Total Acreage: 14,882
Counties: Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee
Twin Rivers State Forest
Twin Rivers State Forest is comprised of 14 noncontiguous tracts. These
lands were purchased with funds from the Save Our Rivers
(SOR) program, created by the Florida State Legislature
in 1981, the Preservation 2000 program, established
in 1990 by the Florida State Legislature, and the Conservation
and Recreation Lands (CARL) program.
Historically, the junction of the Withlacoochee and
Suwannee Rivers was an important point of commerce.
In the 1800's, both rivers were used as major commercial
routes, steamboats were a common sight as they carried
passengers, freight and mail on the rivers. Today, the
majority of the forest lies within the 100-year floodplain
of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers.
In 1995, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, was given lead
management responsibility for Twin Rivers State Forest,
under a special lease agreement with the Suwannee River
Water Management District. Using an ecosystem management
approach, the primary management objective of the Florida Forest Service is to restore, maintain and protect all
native ecosystems. Through sound multiple-use management
practices, a proper balance is maintained between resource
utilization and resource protection
Multiple-use on the state forest includes forest management, ecosystem restoration, recreation, wildlife management, watershed protection and environmental education.
Location
Twin Rivers State Forest is located along the banks
of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers. The forest
encompasses eastern Madison, western Hamilton, and
northwestern Suwannee counties in northern Florida. The
Twin Rivers State Forest office is located on Hwy.
U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the town
of Live Oak.
Natural Features
There are many natural communities within Twin Rivers State Forest. Among these are sandhill, floodplain, swamp and sinkhole communities. Found within the natural communities are a wide variety of tree species. For example, American elm, river birch, sweetgum, water hickory and bald cypress can be found in the floodplains. Located in the drier sandhill areas are longleaf pine, turkey oak, post oak and live oak. In addition, clear running springs are located on the Anderson Springs and Pott Springs Tracts.
Wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, bobcat, otter, beaver, alligator and wild turkey are frequently seen on Twin Rivers State Forest.
Recreation
Each of the tracts on Twin Rivers State Forest offer many recreational opportunities which include: nature study, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, canoeing and fishing. Twin Rivers State Forest contains 2 hiking trails (Ellaville and Anderson Springs) that are included in the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Hiking Program.
Several tracts on the forest are managed as a Wildlife Management Area with hunting by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Full facility camping is not available on the
forest; however, a few primitive camp areas are
located along multiple-use trails. Permits are
required for special or group recreational activities
and can be obtained from the Twin Rivers State
Forest office at no charge.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's forest resources, the Florida Forest Service has developed rules which apply to all State Forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.
Trails |
Campsites |
Other |
Hike |
Bike |
Horse |
Canoe |
Camp
sites |
with
Electric |
Leashed
Pets OK |
More Activities |
Nature
Trail |
|
|
|
Primitive |
none |
|
Picnicking, Fishing, Swimming,
Hunting |
|
