Seminole State Forest
Seminole State Forest consists of over 12,524
acres of land near the scenic Wekiva River Basin area. It offers many
recreational opportunities for hikers, off-road bicyclist, canoeist and
equestrians.
Entrance kiosk and a view of Bear Pond.
Pictures of the old hunting lodge located on Oka
Road. The steps leading into the house are all rotted away, but inside it's
still in pretty good shape. Nice little shelter if you get caught in the rain.
Next time your out there take a close look at the front door. There's some old
pictures of probably the owner embedded in the glass.
Location
Located about 15 miles west of Sanford in Lake County, Florida.
Directions
For South Entrance: from I-4 exit 51,
go west on State Road 46 for about 5.7 miles. Park entrance will be on your
right shortly after you cross the Wekiva River bridge.
For North Entrance: from I-4 exit 51,
go west on State Road 46 for about 7.7 miles. Turn right onto County Road 46A
and drive for about 5.6 miles until you reach State Road 44. Turn right on
State Road 44 and go for another 4.9 miles. Park entrance will be on your
right.
Hours
Park is open from 8 A.M. until sundown daily.
Fees
$1.00 per person (children under six admitted free)
Includes all vehicle passengers, walk-ins, bicyclist and equestrians.
For camping: $5.00 per night for 1-5 people, $10.00 per night for 6-10
people. For each additional person, add $1.00.
Annual Pass: $30.00
Hiking
Over 21 miles of marked hiking trails are
available at Seminole State Forest. The Florida National Scenic Trail (orange
blazes) makes up a part of these trails and begins at the park's north
entrance off of State Road 44 and ends 8 miles later at the park's south
entrance on State Road 46. Two trail loops are also available: a 9 mile
Lower Wekiva Loop (orange & white blazes) and a 3.7 mile Sulpher
Island Loop (blue & orange blazes). There's also a 1.5 mile spur
trail (white blazes) that connect with the trails in the Lower Wekiva State
Preserve area.
Plenty of parking is available at the
trailheads. There are detailed trail maps displayed at each trailhead
but unfortunately there are none that you can take with you on your hike. Bring plenty of water
since there are no potable water sources at the park.
Trail signage at the north entrance. Take a good
look at the map before going in.
Trail registration box at south entrance of
Seminole State Forest. This is also where the Lower Wekiva Loop trail begins.
Camping
Seminole State Forest has three primitive
campsites (Moccasin Springs, Oaks & Jumper) available for reservation and
require a State Forest Use Permit . Also available are 4
overnight campsites along the Florida Trail. These sites are for trail users
only and are closed during hunting periods. Each campsite is equipped
with fire rings and some have picnic tables and grills.
By far the prettiest of the campsites is Moccasin
Springs Camp. It's located next to a tranquil little spring that flows into
the nearby Blackwater Creek. It's about a quarter mile off the Sulpher Island
Loop trail at coordinates N28° 51.147 W81° 26.633.
The Oaks Group Camp is nestled among some beautiful oak trees along Oaks
Pond. It's near the intersection of Sulpher Road and Loop Road at coordinates N28° 50.842 W81° 27.269.
Canoeing
Located off of Sand Road next to the Blackwater
Creek bridge is the canoe launch point (N28° 51.487 W81° 26.228). A State Forest Use Permit is required.
No gasoline motors are permitted.
Hunting
Seminole Forest is closed to all recreational
users during scheduled hunting dates. Violators will
be prosecuted.
| Hunting Schedule 2009 -
2010 |
| Archery |
Sep. 26 - Oct. 4 |
| General Gun - M. I. |
Oct. 23 - 25 |
| Muzzle Gun |
Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 |
| General Gun |
Dec. 5 - 13 |
| Small Game |
Jan. 16 - 31 (weekends only) |
| Spring Turkey |
Mar. 20 - 23, 24 - 28 |
Maps
Infrared
aerial map showing hiking trails and campsites at Seminole Forest.
Interactive
aerial map of Seminole Forest from Terraserver.
Interactive
topographical map of Seminole Forest from Topozone.
GPS Data
Local Weather
Trail Reports
- 17-Dec-2001: The Florida Trail and Sulpher
Island Loop Trail are great shape. They have been recently mowed and lopped.
Can't say the same for the Lower Wekiva Loop or the White Spur trail going
into the Lower Wekiva State Preserve. These trails are obviously not getting
much attention. Expect heavy growth and faint trail markings along the way.
Contacts
- For State Forest Use Permits: write to the
Leesburg Forestry Station at 9610 CR44, Leesburg, FL 34788 or phone (352)
360-6675 or 360-6677.
Links
Last updated on 4-Sep-2009 at 10:52 P.M.
