Florida is more than beaches and theme parks when you know where to lace up your boots. These scenic trails deliver cypress swamps, coastal dunes, prairie skies, and wildlife encounters you will talk about for years.
Whether you are chasing sunrise boardwalks or long-distance routes, 2026 is the perfect time to map out unforgettable miles. Let this guide help you pick the next trail that matches your pace and sense of wonder.
Florida National Scenic Trail
Stretching across the state, the Florida National Scenic Trail invites you to choose your adventure. Boardwalks glide over tannin-stained water, and sandy footpaths thread through longleaf pine, wiregrass, and oak hammocks. You can plan easy day sections or stitch together a multi-day backpack that tests your legs and fills your camera roll.
Expect variety. The Big Cypress swamps feel wild and primeval, while Panhandle forests bring cooler breezes and rolling terrain. Wayfinding is helped by orange blazes, but carrying updated maps and a GPS track keeps you confident when the terrain shifts from prairie to pine to wetland.
Wildlife sightings are common if you slow down. Look for wading birds working shallow sloughs, gopher tortoises near sandy uplands, and deer browsing edges at dusk. During winter, mosquitoes ease and water levels stabilize, creating friendlier conditions for longer itineraries.
Logistics matter for such a long corridor, so plan shuttle points and water caches when sections grow remote. Campsites, backcountry permits, and seasonal closures vary by managing partners, so double check before you go. If you are new to Florida backpacking, start with maintained segments near trail towns to build confidence and savor those first orange blazes.
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Circling Florida’s largest lake, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail rewards you with sweeping water views and endless sky. The levee-top path is broad, flat, and exposed, making sunrise and sunset the most comfortable and photogenic windows. You can bite off a short out-and-back or stack miles toward a multi-day circumnavigation.
Expect birdlife in every direction. Ospreys hover, purple gallinules dart among lily pads, and herons patrol the edges. In drier months, visibility is excellent, and you will appreciate sun protection, steady hydration, and a wind layer for gusty days across open water.
Because segments sometimes close for dike work, checking current status is essential. Trailheads around Clewiston, Belle Glade, and Pahokee create flexible access points for day logistics. Benches and overlooks invite breaks when the horizon begins to feel endless.
Bring binoculars and a camera with a longer lens to capture distant birds and lake textures. On longer pushes, plan resupply around nearby towns and lock structures. If you crave a meditative, rhythmic hike where each step tracks the curve of a vast inland sea, this levee loop delivers miles that feel both calming and quietly epic.
Lake Apopka Loop Trail
Lake Apopka Loop Trail wraps wetlands and restored marshes that erupt with birdlife. You can stroll a quiet section near the North Shore or commit to a longer push that stacks miles alongside shimmering water. The path is mostly level, so you will spend your energy scanning for wildlife rather than climbing.
Bring binoculars. Roseate spoonbills sometimes sweep the shallows, while raptors ride thermals overhead. In cooler months, the air feels crisp, and the sun paints subtle colors on reed beds that make even a short hike feel cinematic.
Wayfinding is straightforward, but facilities are spaced out, so carry water and snacks. Trailheads near Apopka and Minneola help you tailor distance to your day. If you time it right, you will catch morning mist lifting as alligators warm on the banks and coots chatter in rafts offshore.
Bikes share sections, so keep to the right and enjoy the steady rhythm of lake breezes. Photography opportunities stack quickly, from macro shots of dragonflies to wide panoramas at golden hour. When you want nature immersion without long drives, this loop delivers accessible miles and a surprising sense of quiet just outside Orlando.
Withlacoochee State Trail
Florida’s longest paved rail-trail invites you to stretch your stride. The Withlacoochee State Trail threads through small towns, river corridors, and forest shade, making it perfect for mixed groups of walkers, runners, and cyclists. Flat grade means consistent pacing, so you can focus on conversation, scenery, and the satisfying cadence of long miles.
Start in Inverness or Floral City and let oak tunnels cool the day. Occasional trail spurs lead to parks and river overlooks that make easy picnic stops. Wildlife is subtle here, but patient eyes spot turtles sunning, swallow-tailed kites circling, and deer tucked near edges at dawn.
Facilities are a highlight. Regular trailheads, restrooms, and cafes in trail towns make logistics easy, especially if you are piecing together a multi-day outing.
Bring lights for early or late transitions and a layer for unexpected breezes. Because the surface is paved, comfortable footwear matters to reduce repetitive pounding. If you want a Florida trail that combines ease, amenities, and just enough wildness to reset your mood, this corridor delivers dependable, scenic miles.
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
This trail is a straight arrow through the Green Swamp, and it feels wonderfully remote. Long, uninterrupted stretches let you settle into a meditative stride while wetlands, pine flatwoods, and prairie edges glide past. The flat grade makes pacing easy, so you can stack miles without fatigue sneaking up on your legs.
Wildlife is the headline. Watch for sandhill cranes, wild turkeys, and the occasional deer flashing through tall grasses. Spring brings wildflowers dotting the shoulders, while winter lights the sky with painterly sunsets that linger over open horizons.
Services are sparse, so pack water, sun protection, and snacks. Trailheads in Polk, Lake, and Sumter counties create flexible entry points, and bridges over wetlands add rhythm to the landscape. The sense of space is immense, and you will appreciate how quickly the busy world disappears behind you.
If you want solitude, start early and move quietly. The straight sightlines make it easy to manage group spacing and keep track of new hikers. For a Florida experience that balances accessibility with a real backcountry vibe, the Van Fleet offers pure, uncomplicated miles that invite deep breaths and unhurried conversation.
Gainesville–Hawthorne State Trail
Rolling quietly between Gainesville and Hawthorne, this converted rail trail links forests to prairie drama. You will slip under shady canopies, then burst into big-sky views near Paynes Prairie where wild horses and bison sometimes appear. The gentle grades add variety, making the miles feel playful rather than monotonous.
Trailheads are frequent, so you can tailor distance and shuffle cars if needed. Interpretive signs share natural history and offer rest stops for families. Birders love the transitions, picking up woodland warblers one hour and open-country raptors the next.
Pack layers for shifting shade and open sun. In summer, start early to beat heat and afternoon storms, and carry plenty of water. Boardwalk spurs and overlooks provide memorable detours where you can soak in prairie winds and watch cloud shadows slide over marsh.
Because surfaces are paved, walking shoes or light hikers work well. Expect a mix of cyclists, runners, and casual walkers, so keep right and enjoy the community vibe. If you want a day that blends nature immersion, easy logistics, and the thrill of spotting megafauna from a trail, this corridor delivers reliably satisfying miles.
Palatka–Lake Butler State Trail
North Florida’s Palatka–Lake Butler State Trail is a developing corridor with a laid-back, rural feel. You will pass pine plantations, wetlands, and small communities that greet hikers with friendly waves. The grade is easy, and the scenery sneaks up on you in textures rather than big vistas.
Trail sections vary in finish, so check current maps to plan where you want pavement versus compacted surface. Bridges over creeks deliver short, photogenic pauses, and long straightaways invite conversation or quiet reflection. This is an ideal place to build endurance without heavy climbs.
Carry water, especially between widely spaced services. Picnic tables at trailheads make simple staging for families, and road crossings are generally manageable with care. Wildlife watchers should look for kites, herons, and turtles in warm shallows along the edges.
If you like mixing a bike-and-hike approach, this route shines by letting you ride, then walk scenic pockets at a slower pace. The developing nature means new segments may open, so returning in 2026 could reveal fresh mileage. For a mellow day that still feels like exploration, this trail offers miles that are welcoming and unhurried.
Dune Ridge Trail – Little Talbot Island State Park
This loop feels like a time capsule of wild Atlantic coastline. Start beneath live oaks and cabbage palms, then crest sandy ridges where sea oats whisper and shorebirds ride the wind. The trail eventually spills you onto a broad, undeveloped beach that invites barefoot wandering and shell hunting.
Footing shifts between packed sand, roots, and boardwalk, so wear supportive shoes. Tides matter when you hit the shoreline section, and an early start rewards you with cool air and soft light for photos. The maritime forest provides shade and birdsong, a welcome contrast to the bright beach.
Bring water and a lightweight layer for breezes. You will likely spot pelicans gliding in formation, ghost crabs skittering at the waterline, and maybe dolphins offshore. Interpretive signs share dune ecology and remind you why staying on trail protects fragile vegetation.
If you are craving a half day that feels like a full reset, this is the move near Jacksonville. The loop length is friendly, yet the scenery changes often enough to keep you curious. Finish with a quiet sit on driftwood as the surf unknots whatever the week left behind.
Black Bear Wilderness Area Trail
Black Bear Wilderness loops through a lush floodplain where boardwalks, roots, and occasional mud keep things interesting. Expect shaded miles under cypress and gum trees with glimpses of the St. Johns River. It is a true Florida hike, more footpath than walkway, and you will feel immersed within minutes.
Waterproof footwear helps after rains, and trekking poles add stability on slick sections. Wildlife sightings can be excellent if you move quietly. Look for otter slides, barred owls, and gators warming along sunny edges while swallow-tailed kites drift above.
Parking fills on cool weekends, so arrive early. Wayfinding is straightforward around the loop, yet carrying a map or offline app keeps you relaxed when the forest closes in. Boardwalk segments break up wet areas and offer great photo angles on cypress knees and mirrored water.
Pack water, bug protection, and patience for passing spots on narrow tread. When the loop delivers that final stretch of dry ground and dappled light, you will feel accomplished. If you want a trail that feels wild but does not require long drives from Orlando, this one earns a top spot for 2026.
Anhinga & Shark Valley Trails – Everglades National Park
These classic Everglades walks pack huge wildlife returns for minimal effort. The Anhinga Trail’s boardwalk brings you eye-level with gators, turtles, and a parade of wading birds. Shark Valley adds sweeping vistas and an observation tower where you can watch thunderheads stack over the River of Grass.
Start early for calm air and active animals. Bring polarized sunglasses to cut glare and spot fish and turtles beneath the surface. In winter, mosquitoes ease and visibility improves, making it the premier season for beginners and shutterbugs alike.
Trails are short, so linger. Watch anhingas dry wings, listen for pig frogs, and let the slow pulse of the marsh set your pace. If you have wheels, the Shark Valley loop road is bikeable, but walking selected segments keeps the focus intimate.
Carry water, sun protection, and respect for wildlife distance. Rangers offer timely updates on closures and conditions, which helps you plan around heat or storms. For first-time Everglades hikers, this duo delivers the park’s essence in a compact, unforgettable package you will recommend to friends.
Hidden Waters Preserve & Little Big Econ State Forest
North and east of Orlando, these sister spots offer classic Central Florida miles. Hidden Waters packs surprising elevation changes around sinkholes and spring-fed ravines. Little Big Econ follows a beautiful river corridor where bluffs, roots, and suspension bridges make the hike feel delightfully adventurous.
Footing varies, so expect sandy climbs, narrow tread, and occasional mud after rains. River views open suddenly, revealing tannin-stained water sliding past cypress knees. Birds work the edges, and you may catch otters playing if you pause at quiet bends.
Trail networks interlace, so download a current map to link loops that match your time. Shade is generous, yet summer still demands water and electrolytes. Cooler months bring crisp mornings and golden light that turns palmetto fans into sparkling mosaics.
If you are building skills for longer backpacking, these trails offer practice with roots, stream crossings, and route choices. The proximity to Orlando keeps logistics easy while the scenery feels worlds away. You will finish tired in the best way, grinning about bridges, bluffs, and the way river breezes turn an ordinary Saturday into a mini expedition.
Myakka River State Park Trail Network
Myakka delivers a sampler of Florida ecosystems in one park. You will wander oak hammocks, cross open prairies, and trace the tea-colored Myakka River on boardwalks. The canopy walkway and tower provide a rare treetop perspective where hawks ride thermals and the landscape unfolds in green and gold.
Trails interconnect, so you can stitch together short family loops or ambitious day hikes. After rains, sections grow muddy, making waterproof footwear a smart call. Winter brings migratory birds and kinder temperatures, while summer adds dramatic clouds and sudden, refreshing showers.
Keep your camera handy. Alligators lounge along riverbanks, sandhill cranes trumpet across meadows, and deer ghost through hammocks at dusk. Picnic areas and concessions make planning simple, and rangers help with route ideas based on current conditions.
Bring water, sun protection, and an appetite for variety. If you want Florida in widescreen, these trails deliver a highlight reel of habitats within a single day. You will leave feeling both settled and energized, already plotting a return visit to explore the miles you missed.