November is the perfect time to explore Florida's scenic landscapes on horseback, with its mild temperatures and fall scenery creating an ideal riding environment. Whether you're an experienced equestrian or new to the activity, Florida’s diverse trails offer something for everyone, from winding forest paths to peaceful coastal routes. Enjoy the cooler weather, cool air, and abundant wildlife as you ride through nature, taking in the beauty of the season. Embrace the warmth of a Florida fall while discovering hidden gems only accessible on horseback.
November is also a fantastic time to paddle in Florida, with the cooler temperatures and calm waters offering the perfect setting for an unforgettable adventure. Whether you're kayaking through crystal-clear springs, exploring winding mangrove tunnels, or gliding along serene rivers, Florida’s waterways come alive in the fall. You’ll enjoy peaceful surroundings, vibrant wildlife, and fewer crowds, making it an ideal season to experience the natural beauty up close. With colorful autumn landscapes reflecting on the surface, paddling in Florida in November is a relaxing escape into nature that’s not to be missed.
Discover the wonders of Florida’s great outdoors with our exciting new children’s activity book, designed to spark curiosity and adventure! Packed with fun puzzles, engaging coloring pages, and interactive learning activities, this book introduces kids to Florida’s unique wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and exciting outdoor adventures—from beaches to forests, and everything in between. Perfect for young explorers, the book encourages kids to learn about the state’s ecosystems while developing a love for nature. Whether at home or on a family trip, this activity book is the perfect companion for inspiring outdoor fun in Florida. To request a FREE copy of the Outdoor Recreation Activity Book (including fun stickers) send your mailing address to OfficeOfGreenwaysAndTrails@FloridaDEP.gov. And don’t forget, you can still request a FREE copy of our Mountain Biking in Florida guide which highlights 10 great locations in Florida to check out.
I’m excited to share that one of our great partners, the Trust for Public Land, has just updated its webpage for the Florida Gulf Coast Trail to include a brochure, maps, and county-by-county descriptions of the trail. Check the site out to see the work that has been done and stay up to date on the progress of the trail.
As a reminder, if you haven’t already, register to attend our November 13th webinar, The Capital City to Sea Trails and More. The ambitious vision of creating a 70-plus mile loop paved multi-use trail from Tallahassee to the coast and back, along with side trails, is coming to fruition. Learn more about this exciting effort with Jack Kostrzewa of the Capital Region Transportation Planning Association.
For more information on requesting a speaker, visit the Contact Us webpage.
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 OGT. For more information, visit OGT's C2C Alliance webpage.
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. For more information, visit OGT's CT segments webpage. We have also created a CT Story Map and a Suwannee River Wilderness State Trail Story Map.
For more information, visit the Outdoor Florida Webinar Series webpage.
With our sunny skies and active lifestyles, Florida’s residents and visitors enjoy exploring our numerous 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 DEP'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 |
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| Trail Safety Poster |
| Trail Safety at Crossings |
For even more information on trail safety, please visit our Assistance and Resources webpage.
Do you enjoy hiking, biking, paddling or horseback riding? 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 OGT 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 OGT's inbox.
Featured Publications:
Florida trails 500-plus miles in length:
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