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Tunnel through trees

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  |  Frostproof
( 27.762533, -81.453035 )      2.5 miles

Situated atop some of the highest points in peninsular Florida, the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest protects over 26,000 acres of unique ecosystems.

The ancient scrub habitats house species found nowhere else, shaped by millions of years of sea level changes.

The Scrub Jay Loop allows access to the primordial landscapes within the Walk-in-the-Water tract, one of several tracts within the forest.

blue post near view View into a prairie


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State 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: Frostproof
Length: 2.5 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.762533, -81.453035
Address: Hwy 630 E, Frostproof, FL 33843
Fees: $2 per person
Restroom: None
Land manager: Florida Forestry Service
Phone: 863-589-0545

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Trails are off-limits to cyclists. Check hunting season dates before you hike.

A 0.8-mile linear connector trail leads to Walk-in-Water Campground, largely used by equestrians. Campsites must be reserved online.

Oak scrub


Directions

 
From US 27 south of Lake Wales, head east on CR 630A for 1.4 miles through Frostproof, continuing forward onto CR 630. In 6.9 miles, the trailhead will be located to the left side of the road.

Hike

Starting at the trailhead, be sure to stop at the informational kiosk to view a map of the property and pay the entrance fee.

Brochures are available in the attached bin, including maps and information regarding the Florida State Forest’s Trailwalker program. This trail is part of the program.

Trail sign Forest sign and kiosk


Following blue blazes into the woods, turn right in a hundred feet to begin a counterclockwise trek on the loop.

Initially, a sandy pathway carves through dense walls of scrub oaks before opening to an expansive dry scrub habitat.

double light blue blaze to path in woods Scrub Jay Loop sign


Clusters of saw palmettos line the trail, interspersed with wire grasses, reindeer moss, and occasional turkey oaks.

Because this habitat is mostly canopy free, shade is limited to scattered spots under sand pines and live oaks.

Soft needles of sand pine over trail Trailside sand pine


The thick shrubby characteristics of scrub oaks combined with a lack of taller trees create a critical environment for this trail’s namesake bird, the Florida scrub-jay.

To maintain this habitat, the forest service regularly uses prescribed burns and mechanical means to keep the trees at a low height.

Open scrub Maintained scrub habitat


Prairie clovers sport lavender-tinted blossoms alongside the pathway as the trail turns westward at the one-mile mark.

In a quarter mile, the forest opens to a panoramic view along the edge of a prairie pond.

pink blossoms of Prairie clovers  Prairie clovers


Golden grasses border the seasonal body of water, swaying in the breeze.

Blue-blazed posts mark the trail as it traces the northern end of the pond before crossing a sandy service road and heading back into the woods.

Descent towards a pond Prairie pond through the trees


Spanish moss adorns the arched branches of large oak trees overhead as the trail enters a small oak hammock.

Benches offer a spot to rest in shady spots alongside the trail, often alongside a particularly scenic spot.

Under the shade of an oak Oak hammock


At 1.5 miles, a post marked with three different colors marks the junction where the Red and Blue equestrian trails meet this trail. Dark blue leads northeast to the campground.

Continue following the appropriately colored light blue blazes southward to remain on the Scrub Jay Trail.

post with blue, red, light blue blazes Trail junction


Heading southward, the trail weaves between alternating prairie, scrub, and oak hammocks, completing the loop in a mile.

Passing a sign for the west loop, the path winds through dense shrubs for a tenth of a mile, concluding the hike at the trailhead.

Sign for west side of loop Scrub Jay Loop sign


Trail Map

Lake Wales Ridge Walk in Water Trail Map
Scrub Jay Loop in red, Big Bay Trail in Yellow, Equestrian Trails in blue.

Explore More!

Learn more about Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

View of prairie beyond trail post

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.

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Tiger Creek Preserve scrub ridge

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.

Wet prairie at SUMICA

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.

View from the observation tower at Lake Kissimmee State Park

Lake Kissimmee State Park

Discover the beauty of the land between the lakes east of Lake Wales while exploring the vast prairies and fern-laden hammocks of Lake Kissimmee State Park

Crooked Lake Prairie

Crooked Lake Prairie

With an interlinking network of loop trails, Crooked Lake Prairie is a refreshing excursion into habitats found on the high hills of the Lake Wales Ridge

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida State Forests, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Trails, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Birding, Botanical, Dog-friendly, Frostproof, Lake Wales, Lake Wales Ridge, Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Lengthy boardwalk heading towards mangrove flats

John R. Bonner Nature Park

John R. Bonner Nature Park
Boardwalk framed by live oaks and saw palmetto

George McGough Nature Park

George McGough Nature Park
Leaning sand pines in scrub

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Balm Boyette Nature Preserve
Dock edged by mangroves

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Maximo Park

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