Florida Hikes

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

Diver in Vortex Spring

Ponce De Leon

Hiking, biking, paddling, and other outdoor recreation near the town of Ponce De Leon, a central location for visiting springs in the Choctawhatchee River Basin.

INTERACTIVE MAP

Florida Trail, Choctawhatchee River

Bruce   8.5 miles

8.5 miles. Crossing majestic longleaf pine forests in Nokuse, the Florida Trail along the Choctawhatchee River floodplain showcases natural beauty from Cypress Creek to Seven Runs.

Florida Trail, Forgotten Creek

Bruce   9.7 miles

9.7 miles. Contrasting steephead ravines and sluggish creeks in gum swamps with longleaf pine restoration areas, the Forgotten Creek portion of the Florida Trail in Nokuse surprises with its challenges.

Florida Trail, Nokuse

Ebro Bruce Freeport   27.7 miles

27.7 miles. Spanning from the Choctawhatchee River west to the boundary of Eglin Air Force Base, Nokuse is a compelling backpacker's destination in the Florida Panhandle.

In a Canoe

Since falling in love, becoming a couple, and marrying, it was time for a real test of our relationship: going upstream with two paddles along Holmes Creek.

L.D. Anderson Tract

Ponce De Leon   2.0 miles

South of Interstate 10, the loop on the L.D. Anderson Tract of Ponce De Leon Springs State Park showcases careful restoration of native habitats in the uplands bordering Sandy Creek.

Morrison Springs Park

Surrounded by a rim of old growth cypress, Morrison Springs is a beautiful second magnitude spring with swimming and diver access down an interpretive boardwalk.

Paddling Holmes Creek

Vernon   16 miles

With a dozen launch points and more than 15 springs along its 16 mile length, Holmes Creek, a tributary of the Choctawhatchee River, is a must-do paddling trip along a remote waterway.

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park

In the middle of the Florida Panhandle, Ponce de Leon Springs is along the upper end of a belt of shimmering springs that feed the Choctawhatchee River basin.

Vortex Spring

While dive training is part of what they do, you don't have to be a diver to visit Vortex Spring Adventures, where 28 million gallons of water a day create a natural summer-season water park that the family will love.