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Coordinates: 30°17′26″N 82°19′18″W / 30.29056°N 82.32167°W / 30.29056; -82.32167
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'''Osceola National Forest''' is a [[U.S. National Forest]] located in [[Florida]].
{{short description|National forest located Florida}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Osceola National Forest
| photo = Pinus palustris forest, Osceola National Forest.jpg
| photo_caption =
| map = USA
| relief = 1
| map_caption =
| location = [[Florida]], United States
| nearest_city = [[Olustee, Florida|Olustee, FL]]
| coordinates = {{coord|30|17|26|N|82|19|18|W|region:US-FL_source:frwiki|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| area_acre = 190932
| established = July 10, 1931
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[United States Forest Service|U.S. Forest Service]]
| website = [http://www.fs.usda.gov/osceola Osceola National Forest]
| elevation_max = 198 ft. (60 m): 30.1910, -82.5915
}}
[[File:Hyla femoralis 2.jpg|thumb|A [[pine woods tree frog]] in the Osceola National Forest]]
[[File:BearXingSignFL.jpg|thumb|Highway sign warning drivers to watch for bears crossing Interstate 10 through the Osceola National Forest]]
'''Osceola National Forest''' is a [[United States National Forest|National Forest]] located in northeast [[Florida]].


Osceola National Forest was created by President Herbert Hoover's proclamation, on July 10, 1931. It is named in honor of Native American Seminole warrior, Osceola.
Osceola National Forest was created by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Herbert Hoover]]'s proclamation on July 10, 1931. It is named in honor of the noted [[Seminole]] warrior, [[Osceola]].


The forest is made up of approximately {{convert|200000|acre|km2}} of pine [[flatwoods]] and [[Taxodium|cypress]]-hardwood [[swamp]]s in northeastern Florida, and is about {{convert|50|mi|km}} west of [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]]. It is located in parts of [[Columbia County, Florida|Columbia]], [[Baker County, Florida|Baker]], [[Bradford County, Florida|Bradford]], and [[Hamilton County, Florida|Hamilton]] counties.<ref>[http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/lar/2007/TABLE_6.htm Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District and County] - [[United States Forest Service]] - September 30, 2007</ref> The forest administration headquarters are in [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]], as are all three National Forests in Florida. Local [[National Park Ranger|ranger]] district offices are located in [[Olustee, Florida|Olustee]]. There is one officially designated wilderness area in the forest, the {{convert|13660|acre|km2}} [[Big Gum Swamp Wilderness]].
The park is made up of approximately 200,000 acres of pine flatwoods and cypress-hardwood swamps in northeastern Florida and is about 50 miles west of Jacksonville.


==Geography and ecology==
⚫
A 23 mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is included in the park grounds. Other hiking trails in the Park include: Olustee Battlefield Trail (a U.S. Civil War battlefield), Trampled Track Trail, and Mt. Carrie Trail. There are two horseback riding trails through open pine flatwoods and near scenic bays. The park is also open to hunters and fishermen with permits. You will find campgrounds, at fees from $8.00 and up, swimming and picnicing facilities.
Within the forest is the Osceola Research Natural Area, designated a [[National Natural Landmark]] in December 1974.<ref>[http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/site.cfm?Site=OSCE-FL Osceola Research Natural Area - National Natural Landmark]</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Nelson |first=Gil |title=Exploring Wild North Florida |year=1995 |publisher=Pineapple Press Inc |isbn=1-56164-091-3 |oclc=32746332 |page=244}}</ref>


Osceola National Forest is home to many species including the alligator and the red-cockaded woodpecker - an endangered species.
Osceola National Forest is home to many birds as well as mammalian and reptilian species, including the [[American alligator|alligator]], [[eastern indigo snake]], two species of [[skunk]], [[muskrat]], [[Florida black bear|black bear]], [[coyote]], [[raccoon]], [[gopher tortoise]], [[bobcat]], two species of [[fox]], [[Virginia opossum|opossum]], [[Florida panther|cougar]], [[fox squirrel]], and [[red-cockaded woodpecker]] an endangered species.


==Activities==
⚫
A {{convert|28|mi|km|adj=on}} section of the [[Florida National Scenic Trail]] is included in the park grounds. Other hiking trails in the park include: [[Battle of Olustee|Olustee Battlefield]] Trail (an [[American Civil War]] battlefield), Trampled Track Trail, and Mt. Carrie Trail. Two horseback riding trails pass through open pine flatwoods and near scenic bays. The park is also open to hunters and fishermen with permits.


==Campsites==
{{Florida-geo-stub}}
* Ocean Pond Campground - Ocean Pond Campground is located on the north side of Ocean Pond, a {{convert|1760|acre|km2|adj=on}} natural lake. Sixty-seven campsites are available for tents, trailers, or motor homes. Ocean Pond provides a variety of recreational experiences such as fishing, boating, water skiing and camping. A beach area, boat ramp, drinking water, hot showers, and flush toilets are located in the campground.
* The Landing Group Area - Available by reservation only, this is a 50-person private group area. Recreational activities include swimming, boating, camping, and picnicking. Facilities include a sand beach, boat launch for small boats, picnic shelter, large group grill, and restrooms with showers.
* Hunt Camps - Hunt camps include Hog Pen Landing, Cobb, Wiggins, West Tower, and East Tower. These are primitive camp sites.


==See also==
* [[Apalachicola National Forest]]
* [[Ocala National Forest]]
* [[Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park]] is within Osceola National Forest

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/florida Osceola National Forest] official site at [[United States Forest Service]]
* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/fnst Florida National Scenic Trail]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081006084332/http://www.floridabirdingtrail.com/sites_west.htm Great Florida Birding Trail]
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83540 Ocean Pond Campground] - official site at Osceola National Forest
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83555 The Group Landing] - official site at Osceola National Forest
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83535 Hog Pen Landing] - official site at Osceola National Forest
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83532 Cobb Hunt Camp] - official site at Osceola National Forest
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83564 Wiggins Hunt Camp] - official site at Osceola National Forest
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83562 West Tower Hunt Camp] - official site at Osceola National Forest
* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83533 East Tower Hunt Camp] - official site at Osceola National Forest

{{Protected areas of Florida}}
{{National Forests of the United States}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Osceola National Forest| ]]
[[Category:National Forests of Florida]]
[[Category:National Forests of Florida]]
[[Category:National Natural Landmarks in Florida]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Columbia County, Florida]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1931]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Baker County, Florida]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Bradford County, Florida]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Hamilton County, Florida]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Florida]]

Latest revision as of 02:16, 11 February 2024

Osceola National Forest
Map showing the location of Osceola National Forest
Map showing the location of Osceola National Forest
LocationFlorida, United States
Nearest cityOlustee, FL
Coordinates30°17′26″N 82°19′18″W / 30.29056°N 82.32167°W / 30.29056; -82.32167
Area190,932 acres (772.67 km2)
Max. elevation198 ft. (60 m): 30.1910, -82.5915
EstablishedJuly 10, 1931
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
WebsiteOsceola National Forest
A pine woods tree frog in the Osceola National Forest
Highway sign warning drivers to watch for bears crossing Interstate 10 through the Osceola National Forest

Osceola National Forest is a National Forest located in northeast Florida.

Osceola National Forest was created by President Herbert Hoover's proclamation on July 10, 1931. It is named in honor of the noted Seminole warrior, Osceola.

The forest is made up of approximately 200,000 acres (810 km2) of pine flatwoods and cypress-hardwood swamps in northeastern Florida, and is about 50 miles (80 km) west of Jacksonville. It is located in parts of Columbia, Baker, Bradford, and Hamilton counties.[1] The forest administration headquarters are in Tallahassee, as are all three National Forests in Florida. Local ranger district offices are located in Olustee. There is one officially designated wilderness area in the forest, the 13,660 acres (55.3 km2) Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.

Geography and ecology[edit]

Within the forest is the Osceola Research Natural Area, designated a National Natural Landmark in December 1974.[2][3]

Osceola National Forest is home to many birds as well as mammalian and reptilian species, including the alligator, eastern indigo snake, two species of skunk, muskrat, black bear, coyote, raccoon, gopher tortoise, bobcat, two species of fox, opossum, cougar, fox squirrel, and red-cockaded woodpecker an endangered species.

Activities[edit]

A 28-mile (45 km) section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is included in the park grounds. Other hiking trails in the park include: Olustee Battlefield Trail (an American Civil War battlefield), Trampled Track Trail, and Mt. Carrie Trail. Two horseback riding trails pass through open pine flatwoods and near scenic bays. The park is also open to hunters and fishermen with permits.

Campsites[edit]

  • Ocean Pond Campground - Ocean Pond Campground is located on the north side of Ocean Pond, a 1,760-acre (7.1 km2) natural lake. Sixty-seven campsites are available for tents, trailers, or motor homes. Ocean Pond provides a variety of recreational experiences such as fishing, boating, water skiing and camping. A beach area, boat ramp, drinking water, hot showers, and flush toilets are located in the campground.
  • The Landing Group Area - Available by reservation only, this is a 50-person private group area. Recreational activities include swimming, boating, camping, and picnicking. Facilities include a sand beach, boat launch for small boats, picnic shelter, large group grill, and restrooms with showers.
  • Hunt Camps - Hunt camps include Hog Pen Landing, Cobb, Wiggins, West Tower, and East Tower. These are primitive camp sites.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District and County - United States Forest Service - September 30, 2007
  2. ^ Osceola Research Natural Area - National Natural Landmark
  3. ^ Nelson, Gil (1995). Exploring Wild North Florida. Pineapple Press Inc. p. 244. ISBN 1-56164-091-3. OCLC 32746332.

External links[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Osceola National Forest.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Osceola National Forest.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osceola_National_Forest&oldid=1206041107"