Description

Etoniah Creek State Forest contains 8,879 acres of various natural communities. The forest was acquired as part of the Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) project. Etoniah Creek State Forest is named after Etoniah Creek, a stream that travels 2.5 miles through the eastern portion of the forest.

Geography:

Located just to the south of the 819 acre Georges Lake, Etoniah Creek State Forest has 491 feet of lake frontage. Three shallow creeks (Falling Branch Creek, Etoniah Creek, and Rice Creek) meander through floodplain swamps and bottomland hardwoods.

The forest is home to a variety of wildlife and is part of a wildlife corridor that offers the black bear a vast roaming area, a necessity for its survival. Other types of wildlife commonly found on the forest include white-tailed deer, bobcat, fox squirrel, wild turkey, eastern diamondback rattlesnake and great horned owl.

Species found on the forest that are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern include the eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, black creek crayfish, and Florida scrub jay. Etoniah rosemary (Conradina etonia) is an endangered plant that was first described in 1991 and is found mostly in scrub habitat. Etoniah Creek State Forest contains the only known population of Etoniah rosemary found on public land.

Recreation:

Recreational activities on the forest include hiking, fishing, hunting, nature study, wildlife viewing and photography. There is a designated trail for horseback riding, a 12 mile loop with two options to make a shorter ride.

Etoniah Creek State Forest contains 3 hiking trails. The George's Lake Hiking Trail is a one mile round trip trail that takes visitors to an observation deck overlooking George's Lake. Lake Blossom Trail is a short half-mile loop trail around a beautiful grassy pond. This area provides a great opportunity for birding and photography. The third trail is the Longleaf Pine Trail, which follows part of the Florida National Scenic Trail and leads hikers to a healthy population of the federally endangered plant Etoniah rosemary at the southern end of the trail.

The Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail, a Florida Rails-to-Trails project, crosses the south side of the forest. The project converted an old railroad bed into a paved multi-use trail.

Etoniah Creek State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Hunting is permitted only during designated seasons.

In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's forest resources, the Florida Forest Service has developed rules that apply to all state forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.

Facilities:

This shelter is an enclosed camping shelter with loft and porch. You can also primitive camp in the clearing adjacent to the Iron Bridge shelter.This shelter is on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Nearby Attractions:

The Palatka-To-Lake Butler State Trail (a paved multi-use recreational trail) crosses the south side of the forest.
The Florida National Scenic Trail.
Ravine Gardens State Park
Rodman Reservoir
Ocala National Forest

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.

Season Schedule

• General Rules