The smallest of Florida's three National Forests, the Osceola National Forest sits between Lake City and Jacksonville and is bisected by Interstate 10. It is a crucial link in the biodiversity corridor of the Okeefenokee Swamp, connected by the vast Pinhook Swamp to the north.
History plays a major role in the Osceola National Forest, including interpretation of the timbering and turpentine industries that shaped the forests of today. In this forest, forces of the Confederacy and Union armies met in the largest battle fought on Florida soil during the Civil War, the Battle of Olustee.
Forestry is an important component of the landscape. Old-growth stands of longleaf pine provide safe haven for colonies of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Several bays, or inland forested swamps, are designated wilderness areas.
A popular destination for hunters, the Osceola National Forest also offers camping and swimming along picturesque Ocean Pond, extensive equestrian trails, and a 20-mile segment of the Florida Trail for backpackers.
For more information about recreation and conservation within the Osceola National Forest, visit the forest website.
The smallest of Florida's three National Forests, the Osceola National Forest sits between Lake City and Jacksonville and is bisected by Interstate 10. It is a crucial link in the biodiversity corridor of the Okeefenokee Swamp, connected by the vast Pinhook Swamp to the north.