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

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Health & Safety

Articles on health and safety in Florida’s outdoors

Parks and Trails Closed Due to Hurricane Ian

Flooded canoe launch

September 30, 2022    Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Our roundup of closures on federal, state, and county lands across Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

Snakes on a Trail

Diamondback rattlesnake on pavement

September 25, 2020    John Keatley

One week, three venomous snakes, and many harmless ones: all encountered on our early morning bike rides along paved trails on cool mornings.

Florida’s Venomous Snakes

Coral snake

Wildlife Identification      ( Florida Species )      

Florida has six species of venomous snakes. Here is what they look like, and how to identify them when you are outdoors and encounter them in the woods

Public Lands Open in Florida

Red Trail Betz Tiger Point

April 21, 2020    Sandra Friend

Public lands that remain open or have reopened in response to the public’s need for outdoor recreation and exercise. Find a place near you where you can hike, bike, or paddle.

For Your Health: Go Outside

Hiking Salt Lake WMA

March 18, 2020    Sandra Friend

While we’re asked to keep our distance, the outdoors is still there for us. You can hike, bike, and paddle with your family, but do so safely. Keep your mental and physical health good by enjoying nature.

Hiking During Hunting Seasons

Hikers and hunters

How-To in Florida      ( Feature Articles )      

Florida’s hiking season is also the prime season for hunting in Florida. Be aware of where you’re hiking – many public lands permit hunting – for your personal safety.

Things That Bite: Spiders

Black widow spider (© ondreicka - stock.adobe.com)

Florida Insects      ( Florida Species Identification )      

Florida has four species of venomous spiders, including the red widow spider, which is only found in our state

Backpacker Tips for Hurricane Prep

Tent camping Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

August 28, 2019    Sandra Friend

Backpacking skills are survival skills. Use your knowledge and gear to make personal preparations for hurricane season power loss and evacuations in Florida.

Florida’s Toxic Trees

toxic trees florida

June 22, 2019    Sandra Friend

Southeast Florida is home to two poisonous trees, the poisonwood and the manchineel. Learn how to recognize them so you don’t get too close, and find out how truly dangerous they are.

Hiking Safely With Your Dog

Hogtown Creek Greenway

How-To in Florida      ( Feature Articles )      

While hiking with your dog can be very satisfying, Florida hiking has its own special perils for your best buddy. Here’s a heads-up on what to look for and where it’s best to take a hike.

Bear season in Florida

Bears opening trash can

February 23, 2019    Sandra Friend

As Florida black bears become active in late winter and spring, the chances of a bear encounter go up significantly if you leave food unsecured outdoors – whether in your campsite or at home.

Safety During Deer Hunting Season

Hunting dogs

How-To in Florida      ( Feature Articles )      

During hiking seasons in Florida, you are often sharing the trails with hunters. General gun season – deer hunting – is the main hunting season for hikers to be concerned about.

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Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
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MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

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SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

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