Located alongside the japanese slope of a relict shoreline, the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest protects a exceptional number of pure communities.
Top-of-the-line backpacking locations in peninsular Florida, this forest gives over 20 miles of trails that may be strung collectively to kind a number of totally different loops.
The biggest loop, generally known as the Arbuckle Path, is maintained by the Florida Path Affiliation.
Lakefront pathUtilizing a mix of yellow and blue blazed connector trails on the north finish of the forest, the 12.6 mile route described under showcases a variety of scenic environments.
There are 5 primitive campsites offering a possibility to remain in a single day.
Along with the backpacking websites, a campground with 5 tent-only and three RV websites is situated close to the doorway, with entry to potable water.
Among the many pinesSources
Overview
Location: FrostproofLength: 12.6 milesTrailhead: 27.708306, -81.446056Address: Rucks Dairy Rd, FrostproofFees: $2 per vehicleRestrooms: Vault rest room on the Reedy Creek CampgroundLand supervisor: Florida Forest ServicePhone: 863-589-0545
Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canine welcome. Seasonal searching happens all through this forest. Verify forward earlier than you make plans for out of doors recreation.
Instructions
Hike
Starting the hike at a lined kiosk with maps and details about the forest, head south alongside a mud street branching off from the principle drive.
In 200 toes, search for a trailhead marked with a big dedication stone for the Paula Dockery Path.
Two trails begin at this level; for a extra scenic route, comply with yellow blazes to the left.
Paula Dockery trailheadSand pines dot an open panorama of scrubby brush as the trail winds in direction of a xeric hammock within the distance.
Getting into a spotty cover of oak, holly, silk bay, and wild olive, comply with the pathway because it turns to hint a tall bluff overlooking tannic waters of Livingston Creek.
Xeric hammockLush grasses, ferns, and aquatic vegetation hug the banks of the creek under, in stark distinction with the dry circumstances on the prime of the sandy bluff.
At 1.5 miles, the trail turns away from the water, reaching a facet path resulting in the Creekside Campsite in one other 0.2 mile.
This spur follows a forest street for 0.6 mile to the designated campsite alongside a stand of huge oaks and cabbage palms.
Livingston CreekFollowing yellow blazes southward right into a mesic flatwoods group, tall pines stand up from an expanse of noticed palmettos, gallberry and lyonia.
Because the path dips in a seasonally flooded low spot, it turns sharply eastward, passing a curious previous truck slowly returning to nature in a heap of rusted steel.
Deserted truckCross just a few boggy streams whereas descending in direction of Lake Arbuckle. Moist flatwoods give approach to combined hammocks earlier than the Lakeshore Campsite.
It’s a magnificence spot full with fireplace ring and picnic desk overlooking a panorama of open water.
Proceed south. Lots of of cypress knees poke up amongst tufts of grass because the path weaves although a forest of cypress bushes lined with Spanish moss.
Lakeshore CampsiteAfter one other 1.5 miles, the path turns away from the lake subsequent to Hickory Level, a picturesque campsite beneath a tall oak on the water’s edge.
On the climb of the light slope of an historic ridge, flatwoods progressively grow to be scrubbier, revealing parts of sandhill close to the southern finish of the Paula Dockery Path.
Cypresses on the shore of Lake ArbuckleFrom this level, comply with blue blazes main away from the yellow blazed loop, crossing a mud street to enter a desert-like scrub forest.
At 5.6 miles, the path opens to a day use space subsequent to the McLean Cabin, a historic construction constructed within the 1950’s for cattle farming.
Crimson and blue blazes proceed westward, alongside a bit of the mile lengthy Previous Cabin Path loop.
McLean CabinReaching Lake Godwin at 7.3 miles, comply with a facet pathway previous an inviting lined picnic desk to a commentary pier extending out over the water.
This serene spot is exceptionally quiet, other than rhythmic chirps of cricket frogs and occasional calls of distant purple shouldered hawks.
Lake GodwinBlue blazes circle the north shore of the lake as the trail enters an enormous pine savanna dotted with despair marshes.
At 9.1 miles, the path crosses a small parking space for the western primitive campsites.
The subsequent third of a mile could be very tough, following a forest street lined with massive chunks of crushed brick and rock.
Flip away from the street the place yellow blazes lead northward. The blue blazes proceed west for an additional 0.4 mile alongside the rocky street, ending on the Isabell Campsite.
Pine savannaA mixture of pine and sweetgum bushes sprout from tall grasses on the forest ground as the trail follows an ecotone between flatwoods and basin swamp for a mile.
Attain a facet path resulting in the Grave Island Campsite. Tucked away on a small bluff overlooking a creek, this rustic campsite requires a bridge crossing to achieve it.
Grave Island CampsiteCrossing a strong bridge over Livingston Creek close to the 11 mile mark, comply with the path east because it parallels the winding waterway.
Traverse scrub and flatwoods for 1.5 miles earlier than reaching the paved entrance street.
Flip proper, spanning the creek as soon as extra on a street bridge earlier than concluding this 12.6 mile hike on the parking space.
Livingston Creek BridgePath Map
Discover Extra!
Study extra about Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Atop the traditional sands of the Lake Wales Ridge, this huge state forest gives gives hikers and equestrians an expansive community of trails. Video
Mountaineering the Lake Godwin Loop
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Reserve Campsite Official Web site
