Osceola National Forest

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Osceola National Forest
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Location Florida, United States
Nearest city Olustee, FL
Coordinates 30°17′26″N82°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 body U.S. Forest Service
Website Osceola National Forest
A pine woods tree frog in the Osceola National Forest Hyla femoralis 2.jpg
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 BearXingSignFL.jpg
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.

Contents

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

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

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

See also

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References

  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.