Wheeling in Ocala Forest in Florida ?

[audiness]

Anyone local to that area who can give some tips? I'm visiting my parents in Florida over Xmas, thought maybe I would take my 4Runner to Ocala Forest to play around for a few hours. I found this site which has interactive maps:
Ocala National Forest - Tread Lightly Four Wheel Drive Way

--But I'd like to know, are the trails marked with difficulty levels? Some of it looks pretty muddy and gnarly from the you tube videos I watched.
--Would it not be smart to bring a 3inch-lifted(otherwise stock) 4runner in there?


Thanks in advance

 

[H&KRunner]

not enough sauce

 

[audiness]

Well, I ended up not making it to Ocala, but I did get a chance to go wheeling in a very interesting place called "The Compound". Its in Palm Bay FL, which is in the Melbourne FL area.

It's this HUUUUUGE network of roads that were put in about 30 years ago, and the land was never developed. Its completely wild back there now, and so big that you'd get lost without a GPS. There were some pretty serious trails back in there,and some pretty serious mud! It was a lot of fun, hopefully I'll make it back there someday.

 

[rossmkh]

Sorry to bring up this old-ish topic, but are any of those Ocala trails 2wd-friendly? Not looking to rock crawl, obviously. I'm confident in my driving ability and my truck, but I'm not about to get stuck in sand in the middle of nowhere! I'm looking for more of a mild offroad adventure where I can stop and enjoy the scenery/wildlife :biggrin1:

Also, is camping allowed on/around the trails? Sounds like a nice place for some primitive camping.

 

[5RUNNERZ]

Hahaha I live in Brevard county were the compound is! It sucks compared to Ocala and last time I was at Ocala my buddy just had a 2wd and did not have to many problems but would not do it alone!

 

[rossmkh]

Thanks! I knew someone who lived near the compound. Pretty creepy! Haha.

Yeah, I won't go alone to Ocala. Not worth getting stranded! Are the trails marked with difficulty?

 

[5RUNNERZ]

Last time I printed out the map it was not!

 

[PopsSmith]

Bringing this thread back to life. Anybody have directions to get to the Ocala locations? Also, anybody want to meet up for a saturday adventure?