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Hiking trail with backpack in foreground

Florida Trail Updates

Updates to our current edition of The Florida Trail Guide (Fourth Edition, published Nov 2021), keyed to pages and mileage numbers in each segment of the trail presented through the book.

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MOST RECENT UPDATE: 4/7/2023
The following trail updates are keyed to the pages of the FOURTH edition of The Florida Trail Guide. If you own an older edition, we encourage you to get a current edition (third edition) since there were many major trail relocations since 2021. Please print this off as an addendum to your guidebook or make corrections in the book. We won’t mind if you write in it.

Our fourth edition was published November 2021 and replaces the third edition. While we do try to keep these notices up to date, you’ll find the most accurate information about the trail route, services, and conditions inside our Florida Trail app for Far Out Guides.

Table of Contents

  • BIG CYPRESS
  • SEMINOLE
  • OKEECHOBEE
  • KISSIMMEE
  • ORLANDO
  • OCALA
  • WESTERN CORRIDOR
  • NORTHEAST FLORIDA
  • SUWANNEE
  • BIG BEND
  • APALACHICOLA
  • CENTRAL PANHANDLE
  • EGLIN
  • SEASHORE
  • BLACKWATER
  • OCEAN TO LAKE
  • EASTERN CONTINENTAL TRAIL

BIG CYPRESS

Both prescribed burns and wildfires have impacted the trail experience throughout Big Cypress, with intermittent closures and a subsequent crisping of surrounding habitats. A major wildfire sparked near 10 Mile Camp occurred early in 2023.


SEMINOLE

Have your “Hold Harmless” permit on file before crossing the reservation. Download the most recent version here.

Camping has become an issue for crossing the reservation. Billie Swamp Safari has not reopened its attractions or chickees, but the Swamp Water Cafe is now open. Tent camping is no longer permitted at Big Cypress RV Resort, but rental cabins may be available. Call ahead. Pastor Payne at Big Cypress New Testament Baptist Church will allow long distance hikers to camp behind the church but you must contact him in advance. Do not stealth camp within the reservation boundary (mile 38.3 to mile 57.6).

North of the reservation, new designated campsites are in place. South Florida Water Management District requires a free permit, available online, for use.

Mile 66.1: STA 5/6 Campsite. Restrooms, covered picnic tables, hammock hanging posts, pitcher pump.
Mile 82.3: L1-E Campsite. Mowed area for tents adjoining levee along sugar cane field.


OKEECHOBEE

Great news for 2023: dike reconstruction is almost complete. Two short closures remain along the FNST around Lake Okeechobee, one of which will likely not be remedied anytime soon: at Nubbin Slough, it’s still necessary to leave the dike and walk up US 441 to the Taylor Creek bridge (2.7 miles) due to an outstanding access issue between the land manager and a landowner along the creek.

The Army Corps of Engineers has an online map of closures on their website.

EAST SIDE
Mile 99.7, South Bay RV Park. Metal tent stakes are not permitted.

WEST SIDE
Temporary closure in the Lakeport section between Aruba and Harney Pond Canal.


KISSIMMEE

The bridges over Crabgrass Creek towards Jane Green Campsite have been newly replaced.


ORLANDO

The trail has been permanently relocated off Maggie Jones Road leading into Camp La No Che thanks to construction of new trail and a bridge over the creek. Follow the blazes.


OCALA

As a reminder, during general gun season (fall deer hunting) hikers may only camp at designated campsites and recreation area campgrounds, and may random camp during this period within the bounds of Juniper Prairie Wilderness, north of Jupiter Springs and south of Pats Island trailhead.


WESTERN CORRIDOR

Newly established broad sidewalks along US 17 west of Kissimmee make for a safer roadwalk route than Old Tampa Hwy, which parallels the railroad tracks. Rejoin Old Tampa Hwy to walk along a remaining segment of original brick highway after crossing Reedy Creek along US 17.

Devil’s Creek in Withlacoochee State Forest remains a dangerous crossing after a rain. We suspect the massive amount of development going on to the north of the forest near Florida’s Turnpike plays a role in this hydrological change. FTA is still assessing how best and where to bridge the creek.


NORTHEAST FLORIDA

To be updated.


SUWANNEE

As a reminder, check river levels before hiking this section as well as water quality reports from Suwannee River Water Management District, as sewage spills in Valdosta have frequently fouled the river as a water source south of the Alapaha River confluence during hiking seasons over the past decade.


BIG BEND

A minor reroute has occurred along the northbound approach to Shepherd Spring through the Cathedral of Pines to skirt a now perpetually-muddy coastal area.


APALACHICOLA

To be updated.


CENTRAL PANHANDLE

To be updated.


EGLIN

2023 updates to Eglin Recreational Permit: purchase in advance for $5 daily or $30 annually. Hiking the Florida Trail? Please see their specifics here. Thru-hikers must call ahead before hiking across Eglin.


SEASHORE

No updates.


BLACKWATER

No updates.


OCEAN TO LAKE

A new designated campsite has been added near Cypress Creek along a pond suitable for filtering water.


EASTERN CONTINENTAL TRAIL

In November 2021, FarOut Guides released two new apps featuring trail information collected by us to help you navigate both the Overseas Heritage Trail in the Florida Keys and the Florida ECT Connector from Key Largo to Big Cypress National Preserve. Like our Florida Trail app, these new guides work offline on smartphones and online on tablets and in browsers on your computer.

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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

  • Florida Trail Overview
  • Plan your Hike
  • Choose the Right Gear
  • Best Scenic Hikes
  • Best Backpacking Trips
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  • 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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