Image
Header for January monthly campaign - fishing

As we SAIL into January and into the New Year, this is a great time to explore imaginative Outdoor recreational activities. Florida offers vibrant weather conditions suitable for activities like hiking, biking, paddling and fishing all year round! Visiting one of Florida’s beautiful scenic State Parks or trails may be the New Years resolution you never knew you needed.

This month, we’re celebrating the joy of recreational fishing! January is one of the best times of the year to cast a line in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fishing Trail is a series of waterbodies in Hardee County. The FWC, The Mosaic Company and Hardee County collaborated to create this beautiful area where you will find recreational fishing opportunities for the entire family. Anglers can cast a line into numerous freshwater lakes along the shoreline, from one of the fishing piers, or by boat, to enjoy the scenery of surrounding forests of pine, oak and palms. Sport fish such as largemouth bass, crappie (specks), bream, and catfish can be found throughout the waterbodies. There are also opportunities to launch boats and kayaks, visit FWC’s Boat Ramp Finder.

The 2025 Florida Greenways & Trails Summit and 10th anniversary celebration of the Florida SUN Trail Program will be taking place at the Venice Community Center in Venice, Florida, February 5 and 6. Register here. The summit will include an inspiring lineup of trail experts; informative presentations on trail policy, planning, and implementation; and an incredible opportunity to meet people from around the state who share an interest in the evolution of the state’s greenways and trails network. A special component of the summit will include sessions on the relationship between trails and the Florida Wildlife Corridor and other conservation initiatives. The event will celebrate what’s been accomplished over the past 10 years, recognize where we are today, and look forward to making Florida one of the greatest trail states in the country. More information here.  

If you haven’t already, request to receive your 2025 calendar designed by the Office of Greenways and Trails. Simply email your request and your mailing address to OfficeofGreenwaysandTrails@FloridaDEP.gov

Don’t forget to register for our upcoming webinar, *Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in Leon County*, which is happening on January 8th with Ruth Nickens, Health and Wellness Coordinator at the Tallahassee Senior Center Foundation. The Tallahassee Senior Center provides health and wellness resources for all demographics as well as exciting outdoor recreation activities for seniors. Register today, and don’t miss out on this informative webinar!


 

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 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. 

 


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

Image
Save the Date for our monthly Outdoor Florida Webinar Series

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.

                                         More Trail Safety Information
Trail Safety Poster
Trail Safety at Crossings

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. 

 


 

Image
outdoor-rec-photo

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:

 

 

    

Image
Two Equestrians in Apalachicola State Forest

Events & Public Notices

None available at this time.

Popular Publications

Adobe PDF Document

Segment 12 Map Book

Segment 12 map book for the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail

Adobe PDF Document

Florida Bike Touring and State Trail Public Camping Options

Florida Bike Touring and State Trail Public Camping Options