Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

October 5, 2011    Sandra Friend

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Observation deck on the Suwannee River at Suwannee Valley Campground
Observation deck on the Suwannee River at Suwannee Valley Campground

A new surprise along the Florida Trail in White Springs: a nudist resort.  For years, the Suwannee Valley Campground has been one of several welcoming resupply-and-rest stops for long distance hikers along the Suwannee River, but that’s about to change. In May 2012, the new owners of the campground will be reopening it as a nudist resort.

According to an article in today’s Gainesville Sun, resort co-owner Tom Gillenwater says the Florida Trail can continue to pass through the property, which is perched above the Suwannee River, but “There just has to be a notice — nudity beyond this point.”

The change will come after the close of hiking season, and there are alternatives for hikers uncomfortable with walking through a no-clothes-zone.  It’s possible to follow SR 41 into White Springs and pick up the Florida Trail in front of the Florida Nature & Heritage Tourism Center, or to use the Bridge-to-Bridge Trail, a single-track route on the south side of the river that’s a little trickier to follow.  Where will the orange blazes end up? I’ll keep you posted.

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Comments

  1. What is proper etiquette when encountering a naked hiker out on the trail, either at this location or maybe on the AT, where I hear it happens “often” ? Thank you.

    • We spent three months on the AT and didn’t encounter a single naked hiker. I don’t think it happens “often” anywhere. I haven’t seen one yet in 40+ years of hiking. 😉 That said, summer solstice has been talked up as an unofficial “Hike Naked Day” by many people, so if you’re going to run into someone, June 21 is the likely day. As for etiquette? I’d guess the same as what you’d expect at a nude beach: don’t stare.

    • It’s simple, just say hello and continue your hike. If you feel like waving to them, don’t be shy. The nude hiker will not bite.
      Just treat them as if they were completely clothed.

  2. Ahhh, a legal hike naked zone on the Florida Trail! Add that to the list of thing that the FT offers that the other national scenic trails don’t have. 🙂