Florida National Forests

THE Ocala National Forest has a gross area of 441,925 acres and is the most southern of the four national forests in Florida, being the only one within the peninsular portion of the State. It lies between the cities of Ocala and Daytona Beach. The name "Ocala" is derived from "Ocali," the name of the Seminole Indian chief who dwelt in this vicinity. Its boundaries extend to the Ocklawaha River on the west and north, to Lake George and the St. Johns River on the east, and to State Highway 100 on the south.

The headquarters of the district ranger are in the Post Office Building in Ocala, the Marion County seat. Most of the forest lies in Marion County, but the eastern edge lies within Lake and Putnam Counties. It is of historical interest that about 1539 DeSoto discovered an Indian village of 600 huts at the present site of Ocala.

The soil under practically the entire forest is a deep, coarse, porous sand. Drainage is subsurface, and rain is absorbed by the soil as rapidly as it falls. Small areas along Juniper Creek are drained by surface streams but these are exceptional.

OCALA NATIONAL FOREST (click on image for a PDF version)

Prairies are an interesting feature of the Ocala topography. They are slight depressions, which are treeless except for the fringe of slash pine. These prairies are covered with herbaceous plants with sedge predominating and contain intermittent ponds which have no surface inlets or outlets. A few of the ponds may dry up at certain seasons but most of them contain deep holes of water throughout the year, which invariably support a growth of yellow water lilies or spatterdocks.

The Ocala National Forest contains the largest existing area of sand pine (Pinus clausa) in the world. It is sometimes called "scrub pine," and the area is known locally as the "Big Scrub." Sand pine is similar morphologically and silvically to the Virginia pine of the Middle Atlantic States, the Jack pine of the Lake States, and the lodgepole pine of the Rocky Mountains. It grows in dense even-aged stands and is relatively short-lived.

SAND PINE, OF WHICH THE LARGEST EXISTING AREA IN THE WORLD IS ON THE OCALA NATIONAL FOREST F—225047

Other important timber trees which grow on the better soils of the forest are longleaf, slash, loblolly, and pond pines, cypress, and numerous hardwoods. Along some of the wet bottoms, pine is mixed with the stately cabbage palm, forming a semitropical setting along the streams and bottoms.

The Ocala stand of sand pine is something more than 400,000 cords, and will be managed primarily for pulpwood. Present indications are that for the next 20 years the forest will maintain a cut of approximately 25,000 cords per year, after which the yield will increase considerably.

This pulpwood will be important in supplying the mills located at Fernandina and Jacksonville, since the wood can be transported by water from the forest to both mills.

The highest price the Forest Service has ever received for pine saw timber was paid on the Ocala National Forest. Because of the unusual quality of the timber and its accessibility, it demands premium prices. The forest is believed to have the highest producing naval stores timber in the longleaf-slash pine group. By the recent acquisition of more than 50,000 acres of second-growth longleaf and slash pine, it is estimated that the forest will support annual naval stores operations of 200,000 cups on a sustained-yield basis.

PICNIC SHELTER AT JUNIPER SPRINGS F—370107

AN ATTRACTIVE FEATURE OF THE JUNIPER SPRINGS AREA IS THE OLD-FASHIONED MILL WHEEL WHICH FURNISHES ELECTRICITY FOR THE PICNIC AND TRAILER CAMP AREA F—352913

RECREATION

The numerous clear lakes and natural springs of the Ocala, its semitropical scenery, and its excellent hunting and fishing make it an ideal spot for a vacation.

The area which is now the Ocala National Forest has been famous since the days of the red man for its many beautiful springs. In addition to the nationally famous Silver Springs, 5 miles east of Ocala, there are a number of other clear-water springs in the rolling, pine-clad expanses of the "Big Scrub." Surrounded by a massive luxuriant growth of tall pine, oak, and palmetto, and a deep cool cover of shrubs and low palms, these spots are gems of shadowy, tropical beauty.

Other springs which are of scenic and historical interest and which are adapted to recreation are Sweetwater Spring, Alexander Spring, Salt Springs, and Silver Glen Springs. The latter two are on private land, but are adjacent to the Ocala National Forest.

JUNIPER SPRINGS RECREATION AREA is in the scrub just 1,000 feet north of Florida Highway 19. 30 miles east of the city of Ocala and 44 miles west of Daytona Beach, and within an hour's drive of De Land, Eustis, and Palatka. This development provides healthful outdoor recreation of many types and is considered by authorities as one of the outstanding recreation areas in the national forests of the Southeast.

A SCENE AT DEER LAKE CAMP. THIS ORGANIZATION CAMP PROVIDES VARIED OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTHFUL OUTDOOR RECREATION F—370108

The entrance to this area is marked by a pylon and guarded by a pair of massive portals of Ocala limestone. Improvements and structures in rustic style have been provided for picnicking and swimming; adequate parking space and a trailer loop for trailer camping are available. The area is a natural botanical garden of native trees, shrubs, and wild flowers, and a "nature trail" meanders through the semitropical forest along Juniper Creek.

The spring, encased as it is in a setting of Ocala field stone executed in various styles of masonry, naturalistic riprap and boulder arrangements, is an unusually beautiful natural wonder with its deep "boil" and several minor springs yielding daily 6,000,000 gallons of clear, sparkling water at a temperature of 72° the year round. The water has been impounded by a dam to form an oval swimming pool, and the head of water is used to turn an old-fashioned mill wheel.

Another recreation use of the forest is summer camps or organization camps. A former C. C. C. camp on Crooked Lake on the eastern side of the forest has been turned over to the State 4—H club. At Deer Lake on the western side of the forest one of the largest organization camps in the State is being constructed by the Forest Service. Contributions have been made by Marion County and the city of Ocala. It offers an opportunity for recreation for such groups as Boy Scouts, 4—H clubs, Girl Scouts, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Exchange clubs, farm and church organizations at a moderate rental charge, which covers the upkeep cost. The plain but comfortable buildings on the shores of the lake include a large recreation or assembly hall, a lavatory building, and director's cabin. Each of 14 squad huts, with built-in bunks equipped with mattresses, will accommodate 10 persons.

The lake provides swimming and there is a sand beach for sun bathing. Bass and bream provide sport and food for anglers. Facilities have been developed for baseball, volleyball, basketball, and tennis. In addition, there are a trapeze, shuffleboard, and a council ring.

Complete information concerning the camp may be secured from the district ranger, Ocala National Forest, Ocala, Fla.

HUNTING AND FISHING

The numerous high islands and the bordering fringes of dense swamp and deep hammock make the Ocala National Forest an outstanding game area. Because of the dense growth of the sand pine, deer survived here long after they were exterminated in the surrounding country, and the white-tail deer is the important game animal. To improve hunting on the forest, the Ocala National Game Refuge was established by Presidential proclamation in 1930. It now includes 79,000 acres. In cooperation with the State Commission of Game and Fresh Water Fish, a wildlife management area of 296,400 acres has been established on the Ocala. Hunting will be restricted within this area in an effort to build up the wildlife resources to the carrying capacity.

The sand-pine areas are an outpost of such decimated animal species as the Florida black bear, Florida wolf, and Florida panther, better known in the West as mountain lion. At the present time, camping is largely incidental to deer hunting. Fourteen campgrounds have been constructed for hunters, and are open to the public the year round.

A delightful fishing trip on the Oklawaha River may be taken by boat, rented either at Dalks Bluff on the Daytona Highway or at Eureka. The trip may be extended by using an outboard motor into a 2- or 3-day jaunt down the Oklawaha River, then up the St. Johns River, through Lake George and on to the Daytona Highway at Astor. This entails camping overnight at one of the landings along the rivers, but the trip fully justifies the time required. Black bass and jackfish are among those in the stream. The beauty of the swamp vegetation and glimpses of marsh birds, numerous turtles, and an occasional alligator will add considerable interest to the trip.

THE OKLAWAHA RIVER, ONE OF FLORIDA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL STREAMS F—314524

Lake George, on the east side of the forest, is the second largest lake in the State. In early June the mats of water hyacinth along its borders present a lovely spectacle. Lake Kerr is the largest lake within the forest and has been developed to a small extent privately. Other lakes within the forest are Lake Bryant, Milldam Lake, and Half-Moon Lake, all of which interconnect; also Lake Jumper, Mud Lake, Lake Delancy, Wildcat Lake, Sellers Lake, and numerous smaller lakes. Fifteen minor lakes, including Farles Prairie and 10 small ponds on the Ocala, are closed to fishing to permit study and restocking. All other lakes within the forest are open to fishing under the State laws and can be reached by car, which makes it possible to take a boat to any of them.