Bicycles on the Trail

Q: Can I ride my bike on the Trail?
A: Several short portions of the Florida Trail coincide with shared, multi-use trails where bikes and sometimes horses are allowed. However, the vast majority of the Florida Trail is designated for foot traffic only.  See BikingFlorida.com for bicycle trails. 

Building Fires

Q: Can I build fires for cooking?
A: Carry a backpacking stove to cook your meals. Don't rely on fires. Not only is it more convenient and easier in wet weather, it minimizes your impact on the land around your camp. Campfires are not allowed at all along some sections of the Trail and may be temporarily banned in other areas during periods of high fire danger. When you can build a fire, keep it small. Use only pre-existing fire rings or build a leave-no-trace fire on a deep sandy base. 

Horses on the Trail

Q: Can I ride my horse on the Trail?
A: Several short portions of the Florida Trail coincide with shared, multi-use trails where bikes and sometimes horses are allowed. However, the vast majority of the Florida Trail is designated for foot traffic only. For information on equestrian trails, see FloridaHorse.com. 

Pack Animals

Q: Are pack animals such as llamas and alpacas allowed on the Florida Trail?
A: No. The Florida Trail is a footpath for hiking only. There are many other multiuse trails available in Florida; and pack animals may be permitted on equestrian trails. See FloridaHorse.com for a list. 

Permits

Q: Do I need a permit to hike the Trail?
A: A few landowners require advanced notification and permits to cross their land. It is essential that you notify the Florida Trail Association office a minimum of 30 days before starting a thru-hike. You will need to supply the office with an address and phone number of where you can be reached during that thirty-day period.  The Seminole Indian Reservation has a monthly quota on the number of hikers passing through their property. Reservations for hiking through the Reservation are made by the FTA office on a first-come-first-served basis. Eglin Air Force Base requires hikers to carry a letter from the FTA attesting to their thru-hiker status. You will need to acquire all other permits on your own. Please refer to the enclosed green sheet “Permits Needed to Hike the Florida Trail” when you order a thru-hiker packet. It is wise to make contact with the FTA office as far in advance of the start of your hike as possible to avoid having to road-walk around these two areas. 

Pets on the Trail

Q: Are dogs allowed on the Trail?... what about cats?
A: Since many Florida state agencies and private landowners either prohibit dogs or place severe restrictions on them, the Florida Trail Association cannot recommend taking your dog on any portion of the Florida Trail outside of the boundaries of the three National Forests: Apalachicola, Ocala and Osceola. You personally will need to check with each land manager on their current policies on dogs before your hike.  Pets in general are not allowed, including ferrets, iguanas, turtles, and the like. 

Legal Restrictions

Q: Do I need to be a member of the FTA to hike on the Trail?
A: Since some portions of the Florida Trail are currently on private property, membership in the Florida Trail Association is a legal requirement to cross these lands. The individual membership fee starts as low as $25 per year. Family memberships are available too.