Overlanding South for the Winter - Exploring the Forrest of Florida and the Sandy Trails

Exploring the Northern Florida Adventure Trail: My Overlanding Experience

The Florida Adventure Trail (F.A.T.) is quickly becoming a must-do overlanding route for off-road enthusiasts across the country. Known for its mix of terrains, hidden campsites, and unforgettable views, the F.A.T. offers a true adventure for those looking to explore the Sunshine State’s more rugged side. In my latest overlanding trip, I had the chance to explore a portion of the trail, starting on the northwest side of Florida and making my way east, diving deep into the state’s dense woods.

This video dives into my trip highlights, the challenges I encountered, and the gear I tested, including new wheels from Anthem Off-Road and 37-inch Kenda Klever MT2 tires. I’ll also give you an overview of the Florida Adventure Trail, how to access maps, and tips for planning your own trip.

What is the Florida Adventure Trail (F.A.T.)?

The Florida Adventure Trail is a 1,000+ mile off-road route that stretches across the state of Florida. Designed for overlanders, it connects forests, state parks, coastal areas, and historic towns, showcasing the diverse natural beauty of Florida. From sandy trails and swamps to river crossings and scenic campgrounds, the F.A.T. offers a bit of everything for overlanders, motorcyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Where to Find Maps for the Florida Adventure Trail

To plan your trip, you can access detailed F.A.T. maps and GPS coordinates at https://sunshinestateadvco.com. Once downloaded, you can import them into your choice of GPS navigation apps including:
1. OnX Offroad App – Perfect for marking campsites, trails, and landmarks during your journey.
2. Gaia GPS – Provides comprehensive route details for the entire Florida Adventure Trail.
Additionally you can join the Florida Overlanding Community Online forums and Facebook groups for excellent resources and up-to-date route information and local tips.

These tools are essential for navigating the trail and finding the best hidden spots to camp, refuel, and explore.

My Overlanding Trip: Northern Florida Adventure Trail Highlights

While I couldn’t tackle the entire Florida Adventure Trail on this trip, I made the most of my time by exploring a portion of the northwest region and heading east toward Florida’s coast. My goal was to get a feel for the terrain, mark key locations for future camping trips, and test out new gear on my Jeep.

The first thing that struck me was how lush and dense the wooded areas of northern Florida are. These trails offered a mix of sandy roads, clay, and some mild water crossings that kept the drive interesting. I made sure to mark several potential camping spots and landmarks on my OnX Offroad app so I could come back for longer stays.

This trip wasn’t just about exploring; I also wanted to test a couple of new upgrades to my Jeep Wrangler:
• Wildfinder Rooftop Tent: I tested its durability, ease of use, and comfort during an overnight stop. The setup was quick, and it provided solid warmth for the cooler Florida evening.
• Anthem Off-Road Wheels and 37” Kenda Klever MT2 Tires: Upgrading to 37-inch tires significantly changed the Jeep’s handling. I immediately noticed that the gearing felt off, my speed was impacted, and the steering became noticeably sloppy. These are all things I’ll address before taking on the full trail, but the tires performed exceptionally well on mixed terrain.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for the Full F.A.T.

This short but productive overlanding trip gave me valuable insights into what to expect when tackling the full Florida Adventure Trail. The mix of terrains, quiet campsites, and opportunity for exploration makes this trail a bucket-list experience for any off-roader.

While I’ll need to address my Jeep’s gearing and steering before attempting the full trail, this test run allowed me to test new gear, discover incredible spots, and get excited for the next big adventure.

TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Overlanding South for the Winter - Exploring the Forrest of Florida and the Sandy Trails
01:57 Florida Off Road Trails
04:53 Florida River Crossing
06:02 Florida Trail Dead End (or is it?)
08:39 Florida Campsite - Day 1
10:38 Day 2 - Overlanding North Florida
14:07 Naturnest 270 Awning
16:47 Wildfinder Rooftop Tent for Overlanding
18:38 Anthem Off Road Wheels
19:18 37 Kenda Klever MT2 Mud Terrain Tires for Jeep Wrangler JKU
21:10 Exploring Florida Adventure Trail
24:53 Best Dispersed Campsite in Florida

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