Cary State Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cary State Forest is a 3,395-acre forest located in northeastern Florida, near Jacksonville.
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Summary
The forest is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers due to its abundance of recreational opportunities and unique natural features.
Visitors can explore over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, including the 7.5-mile Cary Nature Trail, which winds through hardwood forests, pine plantations, and wetlands. The forest also features several lakes and ponds that offer fishing, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities.
One of the main attractions of the Cary State Forest is the towering sandhill crane, a large bird species that is native to the area. Visitors can also spot other wildlife species, such as deer, turkeys, and alligators.
In addition to its natural beauty, the Cary State Forest has a rich history that dates back to the early 1900s. At one time, the forest was used for turpentine production and logging, and remnants of these industries can still be seen today.
The best time to visit the Cary State Forest is in the fall and winter months when the weather is cooler and the mosquitoes are less active. However, visitors should be aware that the forest is closed during hunting season, which typically runs from late November to early January.
Overall, the Cary State Forest is a must-see destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and history of northeastern Florida.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Whitehouse Park
Thomas Jefferson Playground
Cary Wildlife Management Area
Arques Park
John D Liverman Park