Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Articles & Destinations

Tamiami Trail Triathlon

3.0 miles. Trying the hiking portion of the Tamiami Trail Triathlon in summer is a little crazy, but we wanted to check it out. The swamp is lovely, but the loop uses a rough OHV road

Koreshan State Park

When Dr. Cyrus Teed founded a commune along the banks of the Estero River in 1894, he envisioned a utopia in the tropics. Koreshan State Park preserves that slice of history.

Waves at White Street

At the Atlantic end of White Street in Key West, a convergence of history, culture, and recreation happens on one of the quieter corners of this bustling island

Key West Au Naturel

On a recent visit to Key West, we sought its natural side - what it looked like before it became a city. And since it's been a city for more than 150 years, it takes a bit of sleuthing to find natural habitats.

Thinking small at Collier-Seminole

One of Florida's most beautiful nature trails, Collier-Seminole State Park's Royal Palm Hammock Trail can be a challenge, but worth it for both vistas and details

Ten Thousand Islands

Where the waters of Big Cypress and the Everglades meet the Gulf Coast, the Ten Thousand Islands are a maze of mangrove forest: the second largest mangrove forest in the world, bested only by Bangladesh

Naples Botanical Garden

At Naples Botanical Garden, buildings, landscaping, and nature live in harmony, with a delicate balance of natural spaces and lush gardens accented with art achieved.

Summer at Corkscrew

There is a special magic surrounding a summer hike through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, where ghost orchids dance high above in the soft green canopy created by the ancient cypress protected here

Merritt Island Manatee Observation Deck

Where Haulover Canal connects the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon in Merritt Island NWR, the Manatee Observation Deck makes it easy to watch for manatees drifting by.

Back to the Hammock

Hiking the Hammock Trails in Merritt Island NWR this weekend brought back memories of hiking and camping in these woods as a young Boy Scout in the 1960s and 70s.

A Quarter Million Miles

Saying goodbye to my trusty 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which hit a quarter-million miles this spring after countless trails and travels together throughout the state of Florida.