Osceola National Forest

Florida's smallest national forest at approximately 200,000 acres, Osceola preserves a vital mosaic of longleaf pine flatwoods, cypress-hardwood swamps, and wet prairies in northeast Florida near Lake City. The 13,600-acre Big Gum Swamp Wilderness protects one of the most pristine swamp ecosystems in the Southeast, a dense tangle of blackgum, cypress, and bay trees that remains largely impenetrable and undisturbed. The forest supports healthy populations of red-cockaded woodpeckers, black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys, with prescribed fire playing an essential role in maintaining the longleaf pine ecosystem.\n\nA 25-mile segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail winds through the forest, offering hikers an immersive experience through pine flatwoods and along the edges of cypress domes. The historic Ocean Pond (now known as Olustee Battlefield) was the site of the Battle of Olustee in 1864, the largest Civil War engagement fought in Florida, and the battlefield is commemorated with an annual reenactment. The forest's lakes and streams provide good fishing for bass, bream, and catfish, while its network of roads and trails supports hunting, horseback riding, and wildlife observation throughout the year.