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Osceola Wildlife Management Area

Angler fishing

Managed in cooperation with:

U.S. Forest Service
Suwannee River Water Management District
St. Johns River Water Management District
Florida Forest Service

Osceola Wildlife Management Area (WMA) covers much of northwestern Baker County and northeastern Columbia County. This more than 266,000-acre area is part of the Osceola National Forest. Over 21 miles of the National Scenic Trail loop through open pine flatwoods, sandhills and cypress swamps. These natural communities provide habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker, Florida black bear, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, pileated woodpecker, bobcat, fox squirrel and many songbirds.

Add your bird observations to the following Osceola National Forest eBird Hotspots:

Osceola National Forest

Osceola National Forest - Mt. Carrie Wayside

Osceola National Forest - Ocean Pond

Osceola National Forest - Hog Pen Landing Road

The forest also offers several other shorter interpretive trails. The West Tower camping area has horse stalls, leading to more than 50 miles of equestrian trails. 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. Ocean Pond Campground offers electric hookups at some sites and bathhouses with hot water showers. The lake is a popular spot to fish for largemouth and sunshine bass as well as for boating, sailing, swimming, and water skiing. During general gun season (generally the first week in November through the first week in January), camping is restricted to designated hunt campsites. Deer hunting is good, and turkey hunting is excellent. This area is a site on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

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