I know there are several FL Jeep owners that use this forum, so I wanted to make a thread about the National Forests and their trails. This would include Ocala, Apalachicola, Osceola, etc..

I am new to Florida, but am going to try to hit as many of them as soon as I can. I took my first trip to Osceola yesterday since it is the closest to me and I was pleasantly surprised. Nothing like the Tennessee terrain that I am used to, but a very extensive trail system that is very Jeep friendly. I was afraid that I would be limited to the number of areas I could access, but was informed by one of the "Park Hosts" (and a fellow Jeep owner) that I could drive any trail I felt I could make it on that was not marked as restricted. I just had a few hours of light and only covered a short distance, but there is no telling how many miles of trails there are. Istarted under I-10 and the Park Host said I could drive all the way to GA on the trails.

The trails are mostly sand and there is some water that I encountered. Got a few paint scrapes but am planning on heading out and driving a lot more of it ASAP.

 

kewl ,im down here in tampa and we came across a park on sr 50 that had some roadsleading in...but i was afraid they might give me grief for going down them...but then again they are our parks as Americans, right?

 

I live a few miles to the west of the Oscola. I take my new 07 silver 4dr Sahara Unlimited on the nice roads and trails and look for the "Green Hornet " -2dr wrangler "x" trails. Have taken 2 dr in and out for over 2 years. at the ranger station on hiway 90 East of Lake City , you can purchase a really great map of the forest with many of the trails shown and all of the FOREST roads. Just be careful the lay of the land changes very quickly with just a little rain - but then a little mud ISSS fun.

Many of the roads on the North side at the Ga border SHOW that they are thru roads but a number of them have gates at the line more fun

Ever want to ride - let me know..

 

I went out to Big Cypress National preserve this weekend. You have to have your vehicle inspected first at the Oasis visitor center on the tamiami trail, pay 50 bucks, take a little computer course..... Your tires have to have 9" wide contact patch of tread. Kind of a lot of hoops to jump through. We finally got out there, and while it is beautiful, the area for ORVs is small (Bear Island) and most of the trails are hard pack. Lots of wild life, though.

 

Okay, I want to ride, when is good for you?