Goethe State Forest: Paradise for Horses, Birds
Equestrians know Goethe State Forest as a top-notch spot for trail riding, carriage riding and training at nearby Black Prong Equestrian Center, a 250-acre facility and lodge where world champion equestrians train. Even if you’re not a world-class horseman, you can experience Goethe on horseback or on foot.
Hike amid the lupine looking for bobcat or bear, stop by a champion bald cypress tree near Cow Creek, or listen for the call of red-cockaded woodpeckers. Picnicking, biking and fishing are also allowed in the park, as is camping with a state permit available in the park office.
Birdwatchers can spot kestrels, wood ducks, sandhill cranes, killdeer and many more species in the park.