Trail Overview

The Telephone Trail, also known as Ocala National Forest Road 71, connects Highway 445 at the east end and Highway 19 at the west end in the east part of the ONF. The trail takes you along the Billies Bay Wilderness, a swamp area. The road conditions are a mixture of packed sand, loose sand, and some deep holes that can turn into 3-foot-deep mud holes after rainy days. Expect that you have to cross several flood areas that are up to 3ft deep and up to 100 ft long. Some obstacles require High Clearance and 4WD. The road is narrow and is not wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Some sections require 4WD and high clearance. All vehicles must be street-legal. Ocala National Forest is in Florida, north of Orlando. It's known for its large areas of sand pine scrub forest. The Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Salt Springs recreation areas have natural pools and canoe runs. There are hundreds of lakes and ponds including Lake Kerr and the enormous Lake George.

Photos of Telephone Trail - ONF 71

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Difficulty

Obstacles and flooded areas require High Clearance and 4WD. That trail is one of the most challenging in the Ocala National Forest.

Technical Rating

Michael Gentry

Apr 12, 2026

Open

Unfortunately, there was a ton of trash all over the trail and in the middle of the trail as we got closer to 445A. Had to drive around a lot of it. Other end of the trail was blast! Just a shame to be enjoying it, then ruined by trash.

Jonathan Kadegis

Mar 24, 2026

Open

Trail is dry with a few mud holes. With 35in tires and 4x4 they were no problem.

Mike Lee

Feb 07, 2026

Open

Came in from the south. Dry, some sugar sand. Got to big mud holes, there is a bypass on the first one but not the second, had to turn around. Stock 4x4 should be fine to mud holes, some ground clearance would be better. I was fine with 35"s no problem at all until mud holes.

John M

Jan 10, 2026

Open

Wne in from the south. It hasn't rain for a bit and the trial was pretty dry. Had no issues with the 2 smaller mud holes. The big was obviously impassible for me. (see photos)

Chase Wolcott

Aug 10, 2025

Open

Tony Myskiew

May 03, 2025

Open

Mike Lee

Mar 01, 2025

Open

We were in a jeep club and got to the big mud hole just past rd 19-9.1(?). After some investigating and discussing we decided not to try it due to debris in the hole, several large logs and actually metal debris. People have seen others bring in monster truck boggers and they have been tearing it up. Don't do this! Now it's ruined for all and this is how trails get closed. Think! There is a bypass that the FS has cut around it but we had some stock rigs with us and they decided not to try it.

Blake Harrison

Feb 08, 2025

Open

So I went through and was thoroughly deceived. I was in my stock Rubicon Gladiator and got stuck. I was able to winch through some but couldn't get a good anchor point for the second half. I sunk up to the bottom lip of my doors and had to wait for someone to get me a hand as an anchor point to get out. Just be ready to get stuck. Someone the next day texted me and they got stuck as well. it was a good time though.

Carl Noe

Jan 20, 2025

Open

peter s

Dec 14, 2024

Open

The Mud hole at Ninemile Creek area is just about impassable. Tried to get through and it was soupy mud. Even the side passes have been destroyed. Being by myself ended up turning around.