4 - Ocala National Forest
Located near Orlando, Florida, the Ocala National Forest receives more visitors than any other national forest in the Sunshine State. You will discover towering palms, large live oaks and scrubby sand pines dominating forest's scrub oak ecosystem. Native to the Ocala, the sand pine is the only tree capable of growing to a usable timber size in this forest's dry, sandy soil. The Ocala's sand pine scrub ecosystem is the world's largest continuous forest of this type.

Hopkins Prairie in the Ocala is a good place for observing scrub jays and sandhill cranes. Near the springs, look for Acadian flycatchers, warblers, and summer tanagers from April through August. At Lake George, catch a glimpse of a bald eagle as it slices through the sky. Bald eagles seek lakes and rivers with fish to eat and tall trees for nesting. There are many developed campgrounds in Ocala National Forest.

Permit Information
Backcountry permits are required for some of the areas along the Florida National Scenic Trail. Check with local management entities for the most up-to-date information.

Directions
Begin just north of Tosohatchee State Reserve, which is located on Taylor Creek Road in Christmas (east of Orlando) off State Road 50.

Information Center
There is no visitor center.

Activities