Volunteer Events From: Florida Trail Association

Join the Florida Trail Association and the Choctawhatchee Chapter for a Volunteer Work Party in Nokuse Plantation October 9th thru 12th! A weekend full of Trail Maintenance along the Nokuse section of the Florida Trail. 

Join the FTA and the Sandhill Chapter in our annual maintenance event based at Stephen Foster State Park in beautiful White Springs, FL from October 22-26, 2026. 

With camping at beautiful Stephen Foster State Park we will maintain the Florida Trail from White Springs west to Gibson Park.  Our campsite offers hot showers and electricity, but no RVs are allowed. 

Make new friends, join old ones, work hard, and then feast with us as we enjoy one of the first work parties of the season. 

Participants are encouraged to attend for as many days as possible. Please do not sign up for just the last day of the project as that day is often shorter.

Join the FTA and Indian River Chapter for work in several beautiful WMAs! 

We will be doing trail work in Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA and Triple N Ranch WMA. Crews will need to be transported to work sites. Carpooling will be encouraged but all work sites are off of developed roads and most vehicles should have no problem navigating these. 

Camping: Our crew will be camping at the hunter's campground near the check station in Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area. This is a primitive campsite with a vault toilet. This is an active hunter's camp but there will be no hunting during our maintenance period. Volunteers should expect to camp among hunter's trailers and tents in a field area. People will begin arriving on the afternoon of Thursday October 29.  You are welcome to attend the entire event or whatever days and times you are available.  Work will begin Friday morning October 30 at 8:00 AM. 

Meals: Meals from FRIDAY DINNER to Sunday lunch will be provided.  You will need to bring food for Thursday dinner, and Friday breakfast and lunch.  The workdays will be on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  We need people to help with cooking and to stay in the camp while the rest of us do maintenance.  If you want to help with the food, please contact us.

Directions: Volunteers should take 192 to Crabgrass Road and follow it all the way back until it ends at the check station. It is a paved road all the way back and you will see many FTA signs along the way. 

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, close-toed shoes/boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised.  It is a good idea to bring your own gloves and you will need some kind of glasses to cover your eyes.  You will need to provide your own camping gear, which includes a tent, sleeping bag, lunch container (baggie or tupperware), coffee mug, water bottle, and personal items.

For questions regarding your registration status contact volunteer@floridatrail.org.

For questions regarding the event, contact Mark Romagosa at rtm-centralsouth@floridatrail.org or Bill Alexander at bill.m.alexander@gmail.com. 

Email Bill Alexander if you wish to help on Friday at bill.m.alexander@gmail.com.

Join the Black Bear Chapter of the FTA for a volunteer trail maintenance project on the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest.  Camping is provided at the OHV center on the National Forest and work will be done from Rodman Dam heading south to Pat's Island as well as the Western Corridor from Salt Springs to Silver Springs State Park.

Please arrive after 4pm on Thursday November 5th.  This is not a work day, but time to set up camp.  Work begins the morning of Friday November 6th and runs until Monday November 9th

Camping: Camping is provided at the OHV center on FR 11 in the Ocala National Forest. The OHV center as full bath facilities as well as a covered pavilion with electricity. RVs are allowed here but there are no RV hookups at the OHV Center. Please contact the FTA crew leader ahead of time if you plan to bring your RV.

Meals: All meals will be provided by the FTA and cooked in our large camp kitchen.

What to expect: We will do routine trail maintenance on the Florida Trail starting at Rodman Dam and working south. Expect to hike up to 5 miles per day at moderate difficulty. Breakfast is served at 7am and our workdays begin at 8am. We will finish our work each day by about 3pm.

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, sturdy footwear, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, this includes a tent, sleeping bag, coffee cup, lunch container (baggie or Tupperware,) and personal items.

Directions: From intersection of Rt. 19 and Rt. 316 at Salt Springs, go west on Rt. 316 for 6.2 miles to FR 11 go north on FR 11 for 2 ½ miles to OHV camp on the right.

For questions regarding your registration status contact volunteer@floridatrail.org

For questions regarding the event, contact Jeff Glenn jeffg@floridatrail.org  

Come join the Florida Trail Association and the Panhandle Chapter on November 6th-9th for a trail maintenance event along the Ecofina river and other Panhandle sections!

Join the Florida Trail Association and the Sandhill and Suwannee Chapters at the 4th annual Great Suwannee Mowdown Volunteer Work Party. This event will be focused on the the areas of the Florida Trail between Holton Creek Conservation Area and Twin Rivers State Forest, a total of 38 miles. Ever since Hurricane Idalia swept through this area in 2023, the trail has needed serious maintenance on a regular basis. Expect hard work! Multiple Crews will form each day with trail maintenance efforts ranging from technical chainsaw work, mowing, brush  clearing, and painting blazes.

Camping:

Camping is provided at Suwannee River State Park at the Lime Sink Youth Camp. There are bathroom facilities located nearby as well as limited electricity in the kitchen area only. No RVs but small trailers might ok, please contact the event organizer to confirm details. Please plan to arrive no earlier than 4pm on November 12th. Work begins Friday morning at 8am.

Meals:

All meals will be provided by the FTA and cooked in our large camp kitchen. Breakfast is served at 7am and bagged lunches are made at the same time. Dinner is served around 6pm.

What to expect: 

We will do trail maintenance on the Florida Trail starting at 8am each day. Expect to hike up to 5 miles per day at moderate difficulty. We will finish our work each day by between 3:30-5:00pm. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for as much time as they can. Please do not register for the last day only as these days tend to be shorter than the rest.

What to bring: 

For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, sturdy footwear, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. You will need to provide your own camping gear, this includes a tent, sleeping bag, coffee cup, lunch container (baggie or Tupperware,) and personal items.

Join the FTA and the Indian River Chapter for a work weekend in the Prairie Lakes Unit of the Three Lakes WMA!

The Prairie Lakes Unit is a beautiful section of trail showcasing a variety of landscapes. We’ll provide all the necessary tools and training, so you can jump right in and help us maintain the beautiful Florida Trail!

Camping: The crew will be camping at the Group Camp (see map below). It is a primitive site with a vault toilet. Small RVs and trailers are welcome but there are no hookups of any kind. 

Meals: Meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch will be provided. The workdays will be on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, close-toed shoes/boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, which includes a tent, sleeping bag, lunch container (baggie or tupperware), water bottle, coffee mug, and personal items.

Directions:  1702 Prairie Lakes Rd, Kenansville - This address will get you to the trailhead. Look for FTA event signs and use the map below to get you to Group Camp.

For questions regarding the event, contact Mark Romagosa rtm-centralsouth@floridatrail.org

Come join the Happy Hoofers Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for a trail maintenance event in Big Cypress National Preserve!

Camping is available but not required! Feel free to join us for a day or all days!  

Camping: All tent or vehicle camping will take place at Nobles Camp site behind the gate.  This is a primitive camp site. There are no showers, no restrooms and no electric hookup.  We do have a toilet tent with wag bags to use. We will have a hand washing station as well.

Meals from Friday dinner to Monday breakfast will be provided. Please  plan to arrive no earlier than 7:30 am on November 14th at the I-75 rest area MM 63 parking lot north side. The workdays will be on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Monday will be packing up camp and leaving. 

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. A hat is advisable. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, this includes a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, lunch container (baggie or tupperware), water bottle, coffee mug, and personal items. Quick draining and drying footwear such as trail runner sneakers or boots are recommended. No flip-flops or crocs. Bring dry shoes for camp. You can bring a cooler and a chair for camp use.  We will have canopies over the tables to eat and relax in the evening.

What to expect: We will use a combination of power tools and hand tools to bring the trail back up to standard. We will provide the tools, training, and PPE. We will also be re-painting blazes. 

Trail conditions in Big Cypress can make maintenance challenging, including full sun and hiking on a wet trail.

Join us for a Volunteer Work Party hosted by the Tropical Trekkers Chapter and FTA Staff!

The Tropical Trekkers have the task of preparing over 70 Miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) for the hiking season. We have much to accomplish after a summer of growth along our section of trail. There is a job for everyone no matter what their skill set, and we hope to provide you with a great sense of accomplishment.

We promise awesome camaraderie and time with friends we may not have seen in far too long. In addition to the normal mowing, lopping, brush cutting, and painting we hope to install some additional puncheon bridges, depending on permissions and if we can acquire the materials in time. As you can see a large number of volunteers will be needed.

We ask that you bring your own PPE and tools you may have, such as hard hats, safety vests, gloves, eye and ear protection, and loppers. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required. We will provide you with whatever equipment you can’t furnish. You will need sunscreen, bug juice, and a way to carry your lunch and 2 liters of water. A small backpack or fanny pack works well. Be sure to check the weather forecast as you pack for the week as we may work hot and wet or cold and windy conditions. A few spare pairs of dry boots and socks is always a good idea.

Meals will be provided Dec. 7th - 11th. Campsites available Dec. 6th - 14th for those who want to come early or stay late.

Questions? Contact Rich Quinn richquinn47@gmail.com

Description

Come join the Big Cypress Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for a trail maintenance event in Big Cypress National PreserveCamping is available but not required!

The work party is as follows:

Camping: All tent or vehicle camping will take place behind the Oasis Visitors Center.  This is accessible behind the gate. This is a semi-primitive camp site with no showers or electric hookup however restrooms are available at the visitors center. Camping is available Friday and Saturday nights. 

Meals: Meals from Friday (Dec 11) dinner to Sunday (Dec 13) breakfast will be provided.

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. A hat is advisable. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, this includes a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, lunch container (baggie or tupperware), water bottle, coffee mug, and personal items. Quick draining and drying footwear such as trail runner sneakers or boots are recommended. No flip-flops or crocs. Bring dry shoes for camp. You can bring a cooler and a chair for camp use.  We will have canopies over the tables to eat and relax in the evening.

What to expect: We will divide into two crews. The main crew will work on foot north from Oasis for 3-4 miles then return. A smaller team will be transported by ORV to a point 7.5 miles north on the FNST. This team will work south to Woodpecker Camp (old 7mile camp) and beyond for 3-4 miles before returning to the drop off point for pickup. We will use a combination of power tools and hand tools to bring the trail back up to standard. We will provide the tools, training, and PPE. We will be re-painting blazes as required.  Trail conditions in Big Cypress can make maintenance challenging, including full sun and hiking on a wet trail.

Location

Big Cypress National Preserve

Oasis Visitors center

52105 Tamiami Trail East

Ochopee, Florida 34141

Join the Black Bear Chapter of the FTA in a week of work in the Juniper Wilderness on the Ocala National Forest.  The Wilderness is a unique part of the Florida Trail and it is maintained with hand tools only, bringing a legacy of skill and hard work to each day.  This project has a very long history and it is a great place to meet up with old friends, make new friends, and enjoy some fine Florida winter weather.

Camping: Camping is provided at the OHV Center on the National Forest near Salt Springs.  There are full bath house facilities and electricity in the kitchen area under a large pavilion.  RVs are welcome to this project but there are no hookups available. 

Meals: All meals, Thursday dinner - Monday lunch will be provided. Please by plan to arrive no earlier than 4pm on January 7th to set up camp and enjoy dinner with the crew. The workdays will be on Friday - Monday.

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, sturdy boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, this includes a tent, sleeping bag, lunch container (baggie or tupperware,), coffee mug, and personal items.

What to expect: Juniper Prairie Wilderness is in the Ocala Forest between Juniper Springs and Pat’s Island.  This is a unique project on the Florida Trail because of the exclusive use of hand tools without any mechanized equipment. Work can be strenuous at times and some crews will be required to hike up to 8 miles a day.

Directions: From intersection of Rt. 19 and Rt. 316 at Salt Springs, go west on Rt. 316 for 6.2 miles to FR 11 go north on FR 11 for 2 ½ miles to OHV camp on the right.

Latitude 29°23'58.17"N Longitude 81°48'23.81"W

For questions regarding your registration status contact volunteer@floridatrail.org

For questions regarding the event, contact Jeff Glenn jeffg@floridatrail.org  

Thank you for registering for the Three Lakes Volunteer Work Party! Keep reading for more information regarding the event.

The itinerary is as follows:

Camping: The crew will be camping at the Canoe Creek Hunter Camp (see map below), which is also known as the Three Lakes WMA Campground. It is a primitive site with a vault toilet. Small RVs and trailers are welcome but there are no hookups of any kind. You do not have to camp. You're welcome to drive in and meet us in the morning.

Meals: All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch will be provided, otherwise you will need to pack your own meals.

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, close-toed shoes/boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, which includes a tent, sleeping bag, lunch container (baggie or tupperware), coffee mug, water bottle, camp chair, and personal items.

Directions:  The campground is called the "Three Lakes WMA Campground" in most navigation softwares. This is a major campground area right off of Canoe Creek Road and is approximately 2 miles north of the main Three Lakes WMA entrance at 1672 Prairie Lakes Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739. Once you drive in to the campground follow the FTA signs to where we're set up.

For questions regarding your registration status contact volunteer@floridatrail.org

For questions regarding the event, contact Mark Romagosa at rtm-centralsouth@floridatrail.org 

Join Girls Who Hike FL and the Florida Trail Association Black Bear Chapter for a trail maintenance event at Rice Creek Conservation Area on the Florida Trail!

We provide the tools, campsite, food, and good company. From mowing to lopping and painting blazes, there’s a job for everyone, and all are welcome!

Our crew will be camping together - details will be provided upon registration.

Plan to arrive no earlier than 4pm on Friday, Feb 12th to set up camp and have dinner with the crew. The workdays will be Saturday & Sunday.

You are welcome to join for the entire time or part of the time - just register for the days you wish to join. You are welcome to camp with us the night before any shift.

If you have any questions about registration please email janep@floridatrail.org

Join the Heartland Chapter for a work party in KICCO WMA!

The KICCO WMA section of the Florida Trail is a beautiful section of trail showcasing a variety of landscapes with beautiful views of the Kissimmee River. 

Schedule:

Sat - arrive by 12:00pm

Sun - work day

Mon - work until 12:00 then break down camp and head home.

Camping: The crew will be camping at the Town of KICCO Campsite. It is a primitive site with a camp toilet. Small RVs and trailers are welcome but there are no hookups of any kind. 

Meals: All meals Saturday dinner through Monday lunch will be provided. 

What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a day pack, sturdy boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, which includes a tent, sleeping bag, camp chair, lunch container (baggie or tupperware), coffee mug, water bottle, and personal items.

Directions:  To reach the Town of KICCO Campsite, volunteers should first head to the KICCO Trailhead. 

To reach the trailhead from 95- Take the exit for Sr60 and head west. Turn at the Westgate River Ranch entrance. Pass through the River Ranch gate. Turn right onto KICCO Grade and follow until it dead ends at the gate. 

Gate access requires a code that will be sent to registered volunteers prior to the event. After entering the gate, follow the dirt road for several miles to the campsite. Proceed slowly and yield to any cattle. 

For questions regarding your registration status contact volunteer@floridatrail.org

For questions regarding the event contact Mark Romagosa at rtm-centralsouth@floridatrail.org

Come join the Florida Trail Association and the Apalachee Chapter for a trail maintenance event along the Aucilla Sinks section! The picturesque Aucilla Sinks section of Florida National Scenic Trail follows along the wooded Aucilla River, which disappears underground and re-emerges again and again.

What to expect: We will use a combination of power tools and hand tools to bring the trail back up to standard. We will work on the 5 miles of trail that runs south of Goose Pasture Rd known as "the sinks" as well as the 10 miles along the Aucilla River.