Beyond the beaches and theme parks, Florida harbors a secret world of crystal-clear springs, ancient cypress forests, and trails that wind through landscapes unchanged for millennia. Discover the wild heart of the Sunshine State.
A Different Kind of Florida
When most people think of Florida, they picture sandy beaches, palm trees, and tourist attractions. But venture inland, away from the coastal crowds, and you’ll find a Florida that feels almost prehistoric—a land of bubbling springs, moss-draped oaks, and trails where you might not see another soul for hours.
Florida’s flat terrain means you won’t find mountain vistas here, but what you will find is equally captivating: some of the clearest water on Earth, forests that predate European contact, and a biodiversity that rivals any ecosystem in North America.
The Magic of Florida’s Springs
Florida sits atop one of the world’s largest freshwater aquifer systems, and where that water finds its way to the surface, magic happens. The state boasts over 700 documented springs, with some pumping millions of gallons of crystal-clear, 72°F water daily.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
The Ichetucknee River flows for 6 miles through pristine Florida wilderness, fed by nine major springs. While famous for summer tubing, the park’s trail system offers a different perspective:
- Trestle Point Trail (1 mile): An easy loop through hardwood hammock with views of the river
- Pine Ridge Trail (2.5 miles): Winds through sandhills and offers glimpses of springs from above
- Blue Hole Spring: A 40-foot-deep pool of impossibly blue water
Visit in winter or early spring for the best hiking—summer’s heat and crowds make the trails less appealing.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Once a commercial tourist attraction, Rainbow Springs is now preserved as a state park. The headsprings produce 400 million gallons of water daily, creating one of Florida’s clearest rivers.
- Sandhill Nature Trail (1.2 miles): Explores Florida’s unique sandhill ecosystem
- Rainbow River hiking trails: Follow the crystal-clear river upstream
- Best time to visit: Winter months when manatees gather in the warm spring waters
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
A 120-foot-deep sinkhole that plunges into the aquifer, creating a miniature rainforest in the middle of North Florida. A 232-step staircase descends to the bottom, where small springs and a unique microclimate support plants typically found hundreds of miles north.
Ancient Forests of Florida
Florida’s forests are nothing like what you’d expect. Ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, towering cypress knees rising from blackwater swamps, and palm-studded flatwoods create an otherworldly atmosphere.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Adjacent to the Everglades, Big Cypress protects 729,000 acres of swamp, prairie, and forest. Unlike most national park units, Big Cypress allows dispersed camping and offers a true wilderness experience.
Florida National Scenic Trail - Big Cypress Section (31 miles)
This challenging section of the Florida Trail traverses the heart of the preserve:
- Cypress domes and dwarf cypress prairies
- Potential waist-deep water crossings (check conditions!)
- Primitive camping on elevated ground
- Exceptional wildlife viewing
Best Season: November through April (dry season). Summer hiking is possible but expect standing water, intense heat, and voracious mosquitoes.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
The “Amazon of North America” protects the largest stand of native royal palms in the continent and the only place where ghost orchids grow wild in the United States.
- Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk: A 2,500-foot accessible boardwalk through old-growth cypress
- Janes Scenic Drive: A 10-mile unpaved road through the heart of the strand
- Ghost Orchid Season: June through August, though sightings require luck and patience
Ocala National Forest
The southernmost forest in the continental United States, Ocala covers nearly 400,000 acres of sand pine scrub, longleaf pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks.
Yearling Trail (11 miles point-to-point)
Named for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ novel “The Yearling,” this trail passes through the landscape that inspired the book:
- Pat’s Island, the setting for the Baxter homestead
- Juniper Springs, a first-magnitude spring
- Scrub-jay habitat (watch for these endangered birds)
Lake Eaton Loop (2.4 miles)
An easy introduction to the Florida scrub ecosystem, with good chances of seeing gopher tortoises and their burrows.
The Florida Trail
Few people realize that Florida has its own long-distance hiking trail. The Florida National Scenic Trail stretches 1,500 miles from Big Cypress in the south to Fort Pickens in the Panhandle.
Sections Worth Exploring
Bradwell Bay Wilderness (24 miles)
One of the most challenging sections of any national scenic trail. Chest-deep water, no dry ground for miles, and some of the most pristine wilderness in the East. Not for beginners, but unforgettable for those prepared.
Apalachicola National Forest (70+ miles)
The largest national forest in Florida offers rolling terrain (by Florida standards), clear streams, and excellent primitive camping.
Suwannee River Section (60 miles)
Follows the legendary river of Stephen Foster fame, passing through small towns, over clear springs, and along limestone bluffs.
Wildlife Encounters
Florida’s trails offer exceptional wildlife viewing, but also require awareness of some unique residents.
What You’ll See
- Alligators: Common in any freshwater environment. Maintain distance and never approach
- Manatees: Winter visitors to warm springs (viewing only—no touching)
- Florida Black Bears: Smaller than their northern cousins, but food storage is still important
- Wild Turkeys: The Osceola subspecies is found only in Florida
- Wading Birds: Great blue herons, egrets, ibises, and roseate spoonbills
What to Watch For
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes: The largest venomous snake in North America. Watch where you step, especially in palmetto scrub
- Water Moccasins (Cottonmouths): Common near water. Usually flee if given the chance
- Wild Boars: Increasingly common and can be aggressive. Give them space
- Fire Ants: An introduced pest. Don’t stand still too long in one spot
Beating the Heat (and Bugs)
Florida hiking requires different strategies than mountain hiking:
Timing Is Everything
- Best months: November through March
- Acceptable: October and April
- Challenging: May through September
Beat the Bugs
- Dawn and dusk are the worst for mosquitoes
- Bring bug spray with DEET (or picaridin for a less harsh alternative)
- Consider a bug head net for summer hikes
- Treat clothing with permethrin
Stay Cool
- Start early—be on the trail at sunrise
- Carry more water than you think you need
- Take breaks in shade
- Wet a bandana and drape it around your neck
Planning Your Florida Hiking Trip
What to Pack
- Gaiters: Essential for keeping debris out of shoes
- Waterproof boots or water shoes: Many trails have wet sections
- Trekking poles: Helpful for probing murky water and balance
- Electrolytes: You’ll sweat more than you expect
- Rain gear: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer
Where to Stay
Florida’s state parks offer excellent camping, from primitive sites to full-hookup RV spots. For a unique experience, try:
- Chickee camping in Big Cypress (elevated platforms over water)
- Spring-side camping at Ichetucknee or Rainbow Springs
- Beach camping at St. George Island or Bahia Honda
Final Thoughts
Florida hiking won’t give you the elevation gains or mountain vistas of the Appalachians, but it offers something equally valuable: a window into ecosystems found nowhere else in North America. Swimming in a crystal-clear spring, watching a manatee surface for breath, walking through a cypress cathedral—these experiences stay with you.
So skip the theme parks, drive past the beaches, and discover the Florida that most visitors never see. The wild heart of the Sunshine State is waiting.
Happy trails!