Welaka State Forest Overnight backpacking event!

SAVE THE DATE! February 21st & 22nd - We will be backpacking and camping in Welaka State Forest!

For FTA members only.... you must join FTA, not just the Meetup site. The fees for the primitive campsite have been paid for by the North FL Trailblazers. You will be responsible for covering you own day pass that will allow you to park your car at the trailhead. Please visit the link provided at the end of this description for more information. Day passes are $2; annual are $45. You will need to print the email and then place it on your dash.

Limiting the group to 8 plus leaders. RSVP opens Monday December 1st, 2025. Please do not RSVP unless you are committed to attending. If there is a waitlist, don't despair. Someone may not be able to attend, and we will move the next person up if that happens.

We will be meeting at the Johns Landing Trailhead in Welaka State Forest and hike out to our camp site Orange Point. This will be approximately 2 miles. We will set up camp, secure our food safely, and grab our day packs and explore the rest of the trails. We will be hiking anywhere from 5 to 7 miles depending on what we want to explore. We will return to our campsite, have dinner and relax. We will be hiking back out to the same trail head the next day. This is a primitive campsite, and you will need to filter your water. They do have a pit toilet at the trail head.

This will be an overnight backpack trip. You will be required to provide your own gear and food. Please review the suggested gear list below.

Gear: The Big Three

1. Shelter: This should be your tent.
2. Backpack: Not a day pack but something between 43 and 61
   Liters. (Average 52 Liters)
3. Sleeping System: Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad, blow up pillow.

Food/Cook System:

1. Cook System: This typically consists of a small stove with a pot that you can boil water in. Do not forget spoons, a cup if you like coffee, and a bandana will work as a towel. If your food is not in one of the pre-made freeze-dried packs, you may want a bowel or plate.
2. Food: Snacks, you cannot have to many snacks. You will need Lunch and Dinner for day one and Breakfast for day two.

Water:

1. You will need a way to carry water. This can be in a camel style system that sits in your pack or water bottles. Please bring a water collection bag/bottle designated for "dirty” water collection.
2. Water filter and/or treatment system. We will be filtering water from the nearby stream. For safety precautions you should ALWAYS filter and/or treat your water before consuming.

Clothing:

1. This is only for one night so you can hike out wearing what you hiked in wearing. You will want a good pair of shoes and socks. You can wear what you would typically wear when going on a day hike.
2. Sleep wear: This all depends on how warm or cold you like to sleep. A big shirt and shorts work just fine. I usually bring a beanie to wear at night as it also eliminates the need to fix any bedhead hair.
3. Extra: Extra pair of socks, in case your first pair gets wet. This is Florida. Flip flops or camp sandals. If you can just slip into them your MN potty runs will be easier. Rain jacket. Puffy if you get cold easily.

Toiletries:

1. Poop System: You need a trowel or a small shovel to dig a hole, toilet paper/wipes, and hand sanitizer. We will go more into this before the hike.
2. Kula cloth- optional you can just use TP.

Other items:

1. Battery pack for charging your phone and other items. Don’t forget the charging cables.
2. Hiking poles
3. Bug spray
4. Sunscreen
5. First aid kit
6. Glasses or contacts
7. Toothpaste/toothbrush
8. Hat

Information about Welaka State Forest: CLICK HERE

Information about the FTA: CLICK HERE

Information about the North FL Trailblazers: CLICK HERE