Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness
Florida doesn't get any more remote than this: no trails, no old roads, and no people. Most of the area is Mud Swamp, a region of very poorly drained clay-rich soil that holds more water than nearby Bradwell Bay Wilderness. Barely peeking above the standing water are many small, isolated islands. Heavy rainfall, especially in summer, combines with heat and humidity to provide the ideal environment for biting insects. In addition to hungry pests, this area houses hungry black bears and hungry alligators. Hiking can be perilous. The New River, by contrast, is lined with beautiful Atlantic white cedar. It enters from the north and flows through the cypress and gum swamps, relatively thin in understory, which dominate the Wilderness.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | Florida |
| Size | 8,075 acres |
| Designated | 1984, by Congress |
| Center point | 30.06° N, 84.88° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 12) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground Forest Service recreation site
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 2 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Trailheads and sites
The Forest Service lists 2 recreation sites inside this wilderness, among them 1 paddling access, 1 viewing Wildlife. Each links to its page on fs.usda.gov, which carries the season, fees and current status.
- under 1 miMud Swamp/New River Wilderness ↗Viewing Wildlife
- 2 miNew River ↗Paddling access
Distance is from the center point of the boundary, not from a road or town.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedAnf Bu 50 Queens Bay Rx 0121
9 mi from the center point · 4,413 acres
- Wildfire105
17 mi from the center point · 215 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 9.9 miFort Gadsden Historic Memorial ↗National Historic Landmark
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Florida
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness?
8,075 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness in?
Florida.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1984.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 30.064° N, 84.880° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness right now?
2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Anf Bu 50 Queens Bay Rx 0121 at 9 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there historic places near Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Fort Gadsden Historic Memorial.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.