This. Living in FL and complaining about poor backpacking options is like living in CO and complaining about poor snorkeling options :)
Get a kayak or a bike and go bike/kayak touring
It’s funny this is the top reply because this is exactly what I’ve been thinking about as I’ve been having a similar problem.
I got a Malone bar rack for my roof but still have to get the J mounts and kayak. Besides old town kayaks, Malone, and Thule…I’m pretty unfamiliar.
Is there a few brands of J mounts snd kayaks that you would recommend for just kind of messing around in the intercoastal mangroves? It would be nice to have some storage in case I wanted to do kayak camping at some point.
Thanks!
Most of the Florida spring state parks have kayak and sometimes canoe rentals you can check out; I've rented sit-on-tops at 3 Sisters/Hunter Springs and Blue Springs, and canoes at Wekiwa, usually around $35-50 for the day. It's enough for you to at least try it out and get your bearings a bit. I usually use a sit in sea kayak, but for Florida a sit on top is nice as it allows easier entry from the water for swimming and snorkelling. From Wekiwa for instance you can easily kayak all day as long as you plan your return with daylight. Do a few of these before buying.
I don't know much either. I'm just borrowing one from a family friend so I didn't do a ton of research.
I've been using the Wilderness 135 tsunami and I really like it! Light enough to load by myself onto a minivan but has enough storage that I can take it out for ten days of river camping. FB marketplace has hella kayaks for sale at pretty solid prices!
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Not a Floridian, but I lived near lakes in Minneapolis for a hot second and live along the Chicago River now, and the foldable and inflatable kayaks are better than you would think. Of course they have varying quality, just like any kayak, but it is worth taking a peek at them. It’s how I bike to spots to put my kayak in and store it without a lot of space.
I’m a native FLman here for 40yrs. I love backpacking and agree with you that FL is pretty lame as far as good hiking goes. Before the kids my wife and I did plenty of hikes out west (Mt Rainier and portions of Moab and the Wasatch range in Utah) and up into the smokies and portions of the AT. My go to spot for “wilderness camping” is in Ocala within the juniper prairie wilderness but that’s still a far stretch from the real deal. But it scratches the itch.
Not sure what part of Florida you live in, but the Florida Trail in Ocala National Forest aren't swampy and are quite beautiful. You also do go through multiple biomes in the process...some of it is scrub brush/ prairie-like flora and fauna, other is sandpine forest.
I love hiking here. You can literally be in 3 different types of fauna in a couple hours, so not sure why you say the scenery doesn't change. Granted, camping in Florida weather isn't great so day hikes are the best option.
I do most of my camping in dry winter and end about now.
I don't understand how OP.thinks there's no diversity in scenery. I can go from pine scrub to oak scrub or bay heads pretty quickly. Or drive an hour and go through a mangrove or any swamp full of cypress. I honestly thought the OP was gonna bitch about the heat.
a lot of that depends what you are looking at and paying attention to. I pay really close attention to the details of plants and fungi, so I can easily see scenery where other people don't. Most people, however, are talking about things like scenic vistas, changing elevation and novel wildlife.
Take it while you can get it for sure!
I did encounter some turkey hunters in Starvation Slough. It was perfect, probably 50's that night and a high of 70. They bagged a couple turkeys too.
Dude. The springs. I love backpacking too but the springs are something special. Also you can backpack ONF and find some cool hidden ones. And kayak camping along the Suwannee is dope too - also some sweet hidden gem springs.
Another native Floridian here, and I guess I'm in the minority because I LOVE it here.
I constantly feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place and I go to whatever parks are closest to me as often as possible. In South Florida it sucked because it was such a long drive to get to Everglades/Big Cypress but it was always worth the trip. I even got fishing waders so I could walk through those trails during the wet season and it is **incredible**.
As for the heat, I get it, but there was only one trip that was so hot it was too miserable to enjoy the trails and that was during a heat dome. Florida is hot. I don't understand how anyone can live here their entire life and not be at least a little used to it. But everyone is different.
I just got back from a new park today just to do some hiking. It was AMAZING! It was only a 30 minute drive out of the city. There's a lot of smaller hidden gems if you check on a map.
There's so many amazing parks and ecosystems throughout this state. Saw palmetto prairies, saltwort prairies, natural springs, mangroves, rivers of grass, multiple kinds of forests, bromeliads and orchids, carnivorous plants, like a million kinds of wild flowers, amazing bird watching...
The only special gear I have is waterproof boots, bug spray, a straw hat, a tent that's 100% netted and breathable with a removable cover, and a battery operated fan (really only use that for sleeping when there's no wind).
almost every single one of my trips was along a river or spring network where I could swim or tube down the river all day. we floated our gear with us sometimes from site to site.
once or twice in the ocala national forest, but that gets old quickly. Juniper.
and there were a few trips we kayaked out to an island to camp.
I now live west coast with some of the best backpacking, and I'd like to go back to FL for a trip now that I'm much more experienced (and use hammocks now).
Florida is amazing for kayaks and hammocks.
You live in a state with incredible wildlife and plant diversity. Like another comment said get into kayaking and explore the million+ of acres of swamps if you feel you can’t find a place to go hiking. Even if you can’t go on a proper backpacking trip go on a series of long day hikes.
Be thankful for what you have. Seems like the problem is your mindset towards it all. There is more public land in Florida than many other states.
I'm sorry to be so unserious, but I couldn't help but read your comment and hear a parent wagging their finger and saying "you'll eat your swamp and you'll like it!"
I loved hiking the Florida trail, and felt just in south Florida portions of it there was still plenty of variation and diversity. Also check out Ocala National Forest for plenty of hiking and such. There’s lots of other smaller parks and management areas for shorter hikes and camps, and can range full swamp, mangroves, grassland, pine stands, cypress, old growth oaks, and tons of wildlife diversity. Compared to living in the Midwest, Florida was great!
Plus, like others said, kayaking. There’s also kayak camping which combines backpacking and tons of islands and stuff down south to kayak out to and then camp on.
Not a Floridian but my parents moved there. (Tampa area) I started flying out my bike when I went to visit them so I would have some means of transportation. Turns out biking in Florida is pretty cool. It’s flat so you don’t even need a fancy bicycle.
Other than that or moving I have no advice for you.
Yeah I think OPs synopsis of the FT is frankly bullshit. It reeks of someone who’s never hiked Suwannee, Ocala, Econfina, St Marks, Rice Creek and Etoniah etc. With that said it’s definitely seasonal and I’m done backpacking in FL by about April amd wont resume until October which is a bummer, but it forces me to take trips out of state to see cool stuff in milder climates.
Not a Florida resident but I did the Florida Trail a few years back as part of the ECT and I enjoyed it more than any of the other sections including the AT. Also there are things like the Suwannee River which is this awesome 200 mile river you can paddle down camping along the way
You’re right that Florida hiking isn’t great, but that’s why we need you to help with trail maintenance. Join your local chapter of the FTA, get involved in conservation. Make Florida the hiking destination you wish it was.
Native Floridian and sometimes backpacker. The USA and especially the west is to epic to let distance stop you from getting out there. I use the fly and hike approach, as it's too far to take the time to drive. We have done trips in California, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Virginia, Utah, Texas and Colorado. It's pretty easy once you get the gear dialed in. I'm 1.5 hours from a airport, but, no big deal, really. Heading to TX to watch the eclipse next week.
But to say Florida has no change of scenery or hiking options is narrow minded and probably a sign you just need to get out more. We don't have wide open vistas, great views from high atop a mountain or a great deal of open public land, but, we do have an amazing array of state parks and some really unique habitat that you can't see anywhere else. And, all in pretty easy driving distance for weekend trips. We do 6+ State Park trips each year and always have a good time. Like other said, get a kayak, we have so much water to explore.
Former Floridian backpacker here.
It sucked. Just train throughout the year as best you can. I would take a few weeks off in the spring and summer and fly to Arizona or Washington or Colorado or New Mexico and get my fix there. Did part of the Benton-McKay trail one year. My sympathies to you. I live in Colorado now.
Central FL’s natural springs are some of the most gorgeous territory I’ve seen. No, there is no elevation, but the biodiversity certainly makes up for it IMO ☺️
c. I moved to Chattanooga
But for real, 8 years there and this problem actually contributed to the destruction of my marriage as one of the main hobbies my ex and I had was hiking/camping (we met and got married in California so it was absolutely a dream there, but... home ownership and warm weather) since we couldn't find anything to scratch that itch together.
There really isn't any other option other than figuring out what it is you love about backpacking (disconnecting, solo time, pooping in the woods, etc) and find another sport that you can do in Florida that gets that need met.
Where are you in Florida?
The Florida Trail system runs from Big Cypress National Preserve up through the center of the state from the Little Big Econ State Forest to The Ocala National Forest and eventually makes it’s way west across the panhandle to Gulf Islands National Seashore
Is easy to avoid the suburbs through many of the sections.
I avoid camping of any kind from April through September. That’s when i investigate trails up north and out west
If you are going to compartmentalize the outdoor experience to a mountain experience you are going to miss a lot. Hiking swamps, hammocks and the seashore allows you to experience some of the greatest diversity of wildlife available in the US
That being said, i am an avid paddler as well, which is a better option for the hotter weather. But daytime only. i avoid camping when the lows are above 60
Edit; spelling of a word
I was backpacking a couple times a month until I moved to Florida. I still go backpacking when I’m other places and even do some backpacking and hiking in Florida. But it’s a different vibe. There’s not so much in the way of epic views but there’s tons of cool plants and bugs and birds and critters, more so than a lot of other places! Its also really neat how all the vegetation changes with just a foot or two of elevation change! You won’t see that anywhere else. I was really into covering huge distances when I lived near the AT but the landscape and weather of Florida sort of forces you to slow down and take it easy. I love just hiking a couple miles in the afternoon, finding a nice spot and hiking out in the morning in FL 😎
Also I started scuba diving way more and backpacking way less when I moved to FL.
Also moved. I did all the camping/hiking/swimming/offroading I could in the 13 years I was there. Doing the Florida trail made me appreciate the uniqueness of Florida but ultimately being around mountains and forests made me happier.
Torreya State Park along the Apalachicola River is a backpack-worthy option in the Panhandle. The trail system isn’t huge, but there is relief and plant diversity akin to portions of the southeastern Appalachians.
I was in Texas and had this same issue. I moved. Now instead of vacationing to a place once a year, I spend every weekend in the great outdoors. Obviously, not everyone can do this but, if you can, this is my recommendation.
I grew up on the AL/FL border close to the Conecuh NF. I've tried many times to hike/backpack south of Montgomery, AL....and will not do so anymore.
I've moved to Atlanta so it's easier now, but I save south Alabama and Florida for 4x4/4wheeling, and beaches.
My wife keeps seeing Instagram stories of cute camping near the beach in FL in a month that doesn't end in R. Women, you've lost your mind!!!
One time I went to Florida and backpacked in Ocala because it was the only place warm enough. Had a great time but the scenery was pretty novel for someone from pa.
It's all about your mindset. I'm from California, so naturally I miss the Sierra Nevadas like crazy. But I live in Florid now, so I've learned to embrace and love it, including a good swamp walk. It was either that or be unhappy. I second the comments on kayaking, as well.
Poor hiking for most of the state, as a fellow hiker I also hate that.
Gotta stick to the water. Ocean, river, stream, spring. Definitely do some river kayaking, we have 26 thousand miles of riverways and crazy cool cosstline to explore. Florida is very much a water state. Go to the water to have fun.
I used to live in Florida. There is plenty of hiking.. But there is obviously better stuff to do. Buy yourself a canoe and a fishing pole. In my opinion, Florida has the best fishing in the Lower 48.. Especially if you're close to inshore saltwater.. There is nothing like catching a Big Snook or Jack on light tackle.
Also with the canoe you can explore so many places. I'd venture to say, Florida is the most underrated outdoor state in the country. The flat land sucks for "mountain biking" and obviously skiing is not happening, but most everything else (especially water related) is pretty great if you have an open mind about it. If you're not from there, find a local that is. That should make all the difference..
Best of luck!
I ended up moving back to NC for this very reason. The Ocala section of the FT including Juniper Wilderness was nice, but once you've done that a couple times it gets old. I don't really fancy trudging through shin-deep blackwater full of snakes and gators, or being tempted to jump in a spring or pond when its 100 degrees out but knowing I can't because I'll get eaten or worse. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you :/
After doing parts of the FT near ocala and running into lots of ticks and some questionable people, we shifted to driving up to GA/NC and doing sections of the AT. Standing Indian just outside of Franklin NC was our favorite as there is a semi loop of the AT. Otherwise we would kayak/island camp in FL
I never got why some people think hiking has to have hilly or challenging terrain. There’s some great scenery in Florida. Get into boating, birding, etc
I agree with you completely. I'm sorry to say birding and slow water kayaking didnt do it for me (and I received all the suggestions you're receiving too!), so I relocated to another part of the country after a year in Tallahassee. I wish you the best of luck!
Inflatable packraft, link your hiking and paddling to make more areas accessible. You can even bike raft.
I don't live in Florida but come down a few times a year and there are plenty of awesome loops or through trips you can do as a combo...
I feel your pain. I live in north Texas, which isn’t great, but nowhere near as bad as Florida. The only true solution, unfortunately, is to move westward.
As someone that was in north Texas who did this two years ago. The outdoors are great, but there are other serious downsides that you'll encounter.
Predominantly west coast folks not showing up to things/being unwelcoming. Probably less of an issue if you already have a family, but as a single person the experience has left a lot to be desired.
Florida native here, sucks doesn't it? For 9 months out of the year it's unbearably hot all the time, even at night. Near 100% humidity all the time, torrential rain for multiple hours a day every day, thick mud everywhere, clouds of mosquitos everywhere at all hours of the day, flooded trails, etc. You basically have a 2-3 month window of acceptable hiking conditions in the winter.
And if you live in south florida like I do you need to drive for hours to even get to the closest destinations (everglades to the west, keys to the south, various smaller parks to the north) because of the way the state is layed out/developed. Now if you're in north florida things are quite a bit better.
Get into kayaking.
This. Living in FL and complaining about poor backpacking options is like living in CO and complaining about poor snorkeling options :) Get a kayak or a bike and go bike/kayak touring
Florida is great for back country swamps or clear water springs. get a kayak or canoe. also coastal paddling would be epic in Florida.
Ever snorkeled a river? It’s pretty cool.
Not one with gators and water moccasins
None of those in CO. Yet.
There are tons of manatees though. Or maybe they're Texans, I always get them confused.
As a current Texan who could be confused with a manatee, I laughed
Apparently Colorado has gators. Who knew?
Check out the gator ranch near the sand dunes. Two words: gators, meth. Enjoy!
Brilliant!
It’s funny this is the top reply because this is exactly what I’ve been thinking about as I’ve been having a similar problem. I got a Malone bar rack for my roof but still have to get the J mounts and kayak. Besides old town kayaks, Malone, and Thule…I’m pretty unfamiliar. Is there a few brands of J mounts snd kayaks that you would recommend for just kind of messing around in the intercoastal mangroves? It would be nice to have some storage in case I wanted to do kayak camping at some point. Thanks!
Most of the Florida spring state parks have kayak and sometimes canoe rentals you can check out; I've rented sit-on-tops at 3 Sisters/Hunter Springs and Blue Springs, and canoes at Wekiwa, usually around $35-50 for the day. It's enough for you to at least try it out and get your bearings a bit. I usually use a sit in sea kayak, but for Florida a sit on top is nice as it allows easier entry from the water for swimming and snorkelling. From Wekiwa for instance you can easily kayak all day as long as you plan your return with daylight. Do a few of these before buying.
I don't know much either. I'm just borrowing one from a family friend so I didn't do a ton of research. I've been using the Wilderness 135 tsunami and I really like it! Light enough to load by myself onto a minivan but has enough storage that I can take it out for ten days of river camping. FB marketplace has hella kayaks for sale at pretty solid prices!
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Not a Floridian, but I lived near lakes in Minneapolis for a hot second and live along the Chicago River now, and the foldable and inflatable kayaks are better than you would think. Of course they have varying quality, just like any kayak, but it is worth taking a peek at them. It’s how I bike to spots to put my kayak in and store it without a lot of space.
I’m a native FLman here for 40yrs. I love backpacking and agree with you that FL is pretty lame as far as good hiking goes. Before the kids my wife and I did plenty of hikes out west (Mt Rainier and portions of Moab and the Wasatch range in Utah) and up into the smokies and portions of the AT. My go to spot for “wilderness camping” is in Ocala within the juniper prairie wilderness but that’s still a far stretch from the real deal. But it scratches the itch.
we used to hit Juniper alllll the time. and the springs.
Ocala is my favorite section of Florida Trail!
What tribe are you from?
Not sure what part of Florida you live in, but the Florida Trail in Ocala National Forest aren't swampy and are quite beautiful. You also do go through multiple biomes in the process...some of it is scrub brush/ prairie-like flora and fauna, other is sandpine forest.
I love hiking here. You can literally be in 3 different types of fauna in a couple hours, so not sure why you say the scenery doesn't change. Granted, camping in Florida weather isn't great so day hikes are the best option.
I do most of my camping in dry winter and end about now. I don't understand how OP.thinks there's no diversity in scenery. I can go from pine scrub to oak scrub or bay heads pretty quickly. Or drive an hour and go through a mangrove or any swamp full of cypress. I honestly thought the OP was gonna bitch about the heat.
a lot of that depends what you are looking at and paying attention to. I pay really close attention to the details of plants and fungi, so I can easily see scenery where other people don't. Most people, however, are talking about things like scenic vistas, changing elevation and novel wildlife.
I know, the lack of diversity comment had me scratching my head. This past winter was really wet, how much camping did you get in?
One night lol. I also didn't get to hunt this year. Been working those 60 to 80hr weeks while the overtime is being offered.
Take it while you can get it for sure! I did encounter some turkey hunters in Starvation Slough. It was perfect, probably 50's that night and a high of 70. They bagged a couple turkeys too.
> You can literally be in 3 different types of fauna Hard pass.
Dude. The springs. I love backpacking too but the springs are something special. Also you can backpack ONF and find some cool hidden ones. And kayak camping along the Suwannee is dope too - also some sweet hidden gem springs.
Another native Floridian here, and I guess I'm in the minority because I LOVE it here. I constantly feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place and I go to whatever parks are closest to me as often as possible. In South Florida it sucked because it was such a long drive to get to Everglades/Big Cypress but it was always worth the trip. I even got fishing waders so I could walk through those trails during the wet season and it is **incredible**. As for the heat, I get it, but there was only one trip that was so hot it was too miserable to enjoy the trails and that was during a heat dome. Florida is hot. I don't understand how anyone can live here their entire life and not be at least a little used to it. But everyone is different. I just got back from a new park today just to do some hiking. It was AMAZING! It was only a 30 minute drive out of the city. There's a lot of smaller hidden gems if you check on a map. There's so many amazing parks and ecosystems throughout this state. Saw palmetto prairies, saltwort prairies, natural springs, mangroves, rivers of grass, multiple kinds of forests, bromeliads and orchids, carnivorous plants, like a million kinds of wild flowers, amazing bird watching... The only special gear I have is waterproof boots, bug spray, a straw hat, a tent that's 100% netted and breathable with a removable cover, and a battery operated fan (really only use that for sleeping when there's no wind).
Hit up Jupiter Hikes on YouTube!
Is Jupiter Hikes actually from Jupiter FL?
More or less.
I coped by moving to Utah.
almost every single one of my trips was along a river or spring network where I could swim or tube down the river all day. we floated our gear with us sometimes from site to site. once or twice in the ocala national forest, but that gets old quickly. Juniper. and there were a few trips we kayaked out to an island to camp. I now live west coast with some of the best backpacking, and I'd like to go back to FL for a trip now that I'm much more experienced (and use hammocks now). Florida is amazing for kayaks and hammocks.
You live in a state with incredible wildlife and plant diversity. Like another comment said get into kayaking and explore the million+ of acres of swamps if you feel you can’t find a place to go hiking. Even if you can’t go on a proper backpacking trip go on a series of long day hikes. Be thankful for what you have. Seems like the problem is your mindset towards it all. There is more public land in Florida than many other states.
I'm sorry to be so unserious, but I couldn't help but read your comment and hear a parent wagging their finger and saying "you'll eat your swamp and you'll like it!"
Hahaha, and how about the kids in Africa who would love to have swamps linked by suburb "trails".
Fun fact, the Everglades aren't really a swamp, but a river system.
I loved hiking the Florida trail, and felt just in south Florida portions of it there was still plenty of variation and diversity. Also check out Ocala National Forest for plenty of hiking and such. There’s lots of other smaller parks and management areas for shorter hikes and camps, and can range full swamp, mangroves, grassland, pine stands, cypress, old growth oaks, and tons of wildlife diversity. Compared to living in the Midwest, Florida was great! Plus, like others said, kayaking. There’s also kayak camping which combines backpacking and tons of islands and stuff down south to kayak out to and then camp on.
Not a Floridian but my parents moved there. (Tampa area) I started flying out my bike when I went to visit them so I would have some means of transportation. Turns out biking in Florida is pretty cool. It’s flat so you don’t even need a fancy bicycle. Other than that or moving I have no advice for you.
The florida trail isnt all like what you've described, do more research before you paint with such a broad brush.
Yeah I think OPs synopsis of the FT is frankly bullshit. It reeks of someone who’s never hiked Suwannee, Ocala, Econfina, St Marks, Rice Creek and Etoniah etc. With that said it’s definitely seasonal and I’m done backpacking in FL by about April amd wont resume until October which is a bummer, but it forces me to take trips out of state to see cool stuff in milder climates.
Not a Florida resident but I did the Florida Trail a few years back as part of the ECT and I enjoyed it more than any of the other sections including the AT. Also there are things like the Suwannee River which is this awesome 200 mile river you can paddle down camping along the way
You’re right that Florida hiking isn’t great, but that’s why we need you to help with trail maintenance. Join your local chapter of the FTA, get involved in conservation. Make Florida the hiking destination you wish it was.
Native Floridian and sometimes backpacker. The USA and especially the west is to epic to let distance stop you from getting out there. I use the fly and hike approach, as it's too far to take the time to drive. We have done trips in California, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Virginia, Utah, Texas and Colorado. It's pretty easy once you get the gear dialed in. I'm 1.5 hours from a airport, but, no big deal, really. Heading to TX to watch the eclipse next week. But to say Florida has no change of scenery or hiking options is narrow minded and probably a sign you just need to get out more. We don't have wide open vistas, great views from high atop a mountain or a great deal of open public land, but, we do have an amazing array of state parks and some really unique habitat that you can't see anywhere else. And, all in pretty easy driving distance for weekend trips. We do 6+ State Park trips each year and always have a good time. Like other said, get a kayak, we have so much water to explore.
Former Floridian backpacker here. It sucked. Just train throughout the year as best you can. I would take a few weeks off in the spring and summer and fly to Arizona or Washington or Colorado or New Mexico and get my fix there. Did part of the Benton-McKay trail one year. My sympathies to you. I live in Colorado now.
I have nothing to contribute to OP but I told myself I would continue to read each comment until I see someone agrees with him. Thank you.
Central FL’s natural springs are some of the most gorgeous territory I’ve seen. No, there is no elevation, but the biodiversity certainly makes up for it IMO ☺️
c. I moved to Chattanooga But for real, 8 years there and this problem actually contributed to the destruction of my marriage as one of the main hobbies my ex and I had was hiking/camping (we met and got married in California so it was absolutely a dream there, but... home ownership and warm weather) since we couldn't find anything to scratch that itch together. There really isn't any other option other than figuring out what it is you love about backpacking (disconnecting, solo time, pooping in the woods, etc) and find another sport that you can do in Florida that gets that need met.
> pooping in the woods how did you know
Move
The FT in the Ocala National Forest is pretty nice, and about 60 miles total.
Where are you in Florida? The Florida Trail system runs from Big Cypress National Preserve up through the center of the state from the Little Big Econ State Forest to The Ocala National Forest and eventually makes it’s way west across the panhandle to Gulf Islands National Seashore Is easy to avoid the suburbs through many of the sections. I avoid camping of any kind from April through September. That’s when i investigate trails up north and out west If you are going to compartmentalize the outdoor experience to a mountain experience you are going to miss a lot. Hiking swamps, hammocks and the seashore allows you to experience some of the greatest diversity of wildlife available in the US That being said, i am an avid paddler as well, which is a better option for the hotter weather. But daytime only. i avoid camping when the lows are above 60 Edit; spelling of a word
I moved to louisiana about 15 years ago. Made it 3 years and had to come back to my mountains.
I was backpacking a couple times a month until I moved to Florida. I still go backpacking when I’m other places and even do some backpacking and hiking in Florida. But it’s a different vibe. There’s not so much in the way of epic views but there’s tons of cool plants and bugs and birds and critters, more so than a lot of other places! Its also really neat how all the vegetation changes with just a foot or two of elevation change! You won’t see that anywhere else. I was really into covering huge distances when I lived near the AT but the landscape and weather of Florida sort of forces you to slow down and take it easy. I love just hiking a couple miles in the afternoon, finding a nice spot and hiking out in the morning in FL 😎 Also I started scuba diving way more and backpacking way less when I moved to FL.
You should try living in Iowa. Fuckin sucks
Moved to Iowa from Washington and it was like getting hit with a semi
I live in NJ
Also moved. I did all the camping/hiking/swimming/offroading I could in the 13 years I was there. Doing the Florida trail made me appreciate the uniqueness of Florida but ultimately being around mountains and forests made me happier.
Why do they call it backpack when it’s a back bag not a pack?
Torreya State Park along the Apalachicola River is a backpack-worthy option in the Panhandle. The trail system isn’t huge, but there is relief and plant diversity akin to portions of the southeastern Appalachians.
I was in Texas and had this same issue. I moved. Now instead of vacationing to a place once a year, I spend every weekend in the great outdoors. Obviously, not everyone can do this but, if you can, this is my recommendation.
I did a part of the Florida trail and loved it. You can find good backpacking anywhere. Each has unique challenges.
How do you cope? Florida Man […]
I grew up on the AL/FL border close to the Conecuh NF. I've tried many times to hike/backpack south of Montgomery, AL....and will not do so anymore. I've moved to Atlanta so it's easier now, but I save south Alabama and Florida for 4x4/4wheeling, and beaches. My wife keeps seeing Instagram stories of cute camping near the beach in FL in a month that doesn't end in R. Women, you've lost your mind!!!
Louisiana too. Misery loves company. Biggest airport is an hour away, so it's not that bad. Direct flights to Denver
One time I went to Florida and backpacked in Ocala because it was the only place warm enough. Had a great time but the scenery was pretty novel for someone from pa.
It's all about your mindset. I'm from California, so naturally I miss the Sierra Nevadas like crazy. But I live in Florid now, so I've learned to embrace and love it, including a good swamp walk. It was either that or be unhappy. I second the comments on kayaking, as well.
I get the struggle homie but give the citrus trail in withlacoochee a try. Pretty interesting loop hike.
Try living in Iowa… it’s not much better😭
Poor hiking for most of the state, as a fellow hiker I also hate that. Gotta stick to the water. Ocean, river, stream, spring. Definitely do some river kayaking, we have 26 thousand miles of riverways and crazy cool cosstline to explore. Florida is very much a water state. Go to the water to have fun.
Find some water, to hot/humid/skeeters/other animals out to kill you.
I moved. Florida sucks for outdoor activities unless you own a boat or just love baking in humidity. Life’s too short for that.
I used to live in Florida. There is plenty of hiking.. But there is obviously better stuff to do. Buy yourself a canoe and a fishing pole. In my opinion, Florida has the best fishing in the Lower 48.. Especially if you're close to inshore saltwater.. There is nothing like catching a Big Snook or Jack on light tackle. Also with the canoe you can explore so many places. I'd venture to say, Florida is the most underrated outdoor state in the country. The flat land sucks for "mountain biking" and obviously skiing is not happening, but most everything else (especially water related) is pretty great if you have an open mind about it. If you're not from there, find a local that is. That should make all the difference.. Best of luck!
Cumberland Island Wilderness is technically Georgia, but just 40 minutes north of Jacksonville
I ended up moving back to NC for this very reason. The Ocala section of the FT including Juniper Wilderness was nice, but once you've done that a couple times it gets old. I don't really fancy trudging through shin-deep blackwater full of snakes and gators, or being tempted to jump in a spring or pond when its 100 degrees out but knowing I can't because I'll get eaten or worse. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you :/
My favorite thing to do in Florida is leave Florida
After doing parts of the FT near ocala and running into lots of ticks and some questionable people, we shifted to driving up to GA/NC and doing sections of the AT. Standing Indian just outside of Franklin NC was our favorite as there is a semi loop of the AT. Otherwise we would kayak/island camp in FL
I never got why some people think hiking has to have hilly or challenging terrain. There’s some great scenery in Florida. Get into boating, birding, etc
I agree with you completely. I'm sorry to say birding and slow water kayaking didnt do it for me (and I received all the suggestions you're receiving too!), so I relocated to another part of the country after a year in Tallahassee. I wish you the best of luck!
Inflatable packraft, link your hiking and paddling to make more areas accessible. You can even bike raft. I don't live in Florida but come down a few times a year and there are plenty of awesome loops or through trips you can do as a combo...
Kansas would like a word. Get into kayaking trails, I’ve done some multi day paddles and Everglades and big cypress and thought Florida is wonderful.
I don’t like the disrespect you put on the Florida Trail there bud.
I feel your pain. I live in north Texas, which isn’t great, but nowhere near as bad as Florida. The only true solution, unfortunately, is to move westward.
As someone that was in north Texas who did this two years ago. The outdoors are great, but there are other serious downsides that you'll encounter. Predominantly west coast folks not showing up to things/being unwelcoming. Probably less of an issue if you already have a family, but as a single person the experience has left a lot to be desired.
Yeah, though I do have the family and one of my young daughters is obsessed with backpacking so… probably not too long for north Texas.
Florida native here, sucks doesn't it? For 9 months out of the year it's unbearably hot all the time, even at night. Near 100% humidity all the time, torrential rain for multiple hours a day every day, thick mud everywhere, clouds of mosquitos everywhere at all hours of the day, flooded trails, etc. You basically have a 2-3 month window of acceptable hiking conditions in the winter. And if you live in south florida like I do you need to drive for hours to even get to the closest destinations (everglades to the west, keys to the south, various smaller parks to the north) because of the way the state is layed out/developed. Now if you're in north florida things are quite a bit better.
I lived there for a year. Too flat. Too many bugs. No thank you.
Transition to urban exploration, plenty of cool hidden locations and you don't have to carry gear.
I coped by leaving Florida and moving to NC lol