Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest consists of four separate tracts that contain outstanding examples of naturally functioning ecosystems. Since 1984, portions of the forest have been purchased with Florida's Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program funds. The forest is managed for multiple uses, including outdoor recreation, protection of endangered and threatened species, and maintenance of natural communities. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is a unique, beautiful place where many of Florida's rare and endangered plants and animals flourish.

Location

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The Walk in Water Tract is located 2 miles east of the town of Frostproof on County Road 630. Access to the Walk in Water Tract is obtainable on foot only. Parking is available at most of the trailheads, which can be found at various points around the perimeter of the tract.

Access to the Arbuckle Tract is through the main entrance on Rucks Dairy Road off of Lake Arbuckle Road. Once on Rucks Dairy Road, continue onto School Bus Road to access the entire tract. Public access on Arbuckle may also be made from Old Avon Park Road and State Road 64.  South Arbuckle gate access on School Bus Road and Tram Road are allowed by Special Use permit when closed outside of hunting seasons.

The Hesperides Tract (Babson) is located 12 miles northeast of the town of Frostproof on Walk in Water Road. Access to the Hesperides Tract (Babson) is obtainable on foot only or by Special Use permit for gate access.

Natural Features

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest derives its name from the narrow ridge that runs north and south through the Florida Peninsula. Many years ago, ancient ocean levels rose and covered nearly all of the present-day peninsula. The ridge became an island on which the plants and animals continued to evolve in isolation.

The endangered scrub blazing star

Today, the scrub ecosystem that thrives on the ridge may have the highest concentration of rare and endangered plants in the continental United States. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest provides a habitat for 33 plants and 36 animals currently having federal or state status as threatened or endangered. This list includes the scrub jay, a bird found only in Florida's rare scrub areas, and the sand skink, which is found on high-elevation ridges and swims through the sand leaving an S-shaped trail. Rare and endangered plants include the pygmy fringe tree, scrub plum, Carter's mustard, scrub-blazing star and bear grass.

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. 

Recreation

The forest offers many recreational opportunities for the rugged outdoor enthusiast as well as the occasional visitor. Hiking trails cross a variety of terrains from forest wetlands and cutthroat grass-wet flatwoods to ancient, dry scrub and sandhill communities. The state forest contains four hiking trails that are included in the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Hiking Program.

Hiking trail to the Creekside Campsite

Hikers can take advantage of the numerous hiking trails within the state forest, which include the 25-mile Arbuckle Trail (maintained by Florida Trail Association volunteers), a 1-mile Nature Loop Trail near McLean Cabin on the Arbuckle Tract, and two hiking trails on the Walk in Water Tract. Big Bay Trail and Scrub Jay Loop Trail on the Walk in Water Tract allow hiking and other recreational user access from County Road 630 East at two designated trailheads and parking areas.

Equestrians/horseback riders can enjoy access on two horse trails (red and blue) on the Walk in Water Tract and interior service roads on both Arbuckle and Walk in Water tracts. Horseback riding is prohibited during designated hunt dates on Arbuckle and Walk in Water Wildlife Management Areas.

Primitive camping is allowed at seven designated campsites along hiking trails and two primitive campgrounds on the Arbuckle and the Walk in Water tracts. Camping reservations are required at all campsites in campgrounds and hike-in primitive campsites on hiking trails.

The Reedy Creek I Campground, located on the Arbuckle Tract, and the Walk in Water Campground, located on the Walk in Water Tract, are open to the public year-round. The Walk in Water Campground has eight campsites (all eight are reservable only), and the Reedy Creek I Campground has eight campsites (all eight are reservable only). There are five hike-in primitive campsites along the Arbuckle Trail on the Arbuckle Tract, and there are two hike-in primitive campsites off the Big Bay Trail on the Walk in Water Tract that are available for camping reservations. For camping information and reservations, visit Reserve America or call 1-877-879-3859.

There are several picnic pavilions at the campgrounds that may be reserved. There is no drinking water available at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, so be sure to bring plenty of water with you. Polk County operates a public, full-facility campground on Lake Arbuckle at the end of Lake Arbuckle Road.

In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's forest resources, the Florida Forest Service has developed rules that apply to all state forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.

Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) are open to regulated hunting under the direction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and permitted only during designated periods. We encourage non-hunting recreationists to check the Wildlife Management Area regulations and season dates before visiting Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. State forest information and maps of projects each year are also posted at various kiosks.

FWC's Hunting Regulations 

• Walk-in-Water WMA Regulations Summary 
• Arbuckle WMA Regulations Summary 
• FWC's Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Permits

Hunting Dates: July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022