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Split Oak Forest WEA

Managed in cooperation with
Orange County Department of Parks and Recreation
Osceola County Department of Parks and Recreation

Split Oak Forest is a nearly 2,000-acre area located in south Orange and north Osceola counties.  Split Oak is part of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Mitigation Park Program.  Split Oak was purchased in 1994 through a cooperative agreement involving the Florida Communities Trust, Orange County, Osceola County, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  The previous land owner managed the area as a cattle ranch, clearing some of the area to provide pasture. 

Split Oak Forest is currently managed to enhance and preserve the habitat of the gopher tortoise, a state listed species, along with the other wildlife and plants that inhabit this diverse area. The site is under a fire management program, and visitors have a first hand opportunity to observe the positive effects this practice has on our native plant communities. Wildlife viewing, hiking, and horseback riding are likely to be most pleasant in the fall, winter and in the spring when the weather is cooler and bugs may be less plentiful.  Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands.  For more detailed information go to Nicole's Law .  All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands.

While you are on the area, be sure to visit the namesake of Split Oak Forest, a spectacular 200 year-old live oak tree that was split down the middle and survived!