Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway

Story of the Byway

Connecting Silver Springs with the city of Ormond Beach, the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway is filled with long, undisturbed stretches of natural Florida and pine-scented air. The preservation of forest lands and lack of urban sprawl have kept this area removed from condos, strip malls and the Disney/Universal attractions that have claimed much of the old Florida. This Byway and its corridor’s greatest strength is this expanse of natural recreational lands and waterways. The corridor and surrounding area are rich in existing attractions, which provide travelers a variety of experiences. The greatest resources of this byway are best experienced by stopping and getting off the byway to visit the springs, forests, trails, rivers, and lakes.There is an amazing collection of Springs, each with its own personality, the world-famous Yearling Trail, many horse and bike trails, and great fishing areas. People come from all over the world to experience this piece of “authentic Florida”. This is one of the most pristine spots in Florida and preservation is the heart of this Byway, whether it’s the preservation of the ecosystems, the forests, the rivers, the springs, the culture, or the history.

This road leads you to a mosaic of natural sites and communities surrounding one of Florida’s most distinctive ecosystems known as the Big Scrub. The Big Scrub is the largest continuous sand pine forest created from ancient sand dunes capped with vegetation adapted to a lack of water. Traversing eastern Marion County and parts of Lake, Putnam and Volusia counties, the 60-mile long corridor along SR 40 serves as the backbone for a network of scenic roads and interpretive trails.

See an array of wildlife in the Ocala National Forest, the centerpiece of the byway. Designated in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the forest is home to rare and endangered plants and animals found nowhere else. The Ocala National Forest is the second officially named national forest east of the Mississippi River. It is also home to huge springs that discharge incredible amounts of cool, crystalline water that feed clear streams lined with lush subtropical vegetation. Visitors often come to camp, swim, canoe, kayak, and even scuba dive. At 72 degrees year-round and crystal clear, Juniper Springs makes for a blissful yet challenging route. After working up an appetite, consult the byway’s app for nearby restaurant recommendations.

Along the byway, discover the many small mom-and-pop restaurants such as Blackwater Inn, which overlooks the St. Johns River and is known for its fried fish. The area itself is very rural and gives visitors a taste of old Florida.

Located west of the Ocala National Forest is the Silver Springs Park, one of the largest spring systems in the world. It is famous for its signature glass bottom boats, where you can ferry across the springs and take a look at the life below.

Catch a glimpse of the beautiful views given by the Ocklawaha, St. Johns, and Tomoka Rivers; motorcycle along with the cycling clubs that regularly use the byway for long distance rides; hike the Florida National Scenic Trail; or enjoy the 28 developed recreation sites in the Ocala National Forest.