Permits & Fees
To put the Florida Trail's permitting system in context, let's first consider two other great National Scenic Trails. On the Appalachian Trail, permits are only needed when in the two national parks: the Smokies and Shenandoah. Hikers pick up permits at self-serve kiosks at the entrance to the parks. They are free, do not need to be requested in advance, and do not require approval from a park official. The purpose of these backcountry permits is to collect statistical data about how many people are using the trail so that the National Park Service can report this information to lawmakers and secure money necessary to maintain the trails.
Out west, the Pacific Crest Trail traverses dozens of different national forests, parks, and other state-owned lands, each controlled by a different management agency and many require permits. Section hikers have to fend for themselves and acquire whatever permits are needed in the section they are hiking, but thru-hikers have it easy. The Pacific Crest Trail Association has worked to make it possible for thru-hikers (and only thru-hikers) to obtain a single permit valid for the entire length of the trail.
The situation with the Florida Trail is slightly more complicated, but similar to the PCT. The Trail traverses dozens of different forests, parks, water management district lands, wildlife management areas, a national wildlife refuge, three military bases, and an Indian reservation. Section hikers have to fend for themselves, but thru-hikers have it easier. Thru-hikers are exempt from a number of fees and restrictions—a consequence of FTA lobbying.
In total, there are about 16 permitting, user fee, and permission issues for a thru-hiker to deal with. The FTA’s “Long Distance Hiking Packet” lists most of them, but we found the organization of the information confusing at first. The following steps should make the information more clear and the process less stressful:
Before Your Hike
Complete the following at least 30 days before your thru-hike:
Step 1—Join the Florida Trail Association
Occasionally the FT crosses private property and some of these land owners have stipulated that only members of the Florida Trail Association may hike on their property. As a result, membership in the FTA is a legal requirement to hike the entire trail. The FTA website says non-members on these private lands are legally considered trespassers, and yet there is no index of restricted Trail segments! So even section hikers had better play it safe and join the FTA. You can buy a membership online here.
Or call 1-877-HIKE-FLA or 352-378-8823
These kinds of easements and agreements with private property owners are necessary and in the future will become more likely in order to eliminate road walks and create a contiguous trail. The footpath currently traverses all the public lands it can and private land lies between all the disconnected segments.
Step 2—Sign a Release for the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
The FT traverses the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, and the Seminole Tribe seems worried that hikers will hold them responsible and try to sue if say, we get eaten by an alligator. This seems unlikely from a legal standpoint, since you cannot sue the National Park or National Forest Service for injury in the backcountry. When you enter wilderness, you assume the risk. Additionally, the FT is almost entirely on roads through the reservation and anyone may drive onto the reservation without prior permission. Why then does a hiker walking the road need to sign a waiver? It's unclear. Regardless, to hike the Trail through the reservation you must sign an agreement not to sue and send it to the Tribe:
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Attn: Real Estate Services, Room #104
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, FL 33024-2198
They must receive the release at least two weeks prior to your hike, but send it sooner because there is a limit to the number of hikers allowed on the reservation each month. The Seminole Tribe will not contact you unless there is a problem. No news is good news.
The release is included in the “Long Distance Hiker Packet” provided by the FTA. A copy of the release is also available for download here.
Step 3—Obtain Free Camping Permits from the SFWMD
Early in your hike, Between miles 159.9 and 213.9 (S > N) there are nine campsites that require a free camping permit:
- Yates Marsh
- Chandler Slough
- Micco Landing
- Fort Basinger
- Istokpoga Canal
- Hickory Hammock
- Mosquito Hammock
- KICCO
- Rattlesnake Hammock
Look at the mileage figures in the databook or the Florida Trail Guide by Friend and Keatley and
come up with a rough plan for which sites you want to use and when you will arrive. After that, apply online at the South Florida Water Mgmt District website for the free permits. Your estimates don’t have to be exact.
The water district gives you a generous window in which the permit is valid.
During Your Hike
The following chart describes various issues with hiking permissions that you may face along the Trail. Most are restrictions due to hunting or military activity. These are not issues that can or should be dealt with before your hike and can be managed while on the Trail, as long as you have access to a phone. If you carry a cell phone, that makes it all the easier.
|
mile s > n |
FTA map # |
location |
what to do |
|
0 |
42 |
Big Cypress National Preserve |
free hiking permit for Big Cypress is available at the Oasis Visitor Center |
|
37.6 |
41, 40 |
Seminole Indian Reservation |
remember to have a copy of your signed release while in the reservation (see above) |
|
n/a |
n/a |
Avon Park Air Force Range |
The official trail no longer goes through Avon Park AFB. However, it is still possible to hike it if you want to follow the old trail.
Check to see whether Avon Park Air Force Range is open to hikers at trailside kiosks at both the north and south entrances to the range. Call ahead for the weekly bombing schedule: 941-452-4119. The schedule is posted on Wednesday afternoons and bombing rarely happens on weekends. |
|
|
|
Lock 65a |
The lock is kept locked. A day or two before you arrive, call Kim Willis at 561-924-5310 x3333 and let her know when you will reach the lock. She will inform the lock tender of your arrival, who will unlock the lock and let you cross. |
|
232.0 |
|
Eastern Corridor, Three Lakes WMA |
Thru-hikers are exempt from all fees and may camp at any campsite without a permit except for Lake Jackson. If you want to camp at Lake Jackson, call 352-732-1225.
Section hikers must day for day use permits at trailside kiosks. During hunt dates, only thru-hikers are allowed to camp. |
|
309.6 |
|
Eastern Corridor, Tosohatchee Reserve WMA |
Only thru-hikers are exempt from all permits and fees and are allowed to camp during hunt dates.
Section hikers call 407-568-5893 for a permit to use the Tiger Creek campsite |
|
|
29 & 30 |
Western Corridor, Green Swamp |
thru-hikers do not need a camping permit, but during hunting dates camping is limited.
Section hikers need a permit from Swiftmud. |
|
|
|
Western Corridor, Cross Florida Greenway |
Permission by phone for camping along the Greenway: (850) 245-2052 |
|
468.8 |
|
Buckman Lock |
Buckman Lock is behind a fence/gate locked with a padlock. If you reach the locked gate between 6:30am - 3pm, there is a buzzer that rings the lock tender. Press it and he will come unlock the gate for you.
If arriving after hours, call the FTA office for the combo: (352) 378-8823. Be sure to lock the lock after yourself. |
|
|
21 |
Seminole State Forest |
$5 per person entrance fee. No other fees for hiking or camping. No camping allowed during hunt dates. |
|
505.6 |
18 |
Gold Head Branch State Park |
There is a $5 fee for primitive camping in the park. Northbound thru-hikers entering park from the south can call the entrance station at (352) 473-4701 when they arrive and pay the next morning on their way out. Southbound hikers can pay on arrival. |
|
510.9 |
17 |
Camp Blanding |
Check whether Camp Blanding is open to hikers at trailside kiosks at either east or west entrance. If closed for military exercises, use white-blazed alternate roadwalk. call ahead: 904-682-3546 or 904-682-3504 |
|
668.1 to 716.7 |
|
Big Bend, SR 53 to CR 14 |
All the land between these roads is private timber land. The trail is closed on Foley Timber Co. land during archery, muzzle loading and general gun hunting seasons. |
|
928.3 |
6 |
Pine Log State Forest |
During hunt dates, camping is only allowed at the established Sand Pond campsite, which is on the FT. There is a $10-20 fee to camp at Sand Pond. Call 850-535-2888 |
|
739.0 |
11 |
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge |
Contact refuge for a hiking and camping permit at (850) 925-6121
or go to the St. Marks
National Wildlife Refuge website. |
|
965.0 |
4, 3, 2 |
Eglin Air Force Base |
The FTA has an agreement with the base to wave all fees for thru-hikers. In the past you were required to carry a letter from the FTA that attested to your thru-hiker status, but no more. All you have to do is sign in and out at trailside kiosks just like at Avon Park. |