Outdoors & Nature Insider

Surfing the web at Collier-Seminole State Park Credit: Amanda Mims

Before I jump in my vehicle and head out on my latest jaunt in the woods, I do a few things:

1. I go through all my gear for the trip to make sure it is in working order.
   
2. I print out a Google map to the trailhead (just in case my GPS stops working, which it has done before).
3. I begin figuring out logistics and meal planning.
   
4. At some point in the middle of all this planning, I visit a few trustworthy online resources and get a run-down about the place I am visiting.
   

Of course, it depends on the type of activity that I'm headed out to do, which determines the online resources that I'll visit.  The ones listed here are some that I frequent often for Florida outdoors adventure planning, but don't take this to be an all-inclusive list.  Check 'em out!

Hiking

Florida Trail Association (www.floridatrail.org) - The official site for the Florida National Scenic Trail will help you plan for a day trip, a section hike or even a complete end to end thru-hike. You'll also find information about FTA-maintained loop trails and chapter outings around the state.

Florida Hikes! (www.floridahikes.com) - Florida author Sandra Friend has created a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about hiking in the Sunshine State. Detailed descriptions, accurate trail data and a easy to navigate layout make this a terrific resource. If hiking information is what you are after, Sandy's got you covered! Read other articles written by Sandra Friend here on VISITFLORIDA.com.

Paddling

Florida Paddling Trails Association (www.floridapaddlingtrails.com) - Find information on both saltwater and freshwater canoe and kayak trails on the Florida Paddling Trails Association web site. From long trails like the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Trail to short spring runs that are perfect for a day trip, the FPTA web site is great resource to bookmark.

Birding

Great Florida Birding Trail (www.myfwc.com/gfbt/) - For all things birding-related in Florida, I usually head to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's GFBT web site.You've seen the brown signs with the swallow-tailed kite on your travels around Florida, right? That's one of 489 stops around the state! The GFBT web site also features a cool trip-planning tool so you can locate the type of bird you are looking for.

General

Well, there are two others that I also visit that are a little more broad in scope.

The first is the Office of Greenways and Trails web site (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/), where you can find tons of information about Florida trails of all types. They have great maps, too! 

The other is a new site that's kind of like a wiki-meets-social community. It's the Sierra Club Trails web site trails.sierraclub.org/, where trail information is uploaded by enthusiasts from everywhere. Got good Florida trail information? Sign up on Sierra Club Trails and share it!

See you on the trail!