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| State Park Overview: |
 | One of Florida?s oldest parks, opening to the public in 1931, this park was established when local citizens came together to promote the hammock as a candidate for national park status. During the Great Depression, just prior to World War II, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed additional park facilities and the beginnings of a botanical garden. Many visitors enjoy bicycling the scenic 3-mile loop drive or hiking along the park?s nine trails. An elevated boardwalk traverses an old-growth cypress swamp. For equestrians, there is an 11-mile, day-use trail. Picnicking is another popular activity as are ranger-guided tours of the park. Highlands Hammock offers a full-facility campground, as well as a youth/group tent campground. A full-service restaurant is located on the park grounds. For schedule and catering information, call (863) 385-7025. A recreation hall is available for rental, as are several picnic pavilions. A museum showcasing the history of the CCC is open 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Located on County Road 634, four miles west of Sebring. |
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| Camping: |
| Our family campground offers water, and electric hookups, a dump station and access to restrooms with shower facilities. Nearly all sites offer some shade, and are close to nature trails, the picnic area, CCC Museum and the Hammock Inn concession. Enjoy viewing deer feeding right from your site during the off-season times. Reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance. One nights camping fee deposit will be required. For more information on camping in our park simply click on the Reserve America link. Clicking on the park map or selecting one of the camping area links just below the park map will allow you to see a map of the individual campsite locations. Select any campsite icon to see a detailed description of the individual campsite and what it has to offer.
Youth Camping
Drive to youth site situated in an oak hammock setting. Non-designated restroom facility with hot & cold running water, electric, and a shower on site. Campfire ring and picnic tables too. Contact the Ranger Station at (863) 386-6094 to inquire about availability and required fees.Primitive Camping
Drive to wilderness sites with no electric, no running water and pit toilet. Drive to family campground for shower facilities. These sites have ground fire rings and picnic tables-they are located in an open pine flatwoods area. |
| Trails: |
| Bicycling
A paved loop drive through the hammock offers nature study and is ideal for cyclists as bicycles are not permitted on the nature trails. This drive is smooth and suitable for roller-blading, or skating. A six-mile "off roadway" bicycle trail is also available and is best suited for fat-tired bikes. See the results of our prescribed burn and the restoration it has created.Bike rentals are available at the ranger station.
Horse Trails
Come ride your horse along 11 miles of firelane trails through remote natural areas. Surprise White-tailed deer, bobcats, and other wildlife as you quietly plod along in the silence. This day-use trail is available for anyone desiring to ride his or her own horses, please be sure to bring a negative "Coggins" report. Daily equestrian fee is $6.00. Camping with your horses is also acceptable. (Contact Reserve America for reservations) Horse camp area is located at start of 11-mile trail. This area is primitive, with no electricity or restroom facility. Restrooms are located a short drive away, self contained units and generators are welcome in this area. There is room for trailer parking at this area, tie outs and water trough are provided. (Appropriate primitive/wilderness camping fees apply).
Nature Trails
Highlands Hammock Webster defines hammock as " a fertile area in the southern U.S. and especially Florida, that is usually higher than its surroundings and that is characterized by hardwood vegetation and deep humus-rich soil." True enough. But visitors to Highlands Hammock State Park know exactly what it means -- " Beautiful!." Stroll along the elevated boardwalk over Charlie Bowlegs Creek and search the tea-colored water for alligators. Walk along the boardwalk of the Memorial Trail and view the colorful, scattered leaves. See fall in Florida, and maybe observe a flock of White Ibis feeding. Walk deep into the woods under the expansive tree canopy of the Ancient Hammock Trail. Wonder over the giant oaks and their airplant-laden branches. Lake June in Winter Scrub Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park is located 20 minutes from HHSP, and offers hiking opportunities through rare scrub habitat. Current amenities include a picnic pavilion, composting toilet, and short ? mile nature walk through scrubby flatwoods and bay communities along a spring-fed creek. This nature trail is a delightful oasis, providing a quiet and shady spot in this predominantly scrub and scrubby flatwoods ecosystem. Another brief walk will offer beautiful views of Lake June in Winter, a 3500-acre lake that lies west of the property. Hikers may enjoy several miles of firelanes that transverse this hot, sunny habitat. From these firelanes, you may see Gopher Tortoises, Florida Scrub Jays, Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys, Bobcats, Florida Scrub-Lizards and more! Rare, endemic plants of the Florida Scrub can be discovered by those interested in botany. Full sun and deep sands should be expected. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water, suitable shoes, sunblock and perhaps a cell phone. This park is remote and quiet, affording a very relaxing and peaceful wilderness experience. |
| Picnicking: |
| Pack a basket or cooler and enjoy a leisurely picnic in our shady, pleasant picnic area. Let the kids climb on the playground, or swing on the swings while you fellowship with friends in one of several reservable picnic pavilions. (Call 863-386-6094 for more information, or to reserve a pavilion, reservations are taken up to 11 months in advance) BBQ grills are also available. The Hammock Inn, our park?s concession, and the State of Florida?s Civilian Conservation Corps Museum are also located in the picnic area. |
| History of the Area: |
| This 9,000 acre park opened to the public in 1931 and is one of the earliest examples of grass-roots public support for environmental preservation. Local citizens, concerned about plans to turn the hammock into farmland, acquired the property and pledged to protect it. When Florida?s state park system was established in 1935, Highlands Hammock became one of four original state parks, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a camp there as a base for development. |
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| Related Links: |
| Highlands Hammock State Park - This web page has moved, if you are not redirected in 3 seconds, please click here! | | Highlands Hammock State Park Trails - Highlands Hammock State Park Trails Highlands Hammock State Park is officially designated as part of Florida?s Statewide ... 6094 Visit the Highlands Hammock State Park web page at Florida ... | | Highlands Hammock State Park Events - Upcoming Events for Highlands Hammock State Park Highlands Hammock State Park D. Harris, PSS Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road Sebring, Fl. 33872 Tel: 863-386-6094 http://www ... | | Highlands Hammock State Park Sebring Florida USA - Florida information. Online hotel reservations, attractions and events. Florida State parks and ... SouthEast Alphabetical Region: Southwest HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK Sebring, Florida Contact ... | | Highlands Hammock State Park - Greater Lake Placid Florida Chamber of Commerce - ... | Chamber News | Visiting Lake Placid Site Map Highlands Hammock State Park Highlands Hammock State Park is nearly 9,000 acres ... up to 8 persons. Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road ... | | HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK 2001 - J.B. & Susan Harlin are fine art B&W photographers, J.B. is the author of four books and numerous how-to articles on ... HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK 2001 by J.B. HARLIN SILVER GELATIN PRINT SELENIUM TONED ... | | Highlands Hammock State Park - Highlands Hammock State Park - Sebring, Fl. Highlands Hammock State Park was one of the original state parks in Florida. It contains over 4,694 acres of virgin hardwood and cypress swamp. The ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| Tram tours are $4.00 per adult, children age 6-12 are $2.00, under age six is free of charge. Tram tours are one hour in length and travel into remote areas of the park where visitors will see alligators, turtles, wading birds and more. Tours are scheduled Tuesday-Friday at 1pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1pm & 2:30pm. A minimum of five persons is required for all tours. Private tours are available by reservation for organized groups, contact the park for further information.
Interpretive Exhibit
Various exhibits are found throughout the park, interpreting the history and natural and cultural resources found here. Visit the Hammock Inn restaurant to view taxidermied wildlife and the ancient tortoise shell. |
| Directions: |
| Highlands Hammock State Park is located off US 27 on SR 634 (also known as Hammock Road), four miles west of Sebring. |
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