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

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Florida Trail, Little Big Econ

Florida Trail for Scouting

There are many opportunities for Boy Scouts to complete hiking and backpacking merit badges and 50-miler awards along the Florida Trail; this list will start you planning your next trip.

The Florida Trail has been an integral part of Scouting in Florida since the trail’s inception in 1966. Boy Scouts were recruited to assist volunteers building portions of the trail through the Ocala National Forest in the 1960s and 1970s.

Many a trail or Scouting volunteer today traces his love of the Florida wilds from a 50-mile hike in the Ocala in his youth, including John. His lifelong affiliation with Scouting includes being an Eagle Scout, a past chief of Tipisa Lodge 326, and many volunteer roles with troops, including Assistant Scoutmaster.

The trail system encompassing the Florida Trail includes more than 1,400 miles of hiking, with completed segments connected by road walks to make a continuous route from the Big Cypress National Preserve between Miami and Naples to two different trail termini near Pensacola, one at Fort Pickens and one in Blackwater River State Forest at the Alabama state line.

Florida Trail, Little Big Econ
Florida Trail, Little Big Econ

Contents

  • 1 Resources
  • 2 Hikes for Scout badge requirements
    • 2.1 Big Cypress
    • 2.2 Okeechobee
    • 2.3 Ocean-to-Lake
    • 2.4 Kissimmee
    • 2.5 Orlando
    • 2.6 Ocala
    • 2.7 Western Corridor: Cross Florida Greenway
    • 2.8 Northeast Florida
    • 2.9 Suwannee
    • 2.10 Big Bend
    • 2.11 Apalachicola
    • 2.12 Central Panhandle
    • 2.13 Eglin
    • 2.14 Seashore
    • 2.15 Blackwater

Resources

Indispensable resources for hiking the Florida Trail include the official Florida Trail Data Book and Florida Trail maps, both available from the Florida Trail Association. In addition, the following books contain detailed information about hiking sections of the Florida Trail. Our app is a helpful planning tool, as you can preview the trail route and calculate mileages quickly.

The Florida Trail Guide book cover 5 Star Trails Orlando Five Star Trails Gainesville Ocala book cover The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves book cover

 


Hikes for Scout badge requirements

The following hikes along the Florida Trail will help you complete badge requirements for Hiking and Backpacking, or obtain the 50 Miler award.

We’ve selected them based on distance between trailheads or road access points, no (or minimal) road walking as part of the segment (those with some road walking are marked with *), and the quality of the hiking experience.

We’ll be adding more links to logistics as we continue to expand details on this website.


 

Big Cypress

Big Cypress Swamp
Wading through a cypress strand

30 miles: Big Cypress South (Oasis Visitor Center to I-75)

High adventure: an extremely strenuous hike, mostly a wade, through a watery tropical wilderness. Leaders must be seasoned backpackers to tackle this section.

Both leaders and Scouts must be in excellent physical shape with a great deal of outdoor experience and wilderness savvy. This is not a hike to be taken lightly; it is one of the most difficult in the southeastern United States.

That said, here’s a writeup from Boca Raton’s Troop 337 on their Big Cypress experience.


Okeechobee

10 miles: Moore Haven to Lakeport
10 miles: Lakeport to Indian Prairie Canal
10 miles: John Stretch Park to Rardin Park (via Clewiston to South Bay, South Bay to Pahokee)
10 miles: Chauncey Bay to Nubbin Slough (via Port Mayaca to Henry Creek, Henry Creek to Okeechobee)
20 miles: Buckhead Ridge to Lakeport (via Okeechobee to Indian Prairie Canal and above)
20 miles: Port Mayaca to Taylor Creek (via Port Mayaca to Henry Creek, Henry Creek to Okeechobee)
30 miles: Buckhead Ridge to Moore Haven (via above segments)

Please check on any Army Corps of Engineers closures before planning any backpacking in this section


Ocean-to-Lake

30 miles: Corbett WMA entrance to NENA trailhead (via Corbett WMA, Corbett-DuPuis Connector, DuPuis Reserve)

30 miles: Corbett Youth Camp to US 1* (via Corbett to Lucky Tract, Lucky Tract to Kitching Creek, Kitching Creek to Hobe Sound)


Kissimmee

10 miles: Micco (US 98 trailhead to Oak Creek trailhead)
10 miles: Prairie Lakes Loop
15 miles: Three Lakes WMA
20 miles: Starvation Slough to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve campground


Orlando

10 miles: Florida Trail, Tosohatchee
10 miles: White Loop, Tosohatchee
10 miles: SR 50, Christmas via Seminole Ranch and Bronson State Forest to Joshua Creek TH
10 miles: Bronson State Forest, Joshua Creek TH via Mills Creek and Little Big Econ to Snow Hill Rd
10 miles: Cross Seminole Trail, Oviedo to Big Tree Park
10 miles: Little Big Econ: Barr Street to Snow Hill Rd / return
10 miles: Little Big Econ: Lockwood Blvd to Brumley Rd
10 miles: Cassia trailhead, Seminole State Forest via Royal Trails to Camp La-No-Che*
20 miles: Bull Creek Loop
20 miles: Bear Pond trailhead (Seminole State Forest) to Camp La-No-Che*
30 miles: Greenwood Lakes Park (Cross Seminole Trail) via Seminole State Forest and Royal Trails to Camp La-No-Che*


Ocala

30 miles: Hopkins Prairie campground to Rodman campground
30 miles: Juniper Springs to Lake Delancy
30 miles: Juniper Springs to Camp La-No-Che
50 miles: Salt Springs Marina to Camp La-No-Che
50 miles: Rodman Dam to Farles Prairie Rec Area

See the Ocala National Forest planning page to put segments together to create these trips and others


Western Corridor: Cross Florida Greenway

10 miles: SW 49th Ave to Santos
20 miles: SW 49th Ave to Marshall Swamp
30 miles: Pruitt to Marshall Swamp
50 miles: Ross Prairie trailhead to Lake Delancy, Ocala National Forest* (via Cross Florida Greenway plus Marshall Swamp to Eaton Creek, Eaton Creek to The 88 Store, The 88 Store to Lake Delancy)

See the Cross Florida Greenway planning page to put segments together to create these trips and others


Northeast Florida

15 miles: Osceola National Forest, Olustee to West Tower

15 miles: Rice Creek TH to Tinsley Road TH* (via Rice Creek, Etoniah)

20 miles: Osceola National Forest, Olustee to Deep Creek

50 miles: Buckman Lock to SR 100, Keystone Heights* (via Buckman to SR 20, Rice Creek, Etoniah, Etoniah to Gold Head, Gold Head, Camp Blanding, Camp Crystal Lake)


Suwannee

10 miles: Bell Springs TH to Stephen Foster campground* (via Little Shoals, Stephen Foster)
15 miles: Bell Springs TH to Swift Creek Canoe Launch* (via Little Shoals, Stephen Foster to CR 25A, CR 25A to Camp Branch)
15 miles: Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek TH (via US 129 to Holton Creek)
20 miles: Camp Branch TH to Holton Creek TH (via Camp Branch to US 129, US 129 to Holton Creek)
30 miles: Suwannee Springs to Suwannee River SP* (via US 129 to Holton Creek, Holton Creek to Big Oak, Big Oak)
50 miles: Stephen Foster SP to Suwannee River SP* (via above connections)


Big Bend

10 miles: Powell Hammock to Aucilla River Camp / return

15 miles: Goose Pasture to Upper Aucilla Camp / return


Apalachicola

10 miles: Vilas to Camel Lake
20 miles: Carraway trailhead to Sopchoppy River camp and return
20 miles: Porter Lake to Jewel, Jewel to Vilas
25 miles: Camel Lake to Vilas campsite and return (portions of above)
30 miles: Porter Lake to Camel Lake (combining above)

High adventure: rugged, swampy terrain, map & compass recommended


Central Panhandle

10 miles: Nokuse, Forgotten Creek
20 miles: Nokuse, Forgotten Creek & Lafayette Creek
30 miles: Nokuse, Choctawhatchee River to US 331
The Lafayette Creek section includes a few miles deemed high adventure: rugged, swampy terrain


Eglin

10 miles: Alaqua section
10 miles: Yellow River Ravines East
15 miles: Catface section
30 miles: Catface and Titi sections
40 miles: Eglin East, US 331 to SR 85

Eglin is a military base. Permits are required in advance for all hikers, and you must check with the base regards closures for military operations before hitting the trail. However, the rugged terrain and frequent water sources make this a worthwhile hike. Details here.


Seashore

10 miles: Fort Pickens entrance to Langdon Beach / return
10 miles: Fort Pickens entrance via Pensacola Beach Path to UWF Dunes east end (urban walk with 3.5 miles of dunes at end)


Blackwater

10 miles: N Hurricane Lake to Peaden Bridge Rd (via Wiregrass, Jackson Red Ground)
15 miles: Blackwater River SP to SR 4 (via Juniper Creek, Jackson Red Ground)
20 miles: Hutton Unit to Charley Foster Rd (via Hutton Unit, Juniper Creek, Jackson Red Ground)
30 miles: Blackwater River SP to N Hurricane Lake (via Juniper Creek, Jackson Red Ground, Wiregrass)

NOTE: Adventures Unlimited has group camping, paddling, rafting, ziplines and canopy walks, and a ropes course. It makes an excellent base camp for a troop to enjoy multiple outdoor activities in Blackwater River State Forest.

Primary Sidebar

Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now
 


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now


The Florida Trail

Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

Learn More

The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

Get the App!

Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

  • Florida Trail Overview
  • Plan your Hike
  • Choose the Right Gear
  • Best Scenic Hikes
  • Best Backpacking Trips
  • Section Hiking
  • Thru-Hiking
  • Eastern Continental Trail
  • Florida Trail in South Florida
  • Florida Trail in Central Florida
  • Florida Trail in North Florida
  • Florida Trail in Northwest Florida
  • Florida Trail for Scouting
  • Florida Trail Adventures
  • Florida Trail Updates

Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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