Happy Florida Greenways and Trails Month!
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites Florida residents and visitors to explore the amazing greenways and trails found throughout the Sunshine State. Many families enjoy outdoor recreation on trails and realize the benefits of building strong bonds and making happy memories of time spent together. Trails provide safe, clean, open spaces where families can exercise, relieve stress, and get fresh air. Our network of trails in Florida provides opportunities for a variety of activities including walking, running, bicycling, paddling, or pushing a stroller. The benefits of outdoor recreation include lower blood pressure, improved fitness, enhanced mood, lower stress levels and more.
Challenge yourself this October by participating in our 2023 Trailblazer Challenge. Can you walk all 46 miles of the Withlacoochee State Trail? Paddle the length of the Apalachicola River? How about ride a bicycle along the entire East Coast Greenway? Whatever your ability, the trailblazer challenge will motivate you to get outside and explore Florida’s greenways and trails! Here’s how to get started:
Share your experiences on social media using #GreenwaysAndTrailsMonth and encourage your family members and friends to participate. Everyone who submits an activity log will be entered into a drawing for a Greenways and Trails swag bag!
Florida Gulf Coast Trail
The start of Greenways and Trails month also means it is time to unveil the finalists of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail Logo Contest. Earlier this summer our partners at the Trust for Public Land collected logo submissions from artists across the state for this developing regional trail in southwest Florida. Now we need your help to pick a winner! View the finalist designs and cast your vote on the Logo Contest Webpage between now and November 1st.
Learn more about the Florida Gulf Coast Trail and all that it will bring to Florida residents and visitors by tuning in to our Outdoor Florida Webinar on October 11th. This month, we will be speaking with Program Director Charles Hines to highlight the exciting work unfolding with the trail, which sections you can start exploring today, and more. Sign up to reserve your spot.
Resources:
Trailblazer Challenge Virtual Activity Tracker
The Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail (C2C) was conceived as an ambitious effort to create a continuous paved multi-use trail across the state of Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, the first state trail of its kind in the United States. It will span approximately 250 miles and is currently 88 percent complete. The trail will link communities between St. Petersburg and Titusville along its entire length, allowing residents and visitors to explore Central Florida by bicycle or foot. The trail is linking all or part of several existing multi-use trails and will be managed by a broad range of communities and agencies. The Coast-to-Coast Trail Alliance is coordinated by the Office of Greenways and Trails. Visit the website for more information on the C2C Alliance.
The Coast-to-Coast Story Map Guide is the culmination of efforts to create a practical, adaptable, accessible mode for communicating information about the trail including wayfinding, alternate routes for large gaps, amenities and local information.
The initial scouting and mapping of the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT) was completed in 2007, but periodic updates are needed for a trail of this length and magnitude. For our latest map upgrade, we changed the appearance and scope of the 26 segment maps to make them clearer and more informative. Check them out on the CT segments page. We have also created a CT Story Map and a Suwannee River Wilderness State Trail Story Map.
With our sunny skies and active lifestyles, Florida’s residents and visitors enjoy exploring our many miles of trails. Trail safety is important, particularly where trails and roadways cross. We all need to do our part to protect one another and prevent accidents. Whether as a motorist or trail user, we have a shared responsibility to:
The Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks joined together to put the spotlight on this important topic by developing a Trail Safety Video.
Feel free to share or download the video along with the extra information found below ... and remember to Always Put Safety First.
| More Trail Safety Information |
|---|
| Trail Safety Poster |
| Trail Safety at Crossings |
For even more information on trail safety, please visit our assistance and resources section.
Do you enjoy hiking, biking, paddling or horseback riding? The Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) within the Division of Recreation and Parks provides statewide leadership and coordination to establish, expand and promote non-motorized trails that make up the Florida Greenways and Trails System, pursuant to the Florida Greenways and Trails Act (Chapter 260, Florida Statutes). More can be found in the Office Overview and Historical Timeline.
"Florida's Growing Trail System" article in the March/April 2019 issue of Quality Cities Magazine provides an overview of Florida's trail system and Trail Town program.
To be included in OGT's online calendar, send regional and state event announcements to Doug Alderson.
Featured Publications: 2019-2023 Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan; Unpaved Non-Motorized Trail Guidelines; Trail Design Standards Infogram; 2023 Outdoor Recreation Economic Infographic; Establishing and Promoting a Paddling Trail or Blueways System.
Florida trails 500-plus miles in length:
Florida Bike Touring and State Trail Public Camping Options
Florida Bike Touring and State Trail Public Camping OptionsNone available at this time.
Interested in subscribing to DEP newsletters or receiving DEP updates through email?
Sign UpThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.
Learn More