In the wild heart of Florida lies 430,477 acres of primeval forest teeming with rare birds, alligators, manatees, bears, and jaw-dropping springs and trails. That’s right, the oldest national forest in the eastern United States is found right in Marion County and for every horse lover, it’s a must-visit. With its desolate grace and quiet beauty, the Ocala National Forest hushes its visitors into awe. Birds chatter, their songs resonating overhead, the intimacy of nature ever-present. The forest nourishes a landscape filled with swamps, springs, lakes, flora, and fauna. From vast Florida sand pine flatlands and cypress-studded wetland prairies to densely wooded oak hammocks and colorful palm-shaded subtropical oases, the variety of eco-systems to explore is mind-blowing. Nestled in the “Horse Capitol of the World”, the Ocala National Forest (ONF) is ripe for exploration. Whether you choose to hike the Florida Trail, camp in the deep woods, spend a lazy day at a bubbling spring, paddle a spring-fed river, or saddle up for a hundred-mile trail ride, adventure abounds. LET’S GO! OCALAHORSEPROPERTIES.COM | 89
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIwOA==