Bear Swamp Trail
- 2.9 mi
- loop
- 21 ft
- climb
- 30 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Oct–Apr
- best months
Is Bear Swamp Trail open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in National Forests in Florida. It doesn't name Bear Swamp Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.
Travel Management & Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program
Agency closure covering National Forests in Florida · USFS · National Forests in Florida
Fire Restrictions in Effect for Ocala National Forest
Agency alert covering National Forests in Florida · USFS · National Forests in Florida
As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in Florida. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Bear Swamp Trail is a 2.9-mile loop in the Lake George Ranger District of the National Forests in Florida, managed by the Forest Service. It sits about 0.4 miles from the town of Salt Springs, making it an easy addition to a day spent in the area. The trail is rated easy, with a total elevation gain of 21 feet. It's a low-lying route, with the low point at about 2 feet and the high at about 30 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.84 miles in, with a grade of about 4 percent. The trail surface is natural, and it is not accessible. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Crescent City show March highs around 75°F and November highs around 75°F, while July and August average highs near 91°F with more frequent wet days. Salt Springs campground is just 0.1 mile away, and Salt Springs Wildlife Viewing is about 1.2 miles off. The Salt Springs Spur Trail lies about 3.1 miles away, and Lake Delancy West Recreation Area is about 6 miles away.
Local outfitters
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Oct–Apr
Best time to visit Bear Swamp Trail
Best months: October–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
68° / 47°
7 wet
Feb
71° / 50°
6 wet
Mar
75° / 54°
6 wet
Apr
81° / 60°
6 wet
May
86° / 67°
8 wet
Jun
89° / 72°
13 wet
Jul
91° / 74°
14 wet
Aug
91° / 74°
14 wet
Sep
88° / 73°
11 wet
Oct
82° / 66°
8 wet
Nov
75° / 57°
6 wet
Dec
69° / 51°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crescent City, FL, 13.8 mi away at 53 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Guillaume Capron, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Juniper Springs Nature Trail
~20 min drive
Easy out-and-back nature trail through Florida springs landscape.
Photo: Rob Bixby, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Ravine Gardens State Park Trail
~34 min drive
3.95-mile out-and-back trail in Florida with 244 ft gain.
HIKE
Lake Eaton Sinkhole Tr
~17 min drive
Out-and-back trail to a scenic Florida sinkhole through flatwoods terrain.
Photo: homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Ocala National Forest to Cross Florida Greenway Connector
~36 min drive
1.18-mile out-and-back trail in Ocala National Forest connecting to the Cross Florida Greenway.
Photo: Miosotis Jade, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Lake, Alachua, Marion (Lam) Tr
~23 min drive
44.00-mile out-and-back trail in Florida with 724 ft gain and 791 ft loss.
HIKE
Lake Eaton Loop Trail
~18 min drive
Scenic 4.2-mile out-and-back Florida trail featuring lakefront views and wildlife.
Photo: homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Military Trail Loop
~36 min drive
A 3.39-mile point-to-point Florida trail with easy, accessible hiking.
HIKE
Lake George Conservation Area Trail
~20 min drive
43.66-mile point-to-point trail in Florida with 369 ft gain.
HIKE
Lam Horse Trail
~38 min drive
28.2-mile out-and-back trail in Florida with 289 ft elevation gain.
Photo: homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)River Trail
~36 min drive
Easy riverside point-to-point trail perfect for a quick Florida nature walk.
