Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Florida
221

Florida State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Florida
Region
Colt Creek State Park
start slideshow
Colt Creek State Park © Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Colt Creek State Park
Colt Creek State Park © Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Colt Creek State Park
Colt Creek State Park © Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Colt Creek State Park
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
COLT CREEK STATE PARK
COLT CREEK STATE PARK
16000 State Rd 471
Lakeland, Florida   33809

Phone: 863-815-6761
Purchased from the Overstreet Family in May of 2006, this 5067 acre park nestled within the Green Swamp Wilderness Area and named after one of the tributaries that flows through the property was opened to the public on January 20, 2007. For over 60 years this property was managed as a cattle ranch by the Overstreet family. Past activities on the land also included lime rock mining, timber harvesting, citrus production and turpentining. Comprised mainly of Pine Flatwoods, Cypress Domes and open pasture land, this piece of still pristine wilderness is home to many animal species including the American Bald Eagle, Sherman?s Fox Squirrel, Gopher Tortoise, White-Tail Deer, Wild Turkey and Bobcat. The park is currently equipped with a lime rock entrance road, grass parking area, wheel chair accessible restroom, informational kiosk, picnic pavilion and several picnic tables and grills. Visitors are invited to fish, picnic, and hike or ride their horses on over 12 miles of trails and enjoy nature study at its finest. Be sure to check out our activities page for more information.
Nature of the Area
Beginning in January 2007 and ending in December 2007 a monthly survey of birds and butterflies was conducted by both the Lake Region Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association. At the end of the year long survey, volunteers documented approximately 149 species of birds and 79 species of butterflies. So be sure to bring your binoculars along and pick up a checklist of birds and butterflies at the information kiosk (also available for downloading). You never know what you might see at Colt Creek State Park.
Passes
Annual Entrance Passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Please call the park in advance to ensure availability. Those who are eligible for discounted or free passes may use this method to receive their pass. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES web page.
Fishing
Freshwater bank fishing is available at three different lakes in the park. The lakes range in size from 2 ? 25 acres and vary in depth from 12 ? 70 feet. The lakes were dug in the 1990?s as part of a lime rock mining operation. Freshwater species such as Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Bream, Shell Cracker and Catfish can be caught. Largemouth Bass must be released unharmed but angler?s are permitted to keep up to six catfish and twelve pan fish (bluegill, bream, shell cracker) per person per day. Canoes, Kayaks and small Jon Boats can be carried down to the water and hand launched. Gas powered motors are Not-Permitted but electric trolling motors can be used. A Freshwater fishing license is required for persons over the age of 15.



Horse Area
Visitors can hike or horseback ride on over 12 miles of marked trails that meander through and around several of the parks natural communities including Pine Flatwoods, Cypress Domes and Hardwood Hammocks. A portion of the trail skirts the edge of pastureland which also provides a scenic vista. Visitors can sometimes get a glimpse of white-tail deer, bobcat, fox squirrel and bald eagles. Be sure to prepare for Florida?s ever-changing climate and dress appropriately with proper hiking shoes and don?t forget sunscreen, hat, water and insect repellant. Be sure to pick up a trail map when you enter the park and please stay on the marked trails.
Trails
Visitors can hike or horseback ride on over 12 miles of marked trails that meander through and around several of the parks natural communities including Pine Flatwoods, Cypress Domes and Hardwood Hammocks. A portion of the trail skirts the edge of pastureland which also provides a scenic vista. Visitors can sometimes get a glimpse of white-tail deer, bobcat, fox squirrel and bald eagles. Be sure to prepare for Florida?s ever-changing climate and dress appropriately with proper hiking shoes and don?t forget sunscreen, hat, water and insect repellant. Be sure to pick up a trail map when you enter the park and please stay on the marked trails.
Bicycling
Bicycling is currently permitted only on unmarked dirt (service) roads. Single track bike trails are in the development stage. Due to the soft sand, mountain bikes are recommended.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
write a review
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Bay Aire RV Park
2242 U.S. 19 Alternate
Palm Harbor, FL
727-784-4082
Sundance Lakes RV Resort
6848 Hachem Drive
Port Richey, FL
727-862-3565
Sun Retreats Dunedin
2920 U.S. 19 Alternate
Dunedin, FL
727-784-3719
Holiday Travel Park
1622 Aires Drive
Holiday, FL
727-934-6782
Honeymoon Island State Park
1 Causeway Boulevard
Dunedin, FL
727-241-6106
Suncoast RV Resort
9029 U.S. 19
Port Richey, FL
727-842-9324
Ja-Mar North Travel Park
6650 San Marco Drive
Port Richey, FL
727-862-8882
Lake Bambi Mobile Home & RV Park
6105 Land O' Lakes Boulevard
Land O' Lakes, FL
813-996-6468
Three Lakes RV Resort
10354 Smooth Water Drive
Hudson, FL
727-869-8511
Aripeka West
9230 Elmira Avenue
Hudson, FL
727-868-9324
Lakewood Travel Park
11517 State Road 52
Hudson, FL
727-584-1306
Encore Winter Quarters Pasco
21632 Florida 54
Lutz, FL
813-949-6551
Seven Springs Travel Park
8039 Old County Road 54
New Port Richey, FL
727-376-0000
Shady Acres Mobile Home Park
14417 U.S. 19
Hudson, FL
727-868-9589
Anclote Village Rv Park
1421 Calvary Road
Holiday, FL
727-226-5237
Gulf Breeze RV Park
9014 Bolton Avenue
Hudson, FL
727-857-3754
Hacienda Village
7107 Gibraltar Avenue
New Port Richey, FL
888-495-3070
Paradise Lakes Resort
2001 Paradise Lakes Boulevard
Lutz, FL
866-794-6683
Caladesi RV Park & Propane
205 Dempsey Road
Palm Harbor, FL
727-784-3622
Bay Bayou RV Resort
12622 West Memorial Highway
Tampa, FL
Bayshore Park Inc
403 Riverside Drive
Tarpon Springs, FL
727-937-1661
Hickory Point RV Park
1181 Anclote Road
Tarpon Springs, FL
727-937-7357
Oak Springs RV Resort
10521 Scenic Drive
Port Richey, FL
727-863-5888
Eden RV Resort
13220 Houston Avenue
Hudson, FL
727-857-5914
Encore Barrington Hills
9412 New York Avenue
Hudson, FL
727-868-3586
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The park is located 16 miles north of Lakeland just south of the Withlacoochee River off of State Road 471. From I-4 take exit # 32 and proceed north on US 98 approximately 13 miles, turn right onto State Road 471. From I-75 take exit # 301 and proceed east on State Road 50 for approximately 13 miles, turn right onto State Road 471. The entrance to the park is 3.8 miles north of US 98 and 17 miles south of State Road 50.

state route ranger badge
Florida
221

Florida State Parks

X