[DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

Kayakers, canoeists and sailors in small boats will depart from Fort De Soto Park's beach on Saturday and head south to compete in one of three WaterTribe adventure races. One race ends at Boca Grande, one at Key Largo and the Ultimate Florida Challenge goes nearly all the way around the state.

Adventure racing

Eight who dare

What possesses someone to enter a 1,200-mile expedition-style paddling race around the state of Florida? Meet the eight men who signed up for the Ultimate Florida Challenge and find out.

Walk on the 'Wild Side'

Looking for a great day hike or paddle to a barrier island? Planning to buy a backpacking tent but don't know where to start? Find the answers to these and other questions in Terry Tomalin's new outdoors blog.

Outdoors blog

Florida state parks

Florida state parks offer hidden treasures off the beaten path. Click here for a locator map, contact information and brief descriptions of each park.

Multimedia reports

View photo galleries, interactive graphics and video reports here

For the outdoors fan

Tide charts
You can upload a photo of your Great catch

Everglades Challenge

The Insomniacs paddled more than 170 miles over four days before ending their journey short of the 300-mile finish due to work and other commitments. Read their story here.

Outdoors

Reader poll

A year in the outdoors

Here are a dozen ideas for taking advantage of sunny Florida, broken down by month, to get you to try something new during the next year.

Everyday adventures

Weeki Wachee River
This pristine river, most of which is protected, serves as a home to alligators, otters and the endangered West Indian manatee.

Read story | Photo Gallery

Egmont Key
A year-round destination.

Story | Photo Gallery

Slow float to tranquility
Get carried away on the Ichetucknee.

Story | Photo Gallery

Somewhere on the Rainbow
A year-round destination.

Story | Photo Gallery

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