Panhandle Chapter of the Florida Trail Association

You must sign up and register on the FTA website: https://floridatrail.org/ididahike/

Required: $80 Registration (per participant)
Optional: $30 Camping Tent spot (Fri and Sat night)

💖Fall in Love with the Wild at IDIDAHIKE 2026!💖

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day adventure! The Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association is thrilled to host IDIDAHIKE 2026 on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, promising a day overflowing with natural beauty, thrilling exploration, and heartwarming connections.

🌲Unveiling the Wonders of Nokuse: A Sanctuary of Love and Life🌲

This year, we invite you to embark on truly unique hikes within the breathtaking Nokuse Land Conservancy, a vital black bear and gopher tortoise sanctuary nestled within the magnificent Florida Wildlife Corridor. Imagine traversing landscapes where the wild heart of Florida beats strong, where every step takes you deeper into an ecosystem teeming with life.

Our specially curated routes will guide you along the trail winding through the pristine wilderness of Nokuse, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness the raw beauty of our state’s natural heritage. This isn’t just a hike; it’s an immersion into a world where conservation and adventure intertwine.

🐻A Celebration of Love – For Nature and Each Other!🐻

Embrace our enchanting themes of “Bear” and “Valentine’s Day” as we celebrate not only the incredible wildlife that calls Florida home but also the camaraderie and shared passion of our outdoor community. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge new friendships, and rekindle your love for the great outdoors.

Beyond the trails, IDIDAHIKE 2026 will be a vibrant hub of activity! Engage with fascinating speakers who will share insights into Florida’s unique ecosystems and wildlife. Savor delicious treats from a variety of food trucks, ensuring your energy is replenished for all the excitement. Discover and connect with lots of great outdoor-minded people who share your enthusiasm for adventure and preservation.

⛺Extend Your Wild Romance: Camping Under the Stars!⛺

For those who wish to extend their Valentine’s Day celebration with nature, we are excited to offer 40 exclusive campsites in Pine Log Wildlife Management Area! Imagine spending the evening under a blanket of stars, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the Florida wilderness.

📩Ready to fall in love with IDIDAHIKE 2026?📩

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the heart of Florida’s wild beauty. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join us in February for our annual meeting where our guest speaker will be Cindy Mulla. Cindy is a prominent public outreach and education specialist with the Beach Mosquito Control District in Panama City Beach, Florida, serving in this role since 2005. Affectionately known as "The Mosquito Lady," she focuses on public education,,, community outreach, and promoting mosquito bite prevention, such as using EPA-approved repellents (DEET/picaridin) and eliminating standing water.

Are you interested in the Florida Trail and wondering if there is more that you can do? Then come to our February meeting where we will be discussing our committees and places that we are looking for people to help out. We can use people with administrative skills, people who like to tinker and fix things, planners, idea people, writers, and more.

We will also be voting to elect our 2026 chapter officers. Voting is open to all current memberships of the Panhandle Chapter of the Florida Trail Association which are in good standing. Attendance in person is required to vote.

There will be music, mud pie eating contest, fireworks show, chainsaw artist, croc encounters, food, and much more. . I encourage everyone to attend and wear their Panhandle shirts or other chapter/FTA shirts and stop by the booth.
https://www.riverfestfl.com/
https://youtu.be/FG0_BqC65n8

We need volunteers to work short shifts and to help set up or break down. Equipment has to be at our booth by 9:45, vehicles cleared by 10 and ready for the 11 am event opening. Break down can start at 5:30 pm, with no cars entering area until gates are closed and crowd has cleared.

Sign up below if you are attending.
Because of the size of this event, we will need at least 3-4 volunteers on-site at all times. I will be there all day, and any amount of help is appreciated-from one hour to as long as you are able to stay. If you are able to help, please leave a comment below with the time you are available. Thank you so much for your support of our chapter.