Trail Overview

Tread Lightly! Four Wheel Drive Way is an approximately 81-mile route that travels through the Ocala National Forest. The trail is Florida's only Jeep Badge of Honor trail. In most parts, it's a stock-friendly trail but does have some areas of soft sand, and mud. The trail begins at the north end of the Ocala National Forest and eventually winds its way south, before doubling back and finishing near the central part of the forest. Drivers can expect to see the full spectrum of central Florida wildlife, with rattlesnake and black bear sightings being fairly common. The main trail portions are sufficiently wide enough to allow passing, but the side trails can be extremely narrow, and significant pinstriping can be expected.

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Difficulty

Most of the trail system is stock-friendly, but there are some areas of mud and water, and extremely soft sand. Drivers should bring basic recovery gear, and know how to use it.

Technical Rating

Stephen Ellis

Apr 22, 2026

Open

Trail is open, dry and there is a tree over that rubbed the top of my cap.

Michael Stonebridge

Apr 14, 2026

Open

Did the entire route in about 8 hours. Offshoots are overgrown so beware of pinstripes. Super soft sugar sand in some areas. Also very dry due to the drought we’re in.

Michael Sexton

Mar 28, 2026

Open

Took this trail as part of onX off-road Trail Revival. Trimmed up some branches and small trees leaning out into trail. (You will still get plenty of pinstripes regardless, lol.

Ben Kreider

Dec 31, 2025

Open

Dry, occasional deep and loose sand. Alternates between wide open forest roads and very narrow trails. No real obstacles or anything that would test suspension.

Lam Tran

Oct 17, 2025

Open

Some parts of the trail were overgrown and narrow. Pinstripes are to be expected. The trail was dry at this time.

Yan Rigoulot

Aug 17, 2025

Open

Good trail but very narrow on certain portions. YOU WILL SCRATCH YOUR PAINT! Be ready and ok with it.

Cahill Howell

Jul 28, 2025

Open

Tons of what I call “sugar sand”. Highly recommend keeping in 4x4 for the whole route. For just having rained, it was extremely dry. Some parts have pull off stops with more packed sand to park. Recommend bringing basic recovery gear if novice.

Ted Pantaridis

Jun 15, 2025

Open

Very tight and will give you pinstripes and more but if you don’t mind then very cool trail. There was some deadfall and was able to clear a few areas but the trail is obstructed at Bumblebee Pond. There is a nice sugar sand trail that goes around the pond and connects you back on the trail. I completed it almost in one day but decided to take a break and finished it the next day. I would definitely bring a chainsaw next time I go back. The trails here are cool but very tight

Andrew J

May 18, 2025

Open

DO NOT GO IF Y0U LIKE Y0UR PAINTJOB. the sections off the main road were so dense with thick leaves, my doors look like a cat attacked them. If that doesn't bother you, its a neat trail showing lots of Florida's natural ecology. We saw a mama bear and her cub along one of the wide open sandy roads as well.

Joel McNeill

Mar 19, 2025

Open

North end from CR316 to Highway 40 was fully open. Trails in most of it are very tight and will definitely give some pin-striping so think about that if you don’t want your paint messed up. Otherwise, soft sand in some spots but not much trouble. Saw lots of deer crossing the trail in multiple places.

evan Grotts

Mar 16, 2025

Open

my Jeep is currently on the trail after being burnt down. my fiance and I were passed by multiple people, and not a single one asked to see if we were ok, and the fire department came and put the fire out, then left us there. the only thing we had left was my phone and her key fob.

Justin Giddens

Jan 22, 2025

Open

can be done in 2wd but you have to be experienced.

LJ Newman

Nov 02, 2024

Open

1st half of the trail running south bound only: We abandoned the run nearly half way through due to trail width issues. Brush has definitely grown onto the trail a fair amount. My 4Runner fit through everything but my paint surely took a severe beating in some areas. All mud holes on the main trail are dry - side trails had a fair amount of water and mud but nothing too extensive from what we gathered. Lots of hunters out so be cautious and considerate - mid day is your best bet if you want to avoid hunters. Some good wash boarding but nothing too severe. A few down trees but most have been cut or a bypass has been created, no obstructions stopped us.

peter s

Nov 02, 2024

Open

The off shoot sections of the tread lightly 4x4 way jeep bags of honor sections are grossly over grown with shrubs and branches. Makes it not enjoyable. The main roads are dusty and free of any obstructions.

Nick Garcia

Oct 20, 2024

Open

We did the pipeline section from where it connects to the Volusia Trail all the way to 40. The trail has some wear from the storm with several large trees covering half of the trail at certain points. The sand here can be very deep in some spots but the sides are typically harder packed.