What we’re about
The Florida Trail isn't a destination it's an experience! An experience that changes daily.
The Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association is an outdoor adventure and eco-volunteering group. Our activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, and paddling events throughout the year ranging from easy to strenuous, local to regional. We FOCUS on outdoor activities in NW Florida and South Alabama woodlands and streams. Our members are outdoor enthusiasts who also enjoy building and maintaining local hiking trails.
We are the Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. We maintain the FLORIDA TRAIL (aka: Florida National Scenic Trail) in Okaloosa and Walton Counties – Chapter activities are open to the public and center on enjoying Florida’s woodlands, streams and natural areas. The Chapter maintains the FLORIDA TRAIL on the Eglin AFB Reservation (58 miles), Nokuse Section (20 miles) and the Choctawhatchee River Section (8 miles).
The Florida Trail Association is a 4,000+ member statewide organization with 19 chapters. Goal: To build and maintain the FLORIDA TRAIL and other hiking trails in Florida. Support the conservation of Florida’s natural areas.
For an overview of the types of activities we sponsor look at our PHOTO ALBUMS.
'After checking us out, membership in the Florida Trail Association is expected. Donations are welcomed and strongly encouraged. Help us keep the Florida Trail alive.'
The Florida Trail isn't a destination it's an experience!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- LakeFest-Defuniak Springs, FLFNST Owls Head Trailhead, Defuniak Springs, FL
The Choctawhatchee chapter is celebrating our first event with the newest member (17th) of the Florida Trail Gateway Community. Our booth will be in the lake yard between the amphitheater and the library on lake DeFuniak. This should be a lot of fun. Come join us.
Web site with info:
https://www.defuniaksprings.net/1101/LakeFestLakeFest is an annual festival in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, celebrating safe, recreational activities for the entire family on the water and banks of beautiful Lake DeFuniak, one of the world’s rare, naturally round spring-fed lakes. The 2025 event is comprised of a fish fry, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, toy duck hunts, hilarious Cardboard Boat Races, and the thrill of watching hydro-flight and wakeboard athletes performing for the crowds. There will be live entertainment, waterslides, a dunking booth, and many other activities in the Kids Zone, a variety of food and merchandise vendors, educational vendors, exhibits, and the 2025 LakeFest Car Show "Under the Oaks" sponsored by Krewe de Yak. The 2025 program will include overnight primitive camping for those who sign up in advance for an event or who are vendors, sponsors, and educational booth hosts.
- Nokuse / CRS Sections / Florida Trail Volunteer Work Party, May 20, 2025E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, Freeport, FL
Nokuse / Choctawhatchee River Section Work Party -
Work plan: This activity will focus on performing routine trail maintenance on the Nokuse and Choctawhatchee River Sections of the Florida Trail in Walton County.BRING: An orange vest, hard hat, gloves, eye protection, plenty of fluids, rain gear, insect repellent and a lunch. Long pants and good closed toe shoes are HIGHLY recommended.
NO PETS ALLOWED
Participants should read and be familiar with the contents for the following Job Hazard Analysis documents prior to the workday:
General Trail-Maintenance: https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FTA-2018-JHA.pdf
Mower and Brush Cutter: FTA-JHAs_Mower-and-Brushcutter_REV-Feb.-2019.pdf (floridatrail.org)
Chainsaw: FNST-FTA-Chainsaw-Operation-JHA-signed-11Oct2023.pdf (floridatrail.org)
