Florida Trail Hikes

With the amazing amount of botanical diversity and scenery found across the state of Florida, the best way for a hiker to experience it is to explore our 1,400-mile National Scenic Trail in Florida, the Florida Trail.

We’ve been day hiking and backpacking this subtropical gem for years. John’s very first backpacking trip as a young Boy Scout earning his merit badge was on the newly minted Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest. Over the past 20 years, Sandra has walked the entire trail, portions of it many times over.

This guidebook explores our top picks for day hikes and backpacking trips you can enjoy on the Florida National Scenic Trail statewide. There are hiking options for hikers of all abilities and interests.

There are both short and long hikes, overnight trips, and even a few accessible sections that can also be biked. Some trips are suitable for families. Others are for experienced hikers and backpackers.

Unlike The Florida Trail Guide, which is focused on logistics of planning a linear long distance hike, this book points you to the very best pieces of the Florida Trail to tackle, mainly for scenery but also for ease of access and the ability to make a loop out of your hike.

Each chapter includes rich descriptive details, color maps, and color photos to inspire you. Each section of the book provides information on places you can camp or stay while doing day hikes in a region, plus other nearby outdoorsy and cultural activities and our picks for eateries.

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Table of Contents

SOUTH FLORIDA

BASE CAMPS: Ochopee, Everglades City, Clewiston, Okeechobee, Jupiter, Hobe Sound
1. Big Cypress
1a. Oasis to 7 Mile Camp
1b. I-75 South Gate to Ivy Camp
2. Okeechobee
2a. Lakeport to Indian Prairie
2b. Port Mayaca to Nubbin Slough
3. Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
3a. Hungryland to Eyeglass Ponds
3b. Riverbend to Kitching Creek

CENTRAL FLORIDA

BASE CAMPS: Kenansville, Christmas & Titusville, Sanford, DeLand
4. Micco Bluff
5. Kissimmee Prairie Loop
6. Prairie Lakes Loop
7. Forever Florida to Bull Creek
8. Beehead Ranch Loop
9. Seminole Ranch Loop
10. Chuluota to Joshua Creek
11. Round Lake Park
12. Seminole Scrub Loop

CENTRAL FLORIDA WEST

BASE CAMPS: Dade City, Brooksville, Inverness, Dunnellon, Belleview, Silver Springs
13. Gator Hole, Green Swamp West
14. Richloam River Loop
15. Cypress Lakes Preserve
16. Croom River Trail
17. Cross Florida Greenway
17a. Dunnellon Trail & Blue Run
17b. Ross Prairie to SW 49th Ave
17c. Marshall Swamp

OCALA NORTHEAST

BASE CAMPS: Astor, Salt Springs, Palatka, Keystone Heights, Lake City
18. Ocala National Forest 
18a. Buck Lake Loop
18b. The Yearling Trail
18c. Hopkins Prairie
19. Rice Creek Loop
20. Etoniah Creek 
21. Gold Head Branch & Camp Blanding 

SUWANNEE BIG BEND

BASE CAMPS: White Springs, Suwannee Springs & Live Oak, Madison, St. Marks, Medart & Panacea
22. Suwannee
22a. Big Shoals
22b. White Springs
22c. Stephen Foster to Sal Marie Branch
22d. Camp Branch to Suwannee Springs
22e. Holton Creek
22f. Ellaville to Black Tract
23. Aucilla Sinks & Aucilla River 
24. St. Marks NWR
24a. Apalachee Bay
24b. Wakulla River
24c. Cathedral of Palms

EASTERN PANHANDLE

BASE CAMPS: Sopchoppy, Bristol, Blountstown, Marianna, Choctawhatchee River Basin, Freeport
25. Apalachicola National Forest
25a. Sopchoppy River
25b. Vilas to Camel Lake
25c. Camel Lake to Savannah
26. Nokuse
Choctawhatchee River Section
Forgotten Creek Section
Lafayette Creek Section

WESTERN PANHANDLE

BASE CAMPS: DeFuniak Springs, Crestview, Milton, Navarre & Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach
27. Eglin East 
Alaqua Section
Catface Section
Titi Section
28. Blackwater River State Forest 
28a. Juniper Creek Trail
28b. Jackson Trail South
29. UWF / SRIA Dunes Preserve 
30. Fort Pickens