Trail Overview

Forest Road 46, or Pats Island Road, is located in Ocala National Forest and is the access point for the Pats Island Trailhead. The trail starts in the east on SR-19. The first 5.6 miles of the trail are relatively easy and can be completed with any vehicle. After the first 5.6 miles, you will pass over FR 65 and begin the second portion of the trail. The final 6.6 miles is characterized by loose sand on top of harder rock/dirt and much narrower trails. Expect to get pinstripes on the side of your vehicle if you are running a full-size truck or something like it. For the final portion of the trail, 4WD is not required but could be helpful. High clearance is suggested, as there are off-camber sections with deep ruts. Cell phone reception is minimal to non-existent, based on your service provider. At the end of FR 46, you can turn right on road ID 05-18.4, bringing you to FR 79. Overall, this is a fun trail that can be enjoyed by numerous types of vehicles, as long as you don't mind pinstripes.

Photos of FR 46/Pats Island Rd

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Difficulty

Half of the trail is very easy and rather wide. The second half of the trail does not require 4WD, but it does require moderately-skilled driving in loose sand and comfortability in off-camber sections with tight trails.

History

The first two miles of the trail are the access point to the Pats Island Trailhead which offers access to the Florida Trail.

Technical Rating

Spencer Falzarano

Dec 21, 2025

Open

This was a nice little Trail. It starts easy with some tight 15 degree sloped tracks heading westward past 33 where the difficult portion starts. Occasionally you will face deeper sand that requires momentum and good steering sense on slippery surfaces. Towards the end there was a portion that opened up to a whole labyrinth of more difficult and optional obstacles, such as mud pits, inclines, uneven ruts, and deep sand/mud. That portion did not show up on the map for me but would’ve been terrific to try had we been wheeling with other people or had our winch, (we did not want to leave the vehicle to deploy traction boards if anything went wrong). Be prepared for heavy pinstripes, and be careful crossing through roads, one major road that intersected this trail featured a multiple foot washed out pit on the other side of it that only became obvious within 10 feet or so, but was easily circumnavigated.

Jim Farley

Jun 10, 2025

Open

Trailers in decent shape for the lack of rain lately , I parked and walked back to the sinkhole pond and wow ! It was almost dry . Need some of the trusty summer rains back this year , that pond is a refreshing spot in the summer , sorry didn’t take any pics

Gary Majors

May 27, 2025

Open

Bear, deer, pine and palms. You will need a 4x4 to get through here. A skilled driver could make it with a 2wd but t have seen them stuck on this road. I use this road often to get to my hunting area. Road is narrow, at the right time you will be scraping both sides of your vehicle in the brush. A few sand/mud holes but not bad unless it is rainy season. A lot of soft dry sand with no choice but to power through. Maybe a half dozen side roads you can explore but it is easy to get lost here.

Millissa Angle

Oct 27, 2024

Open

Michael Klotz

Sep 03, 2024

Open

Intersection of 38-2.3 & 46 was very difficult, as this area has numerous cut-through and tore-up extra trails and camp-fire or party areas. Much deep, loose sugar sand. Otherwise this trail was as expected with sugar sand and a few wet/muddy areas. Saw a rabbit up ahead.

Nick Garcia

Sep 02, 2024

Open

Trail was open and in great shape! Definitely one of the more approachable trails for beginners.

Julius Figueroa

Aug 31, 2024

Open

Great starter trail some small obstacles. It is a little tight in some spots brush will touch but I didn’t experience any scrapes on my paint it really just touch fenders and roof other than that awesome trail!

Steven Helms

Jun 08, 2024

Open

Tyler Anderson

Sep 04, 2023

Open

Anthony Capitano

Jul 26, 2023

Open