lakewalesridge

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

The Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is 26,563 acres divided into several separate sections and is located a few miles off of US 27 just outside Frostproof in Polk County. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest derives its name from the narrow ridge that runs north and south through the Florida Peninsula. In ancient times, when ocean levels rose and covered nearly all of the present-day peninsula known as Florida was underwater, the ridge was an island where plants and animals continued to evolve in isolation. The ridge is the highest and oldest ridge in Florida extending about 100 miles. Today the scrub ecosystem on the ridge has a high concentration of rare and endangered plants, such as a pygmy fringe tree, scrub plum, and scrub-blazing star. Many of Florida’s rare and endangered plants and animals flourish in the forest.

The forest is managed for multiple uses, including outdoor recreation, protection of endangered and threatened species, and maintenance of natural communities.

Many lakes are accessible from Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Lake Godwin is located in the forest on Arbuckle, and Lake Weohyakapka (Walk in Water) adjoins the forest, while Lake Reedy is located nearby.

Primitive camping is allowed at seven designated campsites along hiking trails and two primitive campgrounds on the Arbuckle and the Walk in Water tracts but make sure you make a reservation. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and several hiking options but NO electricity. Volunteers with Florida Trail Association constructed most of these trails, and if you walked all the connected loops, you’d cover 23 miles. Make sure to bring plenty of water because there is NO drinking water available.

For more information click here: https://www.fdacs.gov/…/Lake-Wales-Ridge-State-Forest

Photo Credit: Andy Waldo

Author: Renada Hill – Student Valencia College

Walk In the Water Campground

Walk In the Water Campground is located on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, (Polk County) on the Walk In the Water tract, approximately 44 miles SE of Lakeland, FL. It features eight primitive campsites that all require an advanced reservation. There is a picnic table and a fire ring at each site. There is no water or electricity available. There are two port-a-pots and a dumpster at the campground.

Some recreational activities that can be enjoyed here are: hiking, bicycling, picnicking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. Hikers can take advantage of the two hiking trails on the Walk In the Water tract, which include Big Bay Trail, Scrub Jay Loop Trail, and two designated horseback riding/equestrian trails (Red and Blue).

Speaking of Scrub-jays….The trail leading from the entrance at King Trail Gate is an excellent place to see Florida scrub-jays, and some visitors may be fortunate enough to see short-tailed hawks. The area is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Purchased under Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands program, Walk-in-the-Water protects fast-disappearing scrub and sandhill communities, which are home to many rare plants and animals. One such plant is the endangered scrub plum, one of the first scrub plants to bloom in the year, flowering in January or February before its leaves open.

And if you are wondering…YES! Yes, you can bring your fur baby along for the adventure. Dogs are allowed. Make sure to have your leash because there is an on-leash rule that applies.

For more information, click here: https://www.fdacs.gov/…/Lake-Wales-Ridge-State-Forest

Author: Renada Hill – student – Valencia State College

Photo Credit: Dan Kon

Tiger Creek Preserve

Tiger Creek Preserve at Lake Wales Ridge

Tiger Creek Preserve is located on the eastern side of Lake Wales Ridge about five miles north of Frostproof in Babson. It boasts approximately 10 miles of trails within its 4869 acres and is protected almost entirely by the Nature Conservancy in partnership with USFWS and the State of Florida.

Lake Wales Ridge was once a beach and sand dune where animals and plants developed to thrive in the island’s sandy soil. Only about 15% of this 2.3 million-year-old scrub ecosystem exists today. Here you will find one of the highest concentrations of endangered and threatened animals and plants in the US.

Tiger Creek Preserve contains sandhill habitat as well as scrubby flatwood, pine flatwood, longleaf pine, hammock, and hardwood swamp habitats. Two Blackwater streams wind through the preserve. The streams collect water on higher ground and become black as tannins from leaf litter and other vegetation leaches into the water. The Nature Conservancy protects the habit with prescribed burns and the removal of invasive species.

Hike, bike, canoe, or kayak at Tiger Creek Preserve. Look for gopher tortoises, bald eagles, hawks, and the curious Florida Scrub-Jay. Experience the thrill of exploring Florida’s ancient and imperiled scrub and sandhill habitats while discovering some of the 40 endemic invertebrates, more than 40 endemic plants, and 4 threatened wildlife species.

For more information:
https://www.nature.org/…/places-we-pr…/tiger-creek-preserve/

Photo Credit: Andy Waldo