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Length: 34.9 miles (linear) Tosohatchee presents a diverse hiking experience that includes pine flatwoods, cabbage palm/oak hammocks, and cypress forests. From 1930 until 1977, this area was used for the Tosohatchee Gun Club and was left untouched in order to encourage wildlife. The state acquired the Wildlife Management Area in 1977. At least 30 Indian mounds have been discovered.
 Hikers options in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area include taking an overnight hike or selecting one of several day hikes. On the north side of the Area, a trail leads to a virgin bald cypress stand in Jim Creek Swamp. Tosohatchee has a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, armadillo, osprey, and eagles. The dikes provide good vantage points.
In the spring, the Management Area is colorful with wildflowers, including wild iris, which blooms in purple profusion in the woods, drainages, and on the edge of the swamp. Orlando Wetlands Park is a large-scale man-made wetland designed to treat reclaimed water and provide wildlife habitat. Deer, raccoon, alligators, turtles and over 150 species of birds have been seen in the park. At least five endangered bird species call the park home. A wildlife festival is held in the park each February.
 This map covers the Orlando Wetlands Park, Seminole Ranch and Tosohatchee segments of the Florida Trail The northern end is at the Orlando Wetlands Park (on Wheeler Road, 1.6 miles east of CR 420). The main entrance to Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is on Taylor Creek Road, 2.5 miles north of SR 520 and 3.0 miles south of SR 50.
Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey.
Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc. At the northern end, park on Wheeler Road, 1.6 miles east of CR 420. In Tosohatchee, the main entrance (fee) is on Taylor Creek Road, 2.5 miles north of SR 520 and 3.0 miles south of SR 50. Backpackers must park at the youth camp area off St. Nicholas Road. Day hikers in Tosohatchee should use Ranch House Road, the youth camp, or the main gate parking areas. Parking at the southern end of the section is at a gate three miles west of the St. Johns River Bridge on SR 520 and 1.0 mile east of the SR 532 intersection. Campsites Tiger Branch, Sabal Palm The trail runs beside swamps, through pine flatwoods and oak forests, and along cypress forests. The loop trails make good day hikes. Wear blaze orange if you hike in Seminole Ranch during hunting seasons or in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area during special hunts.
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is open from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. Note that the white trails in Tosohatchee are multi-use, but can be used to create interesting loops. Also, the thru-trail north of Powerline Rd and the thru-trail from the south entrance up to the "Y" jct with the white trail are both multi-use until a pedestrian-only trail can be developed. In Tosohatchee, hikers should register at the pay station when entering at the main entrance. Backpack camping is permitted with a reservation at designated sites within the Wildlife Management Area. Campers should register at the park office at the main entrance. Car and RV camping is not available. Thru-hikers are exempt from advance notification, registration and fees, but should sign in and out at the registration boxes at the trail entrances.
In both Tosohatchee and Seminole Ranch there is no camping allowed during hunts. Call for hunt dates.
Orlando Wetlands Park is closed from October 1 through January 20. Hikers MAY walk the perimeter of the park following the orange blazes, but all interior trails, dikes and facilities are closed to all users. |
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