Hiking Lake Louisa State Park

Located on the northern end of the Lake Wales Ridge, the land now protected as Lake Louisa State Park had a long history of agricultural use.

In the 1970s, the property was purchased by the State of Florida and opened to the public as a state park.

Scrub habitat of the Lake Wales Ridge

Since, park staff have gone to great lengths to return these rolling hills along Lake Louisa to a more natural state.

This expansive green space is popular for its rolling landscapes, and a multitude of outdoor recreation options, from hiking, biking, paddling, and horseback riding to camping and cabins.

Cabins atop a ridge in the state park

Built on the bones of a trail system first blazed by Florida Trail Association volunteers decades ago, the system of loop trails in the park has expanded dramatically.

With three potential access points to start a hike, this 7.7 mile route showcases the heart of the park and some of its finest scenery. We suggest Dixie Lake as your starting point.

Pines and cypress with saw palmetto in front

Gradient of habitats along the trail

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

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: Clermont
Length: 7.7 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.450561, -81.728711
Address: 7305 US 27, Clermont FL 34714
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restrooms: Yes, across the street from the trailhead, and a restroom at Lake Louisa.
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-394-3969

Open 8 AM to sunset. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Paper trail maps are available at the ranger station. If you plan to camp in a primitive site on this loop, consult the park in advance for availability.

Directions

From the junction of US 27 and SR 50 in Clermont, head south on US 27 for 6.5 miles and the park entrance will be on the right side of the road. After passing through the ranger station, continue straight on the main park road for 1.7 miles. The trailhead at Dixie Lake will be on the right.

Hike

Starting at the parking area across from Dixie Lake, the trail follows a downhill slope under a thin canopy of sand live oak and slash pines.

Turn right in 0.2 mile at an intersection of trails to begin a counterclockwise loop.

Trailhead near Dixie Lake

Heading northward, the trail remains shaded as a hydric hammock borders the creek to the left.

On the right, deer may be grazing in large open spaces that were once used for cattle pastures and citrus groves.

Transition from hammock to pasture

The wide pathway crosses a paved park road before meandering eastward around a small pond filled with water lilies.

Gulf fritillary butterflies float alongside the trail, searching for nectar and their host plant, passion vine.

Purple passionflower

A grassy corridor lined with muscadine grape covered shrubs leads past swampy bayheads and prairie ponds before taking a sharp turn to the west.

In less than a quarter mile, the trail nears Wilderness Point, one of several primitive campsites in the park.

This site is a great spot for folks who are curious about trying out backpacking, as it is less than 0.8 mile from overnight parking.

Wilderness Point

Emerging from the small oak hammock around the campsite, shade is limited as the trail enters a pine savanna.

Thick clusters of palmettos carpet an open landscape dotted with slash pines.

Following along a raised access road strewn with pine needles, the trail weaves through the trees before crossing Big Creek on a sturdy bridge.

Big Creek bridge

Surrounded by cypress knees, the dark tannic waters of Big Creek filter slowly north towards Lake Louisa.

Dense tree cover transitions to pine flatwoods as the trail heads toward the park’s namesake lake, passing patches of scrub and sandhill restoration projects along the way.

Gopher tortoise

Shortly before the loop reaches the paved park road, a trail to the north leads down an extensive boardwalk to Lake Louisa.

This worthwhile detour adds a 0.8-mile round trip to a trailhead with restrooms and water while offering spectacular views of the cypress-lined lake.

Lake Louisa

When the trail turns south at the park road, it follows alongside the pavement for a tenth of a mile before making a left.

It traces the edge of an experimental restoration area with native sandhill vegetation.

Having a map on hand is helpful while navigating the trail in this portion, as numbered posts correspond with numbers on the map.

Open area with grasses growing in bald sand patch

Sandhill restoration area

One of the park biologist’s main goals involves the return of native habitats to portions of the property that had been used agriculturally.

The trail winds southward through areas that have undergone controlled burns and wiregrass planting, efforts to restore the ecosystem.

The landscape may look like scorched earth and palmettos immediately after a burn.

However, fire adapted plants grow quickly over a summer, sporting magnificent flowers in the autumn.

Purple feathery blossoms waving under pines

Blazing star (Liatris) in bloom

As the trail turns eastward, cross Big Creek once again on a bridge leading to a primitive campsite known as Pine Point.

A picnic bench and fire ring invite campers to spend a quiet night alongside the creek.

This hike-in site is also a great destination for new backpackers and young families, as your 7.7 mile loop ends only 0.4 mile past the campsite, back at Dixie Lake.