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

Bear Swamp Trail

Ocala National Forest  |  Salt Springs
( 29.356367, -81.732083 )      1.3 miles

Little known except to those who frequent Salt Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest, the Bear Swamp Trail provides a walk into an ancient forest.

Big Cypress Trail

Goethe State Forest  |  Bronson
( 29.223550, -82.622667 )      0.6 miles

Deep in the heart of an ancient swamp, the Goethe Giant – one of Florida’s largest cypress trees – stands tall at the end of a boardwalk in Goethe State Forest.

Big Oak Trail

Florida Trail, Suwannee  |  Ellaville
( 30.314904, -83.159286 )      5.9 miles

The Big Oak Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in North Florida. Much of the hiking parallels the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, which meet here at a confluence.

Big Tree Park

Spring Hammock Preserve  |  Longwood
( 28.720417, -81.331533 )      0.3 miles

While the iconic Senator is no more, Big Tree Park continues to fascinate visitors with its enormous cypress trees, including Lady Liberty. The park provides access to the Cross Seminole Trail.

Blackwater River State Park

Milton      ( 30.711735, -86.878773 )      

Stunning white sand beaches along the Blackwater River tempt swimmers during the warm months and paddlers and hikers all year to this state park east of Milton.

Bulow Creek State Park

Ormond Beach      ( 29.387667,-81.132183 )      

Walk among the ancients in Bulow Hammock, starting with the imposing Fairchild Oak, one of Florida’s largest live oak trees

Bulow Woods Loop

Bulow Creek State Park  |  Flagler Beach
( 29.433628,-81.140157 )      5.2 miles

Stretching 5.2 miles through an primordial forest of sluggish, fern-lined waterways, ancient live oaks, magnolias, and cabbage palms, the Bulow Woods Loop is one of North Florida’s most scenic hikes

Cellon Oak Park

La Crosse      ( 29.811599,-82.389785 )      

The largest live oak tree in Florida, the Cellon Oak north of Gainesville is more than 30 feet in diameter and shades a space that puts most other oaks to shame.

Chinsegut Big Pine Tract

Chinsegut WEA  |  Brooksville
( 28.599042, -82.377272 )      1.6 miles

The southernmost concentration of ancient longleaf pine in America, the Big Pine Tract of Chinsegut WEA is also the second largest contiguous tract of old-growth longleaf pine in Florida.