Office of Greenways and Trails

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February is the perfect time to trade the gym for the trail. Hiking in Florida’s forests isn’t just exercise, it’s a full-body recharge. Your mind (and heart) will thank you.

Why Hit the Trail?

• Health Perks: Lower stress, stronger muscles, better sleep, and a boosted immune system.
• Science Says: Natural environments make exercise feel easier, helping you stay active longer.
• Big Wins: Reduced anxiety, improved mood, and a healthier mind and body.

Hiking in Florida’s forests offers major physical benefits like improved heart health and balance, while boosting mental well-being, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, and increasing energy and creativity. Explore an interactive map of Florida State Forests near you.

Save the Date: Outdoor Florida Webinar

February 11 | 10:00 AM ET

Join us for an exciting discussion with Brooks White, Recreation Specialist with the Florida Forest Service, on how traditional outdoor experiences are being transformed through innovative digital tools. Register for the webinar.

Share Your Expertise in Outdoor Recreation

We’re looking for passionate professionals outdoor professionals to present in our Outdoor Florida Webinar Series. This is a great opportunity to showcase your knowledge, inspire others, and help grow Florida’s outdoor community.

If you’re interested in being a presenter, please reach out to us here. We’d love to hear your ideas! 

Free Resources 

If you missed out on receiving the Outdoor Recreation Activity Books for children, click here to email us, or click here to download the Activity Book at home!

Also, our new 2026 calendar is here! Featuring graphics that celebrate Florida’s outdoor recreation, it’s a great way to stay connected to nature all year long. To request an Activity Book or calendar by mail, send your name and mailing address here or at OfficeOfGreenwaysAndTrails@FloridaDEP.gov.

Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail Story Map Guide

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

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For more information, visit the Outdoor Florida Webinar Series webpage.

Trail Safety Video

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. 

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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:

• 2019-2023 Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan.
• Unpaved Non-Motorized Trail Guidelines.
• Trail Design Standards Infographic.
• 2023 Outdoor Recreation Economic Infographic.
• Economic Impact of Florida's Local Parks (National Recreation and Park Association).
• Establishing and Promoting a Paddling Trail or Blueways System.

Florida trails 500-plus miles in length:

• Florida National Scenic Trail.
• Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
• East Coast Greenway, Florida section.
• View the Online Trail Guide page for more trail links.  

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