Along the eastern shore of Hickory Lake, this 57 acre preserve showcases some of the unusual plants you can only find on the Lake Wales Ridge.
When the rest of Florida was under a few feet of water, long, thin dune-capped islands stood well above the waves.
The preserve is atop an ancient islandAs a result, the ridge has one of North America’s most diverse biological communities, with the highest concentration of rare and endangered plants in the continental United States.
Although this is only one of a string of natural lands showcasing the Lake Wales Ridge habitat, it is by far the most accessible and easiest to explore.
Endangered scrub morning-glory at Hickory Lake ScrubResources
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Overview
Location: Frostproof
Length: 0.4 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.697276, -81.536795
Address: 1658 Scenic Highway, Frostproof
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: Polk County Natural Lands
Phone: 863-534-6000
Open 6 AM to 6:30 PM Standard Time, 5:30 AM to 8 PM Daylight Savings Time. No pets, please.
Maps should be available at the trailhead. Stay on the footpaths to avoid stepping on rare plants. Wear closed-toe shoes to prevent injuries from cactus needles.
Directions
Drive north on Scenic Highway (SR 17) from US 27 north of Avon Park towards Frostproof. The trailhead is on the left a half mile past Hopson Rd. Southbound from Frostproof, it’s on the right immediately after a subdivision bearing the “Hickory Lake” name.
Hike
The 0.4-mile North Loop begins at the trailhead along Scenic Highway 17. Sign in at the trail register.
Follow the broad path towards the lake through scrubby flatwoods with a mix of slash pine and sand pine.
TrailheadBrown hiker markers with arrows on posts lead the way, although the trail is obvious at first. The forest floor is bright white.
The unique flora of this region is largely subtle. Pay attention to the complexity at your feet.
Marker leading the wayClusters of sand spike moss puddle in open patches between the grasses. Normally a dark green, they turn brown in winter.
Surrounding them are white lichens like bleached popcorn strewn across the sand.
Sand spike moss and lichens hidden by the grassScarcely a tenth of a mile in, reach an interpretive sign on “Life in a Central Florida Lake” and a junction. Turn right.
A short spur ends at a bench on the grassy shoreline of Hickory Lake.
Topped with orange groves, the ridge on its far shore illustrates how this desert-like scrub was initially replaced by agriculture. Now subdivisions are taking over.
Lakeshore benchReturn to the junction and continue straight ahead, the footpath cut behind vine-draped shrubs with roots blanketed by leaves.
It’s uneven footing in spots, and may be damp or flooded by the rise of the lake.
Trail along the lake’s wooded edgeGain elevation briefly to walk beneath the pines twice more, each time descending to treeline on the lake’s marshy rim.
Enter a tangle of sweetbay with good glimpses across Hickory Lake between the trees.
Last glimpse from lake levelReaching a post with two arrows, leave the lakeshore behind at 0.2 mile to rise into scrubby flatwoods.
Slip through a tight corridor of saw palmetto, emerging into a grassy patch.
Flagging marks notable yet unidentified plants. Colorful grasses wave showy fall blooms.
Climbing away from the lakeClimb into the open scrub. This is the most significant part of the preserve but also the trickiest to traverse. The brown markers are tough to spot.
Look for the footprints of others, but be mindful of the many delicate plants. Natural gardens grow at your feet in these ancient sands.
Sand spike mossScrub morning glory has brilliant violet flowers, making it easy to identify when in bloom. Step cautiously.
Cactus is bountiful, spilling into the spaces between the trail markers.
In addition to an array of lichens and sand spike moss, look for sandlace, Curtiss’ milkweed, and sand squares.
A mound of sandlace surrounded by cactiAmid the immersive scrub landscape, the marked route approaches a sand road, curving left to parallel it.
Seemingly set to lead the way, an array of green and yellow flags line what appears from wear to be the footpath.
Flagging on a worn sandy pathMerge into the sand road, which curves left, and leave it again for the saw palmetto and scrub oak corridor.
Gopher apple grows in profusion. Watch for gopher tortoise holes in this transition to scrubby flatwoods.
Merge into the incoming portion of the loop and head for the gate and stile, exiting the preserve after a 0.4 mile hike.
Final stretchFrom a secondary entrance off Hopson Rd, the South Loop looped a quarter mile to a cutthroat grass seep and a meadow of cutthroat grass within the preserve.
On our 2024 revisit, the state of the signage and the weather-worn kiosk at the trailhead suggest this trail has been closed a long time. It’s unclear why.
Closed entrance to the South LoopTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about the Lake Wales Ridge
Lake Wales Ridge South of Lake Apopka, the Lake Wales Ridge is a significant landform down the middle of the Florida peninsula, with its highest hills and oldest biological communities.Video
Hiking Hickory Lake Scrub
Slideshow
See our photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
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. 
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. 
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.
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. 
- Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park - November 3, 2026
- A.J. Henry Park - November 1, 2026
- Okeeheelee Nature Center Trails - October 22, 2026