Kolokee Loop Trail Hiking Guide
The Econlockhatchee River winds 17 miles through Little Big Econ State Forest east of Oviedo, and the Kolokee Loop is the Florida Forest Service's marked day loop along it. From the Barr Street trailhead the loop follows the orange-blazed Florida Trail beside the river, crosses the Econ on the old Flagler Trail grade and comes back on a white-blazed trail through pine flatwoods. It counts toward the Forest Service's Trailwalker hiking program, and reviewers single out its shaded river stretches.
Permit: Florida State Forests charge a $2 per-person day-use fee (children 6 and under free), bought online; no cash is accepted. A $45 annual pass covers daily entry for up to six people. One day pass covers every state forest you visit that day.
The Loop, Leg by Leg
Both the Forest Service map and AllTrails put the Kolokee Loop at 5.2 miles; AllTrails adds about 45 feet of gain. The agency map breaks it down: about 0.2 miles in from the Barr Street lot, 0.8 miles along the Florida Trail to the river, 1.5 miles following the Econlockhatchee's bends, then 0.4 miles north on the multi-use Flagler Trail across the bridge to a wooden bench, and 1.3 miles west on the white trail back toward the start. The Flagler Trail follows part of the old Florida East Coast Railway grade, which is why that stretch is so straight.
Fees and Parking
The Florida Forest Service charges a day-use fee in designated areas of its forests, $2 per person with children 6 and under free, and every forest pass must be bought online because cash is not accepted. A day pass is good at any state forest that day, and the $45 annual pass covers daily entry for up to six people. The Barr Street hiking trailhead is at 951 Barr Street in Oviedo; AllTrails lists room for roughly 40 to 50 cars and no restrooms. The forest is open sunrise to sunset.
River Levels and Mud
The Econ floods. AllTrails reviewers report high water and flooded sections on the river leg, and the trail page recommends waterproof shoes. After a wet stretch of summer weather, expect the river leg to be the part that floods first, and be ready to turn around. The forest prohibits rope swings and diving from trees, banks and bridges, and alligators are on the forest's own wildlife list, so enjoy the river from the bank.
Rescue Signs
Rescue signs marked LE followed by a number are posted along the loop. If you are hurt or lost, call 911 and give the number of the nearest sign so responders can find you. Note the last one you passed, especially if you are hiking alone or late in the day as storms build.
Dogs, Hunting and the Bridge Closure
Leashed pets are allowed, on a leash no longer than 10 feet according to the forest's brochure. Seasonal hunting in Little Big Econ happens in the Kilbee and Yarborough tracts east of Snow Hill Road, part of the Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area, not on the Kolokee side. Separately, as of October 1, 2026 the forest closed the bridges linking Little Big Econ with Charles H. Bronson State Forest near Brumley Road, along with the trail sections that use them, until further notice. That closure is well to the east of this loop and does not affect it.
Hiking tips for Kolokee Loop Trail
- Buy the $2 day pass on your phone before you leave home; no cash is taken.
- Follow the agency map's direction: river leg first, white trail last.
- Note the LE rescue-sign numbers as you pass them.
- Wear shoes that can handle mud after rain.
- Bring a leash no longer than 10 feet for your dog.
Nearby trails to explore
- Black Bear Wilderness Area Trail
- Split Oak Forest North/South Trail
- Wekiwa Springs Volksmarch Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
River bluffs and a mid-loop bench are made for company. Use TrailMates to find Orlando hikers heading to Little Big Econ State Forest. Download the TrailMates app to connect.