Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites

Open — Open year-round with reservations available up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Sites may be closed during scheduled hunts; check the Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area calendar.

About

Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites provides eight primitive backcountry camping sites within the 27,000-acre Seminole State Forest in the scenic Wekiva River Basin. The campground includes five individual tent sites accommodating up to 10 people each, and three group sites for up to 20 people. Sites are hike-in only and accessible from two primary trailheads: Bear Pond Trailhead off State Road 46 and Cassia Trailhead off Brantley Branch Road. Each campsite includes at minimum a picnic table and fire ring, with some sites featuring additional amenities like benches, grills, or wooden shelters. The Bunk Group Camp has a wooden structure with four bunk platforms, while Shelter Camp features a three-sided structure with roof and raised platform. Sites are spaced along the Florida National Scenic Trail system. The forest contains approximately 4,300 acres of sand pine scrub, a rapidly disappearing biological community that provides habitat for threatened species including Florida black bears and Florida scrub-jays. Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing on Blackwater Creek, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The area is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and Wekiva Wild and Scenic River System. Campsites may be closed during scheduled hunts in the Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

Directions

To Bear Pond Trailhead: From Interstate 4 and State Road 46, go west on SR 46 for 5.3 miles to the Seminole State Forest Bear Pond Trailhead entrance at the intersection of Wekiva River Road. Turn north and continue 0.3 miles to parking. To Cassia Trailhead: From State Road 44 and State Road 19, go east on SR 44 for 14.2 miles to Brantley Branch Road. Turn east on Brantley Branch Road and continue 0.1 mile to Cassia Trailhead.

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