Having the State Forest as a giant neighbor with over 53,000 acres and 120 miles of trails, reminds us everyday how fortunate we are to witness the peaceful and quiet surroundings, the abundance of nature and a starry night sky.  The sunsets and sunrises bring a new breathtaking, awe-inspiring experience each and every day. 

Goethe State Forest was named for Mr. J.T. Goethe, from whom most of the land was purchased under Florida's Conservation and Recreation Lands Program in 1992.

 The forest is known for its population of red cockaded woodpeckers, a rare bird endemic to the longleaf pine forests (and huge pine cones) of the southern coastal plain.

The trails extend throughout the forest with access available at three separate trailheads. The forest is open during daylight hours for visitors to enjoy PICNICKING, HIKING, BICYCLING, FISHING, WILDLIFE VIEWING, and HORSEBACK RIDING

Hidden in the heart of Goethe State Forest, the Big Cypress Trail is a short hike that leads to one of Florida’s most amazing botanical wonders. At the end of this ramble past large and larger trees, you follow a boardwalk to the base of a towering cypress tree more than 900 years old.