Recreation (updated yearly)

In support of the resource management goals and objectives for the area and to provide a quality experience for all area users, the following recreation activities are allowed.

Hunting

Corbett is one of the only public areas for people along the highly populated Gold Coast to hunt. As a result, hunting pressure is very high: 10,000 mandays of hunting results in an average take of 80 deer and 200 hogs. One hundred seventy acres of old tomato fields are managed with a comprehensive food plot and mowing program to improve wildlife forage. Consequently, the turkey harvest has doubled. This area can be accessed with a 2-wheel drive vehicle less than a mile down Tomato Field Grade. About 85 percent of Corbett is open to dog hunting and swamp buggies. There are two walk-in only areas, one of which offers an area for archery only throughout the hunting season.

Hunting Regulations and Maps - pdf file Hunting Calendar

Fishing

Semi-circular ponds have been constructed at camps A,B,G,H,I, and K where you can catch bluegill, redear, bass, catfish, warmouth, and spotted sunfish. In rainy seasons fish the marshes for big bass. Fishing license information.

Wildlife Viewing

The best place to view wildlife year-round is the Hungryland Boardwalk and Trail. The 1.2-mile trail is away from the hunt areas and has interpretive signs describing the plant and animal communities. This area is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. You may also request a copy or download or print the J.W. Corbett Bird List - pdf file. Visit the Wildlife page for more information about the area's wildlife.

Hiking

On the Hungryland Slough Boardwalk and Trail (1.2 miles) you can explore the normally inaccessible cypress swamp. The trail begins in slash pine flatwoods with coco-plums, dahoons, and wiregrasses. Along the boardwalk are cypress, pond apples, and red maples. Numerous bromeliads (needle-leaved wildpine, cardinal airplant, giant wild pine, twisted air plant, ballmoss, Spanish moss) and 13 species of ferns (including strap, swamp, giant leather, chain, royal, bracken, resurrection) are present. The open wetlands visible from the trail are dominated by sawgrass. In the hardwood hammock are oaks, paradise trees, wild coffees, red bays, and stoppers.

A portion of the Florida Trail (14 miles) traverses the area west from the Hungryland parking lot to Dupuis Reserve through seasonally wet pine flatwoods. Along the way are two primitive campsites (at 5 and 9 miles).

Biking

Biking is allowed on any roads and trails except the Hungryland Boardwalk and Trail

Horseback Riding

Horses are allowed on the area throughout the year except from the Sunday 2 weeks prior to the opening of archery season until 8:00 a.m. the day prior to the archer season. Corbett offers miles of roads and trails for horseback riding. Parking for trailers is available at the south check station entrance and at campsites A, B, H, I, K, and N. No water is available. Horses are prohibited on the Hungryland boardwalk.

Scenic Driving

Roads pass through a variety of natural communities and offer the exploring driver opportunities to observe wildlife, wild flowers and much more on Florida's wild lands. Vehicle use regulations.

Camping

Camping is permitted only on designated campsites (pdf file). During archery season through general gun seasons camping is permitted 7 days a week and only on weekends throughout the rest of the year. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. During archery season, camping areas L and M and half of B are designated for short-term camping (no longer than 3 days). There are two primitive campsites for hikers along the Florida Trail.