Hickory Hammock was part of the Florida Trail when the statewide route traversed the edge of expansive wetlands west of the Kissimmee River.
After a major reroute moved the Florida Trail to the eastern side of the river in 2013, the local chapter opted to continue maintaining this scenic pathway.
A wonderful destination for an overnight stay deep within a primordial forest, the Hickory Hammock Trail has a hike-in campsite 2.6 miles from the trailhead.
Palm hammock along the Hickory Hammock TrailResources
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Overview
Location: Lorida
Length: 4.6 miles
Trailhead: 27.402861, -81.168722
Address: US 98, Lorida
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At the equestrian campsite
Land manager: FWC & South Florida Water Management District
Phone: 561-686-8800
Open 24 hours. Leashed dogs permitted. A free permit is required in advance from SFWMD to camp at Hickory Hammock.
Check on hunt dates before planning your hike and wear bright orange during hunts.
Directions
27.447229,-81.175320
27.400728,-81.163709
27.402100, -81.169300
From the junction of US 98 and SR 66 south of Sebring, head east on US 98 for 16.5 miles. The trailhead is marked with a large sign on the left side of the road.
Hike
Beginning the hike under a shady stand of oak trees near the trailhead, head north through a narrow stile, following white blazes towards a forest of slash pines.
Bushy beautyberries and paw paws dot the grassy understory alongside grapevines, sprouting fresh leaves in the springtime.
Paw paws in bloomThe pines slowly give way to a shady canopy of live oaks as clusters of saw palmetto begin to border the trail.
Heavy limbs arch overhead, carpeted with resurrection ferns and a variety of airplants.
Epiphyte covered oaksAt a half mile, cross over a forest road where old signage from the Florida Trail indicates distances to the nearest campsites and trailheads.
Upon close inspection, some of the blazes reveal traces of the original orange that have been painted over with white.
Trail signageNavigating around seasonal ponds in the Kissimmee River floodplain, the trail passes through lush, jungle-like oak and palm hammocks.
Where the route edges closer to wetlands, tall hickory trees tower above, their trunks marked with distinct waterlines that indicate how high the water can rise in the rainy season.
Cluster of cabbage palmsReaching a sign for the campsite at 2.6 miles, a short blue-blazed pathway leads to a cozy clearing with benches, a picnic table, and trail register.
Continuing northward, the trail meanders across the dense forest, tracing an edge of scrubby habitat before reaching the equestrian camp at 4.6 miles.
Primitive campsiteAs the trail opens up to the equestrian campground, a covered picnic area invites hikers to take a rest.
Non-potable water is available near the camp host, and restrooms are located next to a rustic barn.
Equestrian campgroundTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn about the nearby Kissimmee section of the Florida Trail
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.Video
Hiking Hickory Hammock
Slideshow
See older photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Micco Bluff 11.4 miles. Ancient riverside forests and picturesque prairie panoramas along the Kissimmee River make a hike to Micco Bluff worth the walk
Florida Trail, Chandler Slough West 3.7 miles. It looks like a mountain ridge from a distance, but Chandler Slough is a ribbon of cypress strand through the flat Okeechobee prairies. Follow its rim through beautiful oak hammocks and soggy marshes. 
Florida Trail, Chandler Slough East 2.7 miles. Burrow deep into the oak hammocks surrounding a beauty spot of the campsite near the Kissimmee River on this short but satisfying hike.
Florida Trail, Starvation Slough 7.7 miles. Discover a natural cathedral of ancient oaks and palms along a thin ribbon of public land fronting the Kissimmee River floodplain.
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