Trail Overview
This trail is located within the Green Swamp West Wildlife Management Area. This trail and WMA are open to public access year-round, except during the special-opportunity archery, general gun, and spring turkey seasons. Access is limited to only registered motor vehicles. The use of all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles (side-by-sides), swamp buggies, tracked vehicles, or unlicensed or unregistered motorcycles is prohibited. Vehicles may only be operated on the named and numbered roads. Access during the special-opportunity archery, general gun, and spring turkey seasons requires specific permits purchased through the Florida Wildlife Commission. In addition to the special opportunity hunt permits, it is required to have a current wildlife management area permit as well. The trail is composed of compacted rock and shell that leads through a variety of landscapes, ranging from pine/oak Hammocks, hardwood swamps, and wetland/marsh areas. Trail width for the majority of the trail is two vehicle wide, with pull-off areas in the more narrow sections, typically over culvert crossings. There are some areas of minor washboarding and potholes. Following rains and or storms, the trail may go unmaintained for a period of time. Wildlife is teeming along this trail, and the possibility of observing a wide variety of wildlife and game is high. There is also active agriculture and ranch operations along the management land. Cattle may be seen on or along this trail. During periods open to hunting, the trails are closed only to those in possession of area-specific hunting permits.
History
These lands are rich with history. They were explored by Hernando De Soto in the 1500s, served as a battleground, base, and critical refuge for the Seminole Indians during the first and second Seminole Wars. This area later became a critical part of Florida’s timber, cattle, and turpentine industries before being declared an area of Critical Concern by the Florida legislature in 1974, which helped to preserve and protect this area.