Backpacking Florida
The essential guide to Florida’s best overnight hiking trips
From the coastal bluffs of the Panhandle to the wild Everglades, Backpacking Florida features 40 overnight trail adventures covering a total of 600 miles across the state. Expert outdoorsman Johnny Molloy provides readers with the tools and information they need to unplug and experience Florida’s amazing variety of ecosystems up close.
Destinations in this guide range from well-known, “must-do” spots like Juniper Prairie Wilderness, Rice Creek Conservation Area, and the Blackwater River State Forest to undiscovered gems like Jennings State Forest, Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area, and Bonnet Pond. Trails are categorized by region, difficulty, and length, from 3-mile family treks to 50-mile larger-than-life excursions, resulting in a useful guide for both novice and experienced backpackers.
For every trail, Molloy includes a map and mileage chart and explains how to get to the trailhead, where the campsites are, and what hikers will see along the way. Readers will also find helpful advice on topics such as selecting a campsite and food for the trail. Backpacking Florida is an invaluable resource for planning and enjoying the perfect Florida outdoor adventure.
“An excellent book. I’ve been backpacking for 50 years and learned a lot about backpacking the state. Molloy breaks down tips and tricks for having a fun and successful backpacking experience.”—Joe Cuhaj, author of Hiking the Gulf Coast: A Guide to the Area’s Greatest Hiking Adventures
“Backpacking Florida will inspire readers to want to immediately run out into Florida nature and camp under the stars. It also equips readers with information on the proper gear, how to plan your trip, what to eat, finding the best trails, and enjoying the best sights along the way to make your backpacking trips through Florida successful.”—Terri Mashour, author of Backcountry Trails of Florida: A Guide to Hiking Florida’s Water Management Districts
Johnny Molloy is the author of more than 80 outdoor guide books, including The Hiking Trails of Florida’s National Forests, Parks, and Preserves, second edition, with Sandra Friend; Hiking the Florida Trail: 1,100 Miles, 78 Days, Two Pairs of Boots, and One Heck of an Adventure; and Day Hiking Southwest Florida: A Guide to the Best Trail Adventures in Greater Naples and Fort Myers.
