You’ll find some of Florida’s most popular and picturesque hiking close to the tiny, historic and utterly charming town of White Springs, located north and a smidge west of Lake City. If you’re looking for a weekend hike, pick a spot to camp on the Suwannee River’s pristine white-sand beaches.
Additionally, Are there mountains in Florida to hike? Florida certainly is not known for its high elevations, but that doesn’t mean a mountain range isn’t within driving distance of the Sunshine State. Florida and beaches go together, Florida and everglades go together, Florida and tropical islands go together, but Florida and mountains do not.
What to wear hiking in Florida? Shorts and a T-shirt are adequate for many Florida day hikes. A day-pack to hold a sweater and a poncho, your first aid kit, food, water, camera and perhaps dry socks will cover warm weather hiking. Long pants and long sleeves protect you from insects and brush. If you are backpacking, learn to travel light.
Subsequently, Where does the Florida Hiking Trail start?
| Florida Trail | |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Scenic Trail |
| Trailheads | Big Cypress National Preserve, Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach |
| Use | Hiking allowed throughout, other uses allowed in certain sections by land manager: non-motorized recreation opportunity for hiking and other compatible activities |
FAQ
Can you hike anywhere in Florida?
It’s no secret that Florida has some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces featuring some of the most amazing wildlife in the country. From the coast to hardwood forests, lakes, and just about everything in between, the Sunshine State is tailor-made for a fun hiking adventure.
Is there backpacking in Florida? Spend a night or more in the wilds of Florida by planning a backpacking trip. Along with our state parks and state forests, the Florida National Scenic Trail offers plenty of overnight and multi-day trips.
How long is the Florida hiking trail? Spanning more than 1,400 miles from Pensacola Beach to the edge of the Everglades, the Florida Trail is our statewide National Scenic Trail.
How long does it take to do the Florida Trail? Once you get through it, nothing else is quiet as tough. Different, but not the challenge that Big Cypress smacks you with right off the bat. Most hikers take 60 to 90 days to complete the trail.
Does the Florida Trail connect to the Appalachian Trail?
From south to north, the route strings together the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (a rail trail that is partially complete as of early 2022), the Florida Trail, a road walk through southern Alabama, the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, and part of the Benton MacKaye Trail, to reach the southern terminus of the …
How difficult is the Florida Trail? While a few thousand people register every year to hike the length of the Appalachian Trail and other well-known routes, this one averages about 30. “The Florida Trail is like the ugly stepchild,” Kennedy says. “It gets the least amount of attention, yet it is the toughest trail out there.”
When can you hike the Florida Trail?
Our hiking season is October to April, with optimal long-distance backpacking best in January, February, and March. Hiking south to north is the usual progression of a thru-hiker in order to move in step with the change of season and with the expiration of general gun season (deer hunting season) on public lands.
How many trails are in Florida? The map below includes links to information on over 1,300 existing recreational trails located in the state of Florida.
How hard is the Florida Trail?
While it’s true the FT isn’t monstrously difficult, it certainly features some challenging terrain. I completed the entire trail in 2017, hiking it during four separate trips. This is technically still a thru-hike, since I completed it within one year.
Can you camp on the Florida Trail?
Hikers are limited to designated campsites during general gun (deer hunting) season. Random camping is otherwise permitted. During the hunts, you MUST stay in these designated campsites as you traverse of the trail through the forest. You can opt to stay at any of these campsites at any time.
Can you camp anywhere on the Florida Trail? Hikers are limited to designated campsites during general gun (deer hunting) season. Random camping is otherwise permitted. During the hunts, you MUST stay in these designated campsites as you traverse of the trail through the forest. You can opt to stay at any of these campsites at any time.
What is the longest hike in the world? The world’s longest designated hiking trail is the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs for 4,260 km (2,650 miles) along the West Coast of the USA between the Mexican and Canadian borders.
How far is the Appalachian Trail from Florida?
| State | Trail | Length (miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | Florida Trail* | 1000 |
| Alabama | Alabama Pinhoti Trail* | 171 |
| Georgia | Georgia Pinhoti Trail* | 160 |
| South Carolina | Palmetto Trail* | 500 |
How long does the Appalachian Trail take? Completing the entire 2,190+ miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in one trip is a mammoth undertaking. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four makes it all the way. A typical thru-hiker takes 5 to 7 months to hike the entire A.T.
Are there alligators on the Florida Trail?
Alligators. Invite someone into the backwoods of Florida and they will inevitably ask, “Will there be alligators?” There is an alligator in just about every body of water in all 67 Florida counties, so the answer is always yes.
How much does it cost to hike the Florida Trail? Thru-Hike Overview
| mileage | 1,100 |
|---|---|
| cost | $2500 – $3300 for on-trail expenses |
| direction | south to north is best |
| start | Oasis Visitor Center, Big Cypress National Preserve |
| end | Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore |
How many people have hiked the Florida Trail?
If you plan to thru-hike the Florida Trail, keep in mind this is not a social trail like the Appalachian Trail. Less than 400 people have completed the entire trail.
How much of the Florida Trail is under water? 65 feet: Some bypassing of flooded areas is necessary unless you like to swim. 68 feet : Much of the Florida Trail is under water.
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Mile by mile along the Florida Trail.
| Mile | Trail Section | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 322.3 | Orlando | Tosohatchee |
| 332.8 | Orlando | Seminole Ranch |
| 354.5 | Orlando | Little Big Econ |
Is there a hiking trail across Florida?
The Florida National Scenic Trail (also known as the Florida Trail or FT for short) is a congressionally-designated, long-distance hiking trail that weaves its way across Florida from Big Cypress National Preserve in the south to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the western end of Florida’s panhandle.
Can you hike the Florida Trail in the summer? The more temperate weather in these three months will allow you to hike with a lighter pack by reducing the layers needed for more extreme conditions. Unless you’re a fan of torrential rain, high humidity and mosquitos, you may want to avoid distance hiking in the summer months of July, August, and September.
How many people have completed the Florida Trail?
If you plan to thru-hike the Florida Trail, keep in mind this is not a social trail like the Appalachian Trail. Less than 400 people have completed the entire trail.
Can you Boondock in Florida state parks? A full 29% of the state is wetlands, which isn’t necessarily the best place for parking your RV. However, many of the best spots for boondocking Florida are in areas called Water District Management Areas, where you can camp for up to six nights.
Does Florida have BLM land? Terminology – BLM (Bureau of Land Management) in Florida
It irks me when folks talk about free BLM camping in Florida because BLM Camping does not exist in Florida! BLM is huge out west but not so in the East.
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