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The East Camp Zone is located within Little Big Econ State Forest (Seminole County), about 40 miles east of Orlando, FL. The East Camp Zone is only accessible by boat and consists of six suggested camp zones. There is no water, electric or amenities... Recreational activities featured here are: boating, fishing, bird watching, wildlife viewing, wildflower viewing and nature study.
The Little Big Econ State Forest offers two camp areas for primitive camping. The West Camp Area is located near the Barr Street hiking trailhead and can be accessed only from the hiking trail and by canoe or kayak from the Econlockhatchee River Paddling Trail. The East Camp Area can be accessed only by canoe and kayak at this time. Overnight camping is allowed by obtaining a State Forest Use Permit available at the Little Big Econ State Forest office. For more information and to get a State Forest Use Permit, please contact the forest at (407) 971-3500 or email the Little Big Econ State Forest.
Bring your mosquito repellent! Great trails, but they are not made for strollers or bikes for the most part.
Get a map to bring along as the trails split often.
Pretty walking trails though, and a bunch of nature to be seen.
Thank you to the rangers for keeping us safe during our parking visits and hikes. You're #1. Good visitors don't forget to keep it clean and contribute at the box. I'm personally rooting for facilities at the trailhead parking area. My vote is in! I'll even volunteer to help clean them! Geneva wilderness. It's Home to the best people (and animals) in Seminole county. 2024 and counting.
Very cool forest. Lots of live oak trees, spanish moss, cypress swamp, and >50% shade made for a pleasant hike. The trails I used (6-8 miles) were well maintained with the exception of a single 50-yard stretch with tall weeds overgrown.
Minus 1 star becausethe hiking entrance was inexplicably locked on a Friday morning and no one answered the phone number when I called to ask about it. We ended up hiking through the unlocked Equestrian entrance and couldn't find any reason it would have been locked.
Nice stretch of trails for hiking. Like walking in Jurassic Park. We have been up and down the little big econ by canoe and foot and had a blast every time. This must have been what florida looked like many many moons ago.
The Little Big Econ State Forest, located right near Oviedo, has over 5,000 acres of pristine natural Florida wilderness! This place has hiking, bird and animal-watching, fishing, primitive camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, and so much more! I have been here several times now, and every time I always love it. You’re in for a treat if you venture over here!
I park at the Barr Street Trailhead and head into the forest via one of their many trails, and it’s always so cool to see how much sand is everywhere. Did you know Florida was once under the ocean? When you hit the river (which is only like a 10-minute walk), there are massive sandy banks all along the windy river! It’s murky, brown (with alligators) that I wouldn’t recommend swimming in, but is really neat to see from the bluffs above! This is a very different environment than what you see elsewhere in Central Florida. You frequently see squirrels, skinks, lizards, alligators (saw one today on the riverbank), birds, big bugs, and more. You’re out in the wilderness here, and it’s awesome!
I’ve also parked at the bridge north of the Jones East Trailhead. That bridge is supposedly haunted and you see something called the “Oviedo Lights” - orbs of colored lights that float in the swamp/over the bridge at night. I did an overnight challenge here twice before and never saw anything, so I’m not really convinced. However, sketchy people do sometimes come here at night so I would advise against doing that just to be safe!
Getting back to the forest, this is one of the best and closest places to go on a little walk in the Florida wilderness away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s always a great coming here. Bring bug spray, watch out for alligators (meet an eye on your kids and pets), and don’t step off the trail as you might walk into fire ants! If you follow all that, enjoy - you’ll have a great time!!
