Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, State forest in Polk County, Florida.
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest encompasses 26,563 acres of land with two large tracts containing sandhill ridges, wetlands, and pine flatwood environments.
The forest stands on ancient sand dunes formed before the Pleistocene period, making it one of the oldest elevated landforms in Central Florida.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection maintains this forest as a natural laboratory for studying rare plant species and ecological conservation methods.
Visitors can access numerous hiking trails, including the Scrub-Jay Loop Trail, while engaging in activities such as bird watching and photography throughout the year.
The forest provides habitat for 33 plant and 36 animal species with federal protection status, many of which exist nowhere else on Earth.
Location: Polk County
GPS coordinates: 27.93333,-81.55000
Latest update: March 12, 2025 00:16
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