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.
Alligators Everywhere
In spring, alligators become more active as the days warm up. It's also mating season, so alligators are on the move. Expect to see them anywhere and everywhere along Florida's trails.
Do Not Feed the Bears
Bear bagging is the art of hanging your food properly out of reach of bears. If you're a Florida backpacker and haven't learned how, here's a short course. Securing your food from bears is required in the Ocala, Osceola, and Apalachicola National Forests.
The Trouble with Ticks
Let's face it: Florida is a breeding ground for ticks, and summer is prime time for these nasties. Here's what you can do to minimize tick bites and how to handle if you do get bitten.
Finding Your Way
Basic wayfinding - understanding where the sun is, looking at landscape, picking out landmarks as you hike - comes as second nature to some people. It's an important skill that all hikers should cultivate.
Find People To Hike With
One of the best digital tools for connecting with fellow hikers, Meetup.com provides a treasure trove of organized groups for you to join and get out on a hike this hiking season.
New to Hiking?
New to hiking? Ease yourself into the outdoors step-by-step with this primer on how to get comfortable with getting outside to enjoy Florida's natural beauty.
Going primitive with Primrose
How do you car camp in a Volkswagen camper when you have no power? It takes a little ingenuity to keep electronics powered and a lantern to keep you up past hiker midnight
Shorebird Nesting Season
A seasonal reminder from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to walk softly on Florida's beaches during shorebird nesting season.
How To Pack For A Backpacking Trip
How do you pack for a Florida backpacking trip? In this video clip from How to Do Florida on how to prep for a backpacking trip, Sandra shows Chad Crawford what she carries in her backpack and why.
Hiking Boots For Florida?
This question keeps popping up: what are the best hiking boots? John explains how, through trial by trail, he figured out what works for him. His advice? Keep trying.