Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area

If you enjoy morning walks, hikes and would like to be somewhere with less noise ,peaceful and calm this is the place , without have f to drive up very far to get to pure nature and bliss . Some trails need maintenance or upgrade, but overall good spot to be surrounded by majestic trees

My wife and I did this trail in January on a clear 65 degree day….very nice but a workout. We did the 5.4 mile outer loop but started from the connector leading out of the Moss Park campground - this made the round trip about 7 miles. The connector trail was pretty muddy (for tennis shoes) but hiking boots would be recommended as a ranger said the connector stays wet. Others have mentioned that the trails were not clearly marked so I studied the map and found an app (Gaia) that would track my steps on a map for backup. No issues - plenty of blaze markings and signs to help guide you. Just do it!

Beautiful Florida nature. I entered through Moss Park. Saw butterflies and deer tracks. I took points off because it said no vehicles or bikes cycles allowed, but the actual trail is created by tire tracks, also this is a perfect trail to bike, not sure why bikes are not allowed. Another confusing thing was that dogs were not allowed in the park (needed to access the trail) but they were allowed on the trail.

Did this hike in mid August thought about doing the entire 5.4 mile loop but due to heat cut it to about 4 total. Look at map I did the top “half” and by returning on white blaze was able to stop by a very scenic pond. I’ll do the bottom half soon hopefully before the state bulldozed a highway through it. It’s a very wide open trail (like a two lane road) so no tick worries and the forest itself has little to no underbrush so you can see a decent distance under the canopies. It’s a mix of full sun sandy scrub and shaded scrub oaks, some larger live oaks nearer the water. Some lower portions of the trails are very wet not underwater but you should wear water proof boots or quick dry trail runners. There are white tail deer bounding around near the lake and various Florida critters (squirrels raccoons opossums etc) all around. I loved the way the larger oaks would fall lean over then re-root into the ground forming massive trees that appear to be “walking”. There lots, so the park (split oak) is very aptly named. Hopefully most of it will be preserved saved from construction it is a unique glimpse into what older Florida forests once resembled.

I visited split oak Forest today for forest yoga and a guided hike. What a beautiful peaceful place. There's miles and miles of trails that I didn't make it down but I plan on coming back with my dog and exploring more of the land. There's a lot of wildlife like birds and tortoises. I'm sure in the morning there's a lot of deer as well. I really hope they can save this place and not build a road through it. It's free and there are maps at the front you can take with you so you don't get lost lol there are no bathrooms not even at the front.