One of the wildest and most wonderful aspects to hiking in Florida is the availability of swamp walks through many habitats in Florida. These watery wades immerse you in habitats found nowhere else on earth. I’ve had the pleasure of leading treks through the Big Cypress Swamp, where the rain-fed swamp of crystal-clear water is a wonderland of orchids and bromeliads, and wading rugged Bradwell Bay, a wild place near Tallahassee. These hikes offer the wild side of Florida – and best to experience that with a few friends or on a guided trip when you plan your trek.
Estero Scrub Preserve State Park
One of the tougher places to hike in Southwest Florida, Estero Scrub Preserve State Park, established in 1966 as Florida’s first aquatic preserve, has several loops through wet flatwoods and tidal marshes along the rim of Estero Bay. Much of the hike is in full sun, and portions can be very deep in water, no [...]
Florida Panther NWR
In addition to the very gentle 0.4-mile Leslie Duncan Memorial Trail that starts at this trailhead, a longer 1.3 mile loop appeals to hikers willing to get their feet wet while they feel a real part of this predator’s habitat. Depending on the time of year, the trail may be mostly inundated with tannic water [...]
Florida Trail, Bradwell Bay
You’re guaranteed to get wet on Florida’s roughest, wildest swamp walk on the Florida Trail in Bradwell Bay, a wild place where hiking with friends is a smart idea. Situated south of Tallahassee, the Bradwell Bay Wilderness is one of the most majestic and wild places in Northwest Florida, a roadless area encompassing more than [...]
Picayune Strand State Forest – Sabal Palm Trail
Take a walk on the wet side—built by Boy Scouts, this slosh through swampland celebrates the preservation of a segment of the Big Cypress Swamp that was once a part of the biggest real estate scam in Florida. As befits a swamp, the trail is partially under water in all but the dry spring months, [...]
