The beginning of winter in Florida is the perfect time to wake up early and enjoy outdoor activities in the cooler temperatures! This month, consider exploring the hidden gems known as Florida’s Trail Towns, ideal destinations for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, or paddling adventures. Many Trail Towns are located near one or more state parks, making them perfect for a weekend getaway to discover somewhere new.
As we head into December, remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. Spending time in nature, whether hiking, paddling, or birdwatching, can help clear your mind, reduce stress, and boost your mood. Research shows that being absorbed in natural settings can improve attention span, lower anxiety, and enhance overall well-being. Not sure where to start? Click here to explore the Online Trail Guide—an interactive map that helps you discover trails across Florida, including those closest to you.
Mark your calendar for December 10th! Join us at 10 AM ET for the Outdoor Florida Webinar featuring Jim Couillard, Director of Parks and Recreation for Marion County. He’ll share how the county is connecting people with nature through a wide range of recreational opportunities, from nature viewing and mountain biking to camping and kayaking. Register here to be part of the conversation!
Our 2026 Greenways and Trails calendars are now available, featuring outdoor recreation graphics helping to keep you connected to Florida’s outdoors. Want one mailed to you?
Send your name and mailing address to OfficeOfGreenwaysAndTrails@FloridaDEP.gov, and we’ll be happy to send one your way!
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 America 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.
Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail Mapping Update
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.
Outdoor Florida Webinar Series
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:
- Look and listen.
- Obey signs and markings.
- Take responsibility for our own safety.
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.
For even more information on trail safety, please visit our Assistance and Resources webpage.
For more information on requesting a speaker, visit the Contact Us 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: