Florida National Scenic Trail
More than 1,500 miles of orange-blazed trail cross Florida from Big Cypress to Gulf Islands through landscapes far more varied than flatness suggests.
Artwork inspired by Livingston Roberts
The Florida Trail reveals a state organized by ecological transitions rather than by dramatic elevation. Its orange-blazed route links wet cypress, sand ridge, pine flatwoods, prairie, river bluff, agricultural margins, military land, and beach, showing how water, fire, and land management continually shape travel across more than 1,500 miles.
Experience it as a sequence of separately managed segments, not as one uniform path. Before choosing a section, identify its land manager, water sources, exit points, permits, and seasonal restrictions. Current maps and notices matter because flooded ground, prescribed fire, hunting seasons, closures, and changing road walks can transform both pace and access.
- Length
- More than 1,500 miles
- Blaze
- Orange
- Designation
- National Scenic Trail
Quick guide
- Planning unit
- Research a specific segment, never “the trail” generically.
- Primary variable
- Water level often matters more than elevation.
Explore further
- Choose one segment
- Name its land manager, season, water sources, and exit points.
- Download current data
- Orange blazes do not replace reroute and closure information.
- Prepare for water
- A shallow flooded mile can be slower than a steep dry one.
- Dress for hunting
- Check seasons and wear blaze orange where agencies recommend it.
Good to know
There is no single trailhead, address, or universal rule set. This card intentionally opens a trail overview; select a managed segment before relying on directions, fees, or camping advice.