Rob Rogers
Author, attorney, backpacker, and lover of the outdoors
Category: Great Places to Hike and Backpack
-
Looking to Backpack Near Minneapolis? The Western End of the Ice Age Trail May Be Just the Place
As temperatures rise here in Central Florida, I am reminded that there are great places further north to enjoy the outdoors. Like the Florida Trail, Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail is one of three national scenic trails located entirely within a single state, and its western terminus is located along the St. Croix River only one-hour’s… Read.
-
Pretty scrub and ponds abound in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness
After a month of being prevented from backpacking by flooded trails, a pesky cold, and the national championship run of a certain basketball team, I will finally be able to return to the Ocala National Forest this weekend, possibly for my last one-nighter of the season as the heat of summer approaches. It will be… Read.
-
The Bull Creek Loop is a Gem on the Florida Trail’s Eastern Corridor
The approaching end of Florida’s winter-spring backpacking season perhaps calls for reflection on where I’ve been this season. Having focused this season more on the eastern portions of the Florida Trail closer to Orlando (as well as the Ocala National Forest), my favorite trip of the year so far may have been the one-nighter I… Read.
-
Families can enjoy fun (free) hiking and camping at Flat Island Preserve
In Leesburg, a short drive north of Orlando on the Florida Turnpike, lies a pretty sanctuary of dense woodland with easy trails for families at the Flat Island Preserve. With free access from 8 a.m. through sunset, well-maintained trails through beautiful forests, and easy-to-reach group and primitive campsites that can be reserved for free, Flat… Read.
-
Lake Kissimmee State Park: Hiking, History, and Hog Heaven
n my first book, I describe my first nine backpacking trips, six of which were at Florida state parks. One of my favorites is Lake Kissimmee State Park near Lake Wales, which introduced me for the first time to hikers-only trails. With two hiking loops of more-than-minimal length and two gorgeous primitive campsites and tons… Read.
-
Chuluota Wilderness Area and the Bronson State Forest: Flatlands, Wetlands, and Much More
In my quest to get acquainted with more sections of the eastern corridor of the Florida Trail, I celebrated this past New Year’s Day backpacking on the Florida Trail in the Chuluota Wilderness Area and the Bronson State Forest. A week earlier (yes, on Christmas Eve), I had done the same in the busy Little… Read.
-
Disney Wilderness Preserve: A Great Place Near Orlando for Families to Hike
The Nature Conservancy has several great hiking destinations in Florida, and perhaps the best one near Orlando for families is the Disney Wilderness Preserve. Located in Poinciana not far from the Disney parks, the Disney Wilderness Preserve is close to the attractions but feels far away. It also has several interconnected trails ranging in length… Read.
-
Lake Louisa State Park: A Great Place to Learn to Backpack
When I began dreaming about backpacking 14 months ago at age 47 after impulsively purchasing a tent, I did not think I would be solo backpacking on national scenic trails by now. I only wanted to sleep under the stars away from city lights and the noise of parking lot campers. I eventually learned to… Read.
-
The Little Big Econ State Forest: A Great Way to Taste the Florida Trail
The following article was first published in the January 2025 issue of The Footpath Newsletter, the newsletter for the Central Florida chapter of the Florida Trail Association. Having recently written a book about several one-night backpacking trips I did last year while discovering backpacking in Central Florida, I had not yet actually done a trip… Read.
-
My First Hike in Ocala National Forest was Amazing (Riverside Island)
Last Saturday I made my first long-overdue trip to the Ocala National Forest, the birthplace of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Although my original intent was to do a one-night backpacking trip, I changed my mind when I looked at the weather forecast which promised post-sunset temperatures in the high 40s dropping to the 30s… Read.
RobRogersWriter.com 