Florida’s state bird,the mockingbird,on an FNST signpost

Trail register at Hickory Hammock Sawgrass, cypress, and palm hammocks, Big Cypress National Preserve

Sand pine scrub,Ocean to Lake

Volunteer trail maintainers learnrigging techniques

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in allits programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin,age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familialstatus, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information,political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’sincome is derived from any public assistance program. (Not allprohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities whorequire alternative means for communication of program information(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGETCenter at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint ofdiscrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equalopportunity provider and employer.

The Florida Trail: Florida’s Footpath Forever

Florida: a land of natural wonders. From the world’s only Everglades to the sparkling white quartz dunes of theFlorida Panhandle, the Sunshine State hosts an incredible diversity of habitats. Haunting forests of dwarf cypress,tangled thickets of saw palmetto, open prairies bursting with wildflowers, and deep ravines lined with mountain laureland rhododendron—the Florida Trail enables hikers to explore landscapes unlike any other trail in the nation.

Stretching more than 1,400 miles across the state of Florida, from the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress NationalPreserve to historic Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore at Pensacola Beach, the Florida Trail providesopportunities for both short hikes and extended backpacking outings. Walking is one of the best ways to maintainyour health, so head outdoors and explore Florida’s natural attractions along the Florida Trail.

History. The Florida National Scenic Trail leadshikers through Florida’s natural wonders as itmeanders 1,400 miles across the state. In 1983,the U.S. Congress designated the Florida Trail aspart of the National Trails System, making it oneof only eight National Scenic Trails. It is the onlyNational Scenic Trail where hikers can enjoy bothsubtropical and temperate ecosystems yearround, and is fully blazed from end to end. TheFlorida Trail is recognized as Florida’s officialstatewide trail and the state’s Millennium LegacyTrail for connecting its culture, heritage, andcommunities.

James Kern, a wildlife photographer and realestate broker, envisioned the Florida Trail whilehiking the Appalachian Trail in the early 1960s. Togenerate support for the project, Kern created theFlorida Trail Association (FTA). Since the group’sfirst trail blazing in the Ocala National Forest in1966, the volunteers of this nonprofit organizationhave dedicated themselves to building, maintain-ing, and protecting the Florida Trail and otherhiking trails and to educating trail users on carefuluse and enjoyment of the outdoors. With morethan 5,000 members, this association built andmaintains more than 1,800 miles of hiking trails,including both the Florida Trail and loop trails near

urban areas. Seventeen geographically distrib-uted chapters serve the state. The association’sheadquarters are in Gainesville; trail staff of theFTA share an office with the USDA ForestService in Tallahassee.

Trail Administration. The USDA Forest Servicehas overall administrative responsibility for theFlorida National Scenic Trail. The USDA ForestService certifies that trail segments meetstandards established in both federal law and inthe trail’s comprehensive plan; manages traillands; and coordinates trail planning, develop-ment, and protection with Florida Trail partners.

To close gaps in the trail, the USDA ForestService seeks to purchase land or permanenteasement agreements from willing landowners.Through cooperation, sections of the trail areopened for the public to enjoy.

The Florida Trail Association manages the trail’sday-to-day operations. Through a cost shareagreement with the USDA Forest Service, thenonprofit Florida Trail Association oversees trailmaintenance, promotes its use, and works toacquire and protect trail corridor to complete thetrail. The volunteers of the FTA donate tens ofthousands of hours annually building and

maintaining the trailand its bridges andboardwalks, mowingand cutting ever-growing vegetation,and painting orangetrail blazes to make iteasy to follow. Trailmaintainers are acommon sight on thetrail during all but thehottest months of theyear.

Your Help is Needed to complete the FloridaNational Scenic Trail. Join the Florida TrailAssociation and its local chapters and volunteerto assist in building and maintaining a wilder-ness hiking trail the length of Florida. Yourfinancial assistance or gifts of land or ease-ments for the trail are also welcome.For more information:

Florida Trail Association5415 SW 13th StreetGainesville, FL 32608-5037toll-free phone: 877-HIKE-FLAemail: fta@floridatrail.orgweb: www.floridatrail.org

Many public agencies and private interestsparticipate in the development and managementof the Florida National Scenic Trail. Because ofthis diversity, rules and regulations governinguse of the trail vary. Contact the land managerslisted in this brochure or the Florida TrailAssociation for information particular to thesection of trail you intend to travel.

People using the Florida National Scenic Trailare urged to show appreciation to the volun-teers and land managers who make this trailpossible. The best way to do this is throughgood stewardship, practicing Leave No Traceethics while hiking. Travel in groups of ten orfewer if backpacking; 25 or fewer on day hikes.Dispose of human waste at least 200 feet fromthe trail, campsites, and water. Use a campingstove instead of building fires. If you pack it in,pack it out.

Users should be especially careful to respectthe rights of private property owners, particu-larly those who have generously allowed thetrail to cross their land. Please stay on the trail,respecting the privacy of trail neighbors by nottrespassing onto private property.

Trail Markings. Trailsegments open to thepublic are signed withthe FNST logo shown tothe left. The Trail ismarked with 2-inch by6-inch vertical orangepaint blazes. A doubleblaze, one above theother, is placed beforeturns, junctions, or otherareas that require hikersbe alert. Blue and othercolor blazes mark sidetrails leading tocampsites, watersupplies, or specialfeatures.

Permitted Uses. The Florida National Scenic Trailis primarily a footpath, and all segments are opento travel by foot for walking, hiking, and backpack-ing. Based on considerations of resourcesensitivity and the intended recreational experi-ence the trail is to provide, other non-motorizeduses include bicycling and horseback riding whichmay be permitted on a given segment by the landmanager. Please respect any trail closures. Ridebicycles and horses only on those segmentsdesignated for such use. If you take a dog, keep iton a leash. Dogs are not allowed in Eglin Air ForceBase. Some segments of the Florida Trail are notsafe for dogs due to native wildlife or swampyconditions. Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org) providesinformation on respecting wildlife when hiking withyour dog. If in doubt, contact the land managerwhen planning your trip.

Fees and Permits. Fee payments orpermits are required for use on manyFlorida National Scenic Trail segments andovernight facilities. Fees are charged forcamping in many developed federal, state,and county campgrounds. The trail is still awork in progress; some segments of trailare not yet open to the general public andmay only be accessed by members of theFlorida Trail Association. Check with theFlorida Trail Association or the area’s landmanager in advance to determine if FTAmembership, fees, or permits are required.FTA offers special informational packets forlong distance hikers that include up-to-datemaps, permitting requirements, and an FTAmembership.

Camping. Facilities forbackpacking along the FloridaNational Scenic Trail vary.Some managing authoritiespermit primitive campinganywhere along the trail.Others permit camping only atdesignated sites. Utilize mapsand guidebooks to plan yourtrip accordingly. Follow LeaveNo Trace ethics when campingand minimize your impact;many of Florida’s habitats areextremely fragile.

Interpretive Facilities. Hikers will find interpre-tive centers that explain Florida’s natural historyand geology. These centers are located along

the trail at BigCypress NationalPreserve, CrossFlorida Greenway/Buckman Lock, St.Marks NationalWildlife Refuge, GulfIslands NationalSeashore, and offthe trail in severalnational forests andFlorida state parks.

Fishing. A Floridafishing license isrequired for fishingin lakes andstreams along thetrail.

Publications and Information.The Florida Trail Association acts as a clearing-house for the Florida Trail by publishing maps andguidebooks and providing up-to-date informationon the Florida Trail web site,www.floridatrail.org. FTA members receive abi-monthly magazine, the Footprint, witharticles, photos, trail routing notices,and a roster of chapter activitiesthroughout the state. The FTAmanages a catalog of trail-related items, including hikingguidebooks and FT logoitems such as hats and t-shirts. For FTA membership,information, maps, and volunteeropportunities, including volunteervacations, contact:Florida Trail Association5415 SW 13th StreetGainesville, FL 32608-5037toll-free phone: (877) HIKE-FLAe-mail: fta@floridatrail.orgweb: www.floridatrail.org

Hunting. The trail passes through public andprivate lands that are legally open to hunting duringspecified seasons. The trail remains open duringhunting seasons; however, land managers mayimpose some restrictions on camping duringhunting seasons. From September throughJanuary, check in advance about hunting seasonswith the managing authority responsible for thesegments you plan to hike. During huntingseasons, trail users are encouraged (and insome areas required) to wear hunter orangeclothing, vests, or caps.

Safety. Walk with a companion when possible.Leave your trip itinerary with family or friends,but not with strangers. Camp away from roadsand avoid provocation. Report harassment orincidents to local law enforcement authoritiesand to the USDA Forest Service. Purify alldrinking water from any natural source alongthe Florida Trail.

Partnerships for the Trail. The Florida Trail represents aunique and highly productive partnership between local,state, and federal agencies; private landowners; and trailvolunteers to conserve and showcase Florida’s naturalbeauty and heritage. As of December 2005, nearly 1,000miles of the Florida Trail are open for the public to enjoy; theremainder is accessible to members of the FTA by agree-ment with private landowners. The progress made to dateand in the future depends upon these partnerships. Creditshould be given to the volunteers, agencies, and partnerslisted in this brochure. Without their commitment, the dreamwould never have become a reality.

Since 1988, the USDA Forest Service and the FTA haveentered into cooperative trail management agreements withnearly two dozen public and private land managers coveringnearly 70 sections of trail. These agreements certify thattrail segments meet minimum standards, are open to thepublic, are protected, and provide the public with qualityrecreation opportunities. Only through the generosity ofpublic-spirited landowners who join this cooperative venturewill more trail sections become available to the hiking public.

Trail Partners. The following lists the contact informationfor the partner agencies that generously allow the FloridaNational Scenic Trail to cross their lands.

USDA FOREST SERVICENational Forests in FloridaSupervisor’s Office, 325 John Knox Rd, Suite F-100,Tallahassee, FL 32303-4160 (850) 523-8500 www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/Ocala National Forest, Ocklawaha Visitor Center, 3199 NECR 315, Silver Springs, FL 34488, (352) 236-0288; SaltSprings Visitor Center, 14100 N SR 19, Suite A, Salt Springs,FL 32134 (352) 685-3070; Pittman Visitor Center, 45621 SR19, Altoona, FL, 32702 (352) 669-7495Osceola National Forest, US 90, P.O. Box 70, Olustee, FL32072 (386) 752-2577 or (386) 752-0147Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola RangerDistrict, SR 20, Revell Bldg, PO Box 579, Bristol, FL 32321,(850) 643-2282, and Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taff Dr,Crawfordville, FL 32327 (850) 926-3561

CAMP CRYSTAL OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER6724 Camp Crystal Rd, Starke, FL 32091 (352) 475-1414

CITY OF BLOUNTSTOWN20591 Central Ave W, Blountstown, FL 32424(850) 674-5488, www.blountstown.org

CITY OF KEYSTONE HEIGHTSKeystone Airpark Authority, 7100 Airport Rd, Starke, FL32091-9347 (352) 473-0031, www.keystoneheights.us

CITY OF ORLANDOOrlando Wetlands Park, 25255 Wheeler Road, Christmas,FL 32709 (407) 568-1706

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAND CONSUMER SERVICES, DIVISION OF FORESTRYDivision of Forestry Headquarters, 3125 Conner Blvd, MSC25, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650 (850) 488-4274, www.fl-dof.comBlackwater River State Forest11650 Munson Hwy, Milton, FL 32570, (850) 957-6140Etoniah Creek State Forest, 390 Holloway Rd,Florahome, FL 32140 (386) 329-2552Little Big Econ State Forest, 1350 Snow Hill Rd,Geneva, FL 32732 (407) 971-3500Pine Log State Forest, 5583-A Longleaf Rd, Ebro, FL32437, (850) 535-2888Seminole State Forest, 9610 CR 44, Leesburg, FL 34788(352) 360-6677Twin Rivers State Forest, 7620 133rd Rd, Live Oak, FL32060 (386) 208-1460 or (386) 208-1461Withlacoochee State Forest, Citrus, Croom, RichloamTracts Recreation/Visitors Center 15003 Broad Stt,Brooksville, FL 34601 (352) 754-6896

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OFENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONOffice of Greenways & Trails Headquarters, Rm 853Douglas Bldg, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd, MS 795,Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850) 245-2052www.FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.comMarjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, FieldOffice, 8282 SE CR 314, Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-7143,Palatka-Lake Butler Trail, Buckman Lock Visitor Center,200 Buckman Lock Rd, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 312-2273General James A. Van Fleet State Trail, 7305 US 27,Clermont, FL 34711 (352) 516-7384Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail,3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 795, Tallahassee, FL, 32301(850) 245-2052 or (877) 822-5208Withlacoochee State Trail, 3100 S Old Floral City Rd,Inverness, FL 34450 (877) 822-5208Florida Park Service, Division of Recreation and Parks,3900 Commonwealth Blvd, MS 500, Tallahassee, FL 32399(850) 245-2157, www.floridastateparks.orgBlackwater River State Park, 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd, Holt,Florida 32564 (850) 983-5363Gold Head Branch State Park, 6239 SR 21,Keystone Heights, FL 32656 (352) 473-4701Jonathan Dickinson State Park, 16450 SE Federal Hwy,Hobe Sound, FL 33455 (561) 744-9814Suwannee River State Park, 20185 CR 132,Live Oak, FL 32060 (386) 362-2746Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park,Olustee Battlefield, Big Shoals, PO Drawer G, WhiteSprings, FL 32096-0435 (386) 397-2733 or (386) 397-4331Tosohatchee State Reserve, 3365 Taylor Creek Rd,Christmas, FL 32709 (407) 568-5893Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, WekiwaSprings State Park, 1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka FL 32712,(407) 884-2008

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONSR 20 Choctawhatchee River Bridge, SR 20Apalachicola River Bridge, US 98 St. Marks Trail toWakulla River, FDOT District 3 Bicycle and PedestrianProgram, PO Box 607, Chipley, FL 32428, (850) 638-0250ext. 1-547, www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/ped_bike/ped_bike.htm

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONCOMMISSION (FFWCC)Office of Recreation Services, 620 S Meridian St., MailCode 5B4, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, (850) 488-5520,www.myfwc.com/recreation/Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, 620 S. Meridian St,Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850) 421-1883 or (850) 488-5520

Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, 1231 PrairieLakes Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739 (407) 436-1818J.W. Corbett WMA, 8535 Northlake Blvd, West Palm Beach,FL 33412 (561) 624-6989

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTChoctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, HeadquartersOffice, 81 Water Management Dr, Havana, FL 32333(850) 539-5999, www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANYLake Butler Forest, PO Box 157, Gulf Hammock, FL 32639(352) 486-4301, www.plumcreek.com

ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTRice Creek Management Area, Division of LandManagement, 4049 Reid St, Palatka, FL 32178-1429(904) 529-2380, www.sjrwmd.comBull Creek Wildlife Management Area, 1239 SW 10thSt., Ocala, FL 34474 (321) 676-6614, www.sjrwmd.comSeminole Ranch Conservation Area, P.O. Box 871,Christmas, FL 32709, (407) 349-4972, www.sjrwmd.com

SANTA ROSA COUNTYSeashore Trail, Administrative Services, 6495 Caroline St,Suite J, Milton, FL 32570 (850) 983-1940,www.co.santa-rosa.fl.us

SANTA ROSA ISLAND AUTHORITYSeashore Trail, PO Drawer 1208, Pensacola Beach, FL32562, (850) 932-2257 www.sria-fla.com

SEMINOLE COUNTYCross Seminole Trail, 520 W Lake Mary Blvd, Suite 200,Sanford, FL 32773-1468, (407) 665-2093,www.seminolecountyfl.gov/trails/

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTKicco WMA, Bluff Hammock, DuPuis Reserves,Hickory Hammock, Yates Marsh, Miami Canal, Levees1, 2 and 3, 3301 Gun Club Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406(800) 432-2045 ext. 6640www.sfwmd.gov/site/index.php?id=35

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTGreen Swamp, 2379 Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34609, (352)796-7211 x4482, www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTHolton Creek, Camp Branch, Econfina River, AucillaRiver, 9225 CR 49, Live Oak, FL 32060(386) 362-1001, www.mysuwanneeriver.com

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIORBig Cypress National Preserve, National Park Service,Headquarters, 33100 Tamiami Trail E, HCR 61, Box 110,Ochopee, FL 34141 (239) 695-2000, and Oasis VisitorCenter, 52105 Tamiami Trail E, HCR 61 Box 11, Ochopee, FL34141 (239) 695-1201, www.nps.gov/bicyGulf Islands National Seashore, National Park Service,Headquarters and FL Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center,1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy Center, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563(850) 934-2600; Fort Pickens Visitor Center, (850) 934-2635www.nps.gov/guis/St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, PO Box 68, St. Marks,FL 32355 (850) 925-6121, www.fws.gov/saintmarks

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEAvon Park Air Force Range, US Air Force, 347 RQW, DET1, OL A/CEVN, 29 South Blvd, Avon Park AFR, FL 33825.Call (863) 452-4119 (ext. 5) for 24/7 recording to learn if trailis or will be temporarily closed.Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Department ofMilitary Affairs, 5629 SR 16 W, Starke, Florida 32091-9703POC: Range Control, (904) 682-3121Eglin Air Force Base, US Air Force, Jackson Guard,107 SR 85 N, Niceville, FL 32578, (850) 882-4164Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail,US Army Corps of Engineers, 525 Ridgelawn Rd, Clewiston,FL 33440-5399 (863) 983-8101, www.saj.usace.army.mil/recreation/index.html

UNIVERSITY OF WESTFLORIDASeashore Trail,11000 University PkwyPensacola, FL32514-5750(850) 474-2005

Bluff Hammock boardwalk,along the Kissimmee River

Kickoff of annual Big O Hike aroundLake Okeechobee, Pahokee

Cardinal wild pine,Big Cypress

Cypress knees,Suwannee River

Mourning dove,Seashore

Econfina Creek American alligator,Big Cypress National Preserve

Great blue heron,St. Marks

Big Cypress National Preserve Kitching Creek, Jonathan Dickinson State Park Suwannee RiverOsceola National ForestOcala National ForestSunrise over Lake Okeechobee St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

F-Troop Volunteers building a bridgeA camping hammock is ideal in manyFlorida habitats

Pausing at a trailjunction

Crosscut saw crew usingtraditional tools to clearthe trail in the JuniperPrairie Wilderness

Hiking with a buddy through Marshall SwampShepherd Spring

Tiger swallowtail on butterfly weed

www.floridatrail.org (877) HIKE-FLA

Trail Partners

Enjoying the Trail

Florida TrailFlorida National Scenic Trail

USDA Forest ServiceSouthern Region

Published by theUSDA Forest Servicein cooperation with theFlorida Trail Association

February 2006Recreation Guide R8-RG 331

FNST2005front.p65 6/19/2006, 1:14 PM1

The USDA Forest Service wishes to thank the volunteers and staff of the Florida Trail Association for their continuedservice to public lands and trails throughout the State of Florida. Because of the hard work, dedication and vision ofthe Florida Trail Association, both American and International visitors are offered an unparalleled opportunity toexperience the natural and cultural diversity of Florida. Through their members, F-Troop volunteer trail crews, andyoung adult internships, Florida Trail Association is a pioneer in fostering volunteerism as a form of outdoor recreationin Florida. The Florida National Scenic Trail legacy is a testament to the power of citizens in action, and the NationalForests in Florida is proud to be granted the responsibility and honor of administering this amazing resource.

Like a ribbon of green, the Florida National Scenic Trail connectsFlorida’s wilderness areas. The Florida Trail traverses nearly allof the state’s unique habitats. Since portions of the trail are stillunder development, long distance hikers must use blazedroadwalks as connectors between wilderness segments. Prima-rily a footpath, the trail is shared with bicycles and equestriansover a few short segments. Whether day hiking or backpacking,hikers enjoy the trail the most from late fall through early spring,when temperatures are cool, rainfall low, insects inactive, andmigratory wildlife abundant. To touch Florida’s beauty, to know itssoul, you must take to the natural areas along the Florida Trail.

South FloridaThe Florida Trail’s southern terminus is at Loop Road in BigCypress National Preserve, a vast expanse of sawgrass prairiesand dwarf pond cypress swamps, where vistas compare to theSerengeti of Africa. Rugged and isolated, and where the Floridapanther roams, the first 40 miles of trail winds through a prime-val wet landscape of giant ferns and slippery marl, colorfulorchids, and giant bromeliads. North of the Big Cypress, theSeminole Tribe of Florida permits Florida Trail Association (FTA)

members to follow roadsthrough its reservation,where stops at BillieSwamp Safari and the Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum are amust in learning aboutSeminole culture.

North of the reservation,the trail passes throughthe relict Everglades, nowalmost entirely convertedto ranch lands and sugarcane fields. The trailcontinues on the levees ofthe South Florida Water

Management District on its way to Lake Okeechobee, wherehikers have the choice of walking atop the Herbert Hoover Dikearound the east or west sides of the second largest freshwaterlake in the United States. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineersconstructed the dike in the 1940s after a storm surge cost thelives of thousands along the lake. On the west side of LakeOkeechobee, hikers are treated to views of the lake’s expansivewetlands, while on the east side, they enjoy colorful sunsetsalong the vistas of this inland sea. Every Thanksgiving week formore than a decade, the Florida Trail Association’s popular Big OHike draws participants from across North America on a seriesof nine supported day hikes that circle the lake on a 109-milesegment of the Florida Trail. A new spur trail, the 72-mile Oceanto Lake Trail, leads west through wilderness in northern PalmBeach County and Martin County.

North of Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Trail continues along theKissimmee River floodplain, historically Florida’s cattle country.Winding through beautiful hammocks such as those at HickoryHammock, Bluff Hammock, and KICCO, the trail parallels theriver for more than 50 miles,passing through ghost townsand abandoned homesteads ofFlorida’s early settlers beforecrossing the broad prairies ofthe Three Lakes WildlifeManagement Area, wheresandhill cranes abound.

Central FloridaIn the state’s heavily populated central region, the trail offershikers a choice of routes skirting both the Orlando and Tampaareas. The Eastern Corridor leads hikers from the openprairies of the Kissimmee River through protected lands thatfringe Orlando’s eastern suburbs; the new Western Corridoravoids Orlando entirely by heading up towards the GreenSwamp, the not-so-swampy headwaters of four of Florida’smajor rivers. On the eastern route, hikers pass through palmettoprairies—a rugged landscape that challenged Florida’s frontiersettlers—as well as open prairie, pine flatwoods, and creeksidehammocks in the Three Lakes and Bull Creek Wildlife Manage-ment Areas. In the St. Johns River floodplain, Tosohatchee StateReserve hosts a virgin bald cypress stand; its shady hammocksof ancient oaks and cabbage palms extend into Seminole RanchConservation Area. Birding is always great at Orlando WetlandsPark, where the trail skirts a water reclamation area brimmingwith migratory waterfowl.

In suburban Seminole County, the trail emerges from its river-side route in the beautiful Little-Big Econ State Forest to followbike paths across Seminole County. Turn off the beaten path toexplore shady Spring Hammock along Lake Jesup and Big TreePark where “The Senator,” one of the largest (17.5 feet diameter,138 feet high) and oldest (3,500 years) cypress trees in theworld still towers. Crossing Interstate 4 on a suspension bridge,the trail continues on bike paths to the wild and scenic WekivaRiver, where Florida black bears roam the corridor throughSeminole State Forest. When hikers reach the Ocala NationalForest, it’s a step back in time—the first segment of the FloridaTrail was built here in 1966, and the unbroken 70-mile route isthe most popular segment of the trail for backpacking. Hikerscan expect to meet up with pleasant company as they walkthrough the world’s largest sand pine forest, the Big Scrub, androam through the prairies and pine flatwoods of the JuniperPrairie Wilderness past beautiful springs that invite a stop for aswim.

On the Western Corridor, hikers experience different terrain andmore immersion into Old Florida. Roadwalks connect completedsegments, taking hikers through St. Cloud and Kissimmee—where they are sure to see sandhill cranes along the road, aswell as wood storks on Lake Tohopekaliga—and up along theOld Tampa Highway, a section of which still retains its 1930scypress planks and red bricks.

A short walk on the Van Fleet Rail Trail, north of Polk City, bringshikers closer to the Green Swamp, where the first significantwilderness segment begins, offering several days of peace andquiet through pine flatwoods, rolling sandhills, and the floodplainforests of the Withlacoochee River. Emerging from the RichloamTract of Withlacoochee State Forest, the trail then connects tothe Croom Tract, offering a nice day’s walk through hardwoodforests along the Withlacoochee River, and on to theWithlacoochee State Trail, a rail-trail passing through the historictowns of Istachatta, Floral City, Inverness, Hernando, andDunnellon, paralleling part of the route of explorer Hernando de

Soto. After crossing the Withlacoochee River, hikersenjoy the challenging slopes and scenic vistas ofthe Cross Florida Greenway, a green ribbon ofreshaped landscapes created during the 1930sdiggings of the failed Cross-Florida barge canal.Crossing Interstate 75 on the nation’s first landbridge, the trail continues up the Greenway andthrough the jungle-like forests of the Silver Riverand Ocklawaha River floodplains before meeting upwith the eastern route in the Ocala National Forest.

North FloridaLong on scenery, the Florida Trail through North Floridaentices with beauty spots connected by roadwalks onrural dirt roads. The first stop is Rice Creek, where a1700s indigo and rice plantation thrived in the shade ofgiant cypresses. Dogwoods and azaleas lend their color tothe scenic Etoniah Creek ravine; the trail parallels its lipbefore heading through dense oak forests to Gold HeadBranch State Park, with its beautiful streams and eerieDevil’s Washbasin. Following the Palatka-Lake Butler Trail,hikers reach the Lake Butler Forest and then wind throughtimberlands to Olustee, site of Florida’s largest Civil Warbattle. In Osceola National Forest, watch the white-bandedtrees for signs of the red-cockaded woodpecker. Personswith disabilities can view a large colony of these endan-gered birds from an accessible portion of the trail nearOlustee Battlefield. Nearly 60 miles of trail parallels one ofFlorida’s most beautiful rivers, the Suwannee, requiringsome stamina and acrobatics for stream crossings andrapid elevation changes along the high bluffs. Camp onwhite sand beaches;explore the waterfalls.Heading west into theBig Bend, walk throughmore timberlands toreach the Aucilla Riverand its sinks, anunusual place where theriver appears anddisappears through“windows” in the lime-stone aquifer. Birding isfabulous in the St.Marks National WildlifeRefuge, where the trailpasses through cathe-drals of cabbage palmsand along salt marshesen route to the heart ofFlorida’s Panhandle.

The Florida PanhandleWild and wooded, the Florida Panhandle is especiallydiverse in flora and fauna. Although the trail breaks intomore segments connected by roadwalks, the future isbright. Most of the Panhandle remains undeveloped;protection of the trail corridor is a matter of developingpublic and private partnerships or acquiring the land uponthe landowner’s approval. Leaving the Big Bend area, thetrail continues west through Apalachicola National Forestwhere it enters the 23,000-acre Bradwell Bay Wilderness,described by Backpacker magazine as one of the tentoughest hikes in the United States. Here, the trailrequires several miles of wading in waist-deep waterthrough dark titi and gum swamp forests. Beyond, hikersencounter pitcher plant bogs amid vast pine flatwoods,where terrestrial orchids sparkle under the wiregrass.Along Econfina Creek, the trail feels downright Appala-chian, with mountain laurel and flame azalea in bloomabove the rushing water. The segment through Florida’soldest state forest, Pine Log, treats the hiker to cypress-

lined ponds in the midst of the pines.Dozens of tannic streams gurgle through therolling sandhills of Eglin Air Force Base,creating steep ravines crossed by logbridges; rare varieties of pitcher plants thriveon moist slopes. There are two termini forthe northern end of the trail. Long-distancehikers headed north along the EasternContinental Trail will take on the bluffs andravines, rolling sandhills, and titi swampsalong the Blackwater River and its tributar-ies; those completing the traditional FloridaTrail route head for the seashore, walking onSanta Rosa Island’s famed white quartzbeaches and its bayside dunes to historicFort Pickens in Gulf Islands NationalSeashore.

A Trail That Explores Florida

Graphic design: Sandra FriendPhotography: contributed by Sam Bigbie, Deb Blick, Donn Brown, RaphaelClemente, Bob Coveney, Paul Cummings, Judith Delbene, Sandra Friend,Marian Fugitt, Paul Guyon, Jack Hailman, Mike Hentz, Susan Jenkins, PeterNolan, Bart Smith, Judy Trotta, Roger Werner, Kent Wimmer, Bob WoodsMaps and final production: Florida Resources and Environmental AnalysisCenter, Florida State University

The palmetto-dotted prairies of Central Florida

Hiking sand dunes in the Seashore section,Santa Rosa Island

Florida National Scenic Trail

The Florida Trail is one of only eight NationalScenic Trails designated by Congress. Thesenational scenic trails are America’s premier hikingtrails. Congress also designated sixteenNational Historic Trails (not shown here), and theU.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture candesignate National Recreation Trails to providelocal and regional recreational opportunities.Together the national scenic, historic, andrecreation trails form the National Trails System.

Backpackers enjoy a cypress strand on theOcean to Lake Trail