The Florida Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States, created by the National Trails System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543).[1] It runs 1,500 miles (2,400 km),[2] from Big Cypress National Preserve (between Miami and Naples, along the Tamiami Trail) to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach. Also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail (which applies only to its federally certified segments), the trail provides permanent non-motorized recreation for hiking and other compatible activities within an hour's drive of most Floridians.[3]
The trail began on October 29, 1966 when members of the Florida Trail Association marked its first blaze at Clearwater Lake Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest. It was officially designated as a National Scenic Trail in 1983. The U.S. Forest Service, through the National Forests in Florida program, officially oversees the trail but volunteers and land managers throughout the state are responsible for its development, maintenance and management.
- ^ Act of Oct 2, 1968; PL. 90-543, 82 Stat. 919, 16 U.S.C. §§ 124l-51.
- ^ "Florida National Scenic Trail". USDA Forest Service. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ "What is the Florida Trail (FNST)?". Florida Trail Association. 2013-07-10. Archived from the original on 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2016-01-06.