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Umatilla, the Gateway to the Ocala National Forest, is located in northern Lake County, Florida and offers many outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, camping and hiking. It is also home to the Florida Black Bear Festival, a fun and educational annual event, and host to the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway. Providing more than 60 miles of exploration by car, this National Scenic Byway is a network of scenic roads between Silver Springs and Ormond Beach, including SR 40 through the heart of the Ocala National Forest. City of Umatilla Umatilla Chamber of Commerce  Umatilla was dedicated as a Florida Trail Gateway Community on October 15, 2010. The Florida Trail Association was represented by members of the Highlanders and Central Florida Chapters. Umatilla's mayor, the county commissioner and city officials also attended. FTA member Bob Schultz wrote and presented the following poem for this occasion:
CROSSING THROUGH Opening the gate that leads north,
Passing on, into the Big Scrub
Leaving homey Umatilla,
Ocala’s gateway, and its hub. To a land of forests and lakes
Many foot travelers venture forth,
Following Seminole footprints
That pressed the soft earth of the north. Another gateway to the south,
Where once lush, citrus grovelands grew.
Along Florida’s scenic trail,
One enjoys a much different view. Umatilla’s been recognized
As the friendliest of places.
Fortunately its located,
Where the trail’s orange blaze traces. With these two groups there’s a union
For those who pass through here to see.
Declaring to serve one another,
As we trust it ever will be.
Umatilla is located on SR 19 about 5 miles north of Eustis.
Umatilla was founded in 1856 by Nathan J. Trowell. The name was taken from an Oregon town of the same name, and Indian name meaning “laughing waters”. In 1880, came from Astor to Eustis, through the settlement now known as Umatilla. Truck farming and cattle were the major businesses of the earliest pioneers. They later began planting orange groves, the "big freeze" of 1895 killing most of the trees. Umatilla was incorporated in 1904. Current businesses include shops, restaurants, a honey co-op, doctors & dentists, a pharmacy, banks, and a weekly newspaper.  The Ocala National Forest is the heart and soul of the Florida Trail. In October 1966, the trail's first blaze was painted at Clearwater Lake, the southern entrance to the Forest.
The closest trailhead is about 10 miles east of Umatilla at Clearwater Lake off CR 42, one mile west of Paisley. 
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