looking for Some GREAT JEEP TRAIL RIDES in central florida?
Are you looking for a good place to take your Jeep out? Time to take off the doors, let down the top, and hit the trails. Jeep life is more than just riding around town and what most don’t know, is that their stock jeep is a very capable ride right off the assembly line floor. I can tell you personally that with street tires and no lift I have trailed up and down and through stuff that would get most other vehicles stuck. This is not a definitive list by any means. It is a list of places we have visited in the Central Florida area and enjoyed. Some areas require a day pass, please check websites for details.
LAKE APOPKA WILDLIFE DRIVE.
Difficulty level: Easy, very easy. A 11 mile ride on crushed lime rock roads. No challenge and flat all the way. Make sure you check to see if the drive is open and get there before closing time. If it has rained you might get some mud on the side from potholes. Try not to splash the dirt out, not everyone drives a Jeep out here. Give people their space, some people have been sitting for hours waiting on a perfect shot.
What you will see: Alligators, Birds, turtles, snakes, otters, spiders, flowers, and plenty of views. There is so much wildlife here you wont have to drive far before you spot something new.
What we like: One of the coolest things is the pump house area. During most of the year the pond area behind it will be filled with more gators then you have ever seen. You can drive right along the shore or take a walk on the fenced side.
Location: 2850 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703
https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/
What you will see: Alligators, Birds, turtles, snakes, otters, spiders, flowers, and plenty of views. There is so much wildlife here you wont have to drive far before you spot something new.
What we like: One of the coolest things is the pump house area. During most of the year the pond area behind it will be filled with more gators then you have ever seen. You can drive right along the shore or take a walk on the fenced side.
Location: 2850 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703
https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/
TOSOHATCHEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA.
Difficulty level: Easy with chance of low water crossings. It is a massive nature reserve offering 60 miles of trails, plus seasonal fishing, hunting & camping.
What you will see: Gators, snakes, birds, flowers, hogs, deer, cattle, swamps, grasslands, frogs, turtles and the St Johns. Tosohatchee has diverse environments with dry to wet walking trails. There are narrow bridges and long wilderness roads.
What we like: We love the different areas, It is always fun to see people impressed with the area you are in and you tell them there’s more to come. There is a fishing area and a place to have lunch at the camping area. When it rains heavy, there is some water but most of the road way is easy to travel on. I like to also park and walk some of the Florida trail that runs through the area.
Location: 3365 Taylor Creek Rd, Christmas, FL 32709
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/tosohatchee/
What you will see: Gators, snakes, birds, flowers, hogs, deer, cattle, swamps, grasslands, frogs, turtles and the St Johns. Tosohatchee has diverse environments with dry to wet walking trails. There are narrow bridges and long wilderness roads.
What we like: We love the different areas, It is always fun to see people impressed with the area you are in and you tell them there’s more to come. There is a fishing area and a place to have lunch at the camping area. When it rains heavy, there is some water but most of the road way is easy to travel on. I like to also park and walk some of the Florida trail that runs through the area.
Location: 3365 Taylor Creek Rd, Christmas, FL 32709
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/tosohatchee/
THREE LAKES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate. That depends on where you go. There are roads that are easy and some roads not so easy. Some roads have warning signs informing you that a 4 wheel drive is recommended. Some of the side roads tend to get water holes that grow in depth and width as the rainy season gets going. A daily use permit is required to enter this area.
What you will see: We have seen some endangered species here, Eagles, Snail kites, and grasshopper sparrows. Deer frequent the area as well as hogs, turkey, snakes, and birds. We have also seen some big gators. There are places to fish, and explore on foot.
What we like: The Kissimmee prairie area is a unique area that you seldom get to see, let alone drive right through the heart of. It always gives you the impression of being way out in the middle of nowhere. It is easy to get to and close to home. Just south of St Cloud it’s a good country drive. Pack your lunch and bring water, there are places to pull up to a picnic table and relax awhile. With 63,000 acres to explore, there is plenty to see.
Location: 1231 Prairie Lakes Road, Kenansville, FL 34739
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/three-lakes/
What you will see: We have seen some endangered species here, Eagles, Snail kites, and grasshopper sparrows. Deer frequent the area as well as hogs, turkey, snakes, and birds. We have also seen some big gators. There are places to fish, and explore on foot.
What we like: The Kissimmee prairie area is a unique area that you seldom get to see, let alone drive right through the heart of. It always gives you the impression of being way out in the middle of nowhere. It is easy to get to and close to home. Just south of St Cloud it’s a good country drive. Pack your lunch and bring water, there are places to pull up to a picnic table and relax awhile. With 63,000 acres to explore, there is plenty to see.
Location: 1231 Prairie Lakes Road, Kenansville, FL 34739
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/three-lakes/
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST.
Difficulty level: Easy to difficult. The place is huge. 600 Lakes, rivers, and springs. There are many roads to travel on that are easy, as well as some downright wicked places to get stuck. Swamps, hills, sand, and endless miles of trails. This is a place that people get lost in. It is best to travel with other Jeeps just in case you get stuck or break down. The Ocala National Forest, located north of Orlando, is the southernmost forest in the continental United States and protects the world's largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest. How’s that for big?
What you will see: With the size of this place you could see almost anything that lives in Florida. Bears, deer, hogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and maybe a fighter jet… There is a Navy bombing range in the middle. There are Springs to visit and swim in. Places to boat, fish, ride, camp, and hike.
What we like: The endless trails. We also like the hills that provide beautiful views. It is easy to spend a day wheeling for 40 miles and only have explored a small fraction of the area. Did I tell you it’s BIG! Join up with a Jeep club and take a trail ride here, you will not be disappointed. Our first trail ride with The Orlando Jeep Club was through the South East area.
Location: Pittman Visitor Center 45621 State Road 19 Altoona, FL 32702 352-669-7495
https://www.fs.usda.gov/ocala
What you will see: With the size of this place you could see almost anything that lives in Florida. Bears, deer, hogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and maybe a fighter jet… There is a Navy bombing range in the middle. There are Springs to visit and swim in. Places to boat, fish, ride, camp, and hike.
What we like: The endless trails. We also like the hills that provide beautiful views. It is easy to spend a day wheeling for 40 miles and only have explored a small fraction of the area. Did I tell you it’s BIG! Join up with a Jeep club and take a trail ride here, you will not be disappointed. Our first trail ride with The Orlando Jeep Club was through the South East area.
Location: Pittman Visitor Center 45621 State Road 19 Altoona, FL 32702 352-669-7495
https://www.fs.usda.gov/ocala
CITRUS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA / FOREST.
Difficulty level: Easy to difficult. There are roads made for campers and cars to drive on. But there are also mixed use roads that can be washed out or deep ditch drives. Stay on named or numbered roads because they do ticket out here. Don’t be tempted by off trail sand pits they are off limits to driving. Always watch for ATVs and Horses.
What you will see: Caves! Yes there are caves in central Florida. Deer, reptiles, birds, bugs, and horses. Hills and some trails that cut down into the terrain making a wall on each side of the Jeep. Bring bug spray there are biting insects here including ticks.
What we like: The trails, and caves. You can ride high and dry or low and wet. The trails are not just scenic but some provide a chance to flex your suspension. There are old remains of towns, railroads, and abandoned turpentine camps. Stay the night in the area you will need more than a day to explore the 50,000 acres.
Location: Holder Mine campground 4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL 34452
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/citrus
What you will see: Caves! Yes there are caves in central Florida. Deer, reptiles, birds, bugs, and horses. Hills and some trails that cut down into the terrain making a wall on each side of the Jeep. Bring bug spray there are biting insects here including ticks.
What we like: The trails, and caves. You can ride high and dry or low and wet. The trails are not just scenic but some provide a chance to flex your suspension. There are old remains of towns, railroads, and abandoned turpentine camps. Stay the night in the area you will need more than a day to explore the 50,000 acres.
Location: Holder Mine campground 4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL 34452
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/citrus
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