• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Fishing pier on lake

Colt Creek State Park

Camping beneath the twinkling stars at Colt Creek State Park, enjoy a getaway from the busy bustle of the Interstate 4 corridor between Lakeland and Tampa

Lakeland      ( 28.303776,-82.055773 )      

433 shares

Colt Creek State Park covers a fairly sizable piece of the Green Swamp, headwaters to the Hillsborough, Peace, Ocklawaha, and Withlacoochee Rivers.

This low-lying area is a mosaic of wetlands and uplands, with cypress swamps and wet prairies intermingled with hardwood forests and pine flatwoods.

Once a five thousand acre cattle ranch between Dade City and Lakeland, the park is now a destination for campers, equestrians, and hikers.

Fishing pier with willow tree Fishing pier at Mac Lake


Resources

Resources for exploring the region

50 Hikes in Central Florida Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Lakeland
Trailhead: 28.303776,-82.055773
Address: 16000 SR 471, Lakeland
Fees: $4 per vehicle
Restroom: At the day use area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 863-815-6761

Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome.

Except where posted otherwise, trails may be walked, bicycled, or ridden on horseback.

Equestrians must have proof of a negative Coggins test before bringing horses into the park. The equestrian trailhead is closer to the park entrance than the day use area.

Lake edged by cypress


Directions

 
Follow US 98 north from Interstate 4 at Lakeland to reach SR 471. Turn right. Continue north to the park entrance on the right.

About the Park

We watched this park unfold from acquisition, a temporary trailhead, and its first trail to a pleasant destination with many miles of trails to follow.

At first it was all about equestrians and fishing. Many visitors bring a horse to ride the extensive network of trails and forest roads.

Horse trailers and pickup trucks Equestrians unloading at Colt Creek


Then a day use area was developed along Mac Lake, with a large pavilion, pier, accessible pathway along the lake, canoe and kayak rentals, and an easy walk to a nature trail.

Birders gravitate to the ponds and marshes just the north of the Mac Lake parking area, as well as the edges of the lake itself.

Marsh plants along lake Pond along the Flatwoods Trail


Add a campground and some primitive campsites for backpackers, bikepackers, and equestrians, and this has evolved into a multi-facted outdoor destination showcasing the Green Swamp.

Pavilion and kayaks at day use area Pavilion at the day use area


Hiking

The 10-mile Flatwoods Trail connects the day use area with both campgrounds and the two primitive campsites.

Early maps of the park showed a second 7-mile loop called the Yellow Trail around the Youth Camp. We have not explored it yet.

Trailhead kiosk Trailhead for the Flatwoods Trail along the park road


Most day users will amble along the unnamed connector trail between the day use area and the Flatwoods Trail.

It provides access to the Mac Lake Nature Trail, a short interpretive arc through a hardwood hammock along a floodplain.

Sign for Mac Lake Nature Trail at trail entrance Start of the nature trail


Connectors to the Florida Trail in the Green Swamp Wilderness Area were also promised when the park was first established, but we haven’t heard about them since.

The Western Corridor of the Florida Trail passes very close to the north boundary of the park before it crosses SR 471 to use the highway bridge to cross the Withlacoochee River.

Sunlight dappled on Florida upland forest

Mac Lake Trail

An easy excursion into a dense hardwood forest along a natural floodplain, the Mac Lake Nature Trail at Colt Creek State Park is an interpretive walk in the woods

Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala

Biking

Cyclists can bike the park roads and forest roads, and also go off-road on the Flatwoods Trail.

Portions of this trail are grassy or graveled, but there are parts that can get wet at certain times of year.

Unpaved path along lake Unpaved path along Mac Lake


Paddling

Bring your own kayak or rent one at the park to ply the waters of Mac Lake. Once a limerock pit, it’s a large open body of water fringed with marshes and berms.

Two people in a canoe Canoeing on Mac Lake


Camping

Follow the road past the day use area at Mac Lake to find the campground that was built in the pine flatwoods. Leashed pets are welcome here.

Spaces are large and open, optimized for RV use. Gravel pads are on 27 of the sites, which can handle rigs up to 70 feet long.

Six additional sites are set aside just for tent campers. Each site has a picnic table and grill, plus water and electric hookups.

Camper in campground space Camping under the pines


Campers share a central bathhouse with hot showers and laundry. The bathhouse is accessible, as are two of the campsites near it.

A separate equestrian campground is near the front of the park. It has 10 sites and can handle horse trailers.

Primitive camping is also available along the backcountry trails at two designated sites. There is a youth group camp as well. Contact the park to reserve.

Bathhouse in campground Bathhouse at the main campground


Trail Map

Colt Creek State Park Trail Map


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Colt Creek State Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Upper-Hillsborough-Hiking-Trail

Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail

Following the north side of a blackwater river toward its headwaters, the Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail meanders though pine flatwoods, shady hammocks, and forested wetlands.

Gator Creek Preserve

Gator Creek Reserve

A dip into a corner of the Green Swamp, Gator Creek Preserve north of Lakeland offers 2.5 miles of easy loop trails for the whole family to explore

Hillsborough River State Park

Hillsborough River State Park

Water in motion: the Hillsborough rapids foam and froth over limestone boulders beneath grand cypress trees in Class II rapids. One of Florida’s oldest state parks, Hillsborough River State Park showcases this masterpiece of nature from an overlook and trail system built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Withlacoochee River Park

Withlacoochee River Park

With two different trails – gentle and wild – showing off the park’s natural features, Withlacoochee River Park is a popular overnight camping destination.

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Biking, Camping, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Equestrian, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Paddling, ParksTag: Birding, Car Camping, Dade City, Developed Camping, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Green Swamp, Lakeland, Primitive Camping, Wildlife Viewing, Zephyrhills

Reader Interactions

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA OVERVIEW
East Coast Greenway. Florida Trail

Brooksville. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. Kissimmee. Lakeland. Leesburg. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Orlando. Sanford. St. Petersburg. Tampa.

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.
Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Five Star Trails Orlando guidebook
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Marker 26 at edge of pine woods

Alafia River North Trails

Alafia River North Trails
Sunset in a pine forest

Red Trail, Palm Bluff Conservation Area

Red Trail, Palm Bluff Conservation Area
Footpath in shade of palm forest with white blazes

White Trail, Palm Bluff Conservation Area

White Trail, Palm Bluff Conservation Area
Lengthy boardwalk heading towards mangrove flats

John R. Bonner Nature Park

John R. Bonner Nature Park

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2023, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact