Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Frostproof
Established in the 1880s and renamed by citrus growers who wanted a marketing angle for their groves, the small town of Frostproof sits atop the Lake Wales Ridge.
Stretching from Clermont to south of Lake Placid, the ridge a ribbon of ancient dunes running down the central Florida peninsula, with Frostproof home to Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.
Edged by expansive state forests and wildlife management lands, Frostproof boasts a large concentration of trails in this southeastern corner of Polk County, primarily focused on the ancient scrub ridge.
To the east of Frostproof, the Florida Trail slips through public lands along the Kissimmee River in Florida’s “Big Sky” country, the broad, open prairies of the region.
Trails and Parks near Frostproof
Crooked Lake Prairie At Crooked Lake Prairie, the dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge meet showy prairie grasslands along the eastern shore of Crooked Lake. 
Crooked Lake Sandhill On surprisingly steep slopes, the 0.8 mile trail at Crooked Lake Sandhill scrambles a forested ridge above Crooked Lake.
Crooked Lake WEA Near the western slope of the Lake Wales Ridge, wildflowers proliferate across sandhill restoration and clusters of rare cutthroat grass grow trailside on a 5 mile hike. 
Florida Trail, KICCO North 3.4 miles. Take in a panorama of marshes busy with birds in the Kissimmee River floodplain at River Ranch along the northernmost reaches of the Kissimmee River
Florida Trail, KICCO South 10.1 miles. Ancient live oaks break up the expanse of cattle pastures and prairies along the Florida Trail adjoining the Kissimmee River in KICCO
Florida Trail, Kissimmee Following the Kissimmee River for 112 miles, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with levees, woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.
Hickory Lake Scrub Edging the eastern shore of Hickory Lake south of Frostproof, Hickory Lake Scrub is a showcase of unique plants thriving in the ancient sands of the Lake Wales Ridge.
Lake Godwin Loop Explore tall creek bluffs, cypress lined lakeshores, and scrubby pine forests along a 12.6 mile loop with several backpacking campsites along the way.
Lake Kissimmee North Loop Crossing the Lake Kissimmee State Park park drive multiple times, the 6.8-mile North Loop is the easiest trail to access within the park, offering excellent birding
Lake Wales Ridge Big Bay Trail Traversing sandhill, pine flatwoods, and bayhead habitats, the Big Bay Trail offers a one mile loop with an optional 1.7-mile spur trail featuring two primitive campsites. 
Lake Wales Ridge Nature Loop Explore rare ecosystems along this 1.1 mile loop hike that begins at the historic McLean Cabin in Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.
Lake Wales Ridge Scrub Jay Loop An easy loop trail traverses scattered prairie ponds within a dry ecosystem suitable for one of the state’s most endangered birds, the Florida scrub-jay. 
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Atop the ancient sands of the Lake Wales Ridge, this massive state forest offers provides hikers and equestrians an expansive network of trails. 
North Walk-In-Water Creek Explore a fishing pond, pine flatwoods and an enchanting hammock of majestic live oaks along a pair of well-maintained loop trails.
Ridge Audubon Center Atop the Lake Wales Ridge, the nature trails at the Ridge Audubon Center in Babson Park do a fabulous job of interpreting the unique flora and fauna of this island of biodiversity.
SUMICA With up to 6.2 miles of trails - many of them a bit wet - SUMICA is one of the natural lands in Polk County where birding is especially superb.
Tiger Creek Preserve Edward Bok's "Jungle," a deeply folded landscape between Tiger Creek and Patrick Creek south of Lake Wales, is protected by The Nature Conservancy as Tiger Creek Preserve. 
Tiger Creek Preserve North Take a step back in time while navigating the rolling terrain of impeccably preserved ancient islands along the Creek Bluff and Highlands Loops on the Lake Wales Ridge. Featured Articles
The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida (10/5/2018) We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.
Tricking out a Trek (6/21/2017) Offroad riding means a lot of bounce, especially on a washboarded limerock road like KICCO Grade. Adding trekking bars to John's mountain bike made all the difference.