By Rob Rogers

When I wrote my book about discovering the Florida Trail two years ago, I devoted a chapter to how I began my backpacking odyssey by practicing at Lake Louisa State Park. State parks offer easily-navigated hiking trails and serene primitive campsites with the security of having park rangers just a phone call away. Sitting just an hour west of Orlando south of State Road 50, Colt Creek State Park is another perfect place for novice backpackers to hone their skills, particularly those looking for a manageable overnight loop trail with greater distance than can be found at most state parks in Florida.

Colt Creek State Park sits on 5,000 acres of former cattle ranching land north of Lakeland and is virtually surrounded by the Green Swamp, the pride of FTA’s Heartland chapter that contains more than 30 miles of the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail. The last leg of the Florida Trail in the Green Swamp East runs just north of the park’s northern border, and Colt Creek’s entrance lies on State Road 471 just a half-mile south of where the Florida Trail exits onto the 471 and enters the Green Swamp West Tract at

the McNeil Trailhead (after a hairy crossing over a long bridge with speeding cars).

Colt Creek has a considerable amount of hiking distance for its size and a ton of wildlife. Its centerpiece is the 8.25-mile Flatwoods Loop (marked with red blazes), which has plenty of blue-blazed connector trails that can be used to shorten or extend day hikes. There is also the 5.5-mile Yellow Loop in the southern half of the park surrounding the primitive youth group campsite, the entrance to which is near the main equestrian campsite. While access points for the Yellow Trail are few (you’re pretty much limited to parking at the South parking area or the equestrian campsite), plenty of parking areas provide access to the Flatwoods Loop on its western segment.

Two excellent primitive campsites can be found along the Flatwoods Loop. The Boots and Saddle campsite sits just off the trail in Colt Creek’s northwestern corner about 1 mile north of the parking area at trail marker

36 and is a bit more open to the sky. I chose to stay instead at the more forested Tired Tree campsite, located in the center of the park at the end of a 1/3-mile connector trail intersecting the eastern portion of the Flatwoods Loop. By parking at trail marker 36, I split my one-night backpacking trip into a 4.1-mile hike in and a 4.8-mile hike out.

What makes Colt Creek ideal for novice backpackers is the ease of terrain and trail navigation. Rather than blazes, the trail is marked with numbered trail markers with arrow-shaped medallions painted in red, yellow and blue, making clear which way to turn at intersections and simplifying the task

of locating points on the trail map provided at the guard station. And although there are precious few stretches of narrow, winding hikers only trails like those found in forested sections of the Florida Trail, the tradeoff is

the convenience of wide multi-use trails with grassy hiking surfaces that are surprisingly comfortable for trails shared with horses. There is almost no sugar sand, and the sturdy paths are easy on the ankles and legs. And of course, there’s the beauty of the landscape. This is pine flatwoods heaven, a tranquil sea of tall pines, palmetto, and occasional groves of cypress and live oak. You’re also miles from suburbs that might otherwise whitewash the stars at night or drown out the calls of the wildlife. Colt Creek teems with deer, turkey, and hawks, and owls serenaded me throughout my time in my tent at Tired Tree. Fall is also a colorful time to visit, as blooms of sunflowers, blazing stars, and chaffheads lined the sides of the trail, and

butterflies followed me all the way to and from camp.

Because they charge less than $6 per night for primitive campsites, Florida’s state parks are a great place for beginners to backpack, particularly in the autumn months before maintenance is completed for the Florida Trail and while many sections are being shared with hunters. If you’re willing to drive just an hour west of Orlando, Colt Creek is definitely worth a visit.

Rob Rogers is the award-winning author of Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida. He also writes a blog called the “Central Florida Backpacking Desk Jockey”, and his essays and articles on backpacking have been published on FloridaHikes.com and in the Wilderness House Literary Review, Outdoors Unlimited, and Go World Travel.

Trail Maintenance is Back in Full Swing!

Despite the government shutdown, maintenance on the Florida National Scenic Trail resumed in October! Although a planned bridge build at Mills Creek was delayed, volunteers have been out in the woods, clearing the Florida Trail at Seminole and Little Big Econ State Forests. We'll have a weekend work hike at the Econ on Saturday, November 15th, and the rest of the schedule for the year can be found on our website.

Spring Hammock Preserve

Accessible pathways and boardwalks wind through an old-growth floodplain forest to a scenic overlook of Lake Jesup, passing massive cypresses and a cloudy blue spring along the way. 

🌟 Ready to Lead the Way?

As the trail comes alive with fall wildflowers and cooler breezes, it’s the perfect time to turn your passion for hiking into something even more impactful—becoming a Certified Activity Leader with the Central Florida Chapter.

Our trail community thrives because of the volunteers who step up, lace up, and lead the way. If you’ve ever thought, “I could do that”—you can. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.

🥾 It’s easier than you think:

To become certified, simply co-lead two different activities with two different certified leaders. This shadowing experience is a great way to build confidence and learn the ropes in a low-pressure, supportive environment.

🤝 Team up with current leaders:

Many of our Activity Leaders have upcoming hikes and would love a helping hand. Whether you’re interested in weekend treks, beginner-friendly walks, or rugged backwoods adventures—there’s a space for you.

📞 Let’s get you started:

Reach out to our Activity Leader Coordinator, Bill Turman, at 407-413-2950 or email HokieBill@bellsouth.net. He’ll connect you with upcoming opportunities and answer any questions you may have.

✅ Certified Activity Leaders:

Rachael Augspurg

Ron Aube

Stuart Dropkin

Kristen Gilbert

Kelley Galvin

Erica Johnson

Ned James

Jim Krell

Elda Larche

Mary-Slater Linn

David Magness

Tom Regan

Jerry Rogers

Chelsey Stevens

Chris Stevens

Bill Turman

🌱 Whether you want to give back, grow your leadership skills, or just share your love of the outdoors with others, becoming an Activity Leader is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. Let’s hit the trail—together.