Total Acreage: 14,882
Counties:
Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee |
Twin Rivers State Forest
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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, Division of Forestry, 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 Division
of Forestry 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 Division
of Forestry's Trailwalker Hiking Program.
In addition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission has designated several tracts as a
Type I Wildlife Management Areas for hunting.
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 Division
of Forestry 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 |
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Primitive |
none |
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Picnicking, Fishing, Swimming,
Hunting |
Contact Us
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