Archbold Biological Station
Lake Placid 1.2 milesA pair of short loops provide close observations of rare scrub habitats at a historic research facility on the Lake Wales Ridge south of Lake Placid.
Dewey Litl Loj
Did you know the creator of the Dewey Decimal System also created Lake Placid, Florida? Here's the story.
Fisheating Creek
Beloved of paddlers and largely protected by Fisheating Creek WMA, South Florida's wildest waterway rises south of Lake Placid and flows towards Lake Okeechobee.
Hickory Hammock Trail
Basinger 4.3 milesWith moss-draped oaks and tall hickory trees, stands of cabbage palms and a beautiful campsite, the Hickory Hammock Trail is an enjoyable destination.
Highlands Hammock State Park
Sebring 12.4 milesOne of Florida's oldest state parks, Highlands Hammock protects an old-growth forest while enabling you to explore it on a network of fascinating interpretive nature trails.
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park
Lake Placid 3.5 milesAtop 845 acres of the Lake Wales Ridge in Lake Placid, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve has one of the highest concentrations of rare plants in North America.
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Trails
Lake Placid 3.3 milesA trio of trails following established firelines provides a challenging 3.5 mile walk in Florida's own desert for an up close look at uncommon species endemic to ancient scrub.
Lake June-in-Winter Tomoka Trail
Lake Placid 0.3 milesFollowing the tannic flow of Tomoka Run, this short nature trail traversing scrub and bayhead at Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve is an introduction to the diverse nature of the Lake Wales Ridge.
Lake Placid Scrub
Lake Placid 3.5 milesHome to Florida scrub-jays, this 3.5 mile loop in the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife & Environmental Area provides views of the lake and a walk through ancient scrub.
Lake Wales Ridge
South of Lake Apopka, the Lake Wales Ridge is a significant landform down the middle of the Florida peninsula, with its highest hills and oldest biological communities.
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.