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Camping along the Florida Trail Florida: a land of natural wonders. From the world's only Everglades 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 Florida Panhandle, the Sunshine State hosts an incredible diversity of habitats. Haunting forests of dwarf cypress, Preserve to historic Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands Nati on al Seashore at Pensacola Beach, the Florida Trail 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 Appalachian Trail 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 Trails 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 Kissimmee River 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 Seminole State Forest 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 Lake Okeechobee 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 Osceola National Forest Land bridge over 1-75 Creek over Oviedo Big Cypress National Preserve Trail Partners Publications and Information. trail segments meet minimum standards, are Twin Rivers State Forest, 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 Choctawhatchee River 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 Apalachicola River Bridge, US 98 St.