Immerse yourself in the natural wonderland of North Central Florida. Discover urban places for reflection such as Sholom Park, a carefully manicured woodlands in a retirement community, and Bivens Arm Nature Park, surrounding a marsh in Gainesville. Explore the vast longleaf pine flatwoods of the Ocala National Forest on the Florida Trail near Lake Delancy and the shady swamp forests of Goethe State Forest along the Big Cypress Trail. See more alligators than you've ever seen in your life in the home of the Gators along the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

An avid outdoors enthusiast, Sandra Friend is known beyond her books for keeping up with the cutting edge of online communications. A native of Rockledge, FL, and a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, John Keatley grew up along the Space Coast and spent most of his youth in the woods or on the water. While preparing for a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail he met Sandra, and they have been hiking and writing together ever since. They live in Sanford, FL.

Overview Map

Overview Map Key

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Preface

Recommended Hikes

Introduction

GAINESVILLE & VICINITY
1. Alfred A. Ring Park
2. Barr Hammock Preserve
3. Bivens Arm Nature Park
4. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
5. John Mahon Nature Park
6. Loblolly Woods Nature Park
7. Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve
8. Mill Creek Preserve
9. Morningside Nature Center
10. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: La Chua Trail
11. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: Wacahoota Trail
12. Prairie Creek Preserve
13. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park: Moonshine Creek Trails
14. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park: North Hiking Trails
15. San Felasco Park
16. Sweetwater Preserve
17. Tuscawilla Preserve
18. University of Florida NATL Nature Trails
19. Watermelon Pond Preserve

OCALA NATIONAL FOREST
20. Davenport Landing Trail
21. Florida Trail: Pat's Island to Hidden Pond
22. Florida Trail: Rodman to Lake Delancy
23. Juniper Springs Nature Trail
24. Lake Eaton Trails
25. Salt Springs Observation Trail

CROSS FLORIDA GREENWAY
26. Florida Trail: Pruitt
27. Florida Trail: Santos
28. Florida Trail: Southwest 49th Avenue to Land Bridge
29. Land Bridge Loop
30. Marshall Swamp Trail

OCALA & VICINITY
31. Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area
32. Goethe State Forest: Big Cypress Trail
33. Goethe State Forest: Buck Island Pond Trail
34. Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area
35. Rainbow Springs State Park: Sandhill Nature Trail
36. Sholom Park
37. Silver Springs State Park: River Trails
38. Silver Springs State Park: Sandhill and Sinkhole Trails
APPENDIXES
Appendix A: Outdoor Retailers
Appendix B: Map Resources
Appendix C: Hiking Clubs
Index
About the Authors
Map Legend