Pine covered path through East Tract at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Lakeland, FL

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve – East Tract

East Tract in North Lakeland offers 33 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and birding. This area is excellent for wildlife viewing as well as fishing and camping.

Hiking in the Green Swamp

The Green Swamp East Tract provides more than 33 miles of trails and 71 miles of unpaved service roads that traverse pine flatwoods, cypress domes, hardwood swamps and the shorelines of the Withlacoochee River. Note that portions of the trails are inaccessible due to water in all but the driest years. Wildlife that may be seen in the area include alligators, white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, armadillos, gray squirrels, feral hogs and a variety of birds.

We recommend mountain bike or gravel tires if you plan to ride thorough any portion of the Green Swamp.

East Tract at Green Swamp

East Tract at Green Swamp

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Bicycling
Recreation Description
* Approximately 60 miles of multiuse trails.
* Bicyclists are required to stay on designated or marked trails.
* Florida law requires bicyclists under 16 to wear helmets.
Recreation Term
Camping
Recreation Description
* Camping not permitted during hunts.
* A free reservation is required and must be displayed or available at campground.
* Backcountry sites include Trial Ford, Tillman Lake and Mott Hammock; sites have picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills.
Recreation Term
Fishing
Recreation Description
* Fishing and frogging allowed throughout year.
* Vehicle access from Rock Ridge Road for fishing is only permitted on weekends in May and June.
* Contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for license requirements.
Recreation Term
Hiking
Recreation Description
* Approximately 60 miles of multiuse trials.
* Approximately 31 miles of Florida National Scenic Trail run through Green Swamp East and West tracts. This trail continues through Green Swamp West Tract and up to the Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest.
* Approximately 15-mile overnight loop and 8-mile day loop.
* Prepare for wet hiking; some trails are excessively wet during certain times of year.
Recreation Term
Hunting
Recreation Description
* Contact FWC for information regarding license requirements and permits.
* FWC rules and regulations must be observed throughout the year.

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