Florida National Scenic Trail – Ocala Section

The Ocala section of the Florida National Scenic Trail cuts through the heart of the Big Scrub, a 200,000-acre sand pine ecosystem that’s survived since the last ice age. You’ll navigate deep sand tracks between towering longleaf pines and saw palmetto thickets, crossing the same paths where Seminole warriors once evaded federal troops. The route connects Salt Springs to Clearwater Lake through unmarked forest service roads that turn into sugar sand traps without warning.

This is moderate difficulty purely due to Florida’s infamous sand – stock vehicles with street tires will struggle in the deeper sections. High-clearance helps but isn’t mandatory; good sand driving technique and proper tire pressure matter more. Best tackled October through April when it’s cooler and the bugs are manageable. No permits required, but bring way more water than you think you need and expect zero cell service. You’ll earn solitude few Floridians ever experience and legitimate wildlife encounters in the state’s largest remaining scrub habitat.