The eastern corridor of the Florida National Scenic Trail has several excellent legs that are easy to reach from Orlando for short backpacking trips at charming backcountry campsites. Most are in flood plains for the St. John’s River and its tributaries. But as the Florida Trail bends northwest on its way to the Ocala National … Continue reading Seminole State Forest offers excellent backpacking and hiking just north of Orlando
Tag: backpacking
The best of the Lake Wales Ridge can be found at the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
I’ve raved in my book and on this blog about Tiger Creek Preserve, a special stretch of Central Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge near Frostproof maintained by the Nature Conservancy that remains one of my favorite places to hike. But Tiger Creek Preserve does not permit camping, and since the Florida Trail passes north of the … Continue reading The best of the Lake Wales Ridge can be found at the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
If you love nature photography, check out Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield’s work
I usually post here about places where I’ve backpacked alone, where I rarely camp with anyone. But this week, I’m thrilled to share about a backpacker I met at Green Swamp West during a one-nighter this past weekend, Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield. Hopefully you’ll agree that his photos of nature on his Facebook page and … Continue reading If you love nature photography, check out Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield’s work
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is the Florida Trail’s Gateway to Central Florida’s Woodlands
Tantalizingly close to Orlando and just south of Christmas sits a stretch of pine, live oak, and cypress forest that is treasured by northbound thru hikers taking the eastern corridor up the Florida National Scenic Trail. Just after they complete their 30-mile road walk north after Bull Creek WMA, Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area welcomes them … Continue reading Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is the Florida Trail’s Gateway to Central Florida’s Woodlands
The Prairie Lakes Loops at Three Lakes WMA are Perfect for Hiking and Backpacking
Just an hour south of Orlando off the Florida Turnpike, you can find one of those special places in Florida that offers virtually everything an outdoor lover might seek—hiking for both moderate and longer distances, backpacking, a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, birding, and even fishing and hunting, all in a vast landscape … Continue reading The Prairie Lakes Loops at Three Lakes WMA are Perfect for Hiking and Backpacking
Moses Creek Conservation Area Offers Pleasant Hiking Near St. Augustine—But Don’t Count on Backcountry Camping There
With hunting season limiting my access to many of my favorite stretches of the Florida Trail last weekend, I tried to make up for the opportunity I lost last spring to camp beside the intracoastal at St. George Island State Park and booked a reservation at the Murat Point campsite at the Moses Creek Conservation … Continue reading Moses Creek Conservation Area Offers Pleasant Hiking Near St. Augustine—But Don’t Count on Backcountry Camping There
Tips for Backpacking During Breaks on Business Trips or Family Vacations
Over the last two years while discovering weekend backpacking near my home in Central Florida, some of my most thrilling experiences have been one-night adventures far from home that I’ve added to family vacations and road trips to college football games. In fact, I now consider backpacking options when deciding where to travel. As fun … Continue reading Tips for Backpacking During Breaks on Business Trips or Family Vacations
Labor of Love: My first trail maintenance work party with the Florida Trail Association
I finally got around last Saturday to joining my local Florida Trail Association chapter for a trail maintenance work party, one of the most popular activities the FTA chapters host. If you’re looking for a great way to get acquainted with some of the most beautiful sections of trail in Florida and the people who … Continue reading Labor of Love: My first trail maintenance work party with the Florida Trail Association
Shenandoah National Park is a special place to backpack in October and November
After several weeks of not posting here, I am thrilled to return by raving about a recent once-in-a-season chance I had to backpack for a night in one of the most beautiful national parks east of the Mississippi River. Shenandoah National Park is the Hope Diamond of Virginia and a magical place to spend a … Continue reading Shenandoah National Park is a special place to backpack in October and November
Hunting Dates for Central Florida’s Eastern and Western Corridors of the Florida Trail
With November now only a month away and temperatures (hopefully) beginning to cool, we are finally approaching backpacking season in Central Florida. But as most Florida Trail lovers know, many of the great places to backpack here, including most of the forested sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail, are on land that we’ll have … Continue reading Hunting Dates for Central Florida’s Eastern and Western Corridors of the Florida Trail
