The Florida Trail: The Official Guidebook

The first comprehensive guidebook to the entire 1,400-mile linear Florida Trail offers everything you need to know to hike this diverse and interesting National Scenic Trail. Broken into 42 segments, each section has detailed trail descriptions and maps showing trailheads and water sources; difficulty ratings, directions to trailheads, and information on trail town amenities; trip preparation and safety guidelines, and considerations for southbound hikers. It’s the book you need to hike the Florida Trail, whether you’re out for a short day hike or months of backpacking!

The Florida Trail: The Official Guide
ISBN 1-56579-492-3
Westcliffe Publishers
First edition, 2004, $16.95
Softcover, 312 pages.

This book is now out of print and I’m working on the new edition, which will be available in late 2010.

CONTENTS
Introduction
How to Use This Guide
History of the Florida Trail
The Natural Environment along the Florida Trail
Geology
Leave No Trace
Safety Concerns
Climate and Seasons
Permits
Planning a Thru-Hike
Segment 1 Loop Road to Oasis Ranger Station
Segment 2 Oasis Ranger Station to Alligator Alley
Segment 3 Alligator Alley to L-3 Canal
Segment 4 L-3 Canal to John Stretch Park
Segment 5 Lake Okeechobee East: John Stretch Park to Okeetantie
Segment 6 Lake Okeechobee West: John Stretch Park to Okeetantie
Segment 7 Okeetantie to Hickory Hammock Trailhead
Segment 8 Hickory Hammock Trailhead to Kicco WMA Trailhead
Segment 9 Kicco WMA Trailhead to Prairie Lakes WMA Trailhead
Segment 10 Prairie Lakes WMA Trailhead to Bull Creek WMA Trailhead
Segment 11 Bull Creek WMA Trailhead to Yates Road
Segment 12 Yates Road to Seminole Ranch Trailhead
Segment 13 Seminole Ranch Trailhead to Oviedo
Segment 14 Oviedo to Seminole State Forest South Trailhead
Segment 15 Seminole State Forest South Trailhead to Clearwater Lake Trailhead
Segment 16 Clearwater Lake Trailhead to CR 314
Segment 17 Prairie Lakes WMA Trailhead to Green Swamp East Trailhead
Segment 18 Green Swamp East Trailhead to Richloam Trailhead
Segment 19 Richloam Trailhead to Townsend Park
Segment 20 Townsend Park to Pruitt Trailhead
Segment 21 Pruitt Trailhead to CR 314
Segment 22 CR 314 to Buckman Lock North
Segment 23 Buckman Lock North to Holloway Road Trailhead
Segment 24 Holloway Road Trailhead to Gold Head North Trailhead
Segment 25 Gold Head North Trailhead to Olustee Trailhead
Segment 26 Olustee Trailhead to Deep Creek Trailhead
Segment 27 Deep Creek Trailhead to White Springs
Segment 28 White Springs to Gibson Park
Segment 29 Gibson Park to Mill Creek Trailhead
Segment 30 Mill Creek Trailhead to Goose Pasture Road
Segment 31 Goose Pasture Road to Greenhouse Road Trailhead
Segment 32 Greenhouse Road Trailhead to Bradwell Bay Trailhead
Segment 33 Bradwell Bay Trailhead to Camel Lake CG
Segment 34 Camel Lake CG to Scott Road Trailhead
Segment 35 Scott Road Trailhead to SR 20 Trailhead
Segment 36 SR 20 Trailhead to Sand Pond Trailhead
Segment 37 Sand Pond Trailhead to US 331Trailhead
Segment 38 US 331 Trailhead to SR 85 Trailhead
Segment 39 SR 85 Trailhead to East Bay Trailhead
Segment 40 East Bay Trailhead to Fort Pickens
Connector Harold to Alabama State Line
Side Trail The Florida Trail System
Appendix A Florida Trail Partners
Appendix B Equipment Checklist
Appendix C Map Lists and Sources
Appendix D Other Reading and Bibliography
Appendix E Post Offices, Accommodations, and Stores
Appendix F County Sheriff Offices
The Florida Trail Association
Acknowledgements
Index
About the Author