SEMINOLE STATE FOREST
(Be sure to scroll down for additional information provided by the Park Manager)
SEMINOLE STATE FOREST
HIKING TRAILS
Over 21 miles of hiking trails have been developed
by the Florida Trail Association. Access to the hiking
trails is from SR46, SR44 or the main parking areas.
Hiking is permitted on all blazed trails and woods roads,
unless otherwise posted. Two blazes on trees or posts
indicate a change in direction. The upper blaze is offset
in the direction of the trail change.
Six overnight campsites along the Florida Trail are
for trail users only. These primitive sites have fires
rings and some have shelters. They are available on a
first come first served basis.
Orange blaze 7.5 miles
This is the main Florida Trail from SR46 to
Brantley Branch Road.
White blaze 5.2 miles
Lower Wekiva Loop is located south of Blackwater
Creek near the Wekiva River. This loop begins just
north of the southernmost primitive camp, departing
from the main Florida trail, and ends when it meets
the main trail just south of Blackwater Creek.
Blue blaze 2.5 miles
Sulphur Island Loop is located between Blackwater
Creek and Sulphur Run. This loop begins just north
of Blackwater Creek, departing from the main trail,
and follows the western edge of Sulphur Island. It
ends when it joins the main trail south of Sulphur
Run.
Yellow blaze 2.0 miles This spur trail north of
Sulphur Run links Seminole State Forest to the
Lower Wekiva River State Preserve.
Yellow blaze 2.9 miles
This spur trail from the west side of Sulphur Island
Loop leads to the intersection of SR44 and CR44-A.
White blaze 1.6 miles
This is a secondary spur trail which links Seminole State
Forest to the Lower Wekiva River State Preserve
departing from the 2.0 mile yellow spur noted above
TRAIL WALKER TRAILS
LOWER WEKIVA TRAIL
(LINER AND LOOP 10.5 MILES)
10.5 MILES FROM TRAILHEAD AT SOUTH
PARKING AREA FOLLOWING LINEAR AND
LOOP PORTION BACK TO TRAILHEAD AT
SOUTH PARKING AREA
The trailhead is located at the south parking area off of
SR46. The trail is a combination of a linear trail
(Orange blaze - Main Florida Trail) and a loop trail
(White blaze and Orange blaze). The linear length is 0.9
miles one way and the loop is 8.7 miles. Beginning at
the south parking area trailhead, go through the walkthrough
gate located to the right of the main gate and go
around the fence corner. Follow the Orange blazed trail
0.9 miles (Main Florida Trail) to the first campsite. Just
Beyond the campsite the Orange blazed trail forks left
and the White blazed trail forks right. Take the White
blazed trail (Lower Wekiva Loop) approximately 6
miles until you come to Sand Road. At this point you
are approximately 1600 feet south of the intersection of
Sand Road and Blackwater Creek. Sand Road is a
graded sand road. To return to the south parking area
you can go south on Sand road (approximately 2.4
miles) or follow the Orange blazed trail to the south,
which leads back to the south parking area
(approximately 3.6 miles).
SULPHUR ISLAND TRAIL
(LINEAR AND LOOP 9.4 MILES)
9.4 MILES FROM TRAILHEAD AT NORTH
PARKING AREA FOLLOWING LINEAR AND
LOOP PORTION BACK TO TRAILHEAD AT
NORTH PARKING AREA (SEE MAP FOR
ACCESS FROM SOUTH PARKING AREA)
The trailhead is located at the north parking area off of
SR44 and Brantley Branch Road. The trail is a
combination of a linear trail (Orange blaze - Main
Florida Trail) and a loop trail (Blue blaze and Orange
blaze). The linear length is 2.4 miles one way and the
loop is 3.6 miles. Beginning at the north parking area
trailhead, follow the Orange blazed trail 2.4 miles.
Double blazes indicate a change in trail direction. The
upper blaze is offset in the direction of the trail change.
When you reach a primitive camp, the Orange trail
intersects with the Blue trail (western portion of loop).
Proceed south on the Orange trail 0.9 miles from the
primitive camp to the intersection of Pine Road and
Grade Road (Sulphur Island Loop Trail Head). From
the intersection, look northwest and following the
Blue trail 2.5 miles back to the first primitive camp
you came to. To return to the north parking area
trailhead, follow the Orange trail north/northwest on
the linear portion of the Orange trail previously hiked.
Drive-in access to the loop portion of the Sulphur
Island Trail requires a State Forest Use Permit. The
trail loop can be reached from the north or south
parking area. This permit can be obtained by calling
352-360-6675. Parking space is available at the
intersection of Pine Road and Grade Road (0.24 miles
north of Blackwater Creek). From this point, follow
the Blue blazes (Sulphur Island Loop), approximately
2.4 miles to the intersection of the Orange blazed trail
located at a primitive camp. Turn south or right on the
Orange blazed trail and follow it back 0.9 miles to
beginning.
Multiple Use Trails
Multiple use trails help build a trail community by
increasing the need for all users to cooperate to
preserve and protect a common resource. It is
intended that each visitor will practice the multi-use
philosophy of courtesy and respect towards the trail
and all other visitors.
For drive-in access, State Forest Use Permits can be
obtained in person or by phone by contacting Lake
Forestry Station. Call or write for more information.
Division of Forestry
Lake Forestry Station
9610 County Road 44
Leesburg, FL 34788
352/360-6675 or 352/360-6677
24 HOUR DISPATCH 352-754-6777
The below responses apply to Seminole State Forest in Lake County,
Florida.
1. If there is a wheelchair accessible trail (and name and length of that trail)
All of the trails have natural surfaces and portions may be accessible for
fat tired wheel chairs. The access gaps will accommodate wheelchairs.
See attached brochure for trail names and lengths.
2. If there is an easy, low-impact trail (and name and length of that trail)
I think that I would only classify limited portions of all trails as low impact.
Accessibility can change daily and I do not think that we should advertise
any trail as being completely low impact or wheel chair accessible.
3. If the site can be birded from a car
Yes. A drive in permit must be obtained by calling 352-360-6675.
4. If a guide or tour company is willing to modify site tours for wheelchair
birders
Guided tours have been offered for special programs. If there was a
request for a special group that needed a slow pace, then we could
possibly accommodate.
5. If wheelchair accessible picnic tables are present
Yes. Wheelchair accessible picnic tables are available at the Bear Pond
Day Use Area Pavilion and at three reservation camp sites.
6. If wheelchair accessible restrooms are present.
Yes. A composting toilet is available at Bear Pond Day Use Area and Oaks
Camp.
Please provide clarification on #2 and #4 above. (Note from Comfy Birding: I will
provide clarification and add the information at a later date)
Joe Bishop
Forestry Supervisor II
Seminole State Forest
Division of Forestry
9610 CR44
Leesburg, FL 34788
Office) 352-360-6677
Fax) 352-315-4488
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Great Florida Birding Trail - East Florida Site Managers Listserv
The East Florida Site Managers Listserv (EFBT-L) is for managers of sites
in the East Florida Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
This list is maintained by Selena Kiser.