150.5 miles. Hiking through the Orlando metro – four counties, including Osceola, Orange, Seminole, and Lake – means a strong sense of contrasts between wild and urban.
It’s surprising just how wild the segments of the Florida Trail on public lands are through this section, following an arc that parallels the St. Johns River and its tributaries.
With the exception of two days of roadwalk through a vast cattle ranch and two days of urban paved trails, this section shows off nature at its finest.
There are hammocks of ancient live oaks and towering cabbage palms, vast pine savannas, desert-like scrub forests, and bogs with terrestrial orchids and pitcher plants.
Easily accessed from a variety of trailheads, these segments are popular destinations on the weekends, particular for the large number of hikers living in the Orlando metro area and on Florida’s Space Coast.
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Trip Planning
CAMPING AND LODGING
While not required by any land manager, we think it prudent to bear bag or use a canister when backpacking this section.
Bears frequently raid garbage cans at homes near the public lands that the Florida Trail passes through.
Designated campsites are provided along this section of trail. You need to use them, particularly at Crescent J Ranch and all public lands near Orlando.
At Tosohatchee, Bronson State Forest, and Seminole State Forest, permits and payment are required.
Along the paved Cross Seminole Trail segment, there is only one designated campsite and it is reserved for long distance hikers who must call the Florida Trail Association for permission for use.
However, along the bike path through suburbia, hikers have access to several hotels within a few miles of US 17/92 in Sanford and walk right past them in Lake Mary.
Along the Deseret Ranch roadwalk, discreet camping is possible on the eastern side of Nova Road (north of Deer Park Road) behind clumps of trees. It is also possible to camp at the Taylor Creek Loop.
Under no circumstances should you hop any fences in Deseret Ranch for camping or water.
DOGS
Leashed dogs are welcome along this section of the trail except at privately owned Crescent J Ranch. If you bring your dog with you, be mindful of the alligator population at water sources.
WILDLIFE
Bears roam all through this region, especially along the corridor of wilderness between the Ocala National Forest and Wekiwa Springs, as well as the St. Johns River basin.
Very large alligators have been reported along the trail in Bull Creek WMA. We’ve seen them hanging out along the sandy beaches of the Econlockhatchee River as well.
WATER
Water availabity varies tremendously along this section. Surface water and potable sources can be found in Forever Florida and Bull Creek WMA.
All surface waters are suspect along the roadwalk through Deseret Ranch because of cattle ranching and the application of biosolids – dried human waste – on fields. Only Taylor Creek is trustworthy.
Swamps and ditches are the primary sources in Tosohatchee and Seminole Ranch, except for Tootosohatchee Creek. Bronson State Forest has flowing streams, and the Little Big Econ State Forest has the Econlockhatchee River.
Potable water sources are all along the Cross Seminole Trail. Once you return to the woods, swamps, streams, and springs offer up their bounty.
HUNTING SEASON
Wear a bright orange shirt or vest during hunting seasons. Check the FWC website for hunting season dates for Three Lakes WMA, Bull Creek WMA, Tosohatchee Reserve, Seminole Ranch WMA, Bronson State Forest, and Seminole State Forest.
RESUPPLY
Because this section circles around the Orlando metro, you have plenty of resupply opportunities once you reach SR 50 in Christmas. Be sure to resupply in Paisley for the full Ocala National Forest stretch.
Lake Mary is the last stop where you’ll hit a full-service grocery store right next to the trail until you’re within the last 50 miles of the Northern Terminus of the trail.
Should you have gear issues, there are two outfitters in the Orlando area that can be reached by bus or by foot from where the trail passes through Longwood and Lake Mary.
Travel Country Oufitters in Altamonte Springs on SR 436 and REI Winter Park, which is along the bus line you can catch below the bridge over US 17-92.
PARKING & SHUTTLE
The Orlando metro is one of the easier places to reach the Florida Trail from out of state. You can fly in to the Orlando International Airport from just about anywhere and have a cab or car service take you out to Christmas.
Lynx bus routes connect the airport with where the trail crosses US 17/92 in Winter Springs. The Sunrail train system gets you within a few miles of the trail in Longwood and Lake Mary.
This section has a lot of trailheads, but it is also along one of Florida’s largest metro areas. Use caution leaving cars overnight.
If you need a shuttle, join the Florida Trail Hikers Facebook group and ask for assistance. There are a number of volunteers in the area who can help. Be sure to compensate them for their gas and time.
SAFETY
Flooding
Flooding is a concern along the St. Johns River floodplain. t times the river and its tributaries may be high enough to inundate the trail past the point where it is safe to wade it.
At Bull Creek WMA and in Tosohatchee Reserve, the white-blazed western side of each loop serves as a drier alternate route to the Florida Trail.
If you waded into Seminole Ranch north to Wheeler Road, best to roadwalk from the Wheeler Road trailhead to the Joshua Creek trailhead to avoid deep water in Bronson State Forest.
Check river levels near Bull Creek, Tosohatchee, Bronson.
Additionally, the Econlockhatchee River can swamp its banks. Do not hike that section in flood stage. Check this gauge before you hike.
Roadwalks
At 30 miles, the roadwalk between Bull Creek WMA and Tosohatchee WMA is one of the longer ones on the Florida Trail.
While both ends are along busy highways, US 192 has a broad shoulder. Most of your mileage is through Deseret Ranch, which has narrow roadwalks and more limited traffic.
People
From Christmas north through the Wekiva River, this is a heavily populated region. You’ll walk through all sorts of neighborhoods along the bike path through Seminole County.
Use street smarts. Don’t leave your pack or gear unattended in these urban areas. If you run into uncomfortable situations, especially at trailheads, don’t hesitate to call law enforcement.
Trail Map
Mileages
Key mile markers south to north.
0.0 – Prairie Lakes TH
5.9 – Three Lakes campsite +
18.6 – Tracey Branch camp +*
22.8 – Little Scrub camp +
33.4 – Jane Green camp +
34.2 – US 192 parking
34.3 – Deseret roadwalk
64.5 – Tosohatchee WMA
66.7 – Tiger Branch camp +*$
65.6 – Fish Hole Rd parking $
71.0 – Powerline Rd trailhead $
71.8 – Parking Area 8 $
74.3 – Hoot Owl camp +*$
76.8 – Seminole Ranch trailhead
77.3 – Fishhawk camp +
79.0 – Wheeler Rd trailhead (0.9W)
83.8 – Fern camp +*$
86.5 – Joshua Creek trailhead (0.2W) $
87.0 – Joshua Creek camp+ *$
90.3 – Chuluota Wilderness trailhead
93.0 – Wiley Dykes Jr. camp+
93.2 – Panorama trailhead (0.4W)
101.5 – West Camp +*$
101.8 – Barr St trailhead (0.2E)
104.4 – Lockwood Blvd trailhead
105.5 – Round Lake Park
106.4 – Solary Park
108.4 – Black Hammock trailhead (0.3E)
111.9 – Central Winds Park
115.3 – Spring Hammock trailhead
115.4 – Soldiers Creek Park
117.0 – Big Tree Park
118.5 – Greenwood Lakes Park
120.7 – Trailhead Park
122.7 – Interstate 4 pedestrian bridge
125.6 – Buckingham Woods parking
126.5 – Markham trailhead
129.2 – Wekiva River highway bridge
130.0 – Bear Pond trailhead $
130.8 – Shelter Camp +*$
133.9 – Blackwater Creek camp +*$
135.3 – Sulphur Camp +*$
136.0 – Cassia trailhead (1.7W) $
144.8 – Sawgrass Fill camp +
150.5 – Clearwater Lake trailhead
Trail Segments
Details about all segments of the Florida Trail in this section are in The Florida Trail Guide and app.
Each is described from the perspective of a day hiker, noting landmarks, water, and campsites along the way.
Not all are oriented from south to north, but this is the order they are in northbound.
Florida Trail, Three Lakes WMA At Three Lakes WMA / Prairie Lakes Unit, the Florida Trail traverses one of the largest expanses of open prairie in the Southeast, the Kissimmee Prairie. 
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA Following a significant tributary to the St. Johns River, the Florida Trail through Bull Creek WMA showcases history and botanical beauty.
Florida Trail, Tosohatchee Bridging an immense expanse of pine flatwoods bisected by floodplain forests, an 11-mile segment of the statewide Florida Trail crosses Tosohatchee WMA.
Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch Savor a thousand shades of green amid enormous trees by following the Florida Trail 4.6 miles through ancient palm hammocks along the St. Johns River floodplain at Seminole Ranch.
Florida Trail, Bronson State Forest Threading together ancient riverfront hammocks with uplands, the Florida Trail traverse of Bronson State Forest provides an immersion in botanical beauty.
Florida Trail, Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek 3.9 miles. Enjoy natural beauty and botanical diversity along a scenic segment of the Florida Trail connecting Chuluota Wilderness and Bronson State Forest. 
Florida Trail, Mills Creek Woodlands Discover a fairyland of ferns at the center of a spectrum of fascinating habitats along this 2 mile linear section of the Florida Trail.
Florida Trail, Little Big Econ State Forest One of the most beautiful hikes near Orlando is rugged, too: the Florida Trail atop bluffs above the Econlockhatchee River through Little-Big Econ State Forest.
Round Lake Park With woodlands and wetlands edging its namesake lake, Round Lake Park has a delightful stroll for birding adjoining its playgrounds and picnic pavilions.
Cross Seminole Trail North Connected to a vast network of bike paths, this 21 mile corridor between Oviedo and Sanford hosts portions of the Florida Trail and the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
Florida Trail, Seminole State Forest 7.5 miles. Walk through vast, open spaces that you’d never imagine existed so close to Orlando.
Florida Trail, Cassia 14.2 miles. Traversing miles of endangered desert-like scrub habitat through Seminole State Forest, the Cassia section of the Florida Trail offers unique natural observations amongst sparse shade. Side Trails
Trails that interconnect with and sometimes share a portion of the Florida Trail route.
Taylor Creek Loop Blending a historic route of the Florida Trail with an easy return along a forest road, the 4.7 mile Taylor Creek Loop traverses palm hammocks along the St. Johns River floodplain.
Tosohatchee White Loop A botanically-rich immersion into Tosohatchee WMA, the White Loop combines the Florida Trail and the White Trail for a hike of nearly 11 miles.
Tosohatchee Yellow Loop A scenic immersion into palm hammocks in Tosohatchee WMA, the Yellow Loop provides perspective on ancient trees near the Jim Creek floodplain.
Orlando Wetlands For a hike filled with the flutter and squawk of birds, Orlando Wetlands is one of the best birding spots in the state. This 5-mile loop follows our favorite route.
Bronson Northeast Loop Using Orlando Wetlands to access the northeast corner of Bronson State Forest, this 7.5-mile loop burrows deeply into ancient forests in the St. Johns River floodplain.
Bronson River Trail Loop In a lush subtropical jungle along the St Johns River floodplain, the 9.5-mile River Trail loop is an exceptionally scenic route connecting three designated campsites.
Flagler Trail South Following a historic railroad route, the southern portion of the Flagler Trail provides a sometimes rugged, sometimes gentle offroad ride between Chuluota and Geneva.
Little-Big Econ Kolokee Loop Tieing together the Florida Trail, the Kolokee Trail, and the Flagler Trail, the 5.6-mile Kolokee Loop in Little Big Econ State Forest shows off the best facets of the its humid subtropical forest.
Big Tree Park While the iconic Senator is no more, Big Tree Park continues to fascinate visitors with its enormous cypress trees, including Lady Liberty. The park provides access to the Cross Seminole Trail.
Seminole Wekiva Trail South John bikes the next segment west on the Coast to Coast Connector, the Seminole Wekiva Trail. This well-established bike path connects Seminole County communities.
Lower Wekiva Loop Venture across lush floodplain forests of Blackwater Creek and the Wekiva River, using a scrubby section of the Florida Trail to create the 10.5-mile Lower Wekiva Loop.
Sulphur Island Loop A short distance from the bustling metropolis of Orlando, the Sulphur Island Loop Trail explores one of Florida’s endangered ecosystems, the scrub. Public Lands
Some of the public lands this section of the Florida Trail crosses.
Three Lakes WMA Protecting nearly 64,000 acres south of the Orlando metro along the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area is a delight for birders and hikers.
Tosohatchee WMA Protecting more than 30,000 acres of the St. Johns River floodplain near Christmas, Tosohatchee WMA is a place to immerse yourself in the grandeur of old Florida and its bounty of botanical beauty.
Bronson State Forest Despite more than 40 miles of hiking and multi-use trails, Charles H. Bronson State Forest is a lightly-visited destination hidden behind more popular public lands. 
Little-Big Econ State Forest Spanning from Oviedo to Geneva and Chuluota, Little Big Econ State Forest encompasses more than 10,000 acres of diverse habitats. 
Spring Hammock Preserve Accessible pathways and boardwalks wind through an old-growth floodplain forest to a scenic overlook of Lake Jesup, passing massive cypresses and a cloudy blue spring along the way. 
Seminole State Forest With nearly 50 miles of trails and roads for hiking, biking, and equestrian use, Seminole State Forest offers surprising panoramas and bubbling springs north of Orlando.Connections
These sections of the Florida Trail adjoin the Orlando section to its south, west, and north.
Florida Trail, Kissimmee Following the Kissimmee River for 112 miles, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with levees, woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.
Florida Trail, Western Corridor Linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the 241 mile Western Corridor of the Florida Trail accesses wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala. 
Florida Trail, Ocala Spanning 72.3 from the birthplace of the Florida Trail into the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest, the Ocala section is Florida’s top backpacking destination.Suggested Articles
Plan your Florida Trail Hike Thinking of section hiking, thru-hiking, or simply backpacking the Florida Trail? Plan ahead with this step-by-step guide of what to do in advance of hiking the Florida Trail. 
Florida Trail Backpacking Backpackers will appreciate the many places the Florida Trail provides a pleasant overnight, three-day-weekend, or multi-day hiking experience to escape to the outdoors.
Section Hiking the Florida Trail Section hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail provides some logistical challenges, but a sense of satisfaction in being able to complete an 1,100-mile walk across Florida at your own pace.
Thru Hike the Florida Trail A thru-hike in Florida takes sixty to ninety days across a surprising diversity of landscapes not found on other long distance trails in the United States.
Best Hikes on the Florida Trail Explore our picks for the best scenic hikes along the Florida Trail. We've hiked the entire trail: these are pieces of the trail we'd be happy to hike again and again.Recent Articles
Florida Trail Orlando Future Corridor (11/4/2021) In a long-term effort to nudge the Orlando corridor of the Florida Trail closer to suburbia, discontinuous federally-designated fragments of trail east of the airport offer enjoyable day hikes. 
Return to Big Tree Park (3/25/2013) While The Senator is a charred stump, thanks to an arsonist, the grandeur of its surroundings at Big Tree Park - including a 2,000-year-old cypress - has reopened to the public.
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