When North Florida and the Florida Panhandle experience severe flooding along major rivers and their tributaries, add in icy temperatures and it’s a recipe for hypothermia for hiking on trails that parallel or cross river and stream basins.
These issues affect the Florida Trail along the entire length of the Suwannee River, as well as portions of the Florida Trail throughout the Panhandle. It’s critical you check river levels before you hike any of these sections.
Florida Trail, Suwannee
74.8 miles. Along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery
For up-to-date information on flood conditions throughout North Florida and Florida’s Panhandle, monitor the flood gauge maps provided by NOAA:
Suwannee River area
Tallahassee region
Pensacola region
If a river is in flood stage, do not attempt to hike the trails near it. This goes for not just the Florida Trail but also all other day hikes and nature trails in the floodplain zone.