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St. Johns River Water Management District |
Ralph E. Simmons Memorial WMA consists of more than 3,000 acres along
nearly 7 miles of the St. Marys River in northern Nassau County. On the
area are excellent examples of a number of natural communities,
including longleaf pine/wiregrass, seepage slopes, herb bogs and ravine
forests. These communities contain a variety of rare plants, including
orchids and pitcher plants, and are home to
white-tailed
deer,
wild turkey,
bobcat,
gopher tortoise, and
otter. The
Ralph Simmons State Forest is part of the
Great Florida
Birding Trail. The river provides excellent opportunities for
boating, fishing, and canoeing as well as bird watching. Hiking,
horseback riding and off-road bicycling are available on established
trails and roads. The area has produced some high quality deer at times
and squirrel hunting along the river bottom swamps can be good in the
fall. During hunting periods, public access is restricted to those
individuals with valid quota hunt permits, except during the
mobility-impaired general gun hunt when two non-disabled helpers may
accompany a mobility-impaired quota permit holder. During periods open
to hunting, hunters in possession of a quota permit may camp in
designated campgrounds. During periods closed to hunting, camping in the
designated group campground is allowed by permit from the Florida
Division of Forestry, (904) 845-3597. Camping for non-hunters at
primitive campsites along the St. Marys River is allowed throughout the
year on a first-come, first-serve basis. Information kiosks are located
on Lake Hampton Road. and Penny Haddock Road. A boat ramp is located on
Scotts Landing Road. For additional information, a
recreation guide is available from the St. Johns River Water Management
District.
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