Highlands Hammock State Park

Sebring, Florida: A short drive outside of downtown Sebring will take you to a place that will make you feel like you are in the middle of the wilderness. With over 9,000 acres of native vegetation, Highlands Hammock State Park is a haven for those looking for an escape to the great outdoors.

Created in 1931, the park is an early example of nature conservation. During this time, the agriculture industry was at its peak and expanding rapidly. As the farms started inching closer towards the hammock, a grass roots effort to save the hammock led by Margaret Roebling began. As a result, the citizens group purchased the property in hopes to have it become a national park. Although it never became a national park, it became one of the original Florida State Parks in 1935 when the state park system was created.

During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps were assigned to the park and helped to develop the park into much of what visitors see today when they tour the park. They helped build many of the park structures, helped create trails and built the bridge and roads within the park.

Today the park is a very popular attraction. They offer hiking trails, camping, a tram tour as well as a museum dedicated to the Civilian Conservation Corps.

There are nine dedicated walking trails within the park:

• Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail: 15 minute walk that is home to one of the oldest and largest trees in the park. The 1,000 year old Live Oak is 36 feet around at the base.
• Allen Altvater Trail: 30 minute walk through pine flatwoods.
• Ancient Hammock Trail: 35 minute walk through the oldest section of the hammock.
• Cypress Swamp Trail: 30 minute walk is most popular trails in the park. The boardwalk takes you through the swamp and out to Charlie Bowlegs Creek.
• Fern Garden Trail: 20 minute walk through a hardwood swamp.
• Hickory Trail: 30 minute walk through Pignut Hickories.
• Richard Lieber Memorial Trail: 25 minute walk that starts with another old oak tree which is thought to be the oldest living thing in the hammock. This trail also features a boardwalk portion in a hardwood swamp.
• Wild Orange Grove: 30 minute walk pine flatwoods and young hammock with Wild Orange trees.
• Young Hammock Trail: 30 minute walk through a young hammock that shows the positive effect of fire on the ecosystem.
  

In addition to these hiking trails, there is also a three mile scenic loop drive that you can walk, ride or drive through the park. There is also an eight mile bike trail that goes along the outer boundary of the park. Another popular way to tour the park is the Carol Beck Nature Tour, a tram ride that goes through the park and accesses some of the areas that are not reached by the public trails.

The park is also very popular for camping. The campground features electric/water hook-ups as well as bathhouses. They also have 16 primitive campsites away from the rest of the public areas and a group campsite.

Because of the native vegetation and lack of development, the park is home to many different species of Florida wildlife. Alligators, deer, turtles, otters, woodpeckers, hawks, owls scrub jays and more are seen on a regular basis in the park. The park also reports sighting of bears, eagles, bobcats and panthers on occasion.

Throughout the year, the park host special events. One of the popular events its called Music in the Park. Select weekends, guests can enjoy live music on the outdoor stage by the picnic area.

Click on the photo above to view the Highlands Hammock State Park photo gallery.