Florida National Scenic Trail Published by the USDA Forest Service Florida Trail in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service Florida Trail Association Southern Region Recreation Guide R8-RG 331 February 2006 Big Cypress National Preserve Kitching Creek, Jonathan Dickinson State Park Sunrise over Lake Okeechobee Ocala National Forest Osceola National Forest St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Suwannee River Florida: a land of natural wonders. From the world’s only Everglades to the sparkling white quartz dunes of the Stretching more than 1,400 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 National 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 Your Help is Needed to complete the Florida National Scenic Trail. Join the Florida Trail History. The Florida National Scenic Trail leads James Kern, a wildlife photographer and real urban areas. Seventeen geographically distrib- To close gaps in the trail, the USDA Forest maintaining the trail Association and its local chapters and volunteer hikers through Florida’s natural wonders as it estate broker, envisioned the Florida Trail while uted chapters serve the state. The association’s Service seeks to purchase land or permanent and its bridges and to assist in building and maintaining a wilder- meanders 1,400 miles across the state. In 1983, hiking the Appalachian Trail in the early 1960s. To headquarters are in Gainesville; trail staff of the easement agreements from willing landowners. boardwalks, mowing ness hiking trail the length of Florida. Your 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 Through cooperation, sections of the trail are and cutting ever- financial assistance or gifts of land or ease- part of the National Trails System, making it one Florida Trail Association (FTA). Since the group’s Service in Tallahassee. opened for the public to enjoy. growing vegetation, ments for the trail are also welcome. of only eight National Scenic Trails. It is the only first trail blazing in the Ocala National Forest in and painting orange For more information: 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 trail’s trail blazes to make it subtropical and temperate ecosystems year have dedicated themselves to building, maintain- has overall administrative responsibility for the day-to-day operations. Through a cost share easy to follow. Trail Florida Trail Association round, and is fully blazed from end to end. The ing, and protecting the Florida Trail and other Florida National Scenic Trail. The USDA Forest agreement with the USDA Forest Service, the maintainers are a 5415 SW 13th Street Florida Trail is recognized as Florida’s official hiking trails and to educating trail users on careful Service certifies that trail segments meet nonprofit Florida Trail Association oversees trail common sight on the Gainesville, FL 32608-5037 statewide trail and the state’s Millennium Legacy use and enjoyment of the outdoors. With more standards established in both federal law and in maintenance, promotes its use, and works to trail during all but the Crosscut saw crew using toll-free phone: 877-HIKE-FLA Trail for connecting its culture, heritage, and than 5,000 members, this association built and the trail’s comprehensive plan; manages trail acquire and protect trail corridor to complete the hottest months of the traditional tools to clear email: [email protected] communities. maintains more than 1,800 miles of hiking trails, lands; and coordinates trail planning, develop- trail. The volunteers of the FTA donate tens of year. the trail in the Juniper web: www.floridatrail.org including both the Florida Trail and loop trails near ment, and protection with Florida Trail partners. thousands of hours annually building and Prairie Wilderness Enjoying the Trail Many public agencies and private interests Trail Markings. Trail Fees and Permits. Fee payments or Camping. Facilities for participate in the development and management segments open to the permits are required for use on many backpacking along the Florida of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Because of public are signed with Florida National Scenic Trail segments and National Scenic Trail vary. this diversity, rules and regulations governing the FNST logo shown to overnight facilities. Fees are charged for Some managing authorities use of the trail vary. Contact the land managers the left. The Trail is camping in many developed federal, state, permit primitive camping listed in this brochure or the Florida Trail marked with 2-inch by and county campgrounds. The trail is still a anywhere along the trail. Association for information particular to the 6-inch vertical orange work in progress; some segments of trail Others permit camping only at section of trail you intend to travel. paint blazes. A double are not yet open to the general public and designated sites. Utilize maps blaze, one above the may only be accessed by members of the and guidebooks to plan your People using the Florida National Scenic Trail other, is placed before Florida Trail Association. Check with the trip accordingly. Follow Leave are urged to show appreciation to the volun- turns, junctions, or other Florida Trail Association or the area’s land No Trace ethics when camping teers and land managers who make this trail areas that require hikers manager in advance to determine if FTA and minimize your impact; Pausing at a trail A camping hammock is ideal in many F-Troop Volunteers building a bridge possible. The best way to do this is through Florida’s state bird, be alert. Blue and other membership, fees, or permits are required. many of Florida’s habitats are the mockingbird, junction Florida habitats good stewardship, practicing Leave No Trace color blazes mark side extremely fragile. on an FNST signpost FTA offers special informational packets for ethics while hiking. Travel in groups of ten or trails leading to long distance hikers that include up-to-date Hunting. The trail passes through public and Safety. Walk with a companion when possible. fewer if backpacking; 25 or fewer on day hikes. campsites, water maps, permitting requirements, and an FTA Interpretive Facilities. Hikers will find interpre- private lands that are legally open to hunting during Leave your trip itinerary with family or friends, Dispose of human waste at least 200 feet from supplies, or special membership. tive centers that explain Florida’s natural history specified seasons. The trail remains open during but not with strangers. Camp away from roads the trail, campsites, and water. Use a camping features. and geology. These centers are located along hunting seasons; however, land managers may and avoid provocation. Report harassment or stove instead of building fires. If you pack it in, the trail at Big impose some restrictions on camping during incidents to local law enforcement authorities pack it out. Permitted Uses. The Florida National Scenic Trail Cypress National hunting seasons. From September through and to the USDA Forest Service. Purify all is primarily a footpath, and all segments are open Preserve, Cross January, check in advance about hunting seasons drinking water from any natural source along Users should be especially careful to respect to travel by foot for walking, hiking, and backpack- Florida Greenway/ with the managing authority responsible for the the Florida Trail. the rights of private property owners, particu- ing. Based on considerations of resource Buckman Lock, St. segments you plan to hike. During hunting larly those who have generously allowed the sensitivity and the intended recreational experi- Marks National seasons, trail users are encouraged (and in trail to cross their land. Please stay on the trail, ence the trail is to provide, other non-motorized Wildlife Refuge, Gulf some areas required) to wear hunter orange respecting the privacy of trail neighbors by not uses include bicycling and horseback riding which Islands National clothing, vests, or caps. trespassing onto private property. may be permitted on a given segment by the land Seashore, and off manager. Please respect any trail closures. Ride the trail in several bicycles and horses only on those segments national forests and designated for such use. If you take a dog, keep it Florida state parks. on a leash. Dogs are not allowed in Eglin Air Force Base. Some segments of the Florida Trail are not Fishing. A Florida safe for dogs due to native wildlife or swampy fishing license is conditions. Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org) provides required for fishing information on respecting wildlife when hiking with in lakes and your dog. If in doubt, contact the land manager streams along the when planning your trip. trail. Trail register at Hickory Hammock Sawgrass, cypress, and palm hammocks, Big Cypress National Preserve Shepherd Spring Hiking with a buddy through Marshall Swamp Bluff Hammock boardwalk, Cardinal wild pine, Kickoff of annual Big O Hike around Cypress knees, Mourning dove, Econfina Creek Sand pine scrub, Volunteer trail maintainers learn American alligator, Great blue heron, along the Kissimmee River Big Cypress Lake Okeechobee, Pahokee Suwannee River Seashore Ocean to Lake rigging techniques Big Cypress National Preserve St.