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 Guides 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.
