Goethe State Forest, Protected forest in Levy County, United States

Goethe State Forest is a protected area in Levy County that protects large stretches of land along Florida's Gulf Coast. The forest contains pine woodlands, wetlands, and cypress swamps that create a diverse natural environment.

Goethe State Forest was established in 1992 and named for James Tillinghast Goethe, a local lumber company owner who sold most of his land to the state for conservation. Other tracts were purchased separately between 2010 and 2025. The Watermelon Pond tracts, bought by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2007, were merged into the forest in 2010.

The forest management combines recreational access through four trailheads on County Road 337 with conservation efforts for native wildlife species.

Access to the forest is available through multiple entry points accessible via County Road 337, offering different ways to explore the land. Visitors should check requirements ahead of time and be aware of local conditions before visiting.

The forest is named after James Tillinghast Goethe, a local lumber company owner who sold most of his land to the state for conservation rather than donating it. The main tract is co-managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as the Goethe Wildlife Management Area.