What is the Florida National Scenic Trail? 

The Florida National Scenic Trail (also known as the Florida Trail) is a long-distance hiking trail entirely located within the state of Florida. The trail covers about 1500 miles, and as one of only 11 National Scenic Trails, it provides a unique outdoor recreation experience. 

The trail is specifically marked by orange blazes or rectangles painted on trees or posts along its length. The first blaze was painted in 1966, and in 1983, the Florida Trail was congressionally designated as a National Scenic Trail, joining famous long-distance trails like the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest Trails. 

Key Trail Sections 

To allocate management and maintenance duties, the trail is divided into four primary regions: the Panhandle, Northern, Central, and Southern Regions. At its Southern terminus, the trail begins in Big Cypress National Preserve, and it ends at Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle. Along the way, much of the trail passes through established conservation lands such as state parks and forests, so you may have crossed a section of the Florida Trail without even noticing! 

Southern Region 

Key points within the Southern Region include Big Cypress National Preserve and Lake Okeechobee, which the trail completely encircles. Big Cypress National Preserve was established in 1974 as the country’s first National Preserve. Most of the Preserve is composed of freshwater swamp, which features trees such as bald and pond cypress, loblolly bay, and swamp tupelo, along with sparse shrubs or ferns.

Most notably, the trees are dotted with a wide variety of epiphytes, or plants that grow on a host plant without harming or taking nutrients from the host. You may be familiar with Spanish moss or other bromeliads, also known as air plants. Among these more commonly recognized epiphytes, Big Cypress is also home to over 30 orchid species, including the endangered ghost orchid.  

When hiking through Big Cypress, you may also encounter a vast number of animals, from large mammals like the Florida panther and Florida black bear, to rare birds like the red-cockaded woodpecker or snail kite. Alligators are a common find within the swamp water, as are invasive Burmese pythons, which can reach lengths over 18 feet. So whether you’re on the hunt for a once-in-a-lifetime panther sighting, to identify a ghost orchid, or just to get your feet wet, this stretch of the Florida Trail might provide the wildlife adventure you are looking for. 

Central Region 

Within the Central Region, the trail passes through a rich variety of upland and wetland areas, including Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, and the Green Swamp. 

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park and Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area both consist primarily of upland ecosystems, such as dry prairie, pine flatwoods, scrub, and sandhill. These ecosystems are fire-adapted, which means that many of the plants and animals found within them need regular, low-intensity fire to boost growth and survival. Several key fire-adapted species include gopher tortoises, the Florida scrub jay, Florida flatwoods salamanders, and the pines and saw palmettos that are characteristic within upland ecosystems.  

These two tracts of land also contain slowly rebounding populations of the Florida grasshopper sparrow, one of the most endangered birds in the world and the rarest bird in North America. In 2018, only 50 males were identified in a survey of primary habitat areas, indicating that these birds were nearing extinction. Though conservation efforts have shown that the population responds positively to habitat restoration and natural fire cycles, it is still a rare treat to encounter these birds in the wild! 

For a stretch of the trail with more shade than the open upland regions, venture into the Green Swamp. Despite its name, much of the Green Swamp is dry or only seasonally wet, including habitat types such as upland and hydric hammocks. Other natural communities include cypress swamps, wet prairies, and marshes, making the Green Swamp area a key transitional zone for large mammal species such as white-tailed deer and the Florida black bear.  

Northern Region 

The Northern Region contains Ocala National Forest and the Suwannee River. Both of these locations are highlighted on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, and they feature vast stretches of old-growth forests and crystal-clear springs. 

Ocala National Forest is the oldest National Forest east of the Mississippi River, and it is where the first blaze of the Florida Trail was painted. Within the forest, opportunities for recreation beyond hiking include kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, boating, and choice freshwater fishing. For even more aquatic recreation, take a trip down the Suwannee River and give your trail legs a rest. Along the river, look out for wading birds, alligators and turtles sunning themselves on the bank or rocks, and huge limestone outcroppings. 

Panhandle Region 

Finally, the Panhandle Region includes St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Gulf Islands National Seashore. These coastal Panhandle parks are truly unlike any other points along the trail, featuring their own unique blend of plants, animals, and ecosystems. 

Throughout the coastal stretches of St. Marks, keep an eye out for saltwater marshes and tidal flats, which are hotspots for wading birds, ospreys, and eagles gulping down marine shrimp, fish, and shellfish. Ocean views may also provide glimpses of bottlenose dolphins, West Indian manatees, or loggerhead sea turtles.  

Gulf Islands National Seashore is a true gem, and a fitting endpoint of the Florida Trail for those hiking north. Within the National Seashore, the trail follows miles of white sand beach, where shorebirds like plovers, terns, and skimmers are commonly found. Watch out for elusive ghost crabs scuttling back to their holes, or see if you can spot the critically endangered Perdido Key beach mouse among the dunes.  

Why Hike the Florida Trail? 

Though the beautiful environmental features along the Florida Trail may seem enticing, getting out there may still seem daunting. However, there are several additional benefits that come along with hiking, and they might just make you want to lace up your boots and get on the trail! 

• Physical Exercise – No matter where you hike, getting steps in is an incredibly beneficial form of exercise. Hiking provides an opportunity to get a workout in while also experiencing beautiful natural areas or scenic views. 

• Mental Health – Many studies have shown the positive benefits of spending time in nature on happiness, self-esteem, and cognitive control. Hiking in particular provides a unique sense of accomplishment, especially when an endpoint is set and achieved over the course of the hike.  

• Community Building – Hiking with a friend or family member can help strengthen your relationships. Meeting other hikers on the trail can also be a great opportunity to form new friendships or bond over trail memories and experiences.  

• Gentle Seasonal Variability – If you want to avoid hiking in snow, sleet, or sub-freezing temperatures, the Florida Trail offers a more manageable climate year-round. Many thru-hikers (hikers completing the entire trail end-to-end within a single hiking season) start on the southern end of the trail during the winter, allowing them to complete these rigorous sections while temperatures are colder, before making their way North as temperatures begin to slowly warm up again.  

• Conservation Funding – Most parks along the Florida Trail require entry fees and hiking or camping permits. These funds directly contribute to the conservation and maintenance of these parks and sections of the trail, creating a way for hikers to give back to the environments they are hiking through by simply doing what they love.  

How Will You Hike? 

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Florida Trail is its versatility. No matter where you live in Florida, you likely have a section of the Florida Trail that is accessible within a single day. Reaping the benefits of the trail also does not require hiking it from end-to-end. Instead, you can aim to hike the trail in small sections, or even repeat small stretches that you particularly enjoy! No matter how you intend to hike, here are a few key things to keep in mind. 

• Stay Fueled – Regardless of weather, time of year, or distance of your hike, remember to eat plenty of food and stay hydrated. Always bring a water bottle and extra snacks with you. A nice, cool morning can easily turn into a hot, sweaty Florida afternoon, so be prepared! 

• Check Trail Closures and Notices – Depending on rain, natural disasters, fires, or other conditions, stretches of the trail might close periodically. Before attempting a new section, check the Florida Trail website for any important information. 

• Hike With a Buddy and File a “Float Plan” – One of the most beautiful things about nature is that it is unpredictable. Hiking with a buddy can help maximize your safety on the trail, and can make challenging parts of a hike a bit more bearable! It is also smart to give your hike itinerary to a family member or friend who isn’t with you, also known as filing a “float plan.” This itinerary should include the stretch of the trail you are attempting, as well as intended start and end times. This is the best practice to ensure that emergency personnel can find you if something unexpected occurs. 

• Leave No Trace – The Florida Trail passes through many rare or fragile ecosystems, which can offer beautiful, fulfilling experiences, but also requires a level of personal responsibility among all hikers to ensure that these ecosystems persist without harm. Before hiking, familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace principles, which emphasize minimizing human impacts on the environments and wildlife species we interact with on hikes. 

• Give Back to the Trail – The Florida Trail is maintained through the hard work of local chapters all over the state, and recreating on the trail would not be possible without the coordination and efforts of passionate volunteers. If you enjoy hiking on the trail, consider giving back by donating your time and skills to its continued upkeep. Visit the Florida Trail website to find your local chapter and sign up for a volunteer project.