Florida Hikes! | Get outdoors in Florida | Your guide to Florida's outdoors, by Sandra Friend, Florida's hiking expert, and her co-author John Keatley, covering the Florida Trail and other trails throughout Florida.

Sams House at Pine Island

A delightful immersion into the natural side of Merritt Island, the 2.8 miles of trails at Sams House at Pine Island range from mild to wild as they draw you deeper into coastal habitats along the Indian River Lagoon.

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Sams House at Pine Island

Blueberries Ever After

It's blueberry season in Florida! April is the month when it's time to visit a commercial grower and start picking. We did just that at our local berry farm, Ever After Farms.

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Blueberries Ever After

Paddling the Bartram Trail in Welaka

Learning how botanists William and John Bartram traveled along the St. Johns River in the 1700s, I followed an experienced river guide for a look at part of the Bartram National Recreation Trail from the water on our Bartram Adventure Tour in Palatka.

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Paddling the Bartram Trail in Welaka

The Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

If you've seen the prominent Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail over Interstate 95 at Fellsmere, you've probably wondered about it. Here's what we found when we stopped for a ride.

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The Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

Florida is different. Stretching 1,400 miles from the edge of the Everglades to Pensacola Beach, the Florida Trail is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails across America. It starts in a swamp, and ends on a beach. What you’ll see in between will give you a new appreciation for natural Florida.

Get the Book Get the App Explore the Trail

Learn more about this fantastic statewide resource for backpacking and hiking. Dig in!

Get Trail Updates Backpacking Scenic Hikes

Planning a future THRU-HIKE or SECTION HIKE? Look into the resources of the Florida Trail Hikers Alliance.

St. Johns River Center in Palatka

St. Johns River Center

A destination for environmental education with a dash of regional history, the St. Johns River Center in downtown Palatka tells the story of Florida’s longest and most storied river.
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Beecher Run Nature Trail

Beecher Run Nature Trail

A stop along the Bartram Trail, the Beecher Run Nature Trail at Welaka National Fish Hatchery provides a walk beneath ancient pines along the edge of the hatchery ponds, which are fed by historic Beecher Spring.
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Bartram's Bass sculpture in Riverfront Park, Palatka

Palatka Riverfront Park

Recently re-imagined to showcase the beauty of the St. Johns River, Palatka Riverfront Park offers a quarter-mile riverfront walk with panoramic views.
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Sams House Hammock Loop

Sams House at Pine Island

A delightful immersion into the natural side of Merritt Island, the 2.8 miles of trails at Sams House at Pine Island range from mild to wild as they draw you deeper into coastal habitats along the Indian River Lagoon.
Read More

Blueberries on the bush

Blueberries Ever After

It’s blueberry season in Florida! April is the month when it’s time to visit a commercial grower and start picking. We did just that at our local berry farm, Ever After Farms.
Read More

Juvenile purple gallinule

Identifying Birds in Florida

Florida is a prime destination for migratory birds. Here is identification information for some of the bird species you’ll see in Florida almost any time of year.
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St Johns River paddling

Paddling the Bartram Trail in Welaka

Learning how botanists William and John Bartram traveled along the St. Johns River in the 1700s, I followed an experienced river guide for a look at part of the Bartram National Recreation Trail from the water on our Bartram Adventure Tour in Palatka.
Read More

Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

The Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

If you’ve seen the prominent Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail over Interstate 95 at Fellsmere, you’ve probably wondered about it. Here’s what we found when we stopped for a ride.
Read More