Hickory Hammock Trail – Florida Hikes

Hickory Hammock was a part of the Florida Path when the statewide route traversed the sting of expansive wetlands west of the Kissimmee River.

After a significant reroute moved the Florida Path to the jap facet of the river in 2013, the native chapter opted to proceed sustaining this scenic pathway.

A beautiful vacation spot for an in a single day keep deep inside a primordial forest, the Hickory Hammock Path has a hike-in campsite 2.6 miles from the trailhead.

Palm hammock alongside the Hickory Hammock Path

Sources

Overview

Location: LoridaLength: 4.6 milesTrailhead: 27.402861, -81.168722Address: US 98, LoridaFees: FreeRestrooms: On the equestrian campsiteLand supervisor: FWC & South Florida Water Administration DistrictPhone: 561-686-8800

Open 24 hours. Leashed canine permitted. A free allow is required upfront from SFWMD to camp at Hickory Hammock.

Verify on hunt dates earlier than planning your hike and put on shiny orange throughout hunts.

Instructions

Hike

Starting the hike underneath a shady stand of oak timber close to the trailhead, head north via a slim stile, following white blazes in the direction of a forest of slash pines.

Bushy beautyberries and paw paws dot the grassy understory alongside grapevines, sprouting contemporary leaves within the springtime.

Paw paws in bloom

The pines slowly give approach to a shady cover of dwell oaks as clusters of noticed palmetto start to frame the path.

Heavy limbs arch overhead, carpeted with resurrection ferns and quite a lot of airplants.

Epiphyte lined oaks

At a half mile, cross over a forest street the place previous signage from the Florida Path signifies distances to the closest campsites and trailheads.

Upon shut inspection, among the blazes reveal traces of the unique orange which have been painted over with white.

Path signage

Navigating round seasonal ponds within the Kissimmee River floodplain, the path passes via lush, jungle-like oak and palm hammocks.

The place the route edges nearer to wetlands, tall hickory timber tower above, their trunks marked with distinct waterlines that point out how excessive the water can rise within the wet season.

Cluster of cabbage palms

Reaching an indication for the campsite at 2.6 miles, a brief blue-blazed pathway results in a comfortable clearing with benches, a picnic desk, and path register.

Persevering with northward, the path meanders throughout the dense forest, tracing an fringe of scrubby habitat earlier than reaching the equestrian camp at 4.6 miles.

Primitive campsite

Because the path opens as much as the equestrian campground, a lined picnic space invitations hikers to take a relaxation.

Non-potable water is on the market close to the camp host, and restrooms are situated subsequent to a country barn.

Equestrian campground

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Study concerning the close by Kissimmee part of the Florida Path

Florida Path, Kissimmee Following the Kissimmee River for 112 miles, it is a scenic part of the Florida Path with levees, woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.

Video

Mountaineering Hickory Hammock

Slideshow

See older pictures from this hike

Close by Adventures

Path Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Web site

Alongside together with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares outside adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outside, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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