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
Here’s a collection of advice we provide about the specific differences of backpacking in Florida versus in other states and countries. If you haven’t backpacked here before, read these. They bust a few myths and assumptions about Florida.
Florida is Different
Florida IS different. Water defines our state, and our habitats range from dense tropical Caribbean forests to Appalachian-style bluffs and ravines. We’re a winter hiking state. Come explore with us.
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.
How to pack for a Florida hike
The Ten Essentials and more: a checklist for items you’ll want to bring with you for day hiking and backpacking in Florida. Florida’s climate and weather are unlike most of the rest of the United States, so your selections take some planning.
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 Fall 2017.
We’ve also partnered with Atlas Guides to bring you our Florida Trail information in app form. #withGuthook
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.
There are many more to choose from, but you can use these as a starting point to get out on an overnighter or multi-day backpacking trip.
Recent Backpacking Articles
Backpacker Tips for Hurricane Prep
Backpacking skills are survival skills. Use your knowledge and gear to make personal preparations for hurricane season power loss and evacuations in Florida.
