Madison, Wisconsin to Sarasota, Florida

  • HTML tutorial

Pkins44

Rank II

Enthusiast III

473
Sarasota, FL, USA
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
Kinsella
Hello everyone,

I have the urge to take a trip and decided to finish in Florida. I am looking for routes that I can use on the way down.
I’ll be starting in Madison on Saturday morning.
Thanks all
 

Pkins44

Rank II

Enthusiast III

473
Sarasota, FL, USA
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
Kinsella
Ended up recruiting my brother for the trip and will drive down to his place tonight in monee. Then tomorrow we get to the trailhead!
 

Pkins44

Rank II

Enthusiast III

473
Sarasota, FL, USA
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
Kinsella
Made it to my brothers last night in Monee Illinois. We replaced the headlight bulbs and add a small light bar for better visibility in the trails.
Just look at the difference between stock and quality aftermarket options. We are going to make it to the GAT trailhead this evening and the trail will begin tomorrow.
 

Attachments

Flipper

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,865
Florida
First Name
John
Last Name
F
Member #

5021

There are no trails to the Keys. You have forests in the north part of the state and Ocala National Forest in the central. To get to the Keys you are going to have to shoot across Alligator Alley from Naples on the West Coast to Homestead behind Miami or down 27 in the center of the state, 95 or 1 on the coast. No trails just lots of people. If you plan to camp in the Keys you better have reservations and be prepped for tropical camping. No-see-Ums go right thru regular tent screening, they are going to give you a whole new outlook on life. The State Parks in it Keys are Pennekamp in Largo, Curry Hammock in N. Marathon and Bahia Honda right after the 7 Mile Bridge south of Marathon are usually booked up to a year in advance, watch for cancellations on Reserve America every day. Right now is Hurricane season so be prepared for cancellations and evacuations, IMO not exactly the best time to be camping in Fl. the mosquitos will be so bad in the Glades you won’t be able to get out of your truck. Safe travels.
 
Last edited:

Iceman.Actual

Rank IV
Launch Member

Advocate III

1,153
Cape Coral, FL, USA
First Name
Payton
Last Name
DeMay
Member #

25130

My suggestion would be to make for the Blue Ridge or even AT before heading south. Having driven Illinois to Pensacola quite a few times, following the Mississippi is extremely boring with very little opportunity to trails minus Missouri and Tennessee.
Agreeable reaching the southern tip will be bland after exiting the mountains in northern Georgia unless you like flat land and swamps.
Ironically I am starting my move from MD back to FL on Thursday, so I’ll be paralleling you for sure.
Cheers, and make sure to bring a fishing pole!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pkins44 and Flipper

Flipper

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,865
Florida
First Name
John
Last Name
F
Member #

5021

My suggestion would be to make for the Blue Ridge or even AT before heading south. Having driven Illinois to Pensacola quite a few times, following the Mississippi is extremely boring with very little opportunity to trails minus Missouri and Tennessee.
Agreeable reaching the southern tip will be bland after exiting the mountains in northern Georgia unless you like flat land and swamps.
Ironically I am starting my move from MD back to FL on Thursday, so I’ll be paralleling you for sure.
Cheers, and make sure to bring a fishing pole!
Good suggestion! We are heading up to the Smokies in 7 weeks for some cool fall camping. We used to do a lot of boating in Md. before moving down 22 yrs ago. Lived in Hbg. Pa. Kept the boat at Fells Point. Be safe coming down.
 

Flipper

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,865
Florida
First Name
John
Last Name
F
Member #

5021

Hello everyone,

I have the urge to take a trip and decided to finish in Florida. I am looking for routes that I can use on the way down.
I’ll be starting in Madison on Saturday morning.
Thanks all
Here is a list of the State Parks we like you can camp at. Any questions, give me a shout. Glad to help.
Fort Pickens N.P Pensacola
Henderson Beach S.P. Destin
Topsail S.P.
Grayton Beach S.P.
St. Andrew S.P. Panama City
Silver River S.P Ocala
St Augustine S.P.
Fort Desoto St. Pete
Sebastian Inlet S.P.
Pennekamp Keys
Curry Hammock Keys
Bahia Honda Keys
 

Pkins44

Rank II

Enthusiast III

473
Sarasota, FL, USA
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
Kinsella
Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions. I am kinda flying by the seat of my pants on this one so I’m not too afraid to make a detour.
We just got to franklin and will start fresh in the morning.
 

Pkins44

Rank II

Enthusiast III

473
Sarasota, FL, USA
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
Kinsella
Just parked north of Tampa. This has been a lot of fun. I can’t wait for the return trip back north!
 

Attachments