Located in east Seminole County, Florida near the towns of Chuluota and Geneva.
To Kilbee Tract Trailhead:
From exit 223 on I-95, go west on State Road 46 for about 12.4 miles. Entrance to trailhead will be on your left after you cross the St. Johns River bridge. GPS coordinates: N28° 42.924 W81° 02.941.
To Barr Street Trailhead:
From exit 223 on I-95, go west on State Road 46 until you reach the town of Geneva (about 16 miles). Turn left and head south on County Road 426 (Geneva Dr) for about 5.5 miles. Entrance will be on your left at GPS coordinates N28° 38.989 W81° 07.792.
To Equestrian and White Spur Trailheads:
From exit 223 on I-95, go west on State Road 46 for 16 miles. Turn left on County Road 426 and head south for 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Snow Hill Road and drive another 2.6 miles. Turn right at the entrance to the State Forest Office. Both the Equestrian and the White Spur Trailheads are located along the gravel entrance road at GPS coordinates N28° 41.203 W81° 06.887 and N28° 41.008 W81° 07.059, respectively.
Jones East Trailhead:
Same directions as the Equestrian and White Spur Trailheads except stay on Snow Hill Road for another 0.9 miles. Entrance will be on your right after you cross the Econlockhatchee River. GPS coordinates: N28° 40.407 W81° 06.847.
To Flagler Trailhead:
Same directions as Jones East Trailhead except stay on Snow Hill Road and drive another 2.6 miles. Entrance will be on your right across from the Walker Elementry School. GPS coordinates: N28° 38.989 W81° 07.792.
To Brumley Road Trailhead:
Same directions as Jones East Trailhead except stay on Snow Hill Road and drive for about 1.9 miles. Turn left on Avenue H, then left again on Brumley Road. Follow road until it ends at the trailhead (about 3.4 miles). The last 1.4 miles is gravel. GPS coordinates: N28° 39.903 W81° 04.117
For day use: $2.00 per person (children under six admitted free). Includes all vehicle passengers, walk-ins, bicyclist and equestrians.
The area is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days of the year.
The Little Big Econ State Forest has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Central Florida. One of them is an 8.9 mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail. This trail enters the forest north of Mill Creek Woodlands near Brumley Road, crosses the scenic Econlockhatchee River, and then follows the river upstream before exiting the forest near Lockwood Blvd. The best way to get to the trail is to use the Barr Street Trailhead off of CR 426. See directions above.
Trailhead Signage and KioskAnother scenic trail is the 3 mile, white-blazed spur trail. It starts near the State Forest office on Snow Hill Road and passes a very nice boardwalk going out to the Econlockhatchee River. It then crosses the historic Flagler trail before merging with the Florida National Scenic Trail about a mile east of the Barr Street Trailhead.
Scenic BoardwalkIf you enjoy history be sure to take a walk down the Flagler Trail and see where Henry Flagler's Kissimmee Valley Line railroad use to cross the Econlockhatchee River. There you can still see the trestles from the bridge that was built back in the early 1900s. At one time the Florida National Scenic Trail used planks suspended by cables between the trestles to get across the river. In 2004 a much nicer bridge was built capable of supporting horses and even small vehicles.
Old Flagler BridgeDuring the spring of 2012, a couple of new trails were added by the Florida Trail Association. A 12 mile, white-blazed hiking trail, known as the River Trail, now runs all the way from Orlando Wetlands Park, through the Charles H. Bronson State Forest, and ends at the Econlockhatchee River. A 2.75 mile, yellow-blazed, spur trail also provides access to a day-use pavilion located at Culpepper Bend. Both trails can be accessed from the Brumley Road Trailhead.
Culpepper Bend
The Little Big Econ State Forest has approximately 9.3 miles of horseback riding trails starting at the Equestrian Trailhead on Snow Hill Road. In addition riders can use the historic Flagler Trail to access the Econlockhatchee River where horses can enjoy a cool sip of water and relax a bit. There's also a horse trail located in the Yarborough Tract at the end of Brumley Road but you'll have to ride in from one of the Charles H. Bronson State Forest trailheads in order to use it.
Horses on the Econlockhatchee River
The Little Big Econ State Forest has little over 7.8 miles of single track mountain bike trails starting at the Jones East Trailhead on Snow Hill Road. The trails are divided into two loops seperated by what the locals call the "Ditch of Doom" -- a deep agricultural ditch with plenty of ups and downs. The scenery is fantastic especially on the back side where the trail traverses boardwalks and winds along the edge of the Econlockhatchee River. Except for a few roots and some soft patches of sand, the trails are usually in good condition and are fairly easy to ride. Be sure to bring a map or a GPS since the trails have very little signage.
Mountain biking along the Econlockhatchee River
Nearly 19 miles of the Econlockhatchee River either borders or passes through the Little Big Econ State Forest. Kayakers and canoeist can put their boats in at the CR 419 bridge and enjoy a very nice 8-mile paddle downstream to the Snow Hill Road boat ramp. You can also continue with the flow for another 11 miles to where the Econlockhatchee River finally meets the St. Johns River. From there it's less than a mile to the C.S. Lee boat ramp on SR 46. Note: During low water conditions paddlers may have to portage their vessels over large fallen trees.
Kayaking along the Econlockhatchee River
Primitive campsites with fire rings and cooking grills are available for boaters along the Econlockhatchee River. A camping permit must be obtained from the Little Big Econ State Forest office at 1350 Snow Hill Road, Geneva, FL 32732 or by calling 407-971-3500.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages hunting in Kilbee and Yarborough Tracts of the Little Big Econ State Forest. For information on regulations and current hunting schedules, please go to MyFWC.com.
Hunting Schedule 2013 - 2014 Archery Sep. 27 - Oct. 19 Muzzle Gun Nov. 1 - 10 General Gun Nov. 15 - 17, 22 - 24, 29 - Dec. 1 Small Game Dec. 7 - 22 Spring Turkey Mar. 15 - 18, 20 - 23, 27 - 30
Topo Map West (large size) Topo Map East (large size)
Aerial Map West (large size) Aerial Map East (large size)
Photo Map
File Formats Downloads Garmin MapSource trails.gdb, trails.mps TopoGraphix ExpertGPS trails.gpx Google Earth trails.kmz National Geographic TOPO! trails.tpo
American Alligator White Pelicans and Ibises
Spiderwort Coralbean Buttonbush Beautybush Butterfly Weed Wild Coffee
Last updated on 18-Nov-2013.
