Florida Black Bear Scenic Route 40 Road Trip

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81.1 miles: 1 hours, 29 minutes

Sand pine forests hug the road for long stretches along Florida Black Bear Scenic Route 40 (SR 40/CR 445). Sparkling rivers, lakes and communities dot the byway as you pass through densely forested Ocala National Forest, and Lake George and Tiger Bay State Forests. Midway on the byway, a short jaunt south takes you into the Florida scrub’s arid habitat.

81.1 miles: 1 hours, 29 minutes

You might spot a Florida black bear along the western half of Florida Black Bear Scenic Route 40 where the highest population thrives among palmettos, longleaf and sand pines, and Spanish moss-draped oak trees. Look for endangered Florida scrub jays in gnarled sand pines, scrub hickories and scrub oaks growing in arid, white sand forests bordering CR 445.