The most obscure interpretive trail in the Ocala National Forest is well off the beaten path along the Ocklawaha River, accessed via a narrow dirt road.
Why here? Location, location, location. In the 1800s, Florida’s rivers served as highways to the interior.
Shoreline along the Ocklawaha RiverDuring the steamboat era, Davenport Landing was the last high bluff that steamboats would pass downriver from Silver Springs to the St. Johns River, eight miles away.
The landing master, Thomas Cassidy Fillyaw, is buried here not far from a more ancient burial ground, the Davenport Mound.
Although heavily looted over the centuries, finds from the mound were declared to be up to 1,200 years old by archaeologists in 1894.
Finding our way along the overgrown trailResources
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Overview
Location: Salt Springs
Length: 0.7 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.472265,-81.773387
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone: 352-625-2520
Leashed dogs welcome. Do not disturb archaeological sites.
Camping is permitted in this area, but not at the bluff at the landing. Be cautious during hunting season; wear blaze orange if you hike here then.
Directions
Driving 8.5 miles north from the intersection of CR 316 and SR 19 in Salt Springs, turn left off SR 19 onto FR 74 just before the Ocklawaha River bridge. FR 74 parallels the river in a northwesterly direction, and can be rough or soft sand in spots but accessible by most vehicles except after heavy rains. Drive 2.5 miles down the forest road. The trailhead is on the right just past a junction with FR 21, where you’ll see a trailhead sign on the right. Turn right and follow the two-track road to where it ends at a gate.
Hike
The trail starts at the gate. Flanked by blueberries and bracken fern, this is a scrubby flatwoods habitat with shoulder-high saw palmetto.
The towering pines are are longleaf and pond pine, which tends to grow along tributaries of the St. Johns River. Oak scrub parallels to the left.
Start of the Davenport Landing TrailHeading slightly downhill, after 400 feet, reach a marker pointing to the left.
Ill-defined at first because of infrequent maintenance, the footpath slips down a tight corridor beneath sand live oaks.
Oak scrubDrop sharply downhill. Curving right to avoid the floodplain, the footpath meets a mingling of bluff forest with scrub forest.
To the left, a line of water is visible beyond the cypresses of a floodplain forest. A gap in the woods confirms you’re almost at the Ocklawaha River.
The river is visible through the woodsThis sinuous river and its jungle-like floodplain shores attracted tourists by the boatload during the early days of Florida statehood.
Lined by switchcane, a native bamboo, a side trail leads down to the river. Take a walk to the river’s edge.
Ocklawaha RiverBy watermarks on surrounding cypress, the floodplain nature of the river is obvious. The Ocklawaha rises in the Green Swamp and flows north.
Heavily disturbed by the Army Corps of Engineers near Moss Bluff and Rodman, its wild nature remains near the Silver River and along this stretch.
Wild shoreline of the Ocklawaha near Davenport LandingResume the main trail. At a quarter mile reach a junction with directional signs and two kiosks. This is the high bluff above Davenport Landing.
The left kiosk adjoins Davenport Mound and explains its archaeological importance.
Davenport Mound is behind the split rail fenceArrowheads found along these shores indicate human settlements here as early as 10,000 B.C., living off the bounty of the forest and waterways.
The other kiosk explains steamboating on the Ocklawaha River. The Hart Steamship Line built special, narrow steamboats to navigate this twisty, winding waterway.
Interpretive kioskPassengers were headed to a hotel at Silver Springs. Along the route were vividly named points like Needle’s Eye, Rough and Ready Cut, and Hell’s Half Acre.
As the last high bluff before northbound boats reached the St. Johns River, Davenport was an important place to stock up on wood to feed the boilers.
Steps between bluff and riverA series of steps lead down to the riverfront, where stonework and an old cypress log might have been used as part of the landing. It’s a beauty spot.
The trail loops up the slope to the right. Back at the kiosk, take the other path under the live oaks at the parking sign for the return trip.
Davenport LandingNicely framed by saw palmetto and gallberry, the trail corridor provides shade along the ecotone between scrubby flatwoods and oak scrub.
The sugar white sand in the footpath may show tracks from many animals, especially raccoon and deer.
White sand along the footpathAt a fork in the trail keep left, walking between pond pines. Within a few moments, finish the loop.
Continue straight ahead to exit, reaching the gate and parking area after a 0.7 mile walk.
Scrub forestTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about the Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest Established in 1908 as the first National Forest east of the Mississippi, the Ocala National Forest is a mecca for hikers and campers, and the birthplace of the Florida Trail.Slideshow
See our photos from this hike
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