Florida Off-Road Trails

Tiger Bay State Forest is located in east-central Florida and spans about 30,000 acres. Tiger Bay State Forest got its name because of the large wetland that supplies Daytona Beach, DeLand, and other local municipals with water. It is home to two natural lakes named Indian Lake and Scoggin Lake, and multiple other natural and manmade ponds. These bodies of water bring all types of wildlife; fish, gators, bears, deer, panthers, birds, and insects to the area. Tiger Bay State Forest allows visitors to take in the sights, smells, and sounds of nature by camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, boating, and hunting. Wildlife Drive is a trail with a split personality in Tiger Bay State Forest. There is a gate located in the middle of Wildlife Drive that splits the trail into the east and west sides. The east side of the trail is a very easy and painless drive on gravel with green vegetation surrounding visitors. The west side of Wildlife Drive is also surrounded by green vegetation, however, the trail is less maintained dirt with potholes and shallow water crossings.

This section of the beach runs north from the Hard Rock Hotel to Ormond Beach. You can access this beach at University Blvd. and Hartford Ave. At each beach entry ramp, there is an attendant station where personnel check for the required permit to drive on the beach. The speed limit is 10 MPH, and you must drive with at least one open front window and the vehicle headlights on. Just note that the sand can get soft at times. Usually, signs will be posted for this area informing people that 4WD is needed.

The beach drive is highly affected by the ocean tides, which change every six hours. During high tide, access to the beach through the entrance ramps is restricted because the high tide narrows the amount of beach available to drive on—the access ramp gates close off the beach during high tide and dangerous storms.

Powerline Road is a scenic drive under and between tall electricity pylons. While traveling under the pylons, travels can expect to hear electrical crackling and zapping sounds along with birds chirping and cows mooing. Driving through Babcock Webb WMA on Powerline Grade will show marshes, lush green vegetation, and pylons all disappearing far into the distance. Powerline Grade is an odd combination of modern engineering and nature combined into one. Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area is an active cattle ranch located in southwest Florida. The Wildlife Management Area consists of prairies, marshes, and woodlands spanning almost 66,000 acres in Charlotte County. Babcock Webb WMA allows camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching, paddling, boating, and horseback riding.

Powerline Grade is made of limestone and gravel. The trail has no curves and is a diagonal shape out-and-back trail. Powerline Grade is almost 2.5 miles long and has no mentionable elevation changes. There are no obstacles on this trail. Powerline Grade is best suited for cars, trucks/SUVs, and drivers of all experiences.

Camping is not allowed on Powerline Grade however, camping is allowed at Webb Lake Campground on Tucker Grade. Webb Lake Campgrounds has three primitive sites all located at the beginning of the trail. The main campgrounds are open yearly but only on: -Weekends from 5 pm Friday-9 pm Sunday. -Memorial Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Labor Day. The two main campsites consist of Webb Lake Campground North and Webb Lake Campground South. The third campsite is the Overflow Campsite which is used during hunting season. All campsites are linked together and have restrooms (no running water), picnic tables, firepits, and boat ramps. Camping reservations are required. Please see the official Babcock-Webb Campgrounds website for reservations.

This section of the trail is between the Pier and the Hard Rock Hotel and can only be accessed at Seabreeze Blvd. At each beach entry ramp, there is an attendant station where personnel check for the required permit to drive on the beach. The speed limit is 10 MPH, and you must drive with at least one open front window and the vehicle headlights on. Just note that the sand can get soft at times. Usually, signs will be posted for this area informing people that 4WD is needed.

The beach drive is highly affected by the ocean tides, which change every six hours. During high tide, access to the beach through the entrance ramps is restricted because the high tide narrows the amount of beach available to drive on—the access ramp gates close off the beach during high tide and dangerous storms.

Wampee Strand sounds like it came from Star Wars, however, it is a bumpy trail in western Tiger Bay State Forest. The trail is a weaving forest shortcut that connects Bear Island Road to Gopher Ridge Road. Wampee Strand is made of compact dirt and has plenty of potholes that will minorly flex vehicle suspension components. After a typical Florida downpour, the trail will have some areas to throw mud down the side of your vehicle while cruising through a neverending forest of green vegetation.

Camping is not allowed on Wampee Strand or anywhere in western Tiger Bay State Forest. However, several commercial campgrounds can be found nearby.

Wampee Strand is suitable for any vehicle and drivers of all experiences.

Osceola National Forest is one of three National Forests in Florida. Spanning 266,000 acres, Osceola is the smallest of Florida's National Forests. Exploring Osceola National Forest can be done in many ways such as hiking, ATVs, horseback, and street-legal vehicles. Ocala National Forest is great for anyone looking to hunt, camp, watch wildlife, or visit the Lewis D. Whitaker shooting range! National Forest Road 205 is centrally located on the eastern side of Osceola National Forest. The trail is surrounded by tree clearings and was an ex-logging road. Bear Bay makes drivers weave through forest and swampland, traversing over dirt and limestone. During Florida's wet seasons, Bear Bay is subjected to multiple water crossings and mud. It is best suited for high clearance vehicles with 4x4 capability.

Camping is not allowed on Bear Bay, however nearby on FR202 there is East Tower Hunt Camp. East Tower Hunt Camp is an improved campsite with grills, toilets, drinking water, and parking. The camp can also handle up to medium-sized RVs and trailers. For more info and campsite reservations please visit East Tower Hunt Camp and Osceola Ranger Station.