Jennings State Forest has outstanding forest and water resources that offer a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, swimming (at your own risk), camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, nature study, mountain biking and horseback riding.
See a map of Jennings State Forest
[
445 kB
]
Bootleggers Campground
Take in the night sky and enjoy an evening in the real Florida with terrific stargazing. Access to Yellow Water Creek is available by foot a short distance from the campground. Bootleggers Campground offers eight drive-up primitive tent sites.
For camping information and reservations, visit ReserveAmerica or call 1-877-879-3859.
Directions
From County Road 217, take Long Branch Road to Jennings State Forest entrance. Continue on Long Branch Road to Bootleggers Campground entrance on right, about 1/8 mile beyond the Nolan Ridge Church.
Ellis Ford Recreation Area
This recreation area allows the paddling enthusiast access to Black Creek at its northernmost accessible landing. Paddling from Ellis Ford to Knights Landing Recreation Area and Indian Ford Recreation Area can take approximately two to six hours with the possibility of an eight-to-10-hour paddle further into the town of Middleburg, Florida. Ellis Ford offers access to the Pioneer Trail. Swimming is not allowed at Ellis Ford.
Directions
From County Road 218, take Nolan Road to Jennings State Forest entrance. Continue on Nolan Road to Ellis Ford Road and turn right. Ellis Ford Recreation Area is approximately 1.5 miles ahead.
Hammock Campground
Named Hammock Campground because of its mature oaks and shaded canopy, this campground offers 10 drive-up primitive tent sites.
Hammock Campground is just a short drive from hiking and wildlife viewing. See map for details.
For camping information and reservations, visit ReserveAmerica or call 1-877-879-3859.
Directions
From State Road 21, take Old Jennings Road to Live Oak Lane and turn right. Follow Live Oak Lane to Jennings State Forest entrance. Continue straight for 1 mile and turn left on Bell Cemetery Road, following camping signs to Hammock Campground.
Indian Ford Recreation Area
Indian Ford Recreation Area gives Jennings State Forest visitors access to the North Fork of Black Creek. Swimming is allowed. Additionally, this recreation area offers hiking as the southern terminus of the Pioneer Trail.
Trail Maps
-
Pioneer Trail
[
445 kB
]
(Southern Terminus): 2.5-10 miles, moderate
Directions
From County Road 218, take Nolan Road to Hattie Nolan Road and turn right. Follow Hattie Nolan Road through Jennings State Forest entrance to Indian Ford Road at cemetery. Continue straight onto Indian Ford Road for approximately half a mile.
Knights Landing Recreation Area
Knights Landing Recreation Area provides access to the North Fork of Black Creek for swimming and paddling. Hikers can access the Pioneer Trail at its second point approximately 2.5 miles north of Indian Ford.
Directions
From County Road 218, take Nolan Road to Hattie Nolan Road and turn right. Follow Hattie Nolan Road through Jennings State Forest entrance to Knights Landing Road and turn left. Knights Landing Recreation Area is ahead approximately 3/4 of a mile.
Long Branch Recreation Area
Long Branch Recreation Area offers horse trails ranging from 4 miles on the Blue Loop to 12 miles on the Yellow Loop. Adequate horse trailer parking and picnicking are also provided. There are restroom facilities a short distance from this recreation area.
Directions
From County Road 217, take Long Branch Cemetery Road to recreation area on your left, approximately 1.5 miles.
Jason G Norman North Fork Black Creek Recreation Area
The Jason G Norman North Fork Black Creek Recreation Area offers visitors access to the North Fork of Black Creek for swimming and fishing. Adequate parking and picnicking areas are provided. Access to the Pioneer Trails Northern Terminus is also provided. ***Be advised – You must ford the creek to access the trail. The creek is normally only a few inches deep but can fluctuate with rainfall.***
Directions
From County Road 217, take Long Branch Cemetery Road to recreation area entrance on your right, approximately 2 miles.
Old Jennings Recreation Area
Old Jennings Recreation Area offers visitors ample parking and access to several different trail systems. The Sandridge Trailhead Complex offers visitors approximately 9 total miles of hiking trails and 25 miles of equestrian trails. The Sandridge Loop is 6.75 miles in length and takes hikers across rolling sandhill ecosystems with long scenic vistas. The Sandridge Trail Loop also has four different connector trails, the Bird Blind, Longleaf, Wiregrass and Cypress Dome connectors. These connectors offer shorter loops when combined with the Sandridge Trail (please refer to the trail brochure/map for lengths/routes). Horseback riders will find the Evans Horse loops at this recreation area. The Blue Loop is 9 miles, and the Yellow Loop is 16 miles.
Trail Maps
-
Bird Blind Trail
[
445 kB
]
: 0.5 miles, easy
-
Longleaf Pine Trail
[
445 kB
]
: 1.6 miles, easy
-
North Fork Black Creek Trail
[
445 kB
]
: 5 miles, moderate
-
Evans Horse Loops
[
445 kB
]
: 9-16 miles
Directions
From State Road 21, take Old Jennings Road to Live Oak Lane and turn right. Follow to Old Jennings Recreation Area on left, approximately 1/4 mile.
Other Recreation Areas and Trailheads
-
Bell Cemetery Picnic Area
[
445 kB
]
-
Dunn's Farm Trail Complex
[
445 kB
]
(Dunn's Camp Zone, Connector to Pioneer Trail): 3-10 miles, moderate
-
Fire and Water Nature Trail Trailhead
[
445 kB
]
: 1.75 miles, easy
-
Wildlife Viewing Tower
[
445 kB
]