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As quickly as we drove into Highlands Hammock State Park, I relaxed and felt related. It was as if the large oak, pines, and palmettos whispered, “you’re right here now, you’ll be able to breathe once more.”
Once you go to Sebring in Florida, this state park is your alternative to nurture your self in nature away from the crowds.
The title itself, “hammock” is the embodiment of rest. However the phrase hammock right here refers to one thing else – it means forest of broad, shady hardwood timber that develop on an ecological island inside a wetland.
Inside this historic hammock is a fragile ecosystem, residence to a number of endangered species of animals, vegetation, and birdlife, in addition to 9 climbing trails, a motorbike path, elevated boardwalk, and historic tram.
On this information, we share all of the issues to do in Highlands Hammock State Park, and what you might want to know earlier than visiting.
About Highlands Hammock State Park
Highlands Hammock State Park is Florida’s first state park. On our tram tour, we realized so much in regards to the parks’ historical past and distinctive qualities that earned its safety rights.
In 1934, a neighborhood CCC camp started engaged on a botanical backyard mission adjoining to Highlands Hammock Park.
When Florida’s state park system was established in 1935, Highlands Hammock turned one of many state’s first parks. It’s considered one of eight authentic CCC parks in Florida, and encompasses an space of 9,000 acres.
Highlands Hammock has extra uncommon and endemic species than another State Park in Florida.
Highlands Hammock represents Previous Florida earlier than the glitz and glamor of Orlando and Tampa Bay confirmed up – it’s untouched and historic, a spot the place you’ll end up surrounded by thousand previous oak timber as you progress alongside below shaded canopies of cypress and hardwood swamps, marshes, and evergreen flatwoods.
There’s loads of alternative for alligator recognizing and hen watching within the park.
You might get fortunate and see deer, a black bear, and even the elusive Florida Panther.
Highlands Hammock is a sufficiently small park you can see so much in just some hours, however greater than sufficient so that you can stretch it out a little bit longer.
Whereas it’s not of the swinging form, hammock does invoke a picture of rest and revitalization. It comes from the Native American phrase, “hamaca’ which implies “a shady place”.
Immediately, hammock is utilized in Florida to explain forest habitats which might be usually greater in elevation and are characterised by hardwood forests of broad-leaved evergreens.
Tropical hardwood hammocks happen in south Florida and alongside the Florida coastlines the place hazard from frost is uncommon and tropical timber and shrubs frequent to the Caribbean islands (West Indian origin) can survive.
Issues to do in Highlands Hammock State Park
With 9 climbing trails, an elevated boardwalk, a 3-mile bike path, and a tram to take all of it in from, these are the most effective points of interest in Highlands Hammock State Park…
1. Tram Tour of Highlands Hammock State Park
An incredible introduction to this unbelievable Florida State Park is the narrated tram tour.
This full-accessible tram passes slowly via 4 main ecosystems that embrace hydric hammock, cypress swamp, pine flatwoods and baygall.
Our informative information, Ed stopped alongside the best way to show us the that means of phrases akin to hammock, epiphytes, and pods declaring actual life examples as we went. This completely aligned with our schoolcation mission.
Days later, Savannah was in a position to clarify how the intercourse of an alligator child is decided relying on the place their egg lays within the nest.
Not solely did it train me, however sparked my curiosity to a query I can’t fairly grasp a solution to. I assume we put it all the way down to the unexplained Mom Nature.
Why do male alligators really feel the necessity to procreate if they only wish to eat all their infants as a result of worry of competitors for assets?
All good excursions ought to have you ever ending within the pursuit of extra information!
Our tram tour took us down a again dusty street alongside the park’s borders.
The pine, oak and hardwood timber gave technique to extra cypress timber, The palms and palmettos regular companions to all all through the park.
This much less thick space is the place a black bear and Florida panther had been just lately noticed on the park cam!
We didn’t see these uncommon animals, however we did see the hog traps set as much as assist eradicate the out-of-control hog drawback.
We additionally realized about one particular species in Highlands Hammock, the gopher tortoise.
This part of the park has timber depending on hearth for regrowth, so managed burning is finished.
After one hearth burning, about 300 species of animals had been discovered hiding within the big underground gap of the gopher tortoise – animals that usually don’t get alongside like snake and mice, huddled collectively within the security of the outlet with a silent truce to not damage each other.
There’s a Disney film ready for that story!
Our tour then adopted a creek behind the park’s borders.
That is the place we had been launched to a number of of the parks’ crocodiles, together with George the ferocious male patrolling the creek trying to see what infants he may eat and Paddy, Deborah and some different of the fierce defending moms watching over their infants.
The tour lasted 90-minutes and was value doing if you wish to relax and have somebody educate and level out probably the most attention-grabbing options.
Now you’ll know what you wish to return and discover extra in-depth.
Facet be aware: Our tram tour was hosted by Highland Hammocks State Park, however all ideas, concepts, and opinions are our personal.
2. Stroll the Cypress Swamp Path
Climbing in Highlands Hammock State Park is straightforward, particularly with children of any age.
The climbing trails run via hydric hammock, cypress swamp, hardwood swamp and pine flatwood. Eight out of the 9 trails are off the principle loop drive and vary in distance from 975 toes to over 3,000 toes.
A number of of the paths join by way of a bridge or catwalk.
Ranger Laura beneficial the next walks for me to come back again and do after I do my bike loop trip.
It was going to be throughout our go to to Sebring, however I noticed final minute I used to be not insured to drive the rental automobile so couldn’t escape for a blissful solo hour journey.
The most well-liked path in Highlands Hammock State Park is the Cypress Swamp Path.
Effectively, I ought to say stroll. The longest path in Highlands Hammock is barely simply over half a mile, and this space of Florida is pancake flat.
An 800 meter elevated boardwalk takes you thru the traditional land the place herons and ibis poke round within the mud for meals, and when water is excessive, alligators could also be in search of them.
That is a simple path whose goal is to move you into an historic land of towering cypress timber, ferns, and dripping Spanish moss.
3. Stroll the Alexander Blair Huge Oak Path
This 975ft path will take you to the “Huge Oak” large dwell oak with a girth of 36 toes. Sadly, the Huge Oak died years in the past, however its gnarled decrease trunk will be seen.
4. Historic Hammock Path to Fern Backyard Path
Mentioned to be one of many prettiest trails, the Historic Hammock Path resulting in the brief 500 meter Fern Backyard Path exhibits off the glory of towering cabbage palms and dwell oaks centuries previous.
The Fern Backyard Path runs via the fern-edged swamp. Alligators could also be seen from the boardwalk right here.
5. Wild Orange Path
This can be a good one to do if you’re picnicking because the 1.9km loop connects to the picnic space. It additionally presents a singular perspective for its wild orange timber.
Citrus Groves, whereas not native to this space, are allowed to proceed to develop in Highlands Hammock as they supply so many roles to these within the native communities.
They began on this area, after these on the ships from England and Europe got citrus seeds to throw down alongside their port stops to develop oranges for future passengers immigrating and to assist overcome the scurvy problem.
6. Bike the Highlands Hammock Loop
I very a lot wish to return to Highland Hammocks State Park to cycle the shady 3.1 loop street and hike a number of the many trails that lead off it.
Individuals additionally curler blade it and we noticed just a few eager runners clocking up their miles.
You may rent bikes type the Hammock Inn Concession close to the customer heart. Journey lovers will benefit from the six mile off street path, fats tire bikes are beneficial.
Bikes usually are not allowed on climbing trails, however there are racks to park your bike in the beginning of the paths.
Issues to know earlier than visiting Highlands Hammock State Park
- There are geocaches all through the park for households who love geocaching.
- You may as well carry your personal horse via components of the park.
- Highlands Hammock State Park was just lately added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
- Historical past buffs will benefit from the Florida’s Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, housed in a historic constructing close to the customer heart which teaches the historical past of the park and the Crops position in it.
Tenting at Highlands Hammock
Campsites in Highlands Hammock differ from sunny, partial solar, to totally shaded ranging in size from 20 – 50 ft.
They’ve picnic tables and hearth rings.
The household campground presents water and electrical hookups, a dump station, entry to restrooms with showers, in addition to laundry, and dishwashing areas.
You may entry primitive campsites in open pine flatwoods. They have picnic tables and hearth rings, however no electrical energy or operating water.
Learn how to get to Highlands Hammock State Park
Highlands Hammock is positioned in Central Florida, about 3 hours northwest of Miami and a pair of hours south of Orlando.
The closest city to Highlands Hammock State Park is Sebring. From the middle of Sebring, you will discover Hammock Highway to the south of Lake Jackson.
Comply with that street for 7.1 miles and you should have reached the doorway to Highlands Hammock State Park.
Try extra wow experiences on a South Central Florida Highway Journey.
FAQs About Highlands Hammock State Park
How a lot does it price to get into Highland Hammock State Park?
Admission prices $6 per car (as much as eight individuals), and $4 per single-occupant car. For those who arrive on foot or bicycle, it’s $2 to enter.
What are the opening hours of Highland Hammock State Park?
Highland Hammock State Park is open from 8:00 a.m. till sundown, twelve months a yr, together with holidays. If you’re tenting, it is best to arrive earlier than sundown, or in case you arrive after darkish name the ranger station earlier than 9:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays on 863-386-6094, ext. 0, for the gate code and directions.
What’s the finest path at Highlands Hammock?
The most well-liked path in Highlands Hammock State Park is the Hickory and Cypress Swamp Path, which is 2.9 miles lengthy and principally flat.
Are you able to fish at Highland Hammock State park?
Sure, you’ll be able to fish at Highland Hammock State Park. Catch-and-release fishing is obtainable at close by Seven Lakes administration unit.
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