Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeNearby: Lafayette Forest Wildlife And Environmental Area Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area is a 46,000-acre protected area located in northern Florida.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
This area is part of the Osceola National Forest and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, alligators, deer, wild turkeys, and many other species. Visitors to this area can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
One of the main points of interest in Mallory Swamp is the vast cypress swamps that dominate the landscape. These swamps are home to a variety of aquatic plant life and provide habitat for a number of species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Another interesting feature of the area is the presence of numerous sinkholes, which are natural depressions in the ground that occur when the underlying limestone bedrock is dissolved by groundwater. These sinkholes can be dangerous to visitors, and caution should be exercised when exploring the area.
The best time of year to visit Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area is in the fall and winter months when temperatures are cooler, and the wildlife is more active. However, visitors should be aware that hunting is allowed in the area during certain seasons, so it is important to check with local authorities before planning a trip.
Overall, Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area is a beautiful and diverse natural area that offers visitors a chance to experience Florida's unique wildlife and landscapes.
Weather Forecast
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