Belmore State Forest is located in Northeast Florida, in southern Clay County. The forest is approximately 15 miles west of Green Cove Springs and 20 miles southwest of Orange Park.

The forest is composed of two tracts, the Satsuma Tract in the north and the Ates Creek Tract in the south. Satsuma has one entrance from State Road 16. The Ates Creek Tract is accessible from County Road 315 on the north and Bellamy Road on the south. The forestry headquarters is located on State Road 16.

Nine different natural biological communities can be found on Belmore State Forest. These include sandhills, mesic Flatwoods, baygalls, wet Flatwoods, and floodplain forests, each with unique plants, animals, and physical characteristics. Wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, hawks, and songbirds are just a few of the species that can be found in the forest. Belmore is also home to a number of threatened species and species of special concern, including gopher tortoises, Sherman’s fox squirrel, Florida black bear, American alligator, and eastern indigo snake.

The forest is open during daylight hours for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. The current network of unpaved roads is ideal for these activities, and a trail system is being planned to improve these activities in the future. There are plans to provide overnight primitive camping areas in the future.

Coot’s Shanty Recreation Area on the Ates Creek Tract provides an ideal location for picnicking as well as a good place to begin hiking the forest.

Belmore State Forest is open to regulated hunting and fishing under the direction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We encourage non-hunting recreationists to check the Belmore Wildlife Management Area regulations and season dates before visiting Belmore State Forest.

In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida’s forest resources, the Florida Forest Service has developed rules that apply to all state forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.