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FPTA paddling trails are divided into 15 regions with a total of 32 segments. Regions begin at Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola, extending around the Florida peninsula and Keys and continue up the east coast to Fort Clinch State Park near the Georgia border. Interior regions cover the Suwannee River, Ocklawaha and Wekiva Rivers and lakes in Central Florida. Our paddling trails include every type of Florida habitat, from swamps to barrier island dune systems to salt marsh and mangroves.
You can explore the trail online using the links below, or better yet, grab your kayak or canoe and explore the trail up close!
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REGION A: The Emerald Coast. Beginning at the Alabama border, the coastal stretch of this region covers the inside route of Northwest Florida's snow-white barrier islands and Emerald Green seas. Here paddlers can experience historic sites and enjoy Southern hospitality. This region also has a wealth of unspoiled rivers, including the Perdido, Coldwater, Blackwater, Yellow, Juniper/Sweetwater, Shoal, Holmes Creek and Econfina Creek.
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REGION B: The Forgotten Coast. The coastal section features several undeveloped barrier islands and three dynamic bays, St. Joseph, Apalachicola and Ochlockonee. It also includes the Crooked River through Tate's Hell Swamp State Forest and a chance to catch a glimpse of a Florida Black Bear. Wild interior rivers include the Chipola, Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, Sopchoppy, Wakulla, St. Marks, Wacissa and Aucilla.
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REGION C: The Nature Coast. The most remote coastal region north of the Everglades, paddlers will enjoy unmarred vistas of salt marsh, tree islands and winding tidal creeks. Small coastal trail towns with rich histories add a cultural flavor. In winter, manatees abound in King's Bay. River trails in the region include the Steinhatchee, Withlacoochee South, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, Weeki Wachi and Pithlachascotee.
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REGION D: The Suncoast / Tampa Bay. Despite being a more populous region, paddlers can explore undeveloped islands and peninsulas and several unique historic sites and points of interest, such as Indian temple mounds. The dynamic Tampa Bay is a major feature. Rivers include the Hillsborough, Alafia, Little Manatee and Upper Manatee.
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REGION E: Charlotte Harbor. Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor, with their rich bird and marine life and numerous barrier islands, are highlights of this region. Interior trails include the wild Myakka River and fossil-rich Peace River.
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REGION F: Calusa/Paradise Coast. This region includes the Calusa and Paradise Coast Blueways, extensive networks of paddling trails that extend around coastal islands and shorelines and along interior streams and through mangrove tunnels. Pine Island Sound, Estero Bay and the remote Ten Thousands Islands are regional highlights. Rivers include the Estero, Caloosahatchee and Hickey's Creek. The 50-mile paddling trail along Fisheating Creek is also a huge attraction. This remote waterway that feeds into Lake Okeechobee is considered one of the best places for stargazing due to the absence of city lights.
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REGION G: The Everglades / Florida Keys. For a true wilderness experience, paddlers can choose either the Wilderness Waterway or a coastal route through Everglades National Park for several days of uninterrupted paddling. Then it is on to the Florida Keys and its crystalline waters and fun-loving maritime culture.
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REGION H: Biscayne. Revolving around the clear waters of Biscayne Bay, this region features lighthouses, museums, islands, palm-lined beaches, balmy winter weather and international cultures. A popular destination is the mangrove-lined Oleta River in north Miami.
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REGION I: The Gold Coast. As you head north through this region along the circumnavigational trail, the narrow Intracoastal Waterway begins to open up into the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Indian River. A huge draw is Florida's first wild and scenic river - the Loxahatchee - with its virgin cypress and historic trapper's cabin.
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REGION J: Indian River/Kissimmee River. The scenic Indian River, with its high level of biodiversity, is the dominant natural feature in the coastal region. Other paddling trails include the St. Sebastian River, Turkey Creek, and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. The Kissimmee River runs through the western part of this region. Once channelized for flood control, the middle part of the river is now being restored and makes for an ideal wilderness paddling experience.
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REGION K: The Space Coast. Manatees and bird rookeries abound as paddlers explore the Indian River Lagoon, Banana Lagoon, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the many islands of the Mosquito Lagoon. The Upper St. Johns River is the dominant feature through the interior part of this region. Other paddling trails include Spruce Creek, Bulow Creek, and the Pellicer and Tomoka Rivers.
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REGION L: The First Coast. From the rich history of North America's oldest European-founded city—St. Augustine—to a civil war fort along the Georgia border, this region boasts unspoiled stretches of public lands and numerous sea islands and winding tidal creeks. Rivers include the lower St. Johns, Nassau and St. Marys.
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REGION M: Suwannee. The famed 266-mile Suwannee River dominates this region. The upper river is marked by high bluffs, stately trees and shoals, while the middle section boasts numerous clear springs. Other paddling trails include springfed rivers such as the Santa Fe, Ichetucknee and Withlacoochee North. The new Potano paddling trail system near Gainesville is also part of this region.
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REGION N: Ocala. The historic Ocklawaha River and its tributaries is a main feature of this region along with a section of the St. Johns River and Lake George. The Ocala National Forest, in the heart of the region, includes several springfed streams such as Juniper Springs Run, Alexander Springs Run and Salt Springs Run.
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REGION O: Orlando. Several state designated paddling trails such as the Wekiva River/Rock Springs Run and Econlockhatchee River are included in the upper part of this region. Below Orlando, the interconnected Kissimmee Chain-of-Lakes mark the beginning of the Everglades system.
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