Cary Nature Trail
Written by Sandra Friend
At Cary State Forest, you have the opportunity for a highly accessible, close-up look at carnivorous pitcher plants in the wild on the Cary Nature Trail.
While the 3,413-acre forest has dozens of miles of multi-use trails and is popular with local equestrians, the 1.4-mile Cary Nature Trail is hiking only, a great short walk for kids and persons of limited mobility. It’s also part of the Florida State Forests Trailwalker program, allowing you to accrue credit towards your Trailwalker levels.
Guidebooks
50 Hikes in North Florida
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State
North Florida & the Florida Panhandle: An Explorer's Guide
Locator
Directions & LocationCary State Forest is west of Jacksonville in Nassau County. From I-10 exit 343, Baldwin/Starke, head north on US 301 for 9 miles. After you pass the Bryceville fire station and a “Welcome to Cary State Forest” sign on the right. Keep alert for the first turnoff, Pavilion Road. Turn right and drive 0.4 mile to the trail kiosk and grassy parking area at its intersection with Fire Tower Road. After you park, pay your state forest usage fee, and pick up a trail map at the kiosk
Overview
OverviewLocation: Bryceville
Length: 1.4 mile
Lat-Long: 30.399850, -81.926772
Type: loop
Fees / Permits: state forest entrance fee
Good for: birding, botanical wonders, children, dogs, primitive camping, wildlife watching
Difficulty: 1 of 5
Bug factor: 3 of 5
Restroom: Yes
A small tenting campsite with adjacent restrooms is available at the Environmental Education Center and is perfect for families with young children; contact them in advance for a permit. Don’t forget to pick up a Trailwalker Program postcard to send in!
Cary State Forest website
Map
Trail MapA GPS track is available for subscribers to download.
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Details
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Mileages
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