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Wakulla Wildlife Management Area

Wakulla state Forest

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

The Wakulla Wildlife Management Area (WMA) covers 4,219 acres in Wakulla County, adjacent to Wakulla Springs State Park and about six miles south of Tallahassee. This acreage includes the Woodville Tract (74 acres) where hunting is not permitted and the Wakulla Tract (4,045 acres) where hunting is permitted. A portion of the forest is within the groundwater recharge area for Wakulla Springs, one of the largest single vent freshwater springs in the world. Springs and sinkholes dot the landscape and McBride Slough flows through the forest. The slough connects with two small springs, flows under State Road 267, and joins the Wakulla River. Past land use practices replaced the upland hardwood forests, sandhills, hammocks, swamps and marshes with pine plantations. Restoring these ecosystems and protecting water resources are the primary land management objectives on this forest. Wildlife species on the area include white-tailed deer, feral hog, turkey, bobcat, gopher tortoise and a variety of resident and migratory birds.

Add your bird observations to the following Wakulla State Forest eBird Hotspots:

Wakulla State Forest - Woodville Tract

Wakulla State Forest - Cooperwood Road Trailhead

Wakulla State Forest - Chattin Road

Wakulla State Forest - SR 267 Trailhead

Wakulla State Forest

The area, managed by the Florida Forest Service, is open for public use year-around. Recreational opportunities include hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding and bicycling. There is no camping. Recreation users may explore the network of service roads and trails, which are closed to vehicles and promise habitat variety and the interest and challenge of low water crossings and elevation changes. Trails include the 1.75-mile Nemours Trail, the 4.5-mile Double Springs Trail Loop and the 1.0-mile Petrik Spur Trail off of the Double Springs Trail. Some trails are designated multi-use; others are hiking-only. The Trailhead is located along SR 267 and features a picnic pavilion and a parking area that can accommodate horse trailers. Smaller parking areas are located along Rosa Shingles Road and on the northeast boundary off of Cooperwood Road.

Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. For more detailed information go to Nicole's Law. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands.

Scheduled hunts include archery, archery/muzzleloading gun, spring turkey, small game and migratory birds. A quota hunt permit is required for archery, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey. Check the regulations summary brochure for information about hunting seasons.

Motorized vehicles may operate only on a portion of Rosa Shingles Road and Chattin Road. ATVs are prohibited.

Rules Regarding Dogs

  • For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. Dogs are prohibited in areas posted as "Closed to Public Access" by FWC administrative action. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.
  • For regulations regarding hunting dogs, see FWC's regulations summary brochure.

More Information