Cary State Forest
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Total Acreage: 13, 385
Counties: Duval, Nassau
Cary SF Closures:
- Basin Road is closed on
the Monticello Tract
Cary State Forest was established as Florida’s second State Forest in 1939. Cary is known for its scenic mature flatwoods, camping, environmental education and equestrian and hiking trails
Location
Cary State Forest is located in northeastern Florida near Jacksonville in Nassau and Duval Counties.
Take I-10 west to the Baldwin/US 301 exit. Watch for the turns in Baldwin. Drive North on US 301 for 7 miles. When you get to Bryceville, you will go under a yellow caution light and pass by a fire station on your right. Stay on US301. The main entrance is on the right, 0.5 miles north of the fire station. The green Cary State Forest sign at Pavilion Road is down due to construction on US 301. Turn right onto Pavilion Road (limerock) and drive to the grass parking area. If you pass Pavilion Road on US301 you will come to the Florida Forest Service Jacksonville District Office on Big Oaks Road.
In Callahan, drive South on US 301 for 13 miles. When you pass Ford Road, you only have 2.5 miles remaining. Don’t turn in at the Florida Forest Service Jacksonville District office on Big Oaks Road. Continue past it 1.5 miles, turn left on Pavilion Road (limerock), and drive down to the grass parking area. The green Cary State Forest sign at Pavilion Road is down due to construction on US Hwy. 301.
Natural Features
PHOTO: Cary State Forest flatwoods through a foggy sunset.
The ecosystems on Cary State Forest are varied and include longleaf pine/wiregrass, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, sandhills, basin swamps and cypress domes. Wildlife species found on the forest include: white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat, otter, alligator, great horned and barred owl, wild hog, pileated woodpecker, yellow-throated vireo, pinewood tree frog and various venomous and non-venomous snake species.
The following plant and animal species are listed as endangered, threatened or species of special concern and can be found residing on the forest: gopher tortoise, Sherman's fox squirrel, wood stork, swallow-tailed kite, night-flowering wild petunia, and purple honeycomb head.
Cary State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For specific regulations and dates on hunting, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 904/ 758-0525 or www.myfwc.com. Recreation
Cary State Forest offers the public a variety of passive, resource-based, recreational opportunities which include: hiking, 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 is permitted on all forest roads and firelines on the Cary, Monticello, Thomas Creek and Norfolk Southern Tracts of Cary State Forest, unless posted as closed to public access.
The recreation area on Pavilion Road requires a day use fee; $2.00 per adult, and children under six are free. Fees are paid at the fee box on site. Campers are not required to pay the day use fee.
Three drive up SEMI PRIMITIVE CAMPSITES are located on Cary State Forest. Campsite 1 accommodates 15 people, Campsite 2 accommodates 25 people and Campsite 3 accommodates 100 people. Water is available at campsite 3 only. A restroom facility with hot showers is provided for campers and day use visitors. A State Forest Use Permit is required for use of all campsites. Reservations are recommended since campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can obtain a State Forest Use Permit and make reservations by contacting Cary State Forest.
PHOTO: Cary Nature Trail Boardwalk winds through a cypress swamp.
The 1.25 mile Nature Trail at Cary State Forest winds and twists through scenic flatwoods, cypress swamp and includes a boardwalk that takes hikers across the wetlands. This trail is marked with yellow 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 at Cary State Forest is included in the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Program. Information on this hiking program is available at the trailhead kiosk on Pavilion Road, the forest headquarters, our website or by telephoning 850/414-0871.
Horseback riding is a popular activity on the forest and there are two designated horseback riding trails. The 12.2 mile Fireline Trail and 7.75 mile Red Root Trail
takes horseback riders through different forest stands and ecosystems
which include: mature longleaf pine stands, immature slash
pine stands and basin swamps. The Fireline Trail is marked with teal blazes and follows forest roads and firelines. The Red Root Trail stays along forest roads and is marked with red blazes. Hiking and bicycling is also permitted on both of these trails.
PHOTO: An exhibit at Cary State Forest’s outdoor teaching pavilion.
The S. Bryan Jennings Environmental Education Center
was built and dedicated as an outdoor teaching pavilion in 1972 and may be rented and reserved by the public. The Florida Forest Service uses the pavilion to enhance the education
of school groups, boy 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. For specific regulations and dates on hunting, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 904/ 758-0525. Non-hunting recreationists are permitted during hunting season but are encouraged to stay along open forest roads and to wear bright clothing. All three campsites, trailhead, Nature Trail and Pavilion are located in a non-hunting area.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's
forest resources, the Florida Forest Service has developed
rules which apply to all State Forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.
Trails |
Campsites |
Other |
|
Hike |
Bike |
Horse |
Canoe |
Camp
sites |
with
Electric |
Leashed
Pets OK |
More Activities |
 Nature |
none |
|
none |
Primitive*
|
none |
|
Picnicking, Hunting |
* State Forest Use Permit Required
Primary Contact
- Devon McFall, Forester
Cary State Forest
Florida Forest Service
7465 Pavilion Drive
Bryceville, Florida 32009
- Primary Telephone Numbers
Monday - Friday: 904/ 266-5021
Saturday and Sunday: 904/ 266-5020
- Email: Devon.Mcfall@freshfromflorida.com
Secondary Contact
- Todd Knapp, Resource Administrator
Florida Forest Service
7247 Big Oaks Road
Bryceville, Florida 32009
- Telephone: 904/ 266-5011
(Monday -Friday)
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