The Little Big Econ State Forest is a
state forest
A state forest or national forest is a forest that is administered or protected by some agency of a sovereign or federated state, or territory.
Background
The precise application of the terms vary by jurisdiction. For example:
* In Australia, ...
in the
U.S. state of
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, a ...
. The forest is located in
Central Florida
Central Florida is a region of the U.S. state of Florida. Different sources give different definitions for the region, but as its name implies it is usually said to comprise the central part of the state, including the Tampa Bay area and the ...
, east of the downtown
Oviedo
Oviedo (; ast, Uviéu ) is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain and the administrative and commercial centre of the region. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city. Oviedo is located ap ...
, on
Florida Country Road 426 with forest office on Snow Hill Road in
Geneva, Florida. The Kilbee Tract is a smaller non-contiguous section of the park located east of the main forest, along
Saint Johns River, the longest river in the state.
["Little Big Econ Map"]
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Retrieved on 2014-08-02.
The forest's most notable feature is the
Econlockhatchee River, an
Outstanding Florida Water, that winds east-to-west inside the forest.
[ The ]protected area
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...
of Florida is open for picnicking, bird watching, fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback and mountain bike riding.[
]
Etymology
The name Little Big Econ State Forest comes from combining the names of the Little Econlockhatchee River and the larger Econlockhatchee River, which flow through the forest property.["Little Big Econ State Forest"]
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Retrieved on 2014-08-02.
Hiking
The old Flagler Railroad
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...
System used to traverse the central part of the state forest. The trail was originally part of the Florida East Coast Railway
The Florida East Coast Railway is a Class II railroad operating in the U.S. state of Florida, currently owned by Grupo México.
Built primarily in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, the FEC was a ...
's Kissimmee Valley Line, also known as the Okeechobee Branch
The Florida East Coast Railway is a Class II railroad operating in the U.S. state of Florida, currently owned by Grupo México.
Built primarily in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, the FEC was a pr ...
. What was the old railway is now called the Flagler Trail
The Little Big Econ State Forest is a state forest in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located in Central Florida, east of the downtown Oviedo, on Florida Country Road 426 with forest office on Snow Hill Road in Geneva, Florida. The Ki ...
. Remains of old trestle pilings can still be seen on the river. The Florida National Scenic Trail
The Florida Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States. It currently runs , from Big Cypress National Preserve (between Miami and Naples, Florida along the Tamiami Trail) to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashor ...
passes through the state forest and follows the southern portion of the Flagler Trail.
Mountain biking
Known as Snow Hill among local mountain bikers for the road where the trailhead is on, the forest includes a single-track bike trail."Mountain Biking Little Big Econ State Forest / Snow Hill"
. Outdoor Travels. Retrieved on 2014-08-02.
Camping
There are no developed campsites or hookups available in the park, only primitive camping. For canoeist, primitive camping is available with special permit.
References
{{Protected areas of Florida
Florida state forests
Protected areas of Seminole County, Florida
Protected areas established in 1990
1990 establishments in Florida