Cary State Forest

Cary State Forest offers the public a variety of passive, resource-based recreational opportunities, including hiking, RV and primitive camping, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, environmental education and hunting. Most of the current recreation facilities and designated trails are located on the original Cary Tract. Bicycling, hiking and horseback riding are permitted on all forest roads and fire lines on the Cary, Monticello, Thomas Creek and Norfolk Southern tracts unless posted as closed to public access. The forest is open during daylight hours for visitors to enjoy picnicking, hiking, bicycling, fishing, wildlife viewing and horseback riding.
The recreation area on Pavilion Road requires a day-use fee of $2 per adult. Children under 6 are free. Campers are not required to pay the day-use fee.
Both improved primitive and recreational vehicle campsites are available at the Cary Campground, and the Cary group camp has a 100-person capacity for youth group camping. Restroom and shower facilities are available via a short hike from each campsite. Campground reservations can be made on the ReserveAmerica website or by calling 1-877-879-3859.
The 1.25-mile Nature Trail at Cary State Forest winds and twists through scenic flatwoods and cypress swamp and includes a boardwalk that takes hikers across the wetlands. This trail is marked with mint green blazes. The Nature Trail boardwalk is dedicated to the memory of Lee and Mimi Adams, whose memorial funds were donated by their estate for the construction of the boardwalk. The Nature Trail is included in the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Program.
Horseback riding is a popular activity in the forest, and there are two designated horseback-riding trails. The 12.2-mile Fireline Trail and 7.75-mile Red Root Trail take horseback riders through different forest stands and ecosystems, including mature longleaf pine stands, immature slash pine stands and basin swamps. The Fireline Trail is marked with yellow bands and follows forest roads and fire lines. The Red Root Trail stays along forest roads and is marked with red diamonds. If you plan to take the Red Root Trail, check out our Trailtrotter Program. Hiking and bicycling are also permitted on both of these trails. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins test results for their horses when on state lands.
The S. Bryan Jennings Pavilion was built and dedicated in 1972 and was renovated in 2018 as an outdoor open-air pavilion. The pavilion may be rented and reserved by the public. The Florida Forest Service and other agencies/groups use the pavilion to teach school groups, Scouts and other groups about forestry and the environment.
Part of Cary State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). For specific regulations and dates on hunting, contact the FWC at (904) 758-0525 or visit the FWC website.
Non-hunting recreationists are permitted during huntin