Florida Hikes

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

Paddling Withlacoochee River

State Forest Recreation

Recreation in Florida State Forests, including hiking, biking, paddling, and equestrian trails as well as campgrounds

INTERACTIVE MAP

A Peaceful Donation

A donation of the 4,171 acre Peaceful Horse Ranch on the Peace River was turned down by DEP two years ago. It was just accepted as a future Florida State Forest

Annutteliga Hammock Trail

Brooksville   4.8 miles

Explore fascinating karst topography with exposed limestone under a shady canopy in the Withlacoochee State Forest, passing a primitive camping area along this 4.8 mile loop.

Bear Lake Trail

Munson   3.8 miles

At Blackwater River State Forest, each of the recreation areas offers access to hiking, and popular Bear Lake is no exception. A 3.8-mile trail loops around this impounded reservoir, which flows into Sweetwater Creek.

Bear season in Florida

As Florida black bears become active in late winter and spring, the chances of a bear encounter go up significantly if you leave food unsecured outdoors - whether in your campsite or at home.

Belmore State Forest

Starke   1.5 miles

Crossing a landscape of remarkably resilient trees in a desert-like environment, the Satsuma Trail showcases the adaptability of certain species native to Florida.

Bethea State Forest

Sanderson   10.0 miles

With nearly 40,000 acres along the Florida-Georgia border, John M. Bethea State Forest provides an important corridor for wildlife migrating between the Okefenokee Swamp and Osceola National Forest.

Big Cypress Trail

Bronson   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

Ellaville   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.

Blackwater River State Forest

At Blackwater River State Forest near Milton, immerse yourself in the largest state forest in Florida: 190,000 acres surrounding the Blackwater River and its tributaries.

Bluffton Nature Trail

Volusia   1.2 miles

South of Astor along the St. Johns River, the Bluffton Recreation Area in Lake George State Forest paints a picture of Florida's prehistoric past, leading you through uplands habitats above the river basin.

Bone Creek Loop Trail

Crestview   1.3 miles

Along a tributary of the Blackwater River, the Bone Creek Loop at Blackwater River State Forest is a well-maintained trail with a set of scenic boardwalks.