Here is a list of some of the most helpful general references apart from this site for the explorer of Florida Scenic Byways. To dig deeper, visit each individual byway page on this site for highlighted county, nature and tourism links applicable to each byway.
Tourism
VISIT FLORIDA: Visit Florida
Your one stop shop for all things Florida … places to go, things to do, culture, fishing, food, golf, parks, trails, vacations.
On the Road
America’s Byways on the Federal Highway Administration Site: www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways
America’s Byways is the umbrella term we use for the collection of 150 distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. America’s Byways include the National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. America’s Byways are gateways to adventures where no two experiences are the same.
National Scenic Byway Foundation: nsbfoundation.com
NSBF is a nonprofit organization serving as “The National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads.” The NSBF mission is to empower, strengthen and sustain byways. NSBF is comprised of byway trainers, leaders and experts from across the U.S. This organization has been at the forefront of the push to increase national support and funding for byways, and in 2021 offered grants for byways nationwide.
Florida Department of Transportation: FDOT.gov
Florida Scenic Highways is a program of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). FDOT’s primary statutory responsibility is to coordinate the planning and development of a safe, viable, and balanced state transportation system serving all regions of the state, and to assure the compatibility of all components, including multimodal facilities.
Florida Department of State: dos.myflorida.com
The Florida Department of State manages the state’s elections, corporations, historical and cultural resources and our libraries. The Department strives to improve the quality of life and promotes economic growth.
Florida Bicycle Association: floridabicycle.org
The Mission of Florida Bicycle Association is to network and share best practices, to educate and advocate and to build awareness as a unified voice.
The Vision for Florida is to be a state where bicycling is safe, respected and encouraged as a means of transportation and recreation.
Parks & Recreation
Florida State Parks: floridastateparks.org
Everything you need to know about Florida State Parks, including maps, park regulations, hours of operation, facilities and amenities, and contact information for planning your trip.
Florida Forest Service: FloridaForestService.com
Florida Forest Service manages over one million acres of state forests for multiple public uses including timber, recreation and wildlife habitat, we also provide services to landowners throughout the state with technical information and grant programs.
Their mission is to protect and manage the forest resources of Florida, ensuring that they are available for future generations. Wildfire prevention and suppression are key components in our efforts to protect homeowners from the threat of damage in a natural, fire-dependent environment.
Florida Wildflower Foundation: flawildflowers.org
The mission of the Florida Wildflower Foundation is to enrich lives with Florida native wildflowers through education, planting and research projects. The Foundation is the worldwide ambassador for inspiration on and information about Florida native wildflowers.
National Marine Sanctuary: sanctuaries.noaa.gov
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters. Few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of the National Marine Sanctuary System, which protects America’s most iconic natural and cultural marine resources.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: myfwc.com
The FWC protects and manages more than 575 species of wildlife, more than 200 native species of freshwater fish, and more than 500 native species of saltwater fish. The goal is to balance these species’ needs with the needs of nearly 19 million residents and the millions of visitors who share the land and water with Florida’s wildlife.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/default.htm
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship, is one of the more diverse agencies in state government – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.
Paddle Florida: paddleflorida.org
Paddle Florida, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation organized to support canoeing and kayaking in Florida. Supported, multi-day paddling/camping adventures in each of Florida’s five water management districts showcase the state’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage while promoting water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection. Paddle Florida also seeks to promote Florida as an international destination for nature-based tourism.
Southern Trailriders Association: southerntrailriders.org
Southern Trailriders, a non-profit group centered near the Tallahassee, Florida area, supports an active interest in equestrian trail riding and the development and maintenance of public equestrian trails.
Trails
Great Florida Birding Trail: FloridaBirdingTrail.com
The Great Florida Birding Trail touches many Florida scenic byways, and this is a great resource for planning birding into your byway itineraries.
Office of Greenways and Trails: FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com
Trails are a wonderful attraction in Florida close to most byways. The Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) within the Division of Recreation & Parks provides statewide leadership and coordination to establish, expand and promote the Florida Greenways and Trails System.
Florida National Scenic Trail: https://www.floridatrail.org/
The Florida National Scenic Trail is a congressionally designated National Scenic Trail. It is approximately 1,300-miles long and is intended to offer a continuous, permanent non-motorized recreation opportunity for hiking and other compatible activities. Over its length, it showcases the incredible biodiversity, history, and rich culture of Florida. Its termini lie in Gulf Islands National Seashore to the North and Big Cypress National Preserve in the South.
Florida Paddling Trails Association: floridapaddlingtrails.com
The mission of the Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA) is to develop water trails, protect the environment along the trails, and be a resource and voice for paddlers. Their website has information on most water trails in the state including the longest paddling trail in the continental United States, the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT).
American Trails: www.americantrails.org
American Trails is a national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. American Trails members want to create and protect America’s network of interconnected trails.
National East-Coast Greenway Alliance: www.greenway.org
The East Coast Greenway is a developing trail system, linking many of the major cities of the Eastern Seaboard between Canada and Key West. Over 30 percent of the route is already on traffic-free greenways, creating safe, accessible routes for people of all ages and abilities. The Greenway fosters healthy lifestyles, empowers sustainable transportation, and economic development in each of the communities it touches.
Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network: floridasuntrail.com
The Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network is a program of The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The goal is to make use of its expertise in efficiently providing transportation projects to develop a statewide system of paved non-motorized trails as a component of the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS), which is planned by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Rails to Trails Conservancy: railstotrails.org
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
Preservation & History
Florida Heritage Trails: myflorida.com/…/heritage-trails/
This program is part of the Florida Division of Historic Preservation. The Florida Department of State’s Florida Heritage Trail series began in 1991 with the publication of the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Since then, additional titles in the series include the World War II, Native American, French, British and Florida Spanish Colonial Heritage Trails. Designed to raise awareness of the state’s cultural and historical resources, these educational and travel publications are popular resources for residents, students, historians and visitors to the state.
Florida Main Street Program: myflorida.com/…/main-street-program/
Florida Main Street is a technical assistance program administered by the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, for traditional historic commercial corridors. The Bureau conducts statewide programs aimed at identifying, evaluating, and preserving Florida’s historic resources. Main Street, with its emphasis on preservation, is an effective strategy in achieving these goals in Florida’s historic retail districts.
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation: https://www.floridatrust.org/
The mission of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is to promote the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and historic property stewardship. The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation advocates for legislation and funding in support of historic preservation on behalf of Florida’s many historic sites, museums and parks. The trust represents Florida’s preservation community through public and media outreach.
Florida Memory: State Library & Archives of Florida: floridamemory.com
The State Archives of Florida is the central repository for the records of Florida State Government. The mission of the Florida Memory Program is to provide free online access to select archival resources from the collections of the State Library and Archives of Florida. Florida Memory chooses materials for digitization that illuminate significant events and individuals in the state’s history, and help educate Floridians and millions of other people around the world about Florida history and culture.
Florida Historical Society: myfloridahistory.org
Established in 1856, the Florida Historical Society is dedicated to preserving Florida’s past through the collection and archival maintenance of historical documents and photographs, the publication of scholarly research on Florida history, and educating the public about Florida history through a variety of public history projects and programs. We maintain an extensive archive at the Library of Florida History, publish the Florida Historical Quarterly and books through the Florida Historical Society Press.
Florida Folklife Program: myflorida.com/…/florida-folklife-program/
The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents the folklife, folklore, and folk arts of the state. The Florida Folklife Program (FFP) coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about our traditional culture.
Florida Division of Historical Resources: myflorida.com/historical
The Division of Historical Resources is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological and folk culture resources. They provide guidance and grants for historic preservation projects.
