Protecting 845 acres of the whitest, brightest sand on the Lake Wales Ridge, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve is a passive preserve.
Inside it is one of the highest concentrations of rare and endemic plants in North America. A pristine snapshot of Florida’s scrub, the land is an ancient sand dune.
Sand spikemossA short nature trail follows Tomoka Run, a fern-lined waterway, but the delights of the scrub are along the larger trail system starting near the entrance gate.
Look for diminutive trees like scrub hickory (Carya floridana), pygmy fringe tree (Chionanthus pygmaeus), and scrub plum (Prunus geniculata).
Scrub hollyThere are also clusters of sand squares (Paronychia rugelii) against the blinding white sand.
Take your time on the tough terrain, not just for the plants, but to listen for Florida scrub-jays. The deep soft sand is also challenge to hike.
Bring plenty of water—these ancient sand dunes above Lake June-in-Winter are as close to a desert as you’ll find in Florida.
Sand squaresResources
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Overview
Length: 3.2 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.29677, -81.42013
Address: 630 Daffodil St, Lake Placid
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restroom: vault toilet
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 863-386-6094
Open 8 AM to sunset. Disturbing or removing plants and the use of drones prohibited. Leashed pets permitted but discouraged due to the scrub-jays and hot sand.
Plan to tackle this hike early or late. The soft sugar sand is challenging and the sun relentless. Use sun protection and carry more water than you think you need.
Directions
From downtown Lake Placid at the intersection of US 27 and CR 621, drive north on US 27 for 1.5 miles, passing the tall former observation tower, and make a left on Lake June Rd. Continue 4 miles west along this road. Make a left on Daffodil St at the lakeshore. Continue south 2 miles to the preserve entrance.
Hike
From the parking area adjacent to the picnic pavilion and Tomoka Trail entrance, follow the park road back to the entrance.
The Scrub Trails – named Bobcat, Eagle, and Deer – start at a sign that says “South Boundary 1 mile.”
They follow firelines and two-track roads used by park rangers through the blinding white sand of the Lake Wales Ridge.
Florida rosemary on the edge of an oak scrubThe beauty of the Lake Wales Ridge is in its diversity of plant life. Keep alert for the many scrub plants you see along the hike.
Some are large and obvious, like the aromatic silk bay tree, the scrub hickory, and the pygmy fringe tree, which fills the air with its fragrant blossoms each spring.
Some are small and precious, like scrub mint, pinweed, and clusters of sand squares growing out of the blinding white sand.
A field guide is a must to identify the diversity of scrub plantsMeet the Eagle Trail after 0.4 mile. Keep going straight. The trail veers away from the fence line into mature scrubby flatwoods and meets the Deer Trail at 0.8 mile.
Turn left into the open scrub. You’ll see sign of deer here, including tracks and scrapes. The junction with the Eagle Trail (your return loop) is at 1.3 miles. Keep going.
A cluster of uncommon plantsThe trail passes an eagle nest in a tall slash pine and ends at the group campsite, from which you can see the lake and the city of Lake Placid on the far shore.
Take a break here, then turn around to return to the Eagle Trail. Follow it back to the Bobcat Trail, keeping left at the T. Turn right on the Bobcat Trail to return to the trailhead.
Lake June-in-WinterTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park Atop 845 acres of the Lake Wales Ridge in Lake Placid, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve has one of the highest concentrations of rare plants in North America.Slideshow
See our photos from Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Lake June-in-Winter Tomoka Trail Following the tannic flow of Tomoka Run, this short nature trail traversing scrub and bayhead at Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve is an introduction to the diverse nature of the Lake Wales Ridge. 
Lake Placid Scrub Home to Florida scrub-jays, this 3.5 mile loop in the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife & Environmental Area provides views of the lake and a walk through ancient scrub.
Highlands Hammock State Park One of Florida's oldest state parks, Highlands Hammock protects an old-growth forest while enabling you to explore it on a network of fascinating interpretive nature trails. 
Fisheating Creek Beloved of paddlers and largely protected by Fisheating Creek WMA, South Florida's wildest waterway rises south of Lake Placid and flows towards Lake Okeechobee.
- Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park - November 3, 2026
- A.J. Henry Park - November 1, 2026
- Okeeheelee Nature Center Trails - October 22, 2026