OTLHT Fundraising Hike

Join Us for the OTLHT Fundraising Hike!

Grab your pack and gather your camping essentials for the Florida Trail Association (FTA) annual OTLHT Fundraising Hike benefiting the Loxahatchee Chapter. The three-day, 2-night (or six-day 5-night) backcountry benefit will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 - Monday, February 16, 2026 (or Thursday, February 19, 2026), where participants will join trail experts from the Florida Trail Association – Loxahatchee Chapter as they are guided through some of the most iconic ecosystems of South Florida.

Participants registered for the 3-day hike (either direction) will meet at the Hungryland Boardwalk Trail in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area before boarding a complimentary shuttle to the trail heads and begin the hike. Hikers completing the entire trail will park at the Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Kimbell Education and Visitor Center) and be shuttled to the Hungryland Boardwalk Trail before continuing to the lakeside trailhead. Two groups of participants will hike approximately 30 miles from the ocean and lake trailheads of the Ocean To Lake Hiking Trail, connecting back at Everglades Youth Conservation Camp (EYCC) to have a celebratory meal and share experiences from the trail. Proceeds and funds raised from the OTLHT event will support the Florida Trail Association .

Each OTLHT hike registrant is REQUIRED to attend the *Virtual* OTLHT Mandatory Orientation Meeting on February 4, 2026 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. All participants will be responsible for packing and hiking with their own equipment and provisions. Please read the OTLHT Trail Conditions & Event Details section before committing to this event.

Don’t fall behind the pack! Capacity is limited to 48 total hikers (24 hikers for any section). Previous hiking and camping experience are strongly suggested for thru-hikers as there will be minimal trail provision. Attendees are required to bring proper equipment as well. Participants must be 18 years or older to register for the OTLHT Hike event. *All proceeds will directly support the Florida Trail Association. 

Registration fee for the event is $165.00 (Same price whether you are hiking 3-days or 6-days.) 

Trail Conditions & Event Details

What to Expect

While beautiful, the OTLHT Hike is not an easy undertaking. Campsites are primitive and trail conditions and weather can make the hike challenging. Prior backpacking experience especially in Florida is strongly recommended before attempting to participate in this event. Not sure if you're ready or not? Be sure to register for a virtual information session at the dates below with members of FTA who can help you.

For the OTLHT Hike, participants are responsible for their own water, meals and snacks on the trail. You should not rely on the FTA to provide your water, food or any provisions on the trail. For each hikers’ safety, and for the safety of the group, all participants must provide their own tent/shelter and water filtration system. These items will be checked on the morning of Day One and hikers will not be permitted to board the bus to the trailhead without having these items checked off by an event guide. 

What we provide:

• Complimentary parking at Hungryland Boardwalk Trail for 3-day Participants 
• Complimentary parking at Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Kimbell Education and Visitor Center) for 6-day Participants
• Transportation to trailheads from Hungryland Boardwalk Trail for all Participants
• Transportation from Ocean trailhead to Jonathan Dickinson State Parking for 6-day Participants
• Expert OTL trail guides
• Experienced Florida naturalists
• Nightly camp fires at each camp site (where permitted)
• Daily water drops
• Shower and restroom facilities on Monday afternoon
• Cook-out & Social on Monday afternoon
• Event photos and highlights shared on FTA social media

What We Do NOT Provide:

• Tent/shelter (required)
• Water filtration system (required)
• Water, meals or trail snacks (required)
• Cooking utensils or equipment
• Personal hiking gear
• Flashlight / headlamp
• Protective gear for rain or (sun)shine
• Toiletries
• Bug spray
• Waste disposal areas
• Any items not listed above

The Trail: The OTLHT hike takes participants through some of the best managed natural areas in south Florida and weaves through no less than five iconic ecosystems of Florida. However, hiking in south Florida presents unique challenges and hazards that should be taken seriously. The ecosystems on this beautiful trail change approximately every mile, from ancient sand dunes with scrub oak and sand pine to pine flat woods, palmetto and oak hammocks, cypress swamp and wet prairies.

Wet Conditions: Much of the trail weaves through cypress sloughs and wet prairie, inundating large segments of the trail with ankle – shin-deep water depending on the amount of rainfall leading up to the event. At one point along the trail, hikers may cross a waterway up to waist-deep depth. Moving from wet to dry conditions along the trail is one of the most challenging elements of this hike. It is critical that participants have appropriate footwear and clothing to complete the hike successfully.

Uneven Terrain & Sugarsand: As a ‘backcountry’ trail, there are few paved or hard packed sections of the trail during the OTLHT hike event. Large tracts of the trail include hiking in fine sand, known as ‘sugarsand,’ through cypress roots, or ‘knees,’ and slippery mud. Please consider any injuries or sensitivities to uneven terrain before committing to this event. Hiking poles are recommended for hikers that have experience with Florida hiking but prefer extra support.

Wildlife & Prickly Plants: Backpacking and tent camping in south Florida means sharing the trail with Florida wildlife including, but not limited to: snakes, pigs, birds, and alligators in addition to many plants that can easily scratch skin. Participants should come prepared with basic first aid in the event of minor cuts, scratches, blisters, etc., however each hiking group will be staffed with one Certified Wilderness First Responder in the event of emergencies.

Weather: Historic overnight lows have been recorded in the low 30’s while day time highs have been in the mid 80’s. Rain is always possible. This event is rain or shine, so please ensure you check the weather ahead and pack your gear accordingly.

Food & Water: Hikers are responsible for providing all of their own meals, water and equipment for the OTLHT Hike event. While water drops are planned and coordinated, there is no guarantee that conditions will allow for water drop trail access. There is also no potable water stops along the trail. A water filtration system is required for participation in the OTLHT Hike for this reason. Hikers are welcome to pack in as much water as they like so long as their pack does not exceed 40lbs. The suggested weight for an individual pack is approximately 20% of the hiker’s body weight or at/below 30lbs.

Campsites: Camp sites are primitive, meaning there will be no access to bathroom facilities, potable water, or any other typical amenity at a more formal campground. Hikers can expect possible uneven terrain at each campsite depending on conditions. We encourage each hiker to bring a ground tarp for their tent in the event of muddy or wet conditions.

Thank you to our generous Partners and Sponsors:

• Florida Trail Association, Event Host
• FWC's FYCCN Everglades Youth Conservation Camp, Lodging & in-kind Meal Sponsor