Lake George State Forest, Protected forest in Volusia County, Florida
Lake George State Forest is a protected forest area in Volusia County containing wetlands, pine forests, and hardwood swamps across three separate land tracts. The terrain includes diverse natural habitats that support different plant and animal communities throughout the region.
The region was originally inhabited by the Timucua people, who built shell middens along the St. Johns River and Lake George. European settlement later transformed the landscape and land use of the area.
The forest is a place where visitors experience Florida's natural world directly through the landscape and wildlife they encounter. The plants and animals here reflect how people have lived alongside this environment over generations.
The forest offers various trails for visitors of different abilities and interests, ranging from simple walks to longer routes. Permits are needed for activities like camping or horseback riding, so plan ahead before your visit.
Much of the forest was deliberately replanted with pines in the 1930s and 1960s to create a managed landscape. These planted sections now support Florida black bears and gopher tortoises, animals rarely seen elsewhere in the region.
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