Camping along the

Florida: a land of natural wonders. From the world's only to the sparkli ng white quartz dunes of the Stretching more than 1,300 miles across the state of Florida, from the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National , the Sunshine State hosts an incredible diversity of habitats. Haunting forests of dwarf cypress, Preserve to historic at Gulf Islands Nati on al Seashore at Pensacola Beach, the provides tangled thickets of saw palmetto, open prairies bursting with wildflowers, and deep ravines lined with mountain laurel opportunities for both short hikes and extended backpacking outings. Walking is one of the best ways to maintain and rhododendron-the Florida Trail enables hikers to explore landscapes unlike any other trail in the nation. your health, so head outdoors and explore Florida's natural attractions along the Florida Trail. The Florida Trail: Florida's Footpath Forever History. The Florida National Scenic Trail leads James Kern, a wildlife photographer and real areas. Seventeen geographically distributed gaps in the trail , the USDA Forest Service seeks maintaining the trai l and Your Help is Needed to complete the Florida hikers through Florida's natural wonders as it estate broker, envisioned the Florida Trail while chapters serve the state. The association's to purchase land or permanent easement its bridges and National Scenic Trai l. Join the Florida Trail meanders 1,300 miles across the state. In 1983, hiking the in the early 19 Os. To headquarters are in Gainesville; trail staff of the agreements from willing landowners. Through boardwalks, mowing Association and its local chapters by volunteering the U.S. Congress designated the Florida Trail as generate support for the project, Kern created the FTA share an office with the USDA Forest Service cooperation, sections of the trail are opened for and cutting ever­ to assist in building and mai ntaining a wilderness part of the National System, making it one of Florida Trail Association {FTA) . Since the group's in Tallahassee. the public to enjoy. growing vegetation, and hiking trail the length of Florida. Your financial only eight National Scenic Trails. It is the only first trail blazing in the Ocala National Fore st in painting orange trail assistance or gifts of land or easements for the National Scenic Trail where hikers can enjoy both 1966, the volunteers of this nonprofit organization Trail Administration. The USDA Forest Service The Florida Trail Association manages the !rail's blazes to make it easy trai l are also welcome. For more information: subtropical and temperate ecosystems year have dedicated themselves to building and has overall administrative responsibility for the day-to-day operations. Through a cost share to follow. Trail round, and is fully blazed from end to end. The maintaining the Florida Trail and other hiking trails Florida National Scenic Trai l. The USDA Forest agreement with the USDA Forest Service, the maintainers are a Florida Trail Association Florida Trail is recognized as Florida's official and to educating trail users on careful use and Service certifies that trail segments meet stan­ nonprofit Florida Trail Association oversees trail common sight on the 5415 SW 13"' Street statewide trail and the state's Millennium Legacy enjoyment of the outdoors. With more than 5,DDO dards established in both federal law and in the maintenance, promotes its use, and works to trail during all but the Gainesville, FL 32608-5037 Trail for connecting its culture, heritage, and members, th is association built and maintains !rail's comprehensive plan; manages trail lands; acquire and protect trail corridor to complete the hottest months of the toll-free phone: 877-HIKE-FLA Volunteers building a communities. more than 1,60D miles of hiking trails, including and coordinates trail planning, development, and trail. The volunteers of the FTA donate tens of year. email: [email protected] new bridge across web: www.floridatrail.org both the Florida Trail and loop trails near urban protection with Florida Trail partners. To close thousands of hours annually building and Mitchell Creek

Enjoying the Trail ------

Many public agencies and private interests Fees and Permits. Fee payments or permits are Camping. participate in the development and management required for use on many Florida National Scenic Facilities for of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Because of Trail segments and overnight facilities. Fees are backpacking along this diversity, rules and regulations governing use charged for camping in many developed federal , the Florida National of the trail vary. Contact the land managers listed state, and county campgrounds. The trail is still a Scenic Trail vary. in this brochure or the Florida Trail Association for work in progress; some segments of trail are not Some managing information particular to the section of trail you yet open to the general public and may only be authorities permit intend to travel. accessed by members of the Florida Tra il primitive camping Association. Check with the Florida Trail Associa­ anywhere along People using the Florida National Scenic Trail are tion or the area's land manager in advance to the trail. Others urged to show appreciation to the volunteers and determine if FTA membership, fees, or permits are permit camping Iron Bridge Shelter in land managers who make this trail possible. The only at designated A group of hikers stand by FNST sign required. FTA offers special informational packets Etoniah Creek State Forest Camping along the Trail volunteer best way to do th is is through good stewardship, for long distance hikers that include up-to-date si tes. Utilize maps clipping brush practicing "leave no trace" and "pack it in, pack it maps, permitting requirements, and an FTA and guidebooks to out" ethics while hiking. Travel in groups of ten or membership. plan your trip Hunting. The trail passes through public and Safety. Walk with a companion when possible. fewer if backpacking; 25 or fewer on day hikes. Trail Markings. Trail segments open to the public accordingly. private lands that are legally open to hunting Leave your trip itinerary with family or friends, Dispose of human waste at least 50 feet from the are signed with the FNST logo shown above. The during specified seasons. The trail remains but not with strangers. Camp away from roads trail and 200 feet from water. Use a camping stove Trail is marked with 2-inch by 6-inch vertical Interpretive Facilities. open during hunting seasons; however, land and avoid provocation. Report harassment or in stead of building fires. orange paint blazes. A double blaze, one above Hikers will find interpretive managers may impose some restrictions on in cidents to local law enforcement authorities the other, is placed before tu rns, junctions, or centers that explain camping during hunting seasons. From and to the USDA Forest Service. Purify all Users should be especially careful to respect the other areas that require hikers be alert. Blue and Florida's natural history and September through January, check in advance drinking water from any natural source along rights of private property owners, particularly other color blazes mark FNST side trails leading to geology. These centers are about hunting seasons with the managing the Florida Trail. those who have generously allowed the trail to campsites, water supplies, or special features. located along the tra il at Big authority responsible for the segments you plan cross their land. Please stay on the trail , Cypress National Preserve, to hike. During hunting seasons, trail users are respecting the privacy of trail neighbors by not Permitted Uses. The Florida National Scenic Trail Cross Florida Greenway/ encouraged (and in some areas required) to trespassing onto private property. is primarily a footpath , and all segments are open Buckman Lock, St. Marks wear hunter orange clothing, vests, or caps. to travel by foot for walking , hiking, and backpack­ National Wildlife Refug,~e,,_, __liii iiiiiiii'iiiiii;;;;;:;;;;:;;;;ii ----­ ing. Based on-considerations-of resource Gulf Islands National sensitivity and the intended recreational experi­ Seashore, and off the trail in ence the trail is to provide, other non-motorized several national forests and uses include bicycling and horseback riding which Florida state parks. may be permitted on a given segment by the land manager. Please respect any trail closures. Ride Fishing. A Florida fi shing bicycles and horses only on those segments license is required for designated for such use. If you take a dog , keep it fishing in lakes and streams on a leash. Dogs may not cross Eglin Air Force along the trail. Base. Some segments of the Florida Trail are not safe for dogs due to native wildlife or swampy Snowy egret Fawn in conditions. If in doubt, contact the land manager when planning your trip. Hiking the Big O at sunrise, Moore Haven Howell Branch Creek, Cross Seminole Trail

Fox Squirrel Pat's Island, Ocala campsite Cardinal wild pine Early morning light, Building the Nice Wander Trail, Cross Florida Greenway Along Econfina Space Shuttle Hooded pitcher plant Backpacking in Bald Eagle National Forest Hendry County Land bridge over 1-75 Creek over Oviedo Big Cypress National Preserve

Trail Partners

Publications and Information. trail segments meet minimum standards, are , 7620 133rd Road, Live FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF SEMINOLE COUNTY The Florida Trail Association acts as a clearing­ open to the public, are protected, and provide the Oak, FL 32060, (386) 208-1460 TRANSPORTATION Cross Seminole Trail , 520 W Lake Mary Blvd , house for the Florida Trai l by publishing maps and public with quality recreation opportunities. Only Withlacoochee State Forest, Citrus , Croom, SR 20 Bridge, SR 20 Suite 200, Sanford, FL 32773-1468, (407) 665- guidebooks an d providing up-to-date information through the generosity of public-spirited Richloam Tracts RecreationNisitors Center 15003 Bridge, US 98 St. Marks 2093, www.co.seminole.fl.u s/tra ils on the Florida Trail web site, www.floridatrail.org. landowners who join th is cooperative venture will Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34601 , Trail to , FDOT District 3 Bicycle FTA members receive a more trail sections become available to th e hiking (352) 754-6896 and Pedestrian Program, P.O. Box 607, Chipley, SOUTH FLORIDA bi -monthly magazine, The Footprint, public. FL 32428, (850) 638-0250 ext. 1547, WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT with articles, photos, trail routing FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF www11.myflorida.com/safety/ped_bike/ Kicco WMA, Bluff , DuPuis Re­ notices, and a roster of chapter Trail Partners. The following lists the co ntact ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ped_bike.htm serves, Hickory Hammock, Yates Marsh, activities throughout the state. information for the partner agencies that Office of Greenways & Trails Headquarters, , Levees 1, 2 and 3, 3301 Gun Club The FTA manages a catalog generously allow the Florida National Scenic Room 853, Douglas Bldg., 3900 Commonwealth NORTHWEST FLORIDA Road , West Palm Be ach , FL 33406, (800) 432- of trail-related items, Trail to cross their lands. Blvd., MS 795, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000, (850) WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 2045 ext. 6640, www.sfwmd.gov/newsr/ 245-2052, www.FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, 2_recreation .html including hiking Pine needles with morning dew guidebooks and FT logo USDA FOREST SERVICE Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Headquarters Office, 81 Water Management items. For FTA member­ National Forests in Florida Field Office, 8282 Southeast Highway 314, Ocala, Drive, Havana, FL 32333, (850) 539-5999, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA , U.S. Air Force, Jackson ship, information, maps, and Supervisor's Office, 325 John Knox Rd , Suite FL 34470, (352) 236-7143, and Buckman Lock www.state.fl.us/nwfwmd WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Guard, 107 Hwy 85 North, Niceville, FL 32578, volunteer opportunities, contact: F-1 DO, Tallahassee, FL 32303-4160, (850) 523- Visitor Center, 201 Buckman Lock Road, Palatka, Green , 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, (850) 882-4164 Florida Trail Association 8500, www.southernregion.fs .fed.us/florida/ FL 32177, (386) 312-2273 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVA­ FL 34609-6899, (352) 796-7211 ext 4482, Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, U.S. Army 5415 SW 13th Street , Ocklawaha Visitor Florida Park Service, Division of Recreation and TION COMMISSION (FFWCC) www.swfwmd.state .fl.us/recguide/recguide.htm Corps of Engineers, 525 Ridgelawn Road , Gainesville, FL 32608-5037 Center, 3199 NE CR 315, Silver Springs, FL Parks, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 500, Nature-based Recreation Program, 620 S. Clewiston, FL 33440-5399, (863) 983-8101 , toll-free phone: (877) HIKE-FLA 34488, (352) 236-0288, and Salt Springs Visitor Tallahassee , FL 32399-3000, (850) 245-2157, Meridian St. , Tallah assee, FL 32399-1600, www.saj .usace.army.mil/recreation/index.html#h e-mail: [email protected] Center, 14100 N. Highway 19, Suite A, Salt www.lunandsun.com/parks (850) 488-5520, www.wildflorida.org/nbr WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT web: www.floridatrail.org Springs, FL 32134, (352) 685-3070, Pittman State Park, 7720 Deaton Bridge Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, 620 S. Holton Creek, Disappearing Creek, Econfina Visitor Center, 45621 State Hwy 19, Altoona, FL, Road, Holt, Florida 32564, (850) 983-5363 Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, River, , 9225 CR49, Live Oak, FL Partnerships for the Trail. The Florida Trail 32702, (352) 669-7495 General James A. Van Fleet Trail State Park, (850) 421-1883 or (850) 488-5520 32060, (386) 362-1001, represents the ultimate partHership among local, Osceola-National Forest, US Highway 90, P.O. 1-2549-State Park Drive, GlerfflBnl, Fb34711, Three Lakes Wildlife-Management Area, 112B1 wwwomystJwanneeriver.com state, and federal agencies; private landowners; Box 70, Olustee, FL 32072, (386) 752-2577 (352) 394-2280 Prairie Lakes Road , Kenansville, FL 34739, and trail volunteers to conserve and showcase Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola Gold Head Branch State Park, 6239 SR 21 , (407) 436-18 18 DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Florida's natural beauty and he ritage. As of July Ranger District, SR 20, Revell Building, P.O. Box Keystone Heights, FL 32656, (352) 473-4701 J.W. Corbett WMA, 8535 N. Lake Blvd., West Big Cypress National Preserve, National Park 2003, nearly 70D miles of the Florida Trai l were 579, Bristol, FL 32321 , {850) 643-2282, and Suwannee River State Park, 20 185 County Road Palm Beach, FL 33412, (561) 624-6989 Service, Headquarters, 33100 Tamiami Trail East, open for the public to Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taff Drive, 132, Live Oak, FL 32060 , (386) 362-2746 HCR 61 , Box 110, Ochopee, FL 34141 , (239) enjoy; the remainder is Crawfordville, FL 32327, (850) 926-3561 Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park, ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER 695-2000, and Oasis Visitor Center, 52105 accessible to members of P.O. Drawer G, Wl1ite Springs, FL 32096-0435, MANAGEMENT DISTRICT and FFWCC Tamiami Trail East, HCR 61 Box 11 , Ochopee, FL the FTA by agreement FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (386) 397-2733 or (386) 397-4331 Rice Creek Management Area, Division of Land 34141 , (239) 695-1201, www.nps.gov/bicy/ with private landowners. AND CONSUMER SERVICES Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail Management, 4D49 Reid Street. Palatka, FL Gulf Islands National Seashore, National Park The progress made to DIVISION OF FORESTRY State Park, 1D22 DeSoto Park Drive, Tallahassee, 32178-1429, (904) 529-238D, www.sjrwmd.com. Service, Headquarters and FL Naval Live Oaks date and in the future Division of Forestry Headquarters, 3125 FL, 323D1 , (850) 922-6007 Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area, 1239 SW Visitor Center, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway Center, Ocean Pond, Osceola National Forest depends upon these Conner Boulevard, MS C25, Tal lahassee, FL Tosohatchee State 10th St., Ocala, FL 34474, (4D7) 846-5275 or Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, (850) 934-2600, and Fort partnerships. Credit 32399-1650, (850) 414-0871, www.fl-dof.com Reserve, 3365 Taylor (352) 732-1225, www.sjrwmd.com and Pickens Visitor Center, (850) 934-2635, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits should be given to the Blackwater River State Forest Creek Road , Christmas, FL floridaconservation.org/fltrails/ www.nps.gov/guis/ discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the volunteers, agencies, and 11650 Munson Highway, Milton, FL 32570, 32709, (407) 568-5893 Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, P.O. Box St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 68, basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation , and marital or family partners listed in this (850) 957-6140 Lower Weklva River 871 , Christmas, FL 32709, (407) 349-4972, St. Marks, FL 32355 (850) 925-6121, http:// status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Preserve State Park, www.sjrwmd.com and saintmarks.fws.gov/, email: [email protected] brochure. Without their Etoniah Creek State Forest, 390 Holloway Persons with disabilities who require alternative means commitment, the dream Road, Florahome, FL 32140 (386) 329-2552 Wekiwa Springs State Park floridaconservation.org/fltrails/ Painting blazes along for communication ol program info rmation (Braille , large the Cross Florida would never have become Little Big Econ State Forest, 1350 Snowhill 1800 Wekiwa Circle, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Greenway a reality. Road, Geneva, FL 32732 , (4D7) 971-3500 Apopka FL 32712, SANTA ROSA ISLAND AUTHORITY Avon Park Air Force Range, U.S. Air Force, 347 Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). , 715 West 15th Street, (407) 884-2008 Pensacola Beach Trail, PO. Drawer 1208, ROW, DET 1, OL A/CEVN, 29 South Boulevard, Since 1988, the USDA Forest Service and the FTA Panama City, FL 32437, {850) 747-5639 Withlacoochee Trail State Pensacola Beach, FL 32562, (850) 932-2257, Avon Park AFR , FL 33825. Call (863) 452-4119 To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten have entered into cooperative trail management Seminole State Forest, 9610 County Road Park, 12549 State Park www.sria-fla.com (ext. 5) for 24/7 recording to learn if trail is or will Build ing, 14th and Independence Avenue , SW. agreements with nearly two dozen public and 44, Leesburg, FL 34788, (352) 360-6677 Mountain laurel in Dr , Clermont, FL 34711 , be temporarily closed. bloom, Econfina Creek Washington , DC , 20250-9410 or ca ll (202) 720-5964 private land managers covering nearly 70 (352) 394-2280 (voice or TDD ). USDA is an equal employment sections of trail. These agreements certify that opportunity provider and employer. www.floridatrail.org ; (877) HIKE-FLA I

Osceola NF /

Florida National Scenic Trail Gaps in the Florida Scenic Trail Other side or loop trails

D Conservation lands

10 20 30 40 50

Miles

National Scenic Trails

The Florida Trail is one of only eight National ,;; Scenic Trails designated by Congress. These national scenic trai ls are America's premier hiking " trails. Congress also designated fifteen National ~ Historic Tra il s (not shown here) , and the U.S. I Departments of Interior and Agriculture can designate National Recreation Trails to provide local and regional recreational opportunities. Together the national scenic, historic, and i recreation trails form the .

A Trail That Explores Florida

Like a ribbon of green, the Florida National Scenic Trail connects Florida's wildernesses. The Florida Trail traverses In the state's heavily populated central region , the trail offers nearly all of the state's unique habitats. Since portions of the hikers a choice of routes skirting both the Orlando and Tampa trail are still under development, long distance hikers must areas. The traditional Eastern Corridor leads hikers from use blazed roadwalks as connectors between wilderness the open prairies of the Kissimmee River through protected segments. Primarily a footpath, the trail is shared with lands that fringe Orlando's eastern suburbs; the new Western bicycles and equestrians over a few short segments. Corridor avoids Orlando entirely by heading up towards the ) Whether day hiking or backpacking, hikers enjoy the trail the Green Swamp, the not-so-swampy headwaters of four of Graphic design: Sandra Friend most from late fall through early , when temperatures Florida's major rivers. On the eastern route, hikers pass Photography contributed by Jim Kern, Deb Bli ck, Sandra Friend, Judy Trotta and Jon Phipps are cool, rainfall low, insects inactive, and migratory wildlife through palmetto prairies-a rugged landscape that chal­ Maps and fi na l production by Florida Resourc es and abundant. To touch Florida's beauty, to know its soul, you lenged Florida's frontier settlers- as well as open prairie, pine Environmental Analysis Center, Florida State Un iversity '·l • ,)t1 must take to the wildernesses along the Florida Trail. flatwoods, and creekside hammocks in the Three Lakes and .. fl Bull Creek Wildlife Management Areas. In the St. Johns River South Florida fl oodplain , Tosohatchee State Reserve hosts a virgin bald The Florida Trail 's southern terminus is at Loop Road in Big cypress stand ; its shady hammocks of ancient oaks and Cypress National Preserve, a vast expanse of sawgrass cabbage palms extend into Seminole Ranch Conservation prairies and dwarf pond cypress , where vistas Area. Birding is always great at Orlando Wetlands Park, compare to the Serengeti of Africa. Rugged and isolated, and where the trai l skirts a water reclamation area brimming with where the roams, the first 40 miles of trail migratory waterfowl.

winds through a primeval wet landscape of giant ferns and Key West _ _,s~li""· ~1-'r ~ti;a!.Lr !._1 _;,,Ccl.!!!.lo1.1rfuu!!_:I JiO!!!rc0hl!id\,!s~da!lnndUJ.i@awnLLt yb!Jrollmllite llilia;!!d,i_;s:h. £NilOl!r!!th.Lll.OfL_-~I n.!...s;:>;u~b~u~r~b:!;!a~n Orlando, the trai I emerges from its riverside route the Big Cypress, the Seminole Tribe of Florida permits in the beautiful L1 tU8-Big Econ State Forest tOfo llow bi Ke ~- The Florida Panhandle Florida Trail Association (FTA) members to follow roads paths across Seminole County. Turn off the beaten path to Long on scenery, the Florida Trail through North Florida Wild and wooded, the Florida Panhandle is especially through its reservation, where stops at Billie Swamp Safari explore shady Spring Hammock along and Big entices with beauty spots connected by roadwalks on diverse in flora and fauna. Although the trail breaks into and the Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum are a must in learning about Tree Park where "The Senator," one of the largest ( 17.5 feet rural dirt roads. The first stop is Rice Creek, where a more segments connected by roadwalks, the future is Seminole culture. diameter, 138 feet high) and oldest (3,500 years) cypress trees in the world still towers. Crossing on a 1700s indigo and rice plantation thrived in the shade of bright. Most of the Panhandle remains undeveloped; giant cypresses. Dogwoods and azaleas lend their color protection of the trail corridor is a matter of acquiring the North of the reservation, the trail passes through the relict suspension bridge, the trail continues on bike paths to the wild and scenic , where Florida black bears to the scenic Etoniah Creek ravine; the trail parallels its land. Leaving the Big Bend area, the trail continues west Everglades, now almost entirely converted to ranch lands through Apalachicola National Forest where it enters the roam the corridor through Seminole State Forest. When lip before heading through dense oak forests to Gold and sugarcane fields. The trail continues on the levees of the Head Branch State Park, with its beautiful streams and 23,000-acre Bradwell Bay Wilderness, described by hikers reach the Ocala National Forest, it's a step back in South Florida Water Management District on its way to Lake eerie Devil's Washbasin. By old railbed, hikers reach Backpacker magazine as one of the ten toughest hikes Okeechobee, where hikers have the choice of walking atop time-the first segment of the Florida Trail was built here in Lake Butler and then wind through timberlands to in the United States. Here, the trail requires several 1966, and the unbroken 70-mile route is the most popular the· Herbert Hoover Dike around the east or west sides of the Olustee, site of Florida's largest Civil War battle. In miles of wading in waist-deep water through dark titi and segment of the trail for backpacking. Hikers can expect to second largest freshwater lake in the United States. The U.S. Osceola National Forest, watch the white-banded trees gum swamp forests. Beyond, hikers encounter pitcher Army Corps of Engineers constructed the dike in the 1940s meet up with pleasant company as they walk through the for signs of the red-cockaded woodpecker. Persons with plant bogs amid vast pine flatwoods, where terrestrial after a storm surge cost the lives of thousands along the world's largest sand pine forest, the Big Scrub, and roam through prairies and pine flatwoods past beautiful springs that disabilities can view a large colony of these endangered orchids sparkle under the wiregrass. Along Econfina take. On the west side of Lake Okeechobee, hikers are birds from the trail near Olustee Battlefield. Nearly 60 Creek, the trail feels downright Appalachian , with treated to views of the lake's expansive wetlands, while on invite a stop for a swim. miles of trail parallels one of Florida's most beautiful mountain laurel and flame azalea in bloom above the the east side, they enjoy colorful sunsets along the blue rivers, the Suwannee, requiring some stamina and rushing water. The segment through Florida's oldest water vistas of this inland sea. Every Thanksgiving week for On the Western Corridor, hikers experience different terrain and more immersion into Old Florida. Roadwalks connect acrobatics for stream crossings and rapid elevation state forest, Pine Log, treats the hiker to cypress-lined more than a decade, the Florida Trail Association's popular changes along the high bluffs. Camp on white sand ponds in the midst of the pines. Dozens of tannic Big 0 Hike draws participants from across North America on completed segments, taking hikers through St. Cloud and Kissimmee-where they are sure to see sandhill cranes beaches; explore the waterfalls. Heading west into the streams gurgle through the rolling sandhills of Eglin Air a series of nine supported day hikes that circle the lake, Big Bend, walk through more timberlands to reach the Force Base, creating steep ravines crossed by log following a 109-mile segment of the Florida Trail. along the road , as well as wood storks on -and up along the Old Tampa Highway, a Aucilla River and its sinks, an unusual place where the bridges; rare varieties of pitcher plants thrive on moist section of which still retains its 1930s cypress planks and red river appears and disappears through "windows" in the slopes. There are two termini for the northern end of the North of Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Trail continues along limestone aquifer. Birding is fabulous in the St. Marks bricks. trail. Long-distance hikers headed north along the the Kissimmee River floodplain, historically Florida's cattle National Wi ld life Refuge, where the trail passes through Eastern Continental Trail will take on the bluffs and country. Winding through beautiful hammocks such as those A short walk on the Van Fleet Rail Trail , north of Polk City, cathedrals of saw palmetto and along salt marshes en ravines, rolling sandhills, and titi swamps along the at Hickory Hammock, Bluff Hammock, and Rattlesnake route to the heart of Florida's Panhandle. Blackwater River and its tributaries; those completing Hammock, the trail parallels the river for more than 50 miles, brings hikers closer to the Green Swamp, where the first significant wilderness segment begins, offering several days the traditional Florida Trail route head for the seashore, passing through ghost towns and abandoned homesteads of walking on Santa Rosa Island's famed white quartz Florida's early settlers before crossing the broad prairies of of peace and quiet through pine flatwoods, rolling sandhills, and the floodplain forests of the Withlacoochee River. Emerg­ beaches and its bayside dunes to historic Fort Pickens the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, where sandhill in Gulf Islands National Seashore. cranes abound. ing from the Richloam Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest, the trail then connects to the Croom Tract, offering a nice day's walk through hardwood forests along the Withlacoochee River, and on to the Withlacoochee State Trail , a rail-trail passing through the historic towns of Florida Trail System lstachatta, Floral City, Inverness, Hernando, and Dunnellon, Built and maintained by local FTA volunteers, the paralleling part of the route of explorer Hernando de Soto. Florida Trail System in Florida state parks and state After crossing the Withlacoochee River, hikers enjoy the forests presents a vast array of back-to-nature challenging slopes and scenic vistas of the Cross Florida getaways in urban areas. With loop trails ranging from Greenway, a green ribbon of reshaped landscapes created 2 to 40 miles, the Florida Trail System offers outdoor during the 1930s diggings of the failed Cross-Florida barge fun for all abilities, from nature walks to extended canal. Crossing Interstate 75 on the nation's first land bridge, backpacking trips. Stroll along the burbling rapids at the trail continues up the Greenway and through the jungle­ Hillsborough River State Park near Tampa, challenge like forests of the and flood­ the roller coaster of ancient sand dunes at Jonathan plains before meeting up with the eastern route in the Ocala Dickinson State Park north of Jupiter, or slosh National Forest. through cypress swamps along the rugged and wild Collier-Seminole Hiking Trail outside Naples-just a few of the many options available statewide.

Backpacking in Big Cypress National Preserve Crossing Sugar Creek