Tiger Bay State Forest consists of 27,315 acres of wetlands with scattered pine islands and a large pine ridge know as Rima Ridge. About 15,000 of those acres were burned severely during the wildfires of 1998. Forest restoration is underway and it will take a few more years before this place returns back to it's original glory. Don't worry. There are still plenty of places to go hiking, horseback riding and even do some primitive camping. Read on for more details.
Located in central Volusia County about 7 miles west of Daytona Beach, Florida.
Southern Entrance: From I-95 take exit 261 and head west on U.S. Hwy 92 for about 4.5 miles. Turn right on Indian Lake Road and drive north for about 1.75 miles. Entrance will be straight ahead.
Northern Entrance: From I-95 take exit 268 and head west on SR 40 for about 5.1 miles. Entrance will be on your left.
None posted.
$2.00 per person, self-pay, at the Indian Lake Recreation Area. Children under 6 can get in free.
For camping: $5.00 per night for 1-5 people.
Annual Pass: $30.00
Tiger Bay State Forest has one hiking trail called the Buncombe Hill Interpretive Trail. It is a 1.9 mile loop trail with 22 interpretive points along it. Starting at the Indian Lake Recreation Area, the trail winds through planted pine forest, oak hammocks and sandy scrub areas.
Along the way you may notice a few pieces of terra-cotta lying on the ground. These are from clay pots that were used to collected pine resign for turpentine production back in the early 1900s. The trees have all been harvested since then, so the chances of finding completely intact pots or old trees with cat-faces etched on them are probably pretty slim.
There's also signs of an old homestead located near the north end of the trail. All that remains is the foundation, pieces of a tin roof and an old gate. Judging from all the melted glass that was in the area, it must have burned down some time ago.
Primitive camping is only allowed in designated areas along Rima Ridge Road. A State Forest Use Authorization permit must be obtain in advance from the Tiger Bay State Forest Office (see contact information below). You can have up to 5 people, with one camper or two tents at each campsite. There are no bathrooms, electrical hookups or drinking water, so make sure you come prepared.
Checkout time for campers is 2 P.M. Quiet time is 10 P.M. until sunrise. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days during any 30 day period. Pets must be on a leash no more than 10 feet long.
Shown below are some photos of the equestrian campsites. Most of them are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. There's even a small corral and watering trough for the horses..
Part of the old Pershing Highway, that was constructed back in 1917, can still be seen cutting through the swamps and pine lands of Tiger Bay State Forest. Remarkably it's still in good shape. You can access it from several points along US Hwy 92.
This area is managed as a wildlife management area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For up-to-date information on regulations and hunting schedules, see the hunting regulations at Tiger Bay WMA and Rima Ridge Unit.
Tiger Bay WMA - Hunting Schedule 2012 - 2013 Archery Sep. 15 - Oct. 14 Muzzle Loading Gun Oct. 20 - 22 General Gun Nov. 3 - Dec. 30 Small Game Dec. 31 - Mar. 3 Spring Turkey Mar. 9 - 10, 16 - 19, 28 - 31, Apr. 11 - 14
Rima Ridge Unit - Hunting Schedule 2012 - 2013 Archery Sep. 22 - Oct. 7 Muzzle Loading Gun Oct. 26 - 28 General Gun Nov. 10 - 18 Small Game Nov. 22 - Dec. 30 Spring Turkey Mar. 9 - 10, 16 - 18, 29 - 31, Apr. 12 - 14
Color infrared aerial map and Topographical map of Buncombe Hill Trail.
Trailwalker and Trailtrotter maps of Tiger Bay.
File Formats Downloads TopoGraphix ExpertGPS trails.gpx Garmin MapSource trails.mps Google Earth trails.kmz
St. John's Wort, Netted Pawpaw and Skyblue Lupine
Last updated on 13-Sep-2012
