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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 at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

148.0 miles. Spanning from the Ocala National Forest south through the prairies of Osceola County, the Orlando section of the Florida Trail encompasses the eastern suburbs of the Orlando metro

Florida National Scenic Trail  |  Christmas, Chuluota, Kenansville, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Paisley, Sanford, Titusville, Winter Springs
( 27.927990, -81.122780 )      148.0 miles

385 shares

Florida Trail, Orlando

148.0 miles    Deland, Melbourne, Mount Dora, Orlando, Sanford & Titusville

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.


<< Kissimmee Ocala >> Western Corridor >>


Resources

The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Florida Trail history book

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Florida Trail Orlando section map


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 Forever Florida, Tosohatchee, Bronson State Forest, and Seminole State Forest, where permits and payment are required.

Along the paved Cross Seminole Trail segment, there is only one designated campsite, but hikers have access to several hotels within a few miles of US 17/92 in Sanford and in two places 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.

Under no circumstances should you hop any fences in this stretch for camping or water. It is also possible to camp at the Taylor Creek Loop.

DOGS

Leashed dogs are welcome along this section of the trail except at privately owned Forever Florida / 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.

The walk from the end of the Seminole-Wekiva Trail to Seminole State Forest is now quite a mess because of construction of a toll road and bridges over the Wekiva River.

People

From Christmas north through the Wekiva River, this is a heavily populated region. You’ll be walking 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.


Guthook GuidesGuthook Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the Florida National Scenic Trail.


Trail Segments

We have not yet written up all of the segments of the Florida Trail along the Orlando section for our website. Details about all segments can be found in our guidebook and app.

Each of the segments below are described from the perspective of a day hiker, noting landmarks, water, and campsites along the way. Not all are oriented south to north. However, these listed northbound through the section.

Vast expanse of prairie with blaze post

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 under dark water in floodplain

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.

Dense palm hammock

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

Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch

At Seminole Ranch Conservation Area in Christmas, the Florida Trail follows a linear 4.9 mile route through a string of hydric hammocks in the St. Johns River floodplain

Trail between ancient palms and oaks

Florida Trail, Wheeler Road to Joshua Creek

Along this 8.6-mile route spanning the eastern side of Bronson State Forest, experience the majesty of ancient oak and palm hammocks near the St. Johns River.

Trail corridor amid saw palmetto

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.

Palms in uplands along the Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek

3.9 miles. Enjoy the natural beauty of habitat diversity along a scenic segment of the Florida Trail connecting Chuluota Wilderness and Bronson State Forest

Florida Trail, Mills Creek Woodlands

Florida Trail, Mills Creek

As the Florida Trail follows the curve of the basin in which Mills Creek into a bowl of marshlands, enjoy old-growth trees and long boardwalks along this 2 mile hike

Trail through palm hammock

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.

Passing through downtown Oviedo

Hiking the Cross Seminole Trail

A hike along the Cross Seminole Trail – which the Florida Trail follows – through Oviedo and Winter Springs means an introduction to suburbia in the Orlando metro.

Seminole State Forest

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 Connections

These sections of the Florida Trail connect to the Orlando section.

Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

111.3 miles. Following the Kissimmee River floodplain, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with a mix of levees, shady woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.

Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala

Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

72.3 miles. The birthplace of the Florida Trail and home of the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest, the Ocala section is Florida’s top backpacking destination


Related Parks and Trails

These parks and trails connect to or include a piece of the Florida Trail in their loops.

Lady Liberty and photographer

Big Tree Park

Trail mile marker on unpaved rail trail

Flagler Trail South

Boardwalk in subtropical forest

Little-Big Econ Kolokee Loop

Econlockhatchee River at Flagler Trail

Little-Big Econ State Forest

Lower Wekiva Loop

Lower Wekiva Loop

Spring Hammock Preserve Question Pond

Spring Hammock Preserve

White blaze on cabbage palm

Taylor Creek Loop

Pine flatwoods in Florida

Tosohatchee White Loop

Pine-palm flatwoods

Tosohatchee WMA


Recent Articles

Broad path in pine flatwoods

Florida Trail Orlando Future Corridor

November 4, 2021//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

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.

The Senator, charred

Return to Big Tree Park

March 25, 2013//  by Sandra Friend

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.


All Articles & Hikes Interactive Map

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, TrailsTag: Best Florida Trail Backpacking, Christmas, Chuluota, Deland, Florida Trail, Kenansville, Lake Mary, Locations, Longwood, Melbourne, Orlando, Oviedo, Paisley, Sanford, St. Cloud, Titusville, Winter Springs

Have an update? Contact us.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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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