We ended 2020 with a camping trip to one of Florida’s oldest parks, Highlands Hammock State Park. This trip was supposed to be one of many camping trips in 2020, but the pandemic had other ideas. We were fortunate to be able to make this reservation. Even during a pandemic Florida camping reservations are hard to come by.
Highlands Hammock State Park is filled with over 9,000 acres of palm trees, massive live oaks, old-growth hammocks, and cypress swamps. The park is located in the heart of south-central Florida off U.S Highway 27 and County Road 634 in Sebring. It is about 2 hours south of Orlando.
Highlands Hammock Campground
This state park has a large family campground. Most of the 159 campsites have electric and water hook-ups. There are a good number of pull-through sites and even some primitive sites. The campground is pretty compact with not a lot of privacy. We felt like we were camping with strangers during our 3-night stay. We could pretty much see and hear everything our neighbors did.
The campground has multiple restrooms with hot showers. During our visit, the restrooms were kept very clean. The area also has a laundry, playground, fire pit, outdoor theater, and a dump station. There are one hiking trail and one biking trail that begin at the campground.
Highlands Hammock Trails
Outside of the campground, there are numerous hiking and biking trails to choose from. There are 9 gentle half-mile trails in Highlands Hammock. A good number of these trails can be found along the 3.1 mile Loop Drive. Loop Drive is a one-way driving and biking path. We biked the loop quite a few times during our stay. Trail maps are available at the ranger station.
Biking
Biking from the campground to the trails along Loop Drive is an easy bike ride. It is mostly flat and paved. There are bike racks and small parking areas at most of the trailheads.
The other bike trails are unpaved and much longer. These trails link to the county’s multi-use path and several miles of paved routes through Sebring. Our family only went on one bike path within the park.
Hiking
The hiking trails are easy enough for the entire family to enjoy. The trails are not handicap or stroller friendly. The Cypress Swamp trail is mostly a boardwalk, but a good portion of that boardwalk is 3 boards wide with only one hand railing. I would not recommend bringing a stroller on that trail.
A lot of the trails pass through swamps and hammocks. They were dry during our December visit. During the wet season, I can imagine that they might be very wet and even impassable. Alligators are frequently seen near or under the boardwalks. We even saw one along the side of the road.
Other Activities at Highlands Hammock
Besides camping, biking, and hiking Highlands Hammock has multiple playgrounds, a picnic area, and horse trails. The park also has a small country store called Hammock Inn and a tram tour.
Tram tour
The one-hour Alligators tram tour travels through remote areas and along the South Canal while visitors learn about the park’s history and alligators. Tours are run daily between 11am and 1pm and admission is $10 per adult and $5 for ages 6-12. Kids 5 and under are free. Tickets are sold the day of the tour at the Hammock Inn.
Museum
The park also is home to the Civilian Conservations Corps (CCC) Museum. Park admission includes entrance to the museum. Visitors can learn about the CCC and the park through exhibits and films. Children can also enjoy a scavenger hunt. The museum is usually open daily from 9am to 5pm. The museum is currently closed as a result of Covid-19. Check their website for a reopening date.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a weekend away in nature, I highly suggest checking out this state park. I wouldn’t let the tight campground keep you from visiting. It kind of adds to the experience. The next time we visit, I’d like to check out Sebring and the surrounding area. Bok Tower and Legoland are only about an hour away.
Details
- 5931 Hammock Road Sebring FL 33872
- Open from 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year
- $6 per vehicle or $22 plus fees per night for family camping
- Contact: 863-386-6094
More Florida State Parks
- Hillsborough River State Park, A Campground Near Tampa
- Lake Griffin State Park, A Hidden Gem
- Silver Springs State Park, Monkeys and More
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. Simply Heartfelt was not compensated for this post.
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