Lake Wales
Sitting between the ancient dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lake Wales is rich with outdoor recreation opportunities with panoramic views.
Lake Wales Ridge Big Bay Trail
Frostproof 4.5 milesTraversing 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
Frostproof 1.1 milesExplore 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
Frostproof 2.5 milesAn 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 37.0 milesAtop the ancient sands of the Lake Wales Ridge, this massive state forest offers provides hikers and equestrians an expansive network of trails.
On Iron Mountain
Atop one of the highest points in Florida stands a monument to an immigrant who lived the American Dream and decided that his legacy would be to preserve this high point: Bok Tower Gardens.
Platt Branch WEA
Palmdale 4.6 milesAt Platt Branch, Florida scrub-jays perch along trails through scrub, sandhills, and the southernmost longleaf pine forests where observation platforms overlook grassy prairie ponds.
Ridge Audubon Center
Babson Park 0.3 milesAtop 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.
Sebring
Sebring is in the heart of the state atop the Lake Wales Ridge, with significant natural areas along the Kissimmee River and its tributaries for outdoor recreation.
SUMICA
Lake Wales 6.2 milesWith 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.
The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida
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.
Tiger Creek Preserve
Babson Park 6.3 milesEdward 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.