Take Another Road: Osceola National Forest, Florida's Gateway Gem

The Osceola National Forest is located just North of Lake City Florida. Established in 1931, the forest is made up of approximately 200,000 acres of pine flatwoods and cypress hardwood swamps. There are a wide range of opportunities for outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and much more.

Morning mist in the pine flatlands

I have spent a lot of time hiking and driving through this forest and still have not seen it all. A 23 mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail meanders its way through the area as well as sections of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Many miles of sandy roads criss-cross the forest offering access to anyone.

A redheaded woodpecker observes observers

A red cockaded woodpecker nesting tree

This is one of the best areas to view the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker and their unique nesting habits. These rare birds prefer old growth long leaf pine with an open understory to construct their nests. They find trees which are hollow but retain a healthy outer layer. Over the course of a few months to several years, they excavate a nesting hole and bore small holes around the entrance. This causes the tree to excrete sap, creating a white, waxy and sticky barrier that keeps predators like snakes from entering the nest. They are facing extinction due to loss of habitat and there may be less than 10,000 left in the wild.

Lone sentinel at Ocean Pond

Fishing in the forest

In addition to Ocean Pond, a 1760-acre natural lake, the Osceola Forest is dotted with small ponds and borrow-pits throughout. These offer great fishing locations as well as local swimming holes. Camping is allowed anywhere in the forest except during hunting season. There is a designated campground on Ocean Pond that offers waterfront sites allowing guests to enjoy the water or fish right from their campsite. A beach area, boat ramp, drinking water, hot showers and restrooms are located in the campground.

Olustee canon

The forest is also home to the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park. The Battle of Olustee was fought on the afternoon of February 20th, 1864 and was the largest battle fought in Florida during the Civil War. 5,500 Union and 5,000 Confederate troops met in a vicious contest that claimed over 2,000 lives, making this the second bloodiest battle of the War for the Union. The battle was historically significant because the Union losses caused Northern authorities to question the necessity of further Union involvement in the state of Florida.

Olustee Battlefield

The Osceola National Forest is truly a gem in the National Forest system. To get to the area, travel East from Lake City on Highway 90 to the Ocean Pond and Olustee Battlefield area, or North on 441 and take one of the many access roads to the East.