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.

Now in its 2nd edition, 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.

ORDER NOW

Table of Contents

SOUTH FLORIDA

BASE CAMPS: Ochopee, Everglades City, Clewiston, Okeechobee, Jupiter, Hobe Sound
Big Cypress
1. Oasis to 7 Mile Camp
2. I-75 South Gate to Ivy Camp

Okeechobee
3. Lakeport to Indian Prairie
4. Port Mayaca to Nubbin Slough

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
5. Hungryland to Eyeglass Ponds
6. Sandhill Crane Loop
7. Riverbend to Kitching Creek

CENTRAL FLORIDA

BASE CAMPS: Kenansville, Christmas & Titusville, Sanford, DeLand
8. Micco Bluff
9. Kissimmee Prairie Loop
10. Prairie Lakes Loop
11. Bull Creek Loop
12. Beehead Ranch Loop
13. Seminole Ranch Loop
14. Bronson State Forest
15. Chuluota Wilderness Loop
16. Round Lake Park
17. Seminole Scrub Loop

CENTRAL FLORIDA WEST

BASE CAMPS: Dade City, Brooksville, Inverness, Dunnellon, Belleview, Silver Springs
18. Gator Hole, Green Swamp West
19. Richloam River Loop
20. Cypress Lakes Preserve
21. Croom River Trail

Cross Florida Greenway
22. Dunnellon Trail & Blue Run
23. Ross Prairie to SW 49th Ave
24. Marshall Swamp

OCALA NORTHEAST

BASE CAMPS: Astor, Salt Springs, Palatka, Keystone Heights, Lake City
Ocala National Forest 
25. Buck Lake Loop
26. The Yearling Trail
27. Hopkins Prairie

28. Rice Creek Loop
29. Etoniah Creek 
30. Gold Head Branch & Camp Blanding 

Osceola National Forest
31. Nice Wander Trail

SUWANNEE BIG BEND

BASE CAMPS: White Springs, Suwannee Springs & Live Oak, Madison, St. Marks, Medart & Panacea
Suwannee
32. Big Shoals
33. White Springs
34. Stephen Foster to Sal Marie Branch
35. Camp Branch to Suwannee Springs
36. Holton Creek
37. Ellaville to Black Tract

38. Aucilla WMA 

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
39. Apalachee Bay
40. Wakulla River
41. Cathedral of Palms

EASTERN PANHANDLE

BASE CAMPS: Sopchoppy, Bristol, Blountstown, Marianna, Choctawhatchee River Basin, Freeport
Apalachicola National Forest
42. Sopchoppy River
43. Vilas to Camel Lake
44. Camel Lake to Savannah
45. Nokuse
Choctawhatchee River Section
Forgotten Creek Section
Lafayette Creek Section

WESTERN PANHANDLE

BASE CAMPS: DeFuniak Springs, Crestview, Milton, Navarre & Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach
46. Eglin East 
Alaqua Section
Catface Section
Titi Section

Blackwater River State Forest 
47. Juniper Creek Trail
48. Jackson Trail South

49. UWF / SRIA Dunes Preserve 
50. Fort Pickens