Florida Backpacking

Hi Charles,

Torreya State Park is about the biggest elevation change you can get in Florida, and is beautiful, too.

It's about an hour West of Tallahassee.

Todd

We live in Bartow, a little southwest of Lakeland. There's a pretty good website, http://www.floridahikes.com/, you might find helpful.
I've a website, http://www.Brownkatzoutdoors.com, that describes backpacking trips we've made in Florida, with appropriate links for how to get there, permits, etc.
Go to the articles section.
Here's a good Florida backpacking blogs http://wahoohiker.com/.
The Florida Trail Association, http://www.floridatrail.org/, might also be helpful.
I've never backpacked the Ocala National forest north of you, but its said to be either terrific or full of beer-drunk gun-shooting rednecks.
Have fun.

The Florida Trail is lovely, makes for as long a trip as you likely want, and goes through a variety of landscapes. Can be wet, permits needed in parts. The guidebooks and maps from the Florida Trail Association are very helpful.

Where in Florida are you?

Brother, when I think "Florida" I think "kayaking." St. Johns River, Ten Thousand Islands, the Wilderness Waterway. All are on my life list.

Get yourself a cheap, secondhand folding expedition kayak that'll fit in your closet and your Ford Fiesta and go to town. Folbot makes decent inexpensive ones, but see http://www.foldingkayaks.org.

Hopefully, someday I'll do Isle Royale by kayak, too.

Charles,

http://www.floridahikes.com/

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/PDF/Florida_Hiking_Trails.pdf

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/fl/

Party On,

Newton

I second Torreya state park west of Tallahassee, did overnighter in April and enjoyed the scenery. Bout as close to hilly terrain you will find in Florida. Also the 20 mile Econfina Creek on the Florida Trail, between Highway 231 and HIghway 20 is beautiful, 10 miles of it along the Econfina Creek, a huge flowing creek popular with Canoeists, and Kayakers! 20-30 foot cliffs aboce the creek,
.. Did an overnighter in late February, it actually snowed a little, not something we see anywhere in Florida often. If I was in Central Florida would check out the Rice PLantation section of the Florida Trail near Palatka, and of course Ocala NF section of Fl. Trail.. Get involved with your local chapter of Florida Trail Assoc..