Tiger Bay State Forest consists of large areas of swamp with embedded pine islands and a large pine ridge area. The purchase of this forest began in 1977 under the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, with additional acquisitions made in 1994 and 1998. Tiger Bay State Forest is located among several publicly owned lands that create wildlife corridors for species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern. Roaming habitat is available for the Florida black bear as well as potential nesting and foraging area for the bald eagle.

Tiger Bay State Forest was severely impacted by the 1998 Summer Wildfire Firestorm. Approximately 15,000 acres of the forest were burned during these catastrophic wildfires. Restoration included extensive salvage timber removal, and reforestation efforts have been completed.

Recreation

Recreational activities include hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting, nature study and photography. Horseback riding and bicycling are allowed only on forest roads, firelines and designated trails. Tiger Bay State Forest contains one hiking trail (Buncombe) in the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Hiking Program and one equestrian trail (Rima Ridge) in the Florida Forest Service’s Trailtrotter Program. The Pershing Highway Trail is a short scenic hike over a mile of brick road constructed in 1917.