I have some questions about permitting for the three areas listed above as the official FT website does not clear up all the information about them.

For the Big Cypress preserve the back country permit required to hike through needs an official issuing signature. Who would be the one to sign this and where can I find them?

For St. Marks, the FT website says a written permit is required to hike through but does not specify what this permit is or where it can be obtained.

Any help on these questions would be greatly appreciated as I'll be thru hiking in March.

Hello fellow hikers I’m planning on doing my first step of the Florida trail as my first big trail walk. I live in Hollywood and wanted to know how people normally get to the oasis visitor center to begin the trail. Also any tips for the trail, is there cell service. I’m going to be doing it alone. Any useful info about the trip would be really helpful thank you

I want to take my kids on a trail today. I get them every other weekend we would like to go to a fun trail somewhere near Lake Mary sanford. Maybe that has a park or fun hiking and stuff for them to do. Can anybody recommend any please? I see so many on Google I can't figure it out there's loads of them. I just want to bring the kids maybe with a park some kind of animals if whatever. Something to do and it's introducing them to hiking. Whatever is best for kids that they would like. I'm located in Lake Mary Seminole County thank you. Trying to enjoy a fun day. Thank you in advance I appreciate it through the fullest.!

Hey y’all I am about to head down to the Suwannee River, I am doing the stretch from white springs down to Branford. As you might know Holton creek river camp is closed for the next year due to the damage from one of the hurricanes. This has changed my plans a little and makes the second travel day of my trip twice as long as originally planned and about four times the distance of the first day. So I am wondering if any of you fine folks have any information about the campsite on the Alapaha River near Gibson park.

Many thanks

Flying down to hike the OTL next week as a redemption to my previous attempt that I ended half way due to historic flooding. This time around I'm seeing forecasts dropping down to 40°F at night and was wondering if anyone has tips for walking through the flooded sections of trail in the cold.

Current plan is to wear 1-2 thick merino wool socks in my regular running shoes. I was looking into getting waterproof socks but unsure if they'll be worth it.

Had to overhaul edit this post because i suck at explaining

What’s the weed culture on the trail? when i start my first section ever of the trail (not a thru hike) im definitely going to be smoking at some point and i want to know if ill run into other people doing the same. i dont want to disturb anyone either with the smell or anything. But personally i cant imagine there would be much of an issue with it amongst trailers. i think it would be totally cool if you happened to run into someone and you just have an impromptu sesh, you could talk and exchange supplies if needed in the meantime.

We taking our sons on a one or two night hiking trip from Hopkins Prairie up to Rodman Campground. Does anyone recall any decent campsites/tent sites between the 88 Store and Kirkpatrick Dam?

I get it varies widely on how much you stop to eat, piss, shit and also endurance etc. but what i’m looking for is an average amount of time it takes from somebody with personal experience, can’t find a solid answer online. I’m sure i’ll need to camp once or twice depending. Looking to do my first section and i love ocala forest. i got to walk a couple miles of the section right next to juniper springs campground with was awesome. anyway let me know!

Hey y’all. Going to Florida feb10. Looking at options for getting from Tampa to Green Swamp. If I go Uber route am I better off going NOBO or SOBO for ride availability, as I’d prefer not to do an out and back. Estimated mileage I’ll go is anywhere between 50-150 depending on how I’m feeling.

I’m thinking about soon trying out some sections near me and i want to have a good legitimate route and map and info for the trail as far as benches, water, ponds, bridges, etc. if it’s a couple bucks that doesn’t matter. have never legit hiked in my life. i have a high endurance for being outside because i’ve lived in florida my entire life and have only ever had outside jobs. i’m fully aware of the weather and wildlife. i’m so cooped up and bored inside on weekends i need something to do!

I’m planning on doing a 2 day section hike of the St.Marks section of the FL in about a week but I’m having planning out the logistics. If I start in Aucilla, where can I leave my car? Also where is the exact end point of the 40-50 mile St.Marks section? I can’t really find a good map of this route. Also what campsites can I stay at in this section? I’ve heard of Ring Dike and Pinhook quite a bit but wasn’t sure if they are the only ones. Any other information or tips would be highly appreciated, thanks!🤙

My 7 (almost 8 year old) is ready and asking to start backpacking/thru hiking, we are currently in the Tampa area and I'm looking for recommendations on FT sections to thru or out & back hike with interesting terrain, lots of wild life, and a fair bit of seclusion.

Bonus points for wild camp sites.

TLDR/ Best section of FT for a 2 night hike with a 7 year old.

Hoping to start the Suwannee section after the first of the year, has anyone been through there lately?

I'm planning a section hike in the Osceola NF starting at Olustee Battlefield and am curious where the safest place to park is. Am I better off parking at the State Park or is the trailhead ok? TIA

Hi everyone!I just have a question regarding to how to get to Florida Trail from Miami Airport. Are there any public transport option that will get me close? If not, then is hitchhiking an option, or is the only way to get there is by Uber. I'll hike the Florida Trail over the winter break, and I'll get to Miami Airport later today.

I'm looking to do a thru hike in January. Just wanted to know if anyone tracks these things and what a ballpark number of people starting in January would be

Planning a SOBO of ONF next month using the FT and am wondering if there are better resources for up-to-date Forest closure conditions. I've checked the state website and local campgrounds of a few towns along the way. It seems Juniper Prarie, and Alexander Spring Wildernesses are temporarily closed but no details are given.

I am looking to hike another section of the FT over the next few weeks. Has anyone been out on the trail between Lake O and SR 60 lately? Anyone have a good idea of current conditions in the area?

I hiked the Ocean to Lake Trail about this time last year and I was ankle-deep to knee-deep in water for a large proportion of the trail. Should I expect the section between Lake O and SR 60 to be that wet? If not, should I have any trouble with finding water? I assume not, since the trail largely follows the Kissimmee River (but I have not been on the trail in this region, so I don't want to be overly optimistic or pessimistic).

I'd greatly appreciate any other tips or tricks about this section of the FT.

Let's say you're walking the trail, the sun has already set but you want to make it to the campsite. But then, on the path, there some water to wade (ankle-level) and there were... 20 baby alligators right in front of me. A) wade through them? B) retreat! C) don't hike at night? Does it make a difference?

Gonna get at it with my buddy this holiday season. We can either do an out and back (probably the simplest) or park two cars. We're both in solid shape.

Been looking at the Kissimmee Prairie Area or Ocala area.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I’m considering a section hike of the FT at the end of the month, but I would need to fly in and back out. I am a fairly strong hiker. Typically cover 20-25mpd in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Has anyone done something like this before who can provide a beta?

First time trip to Florida and hoping to see some things I’m not used to coming from the northwest.

Planning to hit Rainbow Springs National Park (hiking exploring), Crystal River (manatees!), Ichetucknee Springs State Park (hike and float), then maybe up to little Simon’s Island…?

I have a week and am flying in and out of Jacksonville. Does this seem like a good plan? Any recommendations? Thank you in advance. I appreciate any advice.

Does anyone have any route suggestions as an alternate to Eglin?

Whens the dry season down there? How gnarly are the alligators? Anything that people carry as a preventative like bear spray but equivalent for the gators? This will be a big change for me but super excited for the challenge.

I’m thinking about a FT thru hike this winter. How feasible do you think that would be with my dog? My parents live in Florida so if there are certain stretches where it wouldn’t be a good idea to have a dog (e.g. where wild dogs chase after you), my parents could take her while I hike through those sections.

Thanks!

Hi everyone.

I'm in the big bend area and I would like to leave some trial magic. Sine there isn't much traffic on the trail would it be a waste of good to leave on the trail? I figured the winter is when most people would be hiking the trial and that would be the time to do it.
When would be a good time to leave some goods on the trial for hikers and what part? Aucilla sink? Saint Mark's? Apalachicola or another spot in the area? Thanks.

I am preparing to hike the ocean to lake trail in a week or so. I am familiar with hiking in Florida and have done it my whole life. I am comfortable around alligators when i normally encounter them, but today was a touch different from the usual.

I decided to take a quick trip to Dupuis to scope out how wet the trail is after Milton. I ventured eastward from the park’s dirt road and hiked in a 1/4 mile to get a feel for the trail. I came across a bog that bordered the trail and distinctly heard a hasty retreat of an alligator. I stopped in my tracks and looked for the gator’s head to resurface. After about 30 seconds, i began to hear juvenile chirping from the water’s edge. First one, then two, then four locations spanning 180deg. around me. At that point i decided to turn back and plan for how I will negotiate that small hazardous area on the through hike.

For those experienced in similar conditions, what would be the best move when hiking through that area of the trail? Brisk and keep my distance from the water? Take calm and slow steps while maintaining eye contact at the water’s edge?

All Trails says the Bell Springs to Big Shoals part of the trail is closed. Does anyone have any information? Is it really closed?