Walk in the woods at Leon Sinks
South of Tallahassee in the Apalachicola National Forest is one of Florida's most beautiful and intriguing trail systems showcasing the weird and wonderful world of karst topography
Along Lake Wauberg
A wander along Lake Wauberg to the symphony of Archie Carr's favorite frogs brought memories flooding back of gentler times.
In search of Florida’s ancient past
Archaeological treasures unburied: in Glades County, learn about the unique archaeological finds near Lake Okeechobee, with interpretation at two different hiking trails.
Hiking the Juniper Prairie Wilderness
For immersion into the world's largest sand pine scrub forest, take a journey along the Florida Trail through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. It's perennially a getaway for backpackers thanks to its natural beauty.
Where to encounter a Burmese python
Where might a hiker encounter a Burmese python? Thankfully, the range – despite recent scares of big snakes in Central Florida, which were pets that were let loose – of the “naturalized” pythons is, according to sources at Florida …
Take a stroll at Pine Land
One of the hikes that sticks in my memory from when I was under ten years old is the Pine Land Trail at Everglades National Park, with its oolite holes and tree snails.
Prairie Pines Preserve opens near Fort Myers
On Monday, a new 2,709-acre environmentally protected land in northern Lee County opened to outdoor recreation enthusiasts: Prairie Pines Preserve, a vast wilderness protected under the Conservation 20/20 program. Equestrian and hiking trails enable access …
Lake Mills Park a quiet retreat
Lake Mills Park in Chuluota has a little bit of everything outdoorsy, from ancient trees to picnic tables by the lake to a nice campground in a scrub forest.
Pensacola Dunes a beauty spot
Sugary-white sand and emerald water are counterpoints on a hike that leads you through nearly 4 miles of pristine dunes - up and over and down, a true roller-coaster of a hike - at the UWF Dunes Preserve in Pensacola Beach
Harns Marsh will have hiking trails
On June 10, the Fort Myers News-Press reported on a groundbreaking ceremony at Harns Marsh in Lehigh Acres, a 578-acre preserve used to filter and treat stormwater in a natural environment. Already popular with birders. the marsh is open daily from dawn …
Hiking through Basinger
The heart of Okeechobee cattle country, Basinger is a historic town just east of the Kissimmee River. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of exploring a new section of the Florida Trail which passes through Basinger, skirting the village itself to …
Three new National Scenic Trails designated
Three new National Scenic Trails were designated in 2009, the first since the Florida Trail was designated in 1983: the Arizona Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, and New England National Scenic Trail.