Camping
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Picnicking
Rolling sandhills on a sinkhole-rich karst topography dominate the property. Other natural community types found in the forest include depression marshes, xeric hammocks and mesic flatwoods. Driving down State Road 326 you can see a mix of longleaf pines, sand post oaks and turkey oaks on some of the nicer sandhills. A mix of wildflower color and wiregrass is also visible here, especially in the fall after a prescribed fire. A visitor might see gopher tortoises, fox squirrels, kestrels or turkeys. Another unique feature is Indian Lake, the deep sinkhole lake that is located east of Baseline Road and drains Indian Lake Prairie into the Floridan aquifer. The dry, sandy hills of Indian Lake State Forest are important for recharging groundwater.
Before acquisition, most of the Indian Lake State Forest sandhills had been converted to till agriculture or improved pasture. These land uses allowed exotic plant invasion, which has displaced indigenous vegetation in many areas. One of the main goals of the Florida Forever purchase was to restore these altered areas to the Silver Springs system for water flow and water quality. Planting longleaf pine seedlings was an important step to meeting this goal. When you drive down Baseline Road, you can see some of this young forest.
Since the acquisition of Indian Lake State Forest, the Florida Forest Service has built trailheads, constructed a picnic pavilion, posted boundaries, installed gates, controlled exotic plants, planted longleaf pine seedlings, implemented a prescribed burning program, and built a new forest headquarters. State Forest managers use prescribed burning to mimic the natural occurrence of fire. Periodic fire is necessary to maintain the forest's unique plant and animal diversity.
Recreational opportunities in the forest include hiking, bird-watching and horseback riding. The main trailhead for the hiking trail, lake and primitive campsites is located 2.6 miles north of the stoplight at the intersection of State Road 326 and County Road 35 (also known as Baseline Road) on the east side of the County Road 35.
Equestrians will enjoy the 11 miles of designated Florida Forest Service horse trails, plus additional horse trail mileage linked to Silver River Forest Conservation Area. The Indian Lake Equestrian Trailhead, with ample trailer parking, is located 1.5 miles north of the stoplight at the intersection of State Road 326 and County Road 35 (Baseline Road). This trail is part of our Trailtrotter Program. Please note that proof of current negative Coggins test is required for all horses in all Florida State Forests.
The State Forest headquarters is located at 6675 NE 40th Avenue Road, near Ocala Springs Elementary School.
Primitive campsites in the recreation area north of the lake may be reserved. Visit ReserveAmerica to find out more about the campsites or make reservations.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's forest resources, the Florida Forest Service has developed rules that apply to all State Forest visitors. Find out more about State Forest fees and rules.
Day use is from sunrise to sunset.
Ocala Forestry Station
6675 NE 40th Avenue Road
Silver Springs, FL 34479
(352) 732-1779
Email Indian Lake State Forest
Passes are no longer available at the State Forest office. To purchase a pass or make a reservation, visit ReserveAmerica or call 1-877-879-3859.
Total Acreage: 4,568
Counties: Marion
Smart device mapping is possible and encouraged in the State Forests. Before visiting a forest, search for “PDF Maps” in the app store to find an app that works for you and download our State Forest map, which is georeferenced.
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Contact:
Amelia McKnight
Waccasassa Forestry Center
Amelia.McKnight@FDACS.gov
