24 beautiful Florida hiking trails that you have to explore

Dunnellon Trail

Bridges Road Trailhead, Dunnellon
Free to access, 2.5 miles
This portion of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway connects the Cross Florida Greenway to the Withlacoochee State Trail with its paved greatness and short lived distance. But fear not, you can proceed onto the next portion once you make it through this almost 3 year old addition to Florida’s walkways.

Photo via Florida Hikes/Flickr

East Loop Trail

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound
State Park Entrance fee $6 per vehicle / Camping fee $32.70, 9.8 miles
Despite the beatdown that its sand pine scrub canopies took during the hurricane season of 2005, East Loop Trail is still a spot to flock towards for all nature huggers with its hilly vibes and what remains of Camp Murphy, a WW2 military installation. Hikers can bunk up at Scrub Jay campsite for the night after chatting with the forest rangers.

Photo via tashaadventures/Instagram

Disappearing Creek at Camp Green

Camp Branch Conservation Area, White Springs
Free to access, 3.9 miles
This cyprus addled trail is home to a constant unfolding of karst, which is when water comes in contact with mild acid from the aforementioned trees, which has resulted in caves and sinkholes. If you like to see nature verbing it up while wilderness walking along the ravine then this moderately challenging trail is one to check off your list.

Photo via m.pinaire/Instagram

Corbett WMA to Lucky Tract

Hungryland Lough Trailhead, Jupiter Farms
Free permit required for camping at Lucky Camp, 12.1 miles
Nothing too strenuous can be found here in the Palm Beach County stretch of wilderness. Camping at Lucky Camp while surrounded with pine flatwoods and a generally level trail further drives home the point that Florida is the unique wilderness state.

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Chuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek

Joshua Creek Trailhead, Chuluota
$2 per person, 4.3 miles
This slice of wilderness in the Bronson State Forest allows for overnight camping and you general walk-to-remember. Downhill one way and vice-versa the other, this Florida Trail provides a rare treat in the form of a stretch of pungent rosemary scrub while on your way to the floodplains surrounding Bunscombe Creek.

Photo via rachelfelicity/Instagram

Clearwater Lake to Alexander Springs

Clearwater Lake Campground, Paisley
$5 per person, 11 miles
In 1966, this trail was blazed through for the first time. The reason this section of the Ocala National Forest was picked first was its large amounts of hydric hammocks, wet prairies and one of the largest springs in Central Florida. With moderate hills and a forest walk worth storing in the old memory bin, this veteran trail is one of the more enjoyable ones around.

Photo via tomztru/Instagram

Chandler Slough West

Chandler Slough West Trailhead, Basinger
Free to access,Free permit for group camping, 4.3 miles
Smack dab in the midst of the Okeechobee prairies sits this more than 4-mile trail is next to the Kissimmee River that has created a shaded basin in cooperation with the cypress trees that attracts a large amount of varying bird species. The occasional mud and muck mishap will occur but that is, after all a part of this beautiful process, no?

Photo via nomadic_orange/Instagram

Citrus Hiking Trail

In Holder Mine Recreation Area, Inverness,
Free to access, 43.3 miles
Whether you are a simple day tripper or someone aiming to complete the 4-day hike adventure, you can have your hiking chops put to the test by the 2nd largest backpacking loop in Florida. This highly intricate trail consisting of four separate trail loops, steep sinkholes, shaded hardwood forests, longleaf pine savannas and cascading sandhills provides the physical getaway that legitimate backpackers crave.

Photo via cccooley/Instagram

Bull Creek WMA

Bull Creek Trailhead, Holopaw
Free registration at the kiosk is required, 20.5 miles
Backpackers will find two campsites names Jane Green, and Little Scrub available at Bull Creek. With an almost African savanna feel to it, the surrounding landscape, walkways and various calming bodies of water like the Crabgrass Creek. If you want to escape the work week hum in your head, then drift southeast of town and set up your tent for a truly pleasant moment for a change.

Photo via stefsaffioti/Instagram

Buckman Lock to SR 20

Trailhead is 4.3 miles west of SR 20 and SR 19 intersection, Palatka
Free to access, 7.4 miles
Where there is deer, there will be Elmer Fudd, so be wary of this area during hunting season. Outside of that must-know, all other aspects of this old forest filled with meandering trails and timber overhangings is a portion of the National Scenic Trail and an undeniable gem of a walk for all Floridians to enjoy.

Photo via Florida Hikes/Flickr

Bronson State Forest

Phillis Road Trailhead, Christmas
$2 per person, 2,2 miles
East of downtown Orlando you’ll find a brief escape from the present in Bronson State Forest where the natural foliage of Christmas has acquired a portion of the Florida Trail. Hiking and a plethora of other woodland activities are allowed and are provided at the Bronson State Forest office when you check in.

Photo via sisterhoodofthetravelers/Instagram

Bradwell Bay

The Bradwell Bay Trailhead, Apalachicola National Forest
Free to access, 12.4 miles
By far and away not your grandmother’s trail, that is unless she boasts impressive swamp treading abilities, Bradwell Bay is a Floridian feature left only for the most extreme hiker. With a swampy atmosphere, 7-miles of dark tannic trudgeable water and 12-acres of virgin slash pines and unhampered cypress trees, this marsh by another name is worth some tired legs.

Photo via ashmmeade/Instagram

Blountstown Greenway

M & B Railroad Park, Blountstown
Free to access, 3.9 miles
Delicious looking asphalt birthed for bike, blade and foot winds through the Apalachicola River town and can be accessed from multiple spots in the city. With a bug factor not worth giving a care too, this river of pavement surrounded by parks and homes is one of Florida’s hidden gems.

Photo via floridahikes/Instagram

Bell Springs to Big Shoals

Parking area for Bell Springs off of Morrell Drive, White Springs
Free to access, 2.8 miles
Tick’s aside, this quick gasp of a rugged trail that parallels Florida’s sole Class III whitewater challenge is a must hit for all true land roamers. It is a hiker only trail, but certainly worth getting of your wheels for.

Photo via follosphotos/Instagram

Big Oak Trail

Suwannee River State Park, Live Oak
Free to access, 8.6 miles
The famous Big Oak trees that speckle this trail and give it its name are not the only bit of breathtaking nature that live on this portion of the statewide Florida Trail. The Suwannee and northern Withlacoochee Rivers converge here setting up a unique camp-able peninsula that should be utilized by any camper that loves to slumber with authentic ambience all around them.

Photo via ka_asian/Instagram

Baseline to Marshall Swamp

The Baseline Trailhead (southernmost point), Silver Springs
None, but camping requires acquiring a free permit, 5 miles
This trail has been called the training wheels for green hikers that might find the forest stroll a bit of a daunting, with its paved path and urban wilderness. You can hear the buzz and hustle of the surrounding society but lovely enough, they remain hidden by the heightened foliage. Test the outdoor walking waters on a trail that encourages community and safety.

Photo via boricuate/Instagram

Alexander Springs to Farles Lake

Park at Alexander Springs, or Farles Lake, Ocala National Forest
$5 park entry fee, 8.4 miles
Ponds and prairies pepper this nearly 9-mile swath of forest that leads upwards towards the world’s largest sand pine scrub. Dive head first into this abundance of brush because, why not?

Photo via panagringa/Instagram

Delancy to The 88 Store

Lake Delancy, Salt Springs
$6 parking fee at Lake Delancy, 7.4 miles
A solid test of your wits and water retention skills, Delancy to Store 88 is yet another producer of longleaf pines and is a consistent spot for the occasional black bear sighting. There are not many water sources worthy of your trust out there so we implore you to stock up on the H-to-the-2-0 before you head into this relaxing stretch of the Big Scrub.

Photo via _chelsea_mcgowans_archery_/Instagram

Eaton Creek North

Eaton Creek Trailhead, Salt Springs
Free to access, 12 miles
Not too far from The 88 Store, this dozen mile fringe of trail gives up a glimpse into the full life cycle of the sand pine scrub ecosystem on its dry and heightened path. This trail can be a 2-day camping hike without any permits required or you can champ it and tackle it in one, but may we suggest getting a life back to the trailhead if you are going to go that route.

Photo via noplacesspecial/Instagram

Eglin West

Buck Pond, East Bay
$12 for Annual Recreation Pass, 14.3 miles
Comparable to the setting of Where the Wild things Are, this piney and elevated patch of forest that sits south of the Yellow River and its adjacent flooded shrubbery and fauna provides camping and hiking at both Buck Pond and Dean Creek. Sadly no dogs are permitted as this is technically on the Eglin Air Force Base. Getting to this trail may be the slightest of hassles as admittance is only allowed with the purchase of an annual pass but how will you know if it is worth it unless you sample this East Bay area yourself.

Photo via noplacesspecial/Instagram