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Florida National Scenic Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 83 Google reviews · Running trail in Ochopee, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Florida National Scenic Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Well-maintained canal-side trail of varying lengths featuring alligators, birds, deer and bears.
What runners say about Florida National Scenic Trail
“Trail is pretty well maintained, but there is a lot of flooding toward Carpenter camp.”
“Going towards the panther and carpenter camps you will be treated with beautiful cypress hammocks, slash pine forest and some open sawgrass prairie.”
Love this trail, one of my favorites. There is usually nobody there and you feel like you have the place to yourself. Lots of animals, birds and reptiles. There is many different trails to choose from with different types of landscaping, length and difficulty.
Went for a quick NOBO 1/2 hour out and back with my family to check conditions for a future section hike. It was perfect hiking weather and dry conditions, no bugs, saw a big alligator just chillin’.
Don't come here, it's hot, lots of bugs, muddy when it rains, and there's a missing Emu somewhere, goes by the name of Merlin. You'll hate it! ... of course I'm not trying to convince tourists to avoid coming to this beautiful place.
Pretty incredible trail, but definitely not for beginners. Even though there’s no elevation change, the trail itself can be dynamic as the ecosystem. A few spots with knee-high water after a few days of light but unseasonable rain.
Trail conditions & character
“Going towards the panther and carpenter camps you will be treated with beautiful cypress hammocks, slash pine forest and some open sawgrass prairie.”
“shin deep/shoe sucking mud especially on the Blue trail between the trailhead on Nobles rd and Carpenter Camp.”
“Sadly there was a sign for a lost dog, it goes without saying DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG ON THIS TRAIL.”
“Don't come here, it's hot, lots of bugs, muddy when it rains, and there's a missing Emu somewhere, goes by the name of Merlin.”
“The amazing volunteers at the Florida Trail Association have recently turned this into a big loop and you can choose your own side quests and adventures.”
“You can get away from the noise and lights (except the occasional plane fly over).”
“Great trail, be prepared as might get wet on some trails, but overall beautiful, has signage and trail markers.”
Plan your run at Florida National Scenic Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenps.gov
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Running trails near Ochopee
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,211 reviews
Boardwalk and pond nature preserve with alligators and birds, plus an eagle and a falcon.
Picayune Strand State Forest
4.5 ★★★★★ 252 reviews
Protected landscape of hydric forest which lies underwater during the wet season.
Collier-Seminole State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 1,427 reviews
Rare palm trees & a landmark dredge distinguish this 7,271-acre park set partly in a mangrove swamp.
