area is where the well known Florida Trail began. Picnic tables, drinking water, and toilets are all available for you following your hiking adventure in this Florida treasure.

The Florida Davenport Landing Trail is a favorite day hiking trail in the Ocala National Forest because of the two Florida historical sites along the trail. There is an old 19^th century steamboat port and an old Civil War gravesite. This Florida trail is a short 0.6 mile hiking foot path (1.2 round trip) and has no facilities.

For those who want a more challenging day hiking trail, try the Florida Salt Springs Observation Trail. This Ocala National Forest hiking trail is a 1.9 mile loop and is mostly boardwalk. This Central Florida day hiking trail is popular in winter for its bird watching deck because of all the birds that migrate to Florida during the winter months.

For a longer hike try the St. Frances Trail located northwest of Deland, Florida. This Ocala National Forest day hiking trail is 2.8 miles and offers free tent camping for those who decide to make a night of it. This historical Florida foot path could flood if the St. Johns River floods.

These are just a few of the popular day hiking trails of the Ocala National Forest in Central Florida. For a complete list of day hiking trails within the Ocala National Forest and Florida please visit the USDA Forest Service.

To learn more about favorite hiking trails throughout Florida and the U.S. please visit here.

Authors' Disclaimer: While every caution has been taken to provide my readers with the most accurate information, please use your discretion before making any decisions based on the information in this article.

Sources

USDA Forest Service (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome