Florida Is For Backpackers
Florida is fortunate to be home to one of America’s National Scenic Trails. Established in 1966, the Florida Trail has grown from just a few hundred linear miles to a network of more than 1,500 miles of marked trail.
Orange blazes lead you through forests, across prairies, and even though Florida’s biggest swamp, the Big Cypress.
While the Florida Trail is our premiere backpacking destination, trail maintainers with the Florida Trail Association also built many loop trails in Florida State Parks and state forests, most of which remain popular backpacker destinations.
Florida’s prime backpacking season is December through March. That’s when temperatures are cooler, habitats are drier, and insects are less of a problem than any other time of year.
But winter also means shorter days for getting your miles in. You can backpack here any time of year, but heat, humidity, and insects add serious challenges.
Planning Your Backpacking Trip
Learn about the specific differences of backpacking in Florida versus in other states and countries, particularly for the Florida Trail.
If you haven’t backpacked in Florida before, read these. They bust a few myths and assumptions about Florida.
Hiking in Florida New to Florida? Florida is different. If you don't know much about our outdoors, start here to learn what's unique about hiking, backpacking, and camping in Florida. 
How To Prepare For A Backpacking Trip What does a hiker need to spend a week, or a month, or three months on the trail? Here are trail-tested suggestions for backpacking in Florida for trips of a week or more
Choosing Gear for a Florida Trail Hike Our detailed recommendations and reviews of the best hiking and backpacking gear for your thru-hike or section hike of the Florida Trail based on our own successful use of certain tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and more. Resources for Backpackers
We’ve been writing Florida hiking books since 2001, including seven guidebooks to backpacking our statewide Florida National Scenic Trail. We published our most recent edition in November 2021.
We also partner with FarOut to bring you our trail information in app form.
Florida’s Best Backpacking Trips
These are backpacking destinations we consider some of the best in the state. Some are short and easy for families, some take three to seven days.
Citrus Hiking Trail 39.1 miles. Savor a rugged hike through rolling hills and rocky terrain on one of Florida's longest backpacking loops when you take on the Citrus Hiking Trail near Inverness
Florida Trail, Apalachicola 77.9 miles. Florida’s largest national forest, Apalachicola is a very lush place, which means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.
Florida Trail, Big Cypress South 30.3 miles. Traversing a vast wilderness in the wet wilds of Big Cypress National Preserve, the southernmost segment of the Florida Trail is the toughest backpacking trip in Florida
Florida Trail, Blackwater 45.5 miles. The Blackwater section of the Florida Trail walks you through Atlantic white cedar and longleaf pine forests, pitcher plant bogs and titi swamps en route to the Alabama border.
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA Following a significant tributary to the St. Johns River, the Florida Trail through Bull Creek WMA showcases history and botanical beauty.
Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail 9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat. 
Florida Trail, Cross Florida Greenway 43.8 miles. A prime destination for backpacking and day hiking south of Ocala, the Florida Trail follows the Cross Florida Greenway through woodlands between the Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha Rivers
Florida Trail, Eglin East 41.8 miles. Simultaneously rugged and scenic: that's the beauty of a backpacking trip across the Alaqua, Catface, and Titi sections of the Florida Trail in Eglin Air Force Base.
Florida Trail, Kissimmee 111.3 miles. Following the Kissimmee River floodplain, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with a mix of levees, shady woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.
Florida Trail, Nokuse 27.7 miles. Spanning from the Choctawhatchee River west to the boundary of Eglin Air Force Base, Nokuse is a compelling backpacker's destination in the Florida Panhandle.
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail 61 miles. A spur of the Florida Trail that leads from Port Mayaca on the east side of Lake Okeechobee to Hobe Sound Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, treating hikers to unexpected wild landscapes north of West Palm Beach.
Prairie Lakes Loop Enjoy the counterpoint of moss-draped oak hammocks and expansive prairies at Prairie Lakes along one of the older and more beloved pieces of the Florida Trail.
Florida Trail, Suwannee 74.8 miles. Along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery
Hal Scott Preserve At Hal Scott Preserve, enjoy vast prairies and seepage bogs, the Econ River, and camping under a live oak canopy—all within minutes of the Orlando International Airport
Buster Island Loop The 6.9-mile Buster Island Loop at Lake Kissimmee State Park is a favorite for both day hikers and backpackers, as it shows off a variety of habitats along the open prairies
Little Manatee River Trail Scenery, rugged landscape, and botanical diversity are all important factors for a great Florida hike. You'll find that on the 6.5-mile Little Manatee River Hiking Trail, one of our long-time favorites. 
Myakka Hiking Trail For immersion in the vast central prairies of the Florida peninsula, the 39-mile Myakka Hiking Trail is a serious backpacking destination in South Florida near Sarasota
William Bartram St. Johns River Loop Discover the beauty of Welaka State Forest on a 5 mile footpath that winds along ecotones and hugs the bluffs of the St. Johns River to showcase natural wonders that botanist William Bartram documented in 1774.