Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association

Join us for a Summer Social at Amicus Brewing on Tuesday, July 14 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/315580104

Summer is officially here, and the heat is no joke! Even if it’s too hot for hiking, it’s definitely not too hot for fun. Come cool off with the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association at our Summer Social at Amicus Brewing Ventures!

📅 Tuesday, July 14
📍 Amicus Brewing Ventures
⏰ 5:30pm–7:30pm

Grab a cold drink, enjoy a delicious burger from Harry’s Proper Burger, and let’s kick back for a chill evening with great people. Bring a friend — the more the merrier!

Join us for a Phipps Park Hike on Wednesdays in July. Please check Meetup for exact dates and to RSVP:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/ 

Phipps Park provides a wonderful opportunity for wilderness hiking inside the city. The trails are interesting and moderately challenging, featuring mature forest, wetlands, creek beds, ravines, and meadows, with the possibility of seeing wildlife. Some routes will include an overlook at Lake Jackson with bald eagle habitat.

This is an approximately 3-4 mile hike on a single track, primitive footpath in the woods, with lots of ups and downs and exposed tree roots. Hiking poles are recommended. We'll hike at a speed of 2.5-3.0 mph. Come at 8:15 and be ready to start at 8:30.

There is no water available, so be sure to bring your own. Wear comfortable shoes. Apply bug repellent and sunscreen as needed. Snacks optional.

Join us for a hike at Maclay Gardens State Park Trail on Sunday, July 5th from 9:00am-11:00am

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/315446556

Celebrate Independence Day weekend with a hike in the Maclay Gardens State Park. Fees for using state parks are waved on this weekend so you can hike for free.

Maclay Gardens State Park trail. The trail is approximately 5 miles long and circles around Lake Overstreet and passes by the famous gnome village. Most of the trail is in heavy shade. There are restrooms near the trail head and a water fountain at approximately half way. We will meet at the Forest Meadows Tennis Complex parking lot which is just across the street from the trail head. The hike is of moderate difficulty with some slopes and tripping hazards. Dogs on leashes are allowed. There is a $2.00 entrance fee for hikers.
Maclay Gardens State Park trail head at Forest Meadows Tennis Complex. 4750 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312

Join us for Florida National Scenic Trail Maintenance on Sunday, July 5th from 8am-12pm.

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/313367784

Take this opportunity to explore new trails and volunteer to maintain this precious resource! We plan to work across the Apalachee Chapter's area of responsibility (Aucilla River - Apalachicola River) to address specific trail maintenance needs.

All tools and safety equipment will be provided, however if you have special tools of your own, feel free to bring them. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes and prepare to work in water at times. To help with the bugs - good idea to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. Bring lunch, snacks, bug repellent and sunscreen and plenty of water. All skill levels are welcome. Work involves blaze painting, lopping and mowing.

We usually work 4 to 5 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Join us for our chapter meeting on Tuesday, June 9th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM: Binoculars: the Telescope You Already Own

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/31487537

DeWayne Carver, Education Director for the Tallahassee Astronomical Society, will teach us how to use the binoculars many of us already own, for night sky viewing - when on a night hike, camping trip, or full moon paddle.

DeWayne is a long time Tallahassee resident and the current Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Tallahassee Astronomical Society TAS). He's been an amateur astronomer for over 30 years and completed a number of observing programs through the Astronomical League, including the Binocular Messier, Binocular Deep Sky, and Binocular Double Star programs. He's been a TAS Member since 2012. As a professional city planner and urban designer, he has taught classes as an Adjunct Professor at the FSU Department of Urban and Regional Planning as well as prepared and conducted many professional training sessions for his work.

If you own binoculars, DeWayne suggests bringing them along.

Join us for Florida National Scenic Trail Maintenance on Sunday, June 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/312732462

Take this opportunity to explore new trails and volunteer to maintain this precious resource! We plan to work across the Apalachee Chapter's area of responsibility (Aucilla River - Apalachicola River) to address specific trail maintenance needs.

All tools and safety equipment will be provided, however if you have special tools of your own, feel free to bring them. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes and prepare to work in water at times. To help with the bugs - good idea to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. Bring lunch, snacks, bug repellent and sunscreen and plenty of water. All skill levels are welcome. Work involves blaze painting, lopping and mowing.

We usually work 4 to 5 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Join us for A Walk in the Woods: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z) on Monday, June 1st from 5:15 PM to 6:45 PM

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/314955942

A Walk in the Woods is beneficial to one's mental and physical health. This park offers shaded trails and lake views. Depending on the season, wild flowers and local wildlife may be present. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park

Meet near the restrooms. We meet at 5:15pm for sign-in and a 5:30pm start.

This will be a moderate to strenuous hike typically at 3 to 4 miles/hour. This may be the trail to Tom Brown Park and back (approx. 4 miles), or the trail to Alford Greenway, Bill’s Trail and back (approx. 3.7 miles). We will rest for a few minutes at the midway point near a public drinking water fountain. Expect walking on uneven ground and 50-foot elevation changes. Most of the route will be shaded, but there may be unshaded sections.

Bring water and wear shoes appropriate for trail hiking. Bug repellent and sunscreen may be needed. Watch for snakes and poison ivy along the trail.

Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

🌲 National Trails Day® 2026 is almost here — and we’re celebrating BIG!

Pack your daypack, grab the family, and join the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association on Saturday, June 6 at Camel Lake Campground for a full day of hiking, swimming, games, and good food in the Apalachicola National Forest.

🥾 Choose Your Adventure:
• 7‑mile Bonnet Pond Hike — starts 8 AM
• 1‑mile Camel Lake Loop — starts 9 AM (great for kids & new hikers)

After the hikes, cool off with a swim, enjoy outdoor games, and refuel with a grilled lunch (hot dogs, chips, drinks). Not hiking? Swing by around 10 AM and jump straight into the fun.

🏕️ Weekend vibes: Camping is available Friday–Sunday — perfect for anyone wanting a full forest getaway.

Let’s hit the trail together and make this National Trails Day one to remember 🌿

For More Info & Sign-Up:
meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/314385344/

Join us for our May Chapter Meeting on Medicinal Herbs on Tuesday, May 12th from 6:30-8:00 PM.

RSVP on Meetup:

meetu.ps/e/Q16Yq/TT992/i

You are invited to join our chapter meeting with guest speaker Camilla Barry, herbalist, teacher, and speaker for over 40 years, will present information about medicinal herbs she has encountered along the Florida Trail, how to identify them, and how they can be used.

All FTA Apalachee Chapter Meetings are open to the public. We open our Chapter meetings with a Social, featuring delicious member-provided refreshments, at 6:30 pm. At 7:00pm the meeting begins, we adjourn at 8:00pm.

Join us for a Phipps Park Hike on Tuesdays in May at 8:45am. Please check Meetup for exact dates and to RSVP:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/

Phipps Park provides a wonderful opportunity for wilderness hiking inside the city. The trails are interesting and moderately challenging, featuring mature forest, wetlands, creek beds, ravines, and meadows, with the possibility of seeing wildlife. Some routes will include an overlook at Lake Jackson with bald eagle habitat.

This is an approximately 3-4 mile hike on a single track, primitive footpath in the woods, with lots of ups and downs and exposed tree roots. Hiking poles are recommended. We'll hike at a speed of 2.5-3.0 mph. Come at 8:50 and be ready to start at 9:00.

There is no water available, so be sure to bring your own. Wear comfortable shoes. Apply bug repellent and sunscreen as needed. Snacks optional.