Jennings State Forest, State forest in Clay County, Florida, United States

Jennings State Forest is a large protected woodland in Clay County, Florida, with diverse habitats including sandhills, seepage slopes, and the headwaters of Black Creek. The land offers visitors multiple ecosystems and water features to explore throughout their visit.

Jennings State Forest covers 25,301 acres in Clay County, northeast of Jacksonville, and is managed by the Florida Forest Service (FDACS). The surrounding Nolan Road, Knights Landing and Indian Ford recreational areas border the forest and share its wildlife management land.

The forest lies near Jacksonville and is bordered by the Nolan Road, Knights Landing and Indian Ford Recreational Areas, which visitors pass through on the way in. Its name comes from the Jennings family, early settlers of Clay County whose land became the forest.

Visitors will find multiple hiking trails, four canoe launch points, and primitive camping areas for activities like hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. Accessibility varies with seasons and weather conditions, so it is wise to check current conditions before your visit.

Jennings State Forest covers 25,301 acres in Clay County and is one of the places where Bartram's Ixia, a rare flower named for naturalist William Bartram, grows wild. The forest also shelters St. John's Susan. Look for these plants in the open sandhill and pine woods rather than in dense shade.