Hiking the Goethe Forest

Step off the pavement and into “Old Florida” the moment you leave your door at Black Prong. With over 100 miles of multi-use trails in the surrounding Goethe State Forest, our resort is a perfect home base for hikers who love quiet paths, towering pines, and abundant wildlife.

Trails Right From the Resort

Black Prong is bordered on three sides by the Goethe State Forest, and guests can access the forest from two trailheads directly from the property—no driving required. From these access points, you can choose your own adventure:

  • Short strolls on sandy forest roads and shady lanes lined with palmettos.
  • Longer day hikes connecting loops and forest roads for hours of quiet exploration.
  • Multi-use routes shared with cyclists and equestrians, where hikers can experience the same scenic corridors our carriage horses enjoy.

Maps for the Black Prong trail system and the wider Goethe State Forest loop network are available at the front desk.

A Glimpse of Natural Florida

Goethe State Forest spans over 53,000 acres of longleaf pine flatwoods, swamps, and sandhills. As you hike, you might pass: Tall longleaf pines with open, park-like understory, palmetto thickets and wiregrass meadows, shady oak hammocks and cypress wetlands.

This protected landscape provides habitat for many rare and sensitive species, making it a special place for birders and nature lovers. Keep an eye out for wading birds near ponds and marshes, songbirds flitting through the pines, and the subtle tracks of deer or other wildlife crossing the trail.

Know Before You Go

To help protect this unique forest, visitors are asked to follow a few simple guidelines:

  • Forest Pass: All visitors to Goethe State Forest must carry a valid day-use or annual forest pass. Passes can be purchased online or at designated self-pay stations; our front desk team is happy to point you in the right direction.
  • Trail Etiquette: The Goethe trails are shared by hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. Hikers should yield to horses and step off to the same side of the trail, speaking calmly as riders pass.
  • Daylight Use: The forest is open during daylight hours only. Plan your hikes so you’re back before dark.

If you’re visiting with a dog, please keep them leashed and under control at all times so everyone, two-legged and four-legged, can enjoy the trails.

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