🌿 May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a perfect time to reconnect with nature and prioritize your well-being on the Florida Trail 💚 Spending time outdoors can reduce stress, ease anxiety, improve sleep, and boost emotional health. Whether you're thru-hiking or taking a short walk through the pines, nature offers powerful healing. 🌞 How the outdoors supports mental health: • Lowers stress and anxiety • Improves focus and attention • Enhances sleep quality • Encourages physical movement • Promotes emotional well-being ✨ This month, consider nature a form of self-care: 🥾 Take a mindful walk 🚴‍♀️ Bike or hike a new trail segment 🧘‍♂️ Practice presence under the trees 🌱 Garden, observe wildlife, or just breathe deeply The Florida Trail is more than a path—it’s a way to feel grounded & connected. Where do you find a sense of peace along the trail? Let us know in the comments! #MentalHealthAwareness #FloridaTrail #OptOutside Photo by Martin Klapheke (fb)

NOTICE TO HIKERS Due to active wildfire activity in the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Trail is currently closed from south of the Shanty Pond Campground to north of the SR 314 / FL-19 junction. 🔥 Fire crews are working to contain the fire using minimal impact suppression tactics due to the area's ecological and historical value. 🚗 Please avoid the area and exercise caution when driving through, as smoke may impact visibility along FL-19 and CR-314. 📞 Report visibility issues to *FHP by dialing *347. 📲 For updates, visit: Floridatrail.org/trail-closures-and-notices or visit the USFS webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83528 Hike smart, stay safe! (fb)