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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 Okee-Tantie

Kissimmee River Adventure

Backpacking the Florida Trail from Okee-tanie to Bluff Hammock along the Kissimmee River section for the first time.

January 7, 2009    Sandra Friend

Florida Trail north of Okee-tantie
Hiking north from Okee-tantie

Last week, I had the pleasure of a LONG hike. I was part of a group led by Tropical Trekker Lori Burris on a backpacking trip up the Kissimmee River from Lake Okeechobee to Bluff Hammock. It’s been a while since I’ve spent that many days out on the trail, sleeping in my teeny Nomad lite backpacking tent, glad I was carrying only 30 pounds or so in my pack, water included. 

This is a section of the FT that I’d only sampled before, so it was good to walk it, make notes in prep for guidebook update, take hundreds of photos and a handful of videos, and generally get away from the computer, the writing, and civilization. The only thing I missed was indoor plumbing, which we lucked into a couple times.

From Okee-tantie to Basinger, the Florida Trail is relatively unheralded. To the S-65E lock, it’s a dike walk, much like the Big O, paralleling the Kissimmee River. From 35 feet up, you can see for miles across ranchland where cows roam and sandhill cranes chatter. A not-unpleasant roadwalk connects the lock with Platts Bluff, where there’s a rope swing into the river and the shade of live oaks to enjoy.

Natural landscape at Yates Marsh is a welcome sight for thru-hikers
Natural landscape at Yates Marsh is a welcome sight for thru-hikers

Yates Marsh isn’t marshy at all, but open prairie with tall longleaf pines and a lush hammock for camping. But Chandler Slough, new to the Florida Trail, is an amazing addition, with the trail weaving through a series of palm hammocks and ancient stands of live oak, all looking like they once defined the natural shoreline of the Kissimmee River. Chandler Slough East campsite, aka Tangerine Hill, is a gem.

Chandler Slough East campsite
Campsite at Tangerine Hill

But my favorite part – after a stroll through a cypress swamp that was dry this time of year – was the portion of Chandler Slough south of the town of Basinger, where the trail zigzagged across prairies to luxuriate in the shade of oak hammocks reminiscent of those at Lake Kissimmee State Park. LOTS of them. Plans are for another campsite to be added to this area.

Chandler Slough
In the hammocks of Chandler Slough

In all, we covered nearly 50 miles, with the well-loved Hickory Hammock a highlight to wrap up the trip.

Category: Articles, Backpacking, Florida TrailTag: Florida Trail, FT Kissimmee

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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.

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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.

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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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Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

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Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
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Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

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Florida Trail, Okeechobee

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Florida Trail, Seminole
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