Into the Woods

For conservationist and Sierra Club founder John Muir, "The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness."

Here in Ocala, the universe beckons from Florida's most visited and wandered through wilderness - The Ocala National Forest - and it extends a vast, green invitation to lovers of nature and recreation.

Known among its frequent visitors as simply "The Ocala," this natural wonder is really a universe in itself. Its 600 lakes and ponds, two rivers and numerous streams amount to a paddler's paradise. Its 300,000-acre topography spoils hikers with glowing springs, swamps and prairies. And its location as the country's southern most national forest yields a year-round opportunity for exploring the depths of its diversity.

"People just really love the forest," said Holly Ambrose, author of "30 Eco-Trips in Florida," during a recent interview. "I couldn't possibly consider a book about nature travels in Florida without including The Ocala."

What most impressed Ambrose during her trips to the forest was the range of landscapes she encountered, particularly the Big Scrub.

"I just never pictured scrub habitats in the forest," she said.

Florida scrub vegetation is a rare and vanishing ecosystem characterized by ridges of well-drained soil. These habitats support some of the last remaining populations of the Florida Scrub-Jay and other rare, threatened or endangered species. The Ocala is known for having the largest continuous sand pine scrub ecosystem in North America and, by some accounts, the world.

People can explore the Big Scrub along the four-mile Lake Eaton hiking loops or the trails of Salt Springs Recreation Area. Portions of the Salt Springs trails also have observation decks for fishing and bird watching. Salt Springs, located 35 miles east of Ocala on S.R. 19 near the junction of C.R. 316, is one of forest's major recreation areas and campgrounds. The site also boasts a second-magnitude mineral spring - ideal for snorkeling - with an enticing run for kayakers. And visitors should not leave without checking out the Amrit Yoga Institute (23855 N.E. County Rd 314, 352-685-3001), located along the gorgeous Lake Kerr.

Other popular recreation sites in The Ocala include Sweetwater Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Alexander Springs and Juniper Springs, a favorite of Sandra Friend, author of "The Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State," who considers its shady one-mile nature trail one of Florida's "don't-miss hikes."

Plenty of other interesting hikes also weave through the forest. In fact, The Ocala contains the longest, unbroken section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which lends itself to a weeklong backpacking adventure with plenty of pit stops along the way. The major recreation areas are located approximately every 10-12 miles, and primitive campsites like Sunnyhill and Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Areas also pervade the 71-mile trail.

"Peak hiking season in Florida occurs from October through April, and the best month for backpacking is February," Friend said during a recent interview.

Fishing trips and guided boat tours on the St. John's and Ocklawaha rivers are also popular forest activities. Fishermen will find high concentrations of crappie and catfish in the St. John's, while the Ocklawaha is home to brown and yellow bullhead. Visitors can also pedal off-road bike trails at the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail and gallop equestrian trails in the southern and western parts of the forest. The Ocala 100-mile horse trail includes three sections: the 40-mile Flatwoods Trail, the 20-mile Baptist Lake Trail and the 40-mile Prairie Trail. All three trails are accessible from the intersection of S.R. 19 and Lake Dorr Road, and horseback riding is free in the forest.

For more information about recreation activities in the forest, contact the Lake George Ranger District at 1747 E. Highway 40 in Silver Springs or 352-625-2520. §

Allison Wilson is a freelance writer and editor living in Ocala.