Florida Hikes

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

Alligator flag in Corkscrew Strand

Southwest Florida

Along the Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay to Naples, Southwest Florida has a tropical vibe, with hiking, biking, and paddling along its rivers, bays, and barrier islands.

INTERACTIVE MAP

Lester Finley Trail

Osprey   1.1 miles

A gentle barrier-free nature trail, the Lester Finley Trail along South Creek is an excellent starting point to explore natural habitats within Oscar Scherer State Park.

Lovers Key State Park

Estero   5.5 miles

With a name straight out of tourist fantasies of 1950s Florida, Lovers Key State Park is a series of slim barrier islands between Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico south of Fort Myers Beach.

Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site

One among many intentional high points constructed by ancient peoples along the edges of Tampa Bay, this protected shell mound and adjacent burial site are what remain of a much larger complex at Terra Ceia.

Manasota Scrub Preserve

Englewood   1.5 miles

A Sarasota County preserve established for the Florida scrub-jay, Manasota Scrub Preserve has a 1.5 mile loop in 145 acres of scrubby flatwoods.

Marie Selby Gardens

Sarasota   1.0 miles

Most notable for its collection of more than 6,000 orchids, Marie Selby Gardens is a must-see for those who love tropical plants, especially epiphtyes.

Mound Key Archaeological State Park

Estero   1.5 miles

Launch your kayak from either Koreshan Historic State Park or Lovers Key State Park for a paddle into Estero Bay to see Mound Key, a significant Calusa archaeological site.

Myakka Hiking Trail

Sarasota   20.1 miles

For immersion in the vast central prairies of the Florida peninsula, the 39-mile Myakka Hiking Trail is a serious backpacking destination in South Florida near Sarasota.

Myakka River Canopy Walk

Sarasota   0.8 miles

At Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, the Canopy Walk provides a sky-high view of the Myakka River basin as well as an intimate immersion in the live oak canopy in a beautiful hammock of oaks and palms.

Myakka River State Park

With tall waving grasses, saw palmetto, and the sound of birds, Myakka River State Park is Florida's Big Sky country, blanketing more than 37,000 acres east of Sarasota.

Myakka State Forest

Englewood   miles

Along the southwestern Gulf Coast of Florida, Myakka State Forest offers an extensive trail network along the Myakka River basin, with tent camping under the stars.

Myakka State Forest North Loop

Englewood   8.2 miles

Winding across open prairies of palmettos, the North Loop Trail at Myakka State Forest offers views of pine flatwoods and glimpses of the Myakka River.