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Hiking loops for camping

Looking for suggestions on good back packing loops. I am in the Gainesville area but don't mind traveling.

The recent hikes I've done provided a loop and camp ground, they are Big Oak Trail and LIttle Big Econlockhatchee.

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Friend on March 3, 2009 at 4:07pm: There are three major loops I'd suggest in Withlacoochee State Forest, south of Inverness:

Citrus Trail: up to 43.3 miles on the perimeter hike with four options of making small loops
It's very high, dry and scenic, with caves and sinkholes along the route. Rugged hills, too!
http://www.floridatrail.org/Hikes/centralflorida/CitrusLoop.html

Richloam Trail: 25.9 mile loop through Green Swamp habitats (often wet)
http://www.floridatrail.org/Hikes/centralflorida/Richloam.html

Croom Trail: 19.1 miles in three loops. Except where it's near the Withlacoochee River, it's very dry sandhills and scrub uplands. By the river, there are a lot of old growth cypresses.
http://www.floridatrail.org/Hikes/centralflorida/CroomLoop.html

Maps & info on the Florida Trail Association website. I've done all of Citrus but only part of Croom & half of Richloam.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sandra Friend on March 3, 2009 at 4:08pm: Which reminds me .. I was working on research for a "Best Loop Hikes in Florida" book several years ago but the contract fell through because I didn't have the time to juggle the research with my full time job. Perhaps now? I bet there'd be some interest.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jason on March 3, 2009 at 4:20pm: Yeah, I would preorder that book for sure.

Been to those areas a few times on jeep trips but never hiking, will check it out further with myfwc hunting periods. Citrus would be nice as Rainbow River (KP Hole Park) is not far off. Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Derek Ray on March 4, 2009 at 6:37pm: Depends on how far you want to travel. I would highly recommend Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Hobe Sound. Three camping spots including a rustic campsite. There is a 9.2 mile loop trail which goes thru several habitats with other interconnecting trails. Moderate hike with alot of hot scrub land with no shade for about the first 2 miles, then it gets easier. Let me know if you plan on coming by and I'll give you more info; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janette on March 7, 2009 at 7:38pm: Blackwater River State Forest. As well as the FT connector up to the AL line there are other trails to make loops out of. Nice hilly scenery and lots of springs (probably seasonal), and even a couple of shelters with tables and firepits. The State Park and Hurricane Lake both have campgrounds that would be good places to leave a vehicle for a couple days.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bricky Way on March 11, 2009 at 7:06am: I've been to Myakka twice for loop hikes, using the FT maintained trail there in conjunction with the other trails/fire breaks/roads you can make a variety of hikes. Or you can do the whole FT loop which multi-night. I found the camp sites to be nice and isolated as well. Of course, its probably already too hot down there to be super comfortable, but its awesome around Christmas.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ardsgaine on April 4, 2009 at 1:01am: Torreya SP only has about 15 total miles of hiking, but it's a beautiful place and there are three primitive campsites on the trail.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Guinta on April 7, 2009 at 9:50am: If you want to drive about an hour you could head up to Bayard Conservation Area. From Gainesville you would go east on SR 24 to Waldo then 301 north to Starke then SR 16 east to Green Cove Springs. Continue on SR 16 east out of Geen Cove Springs and it is located on the south side of the road just before you cross the St John's River. The parking area has a kiosk with a map of the area. It has 14 miles or more of trails that are blazed and fairly easy to hike. If you are looking to camp overnight there are a couple designated primitive camping spots. . I was there last month and will be heading over there tomorrow for an overnight with Claire the camp dog (in my photo's); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sandra Friend on April 8, 2009 at 9:32pm: I could self-publish it ... how about a PDF download? I have the data, would just have to update it (and write it) ...

Izzy G/Joe Gelman. said:
I'd like to see the "Best of.." or "50.." Overnight Hikes in Florida.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Myers on April 9, 2009 at 4:41pm: I've done the Withlacochee Forest's Citrus Tract...it's 40 miles...It's dry on the west side of the loop so you might want to cache some water before you start.

I've heard about that Big Oak Trail sometime...where is it? Distance?

Thanks, LIsa; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sandra Friend on April 9, 2009 at 11:13pm: Not written yet ... and any project of that size would be a pay-for-download, LOL! Gotta cover my hiking habit somehow...

Izzy G/Joe Gelman. said:
If you got it I'd love to have it. E-mail me it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Heather on May 16, 2009 at 8:21pm: For a short overnighter, O'Leno state park has a primitive site after about a 6.5 mile hike. It's only about 40 mins from Gainesville, I believe, in High Springs. I haven't stayed overnight at the primitive site (just the full facility), but the trails are sandy and can flood out in places. I nearly ran over an armadillo on my bike and we saw a lot of deer.; ▶ Reply to This