Highlands Hammock State Park
5931 Hammock Road
Sebring, Fl. 33872
(863) 386-6094
www.FloridaStateParks.org/highlandshammock
Location:
Highlands Hammock is located 4 miles west of US Highway 27 on County Road 634
(Hammock Road) in Sebring (Highlands County) Florida
Accessible Trails:
Cypress Swamp Trail:
This boardwalked trail is ADA accessible from parking area to viewing station
over Charlie Bowlegs Creek. From this point forward, the historic narrow
"catwalk" was retained for those desiring to continue forward over the
waterway of this seasonal floodplain. Alligators, birds, turtles and other
wildlife are seen nearly every day. Notable species often seen: Pileated,
Downy, Red-bellied woodpeckers, Barred owls, various warblers (Black & White,
Yellow-rumped, Palm, Pine, Yellow-throated, and Northern Parulas), White eyed
& Solitary vireos, Black & Turkey vultures, White ibis, Great egrets,
Anhingas,Great & Little blue herons, Belted kingfishers and Red shouldered
hawks) Total trail length is about 2,335 feet if entire trail is walked-
about 30 minutes of leisurely walking.
Fern Garden Trail:
This boardwalked trail is ADA accessible from parking area to intersection
with a boardwalked link to the dirt pathed Hickory Trail and a dirt path to
the Memorial Trail. From the boardwalked section, visitors may view
alligators, birds and more, particularly during the rainy season. This area
is a seasonal wetland and often drys up during the winter/spring months.
Notable species often seen: Various warblers (see above), Gray catbirds,
Night herons, Red-winged blackbirds & Boat tailed grackles. Total trail
length 1,641 if entire trail is walked-about 20 minutes of leisurely walking.
Low-Impact Trails:
Richard Leiber Memorial Trail:
This trail is a dirt path leading to a boardwalked section over a seasonal
tupelo/pop ash swamp. Dirt path on the walker's right (while facing the trail
entrance) will quickly lead to an elevated, narrow boardwalked section. Some
rooting from wildlife or minor trip hazards may be present, so proceed with
caution. After accessing the elevated boardwalk, turning to the right at the
intersection will lead to a viewing area with two short benches. Returning to
this intersection, visitors may continue forward and then access remaining
dirt path of the Memorial Trail as it leads back to the parking area. Some
roots and trip hazards are present on this section of the dirt pathway.
Walking this dirt path also offers the option of accessing the footbridge on
the right and then turning left onto the Fern Garden dirt foot path which
quickly leads to the Fern Garden ADA boardwalked trail which also offers
several sitting areas. Visitors will find a variety of upland and wetland
plants and numerous opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing.
Total trail length of the Richard Leiber trail is 1,791 feet and total length
of Fern Garden Trail is 1,641 feet for a total of 3,342 feet walking distance
or less than one mile-about 40 minutes of leisurely walking.
Birding from a vehicle:
Highlands Hammock State Park offers a good opportunity to bird right from
your vehicle. Bird lists are available online at
www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock or by calling (863) 386-6094.
Depending on the time of year that you visit, your chances of checking off
numerous species are quite good. Entering the park, you will be traveling on
County Road 634 (Hammock Road). Once you enter the park property and are
traveling towards the ranger station, begin watching for notable species
(Red-headed woodpeckers, Loggerhead shrikes, Palm & Pine warblers, Summer
tanagers, various hawks (Red-shouldered, Cooper's, Red-tailed), Great horned
owls, and American kestrels) within this open pine flatwoods community.
Please be sure to pull completely off the roadway and practice safety due to
this road also being used by local through traffic.
Proceeding forward to the picnic area on your second left after the ranger
station, a circular drive offers access to Hammock Inn restaurant, restrooms,
and state CCC Museum. Oaks in picnic area often offer good viewing of
warblers, Great crested flycatchers, Red-bellied woodpeckers, and more.
Swallowtail kites may be seen soaring over most of the park in the
spring/summer months.
Proceeding forward onto the park's 3.1 mile "Loop Drive" under the
oak/hardwood canopy, visitors have numerous opportunities to hear/possibly
view birds. Red-shouldered hawks, Red-bellied & Pileated woodpeckers are
commonly seen. Black & Turkey vultures often soaring overhead. Pulling into
the Cypress Swamp Trail parking lot, a view of the sky may reveal soaring
vultures, Tree swallows, Southern bald eagles or Wood storks. Watch open
fields (seasonally) for robins, thrashers, hawks, quail, and doves.
Accessible Tours:
Highlands Hammock State Park offers 1.5 hour-long narrated tram tours through
remote areas of the park. Visitors may see alligators, turtles, wading birds,
hawks, owls, deer, and more. Tram vehicle is accessible to wheelchairs and
does have a ramp for entry. It is requested that staff be advised of
wheelchair/space needs at time of ticket purchase due to seating
accomodations. Tour fees are $4 per person ($2 for children under age 12) and
are scheduled at 1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Saturdays & Sundays at 1 p.m. &
2:30 p.m. Tours are first come/first serve and often sell out quickly during
January-April in spite of additional tour times being added to accomodate
demand. Tickets are sold beginning at 8:00 a.m. each day. Private tours for
groups/organizations are $70 and may be arranged in advance by calling (863)
386-6094. Please submit private tour requests at least 2 weeks prior to date
requested for best availability.
General park accomodations:
Highlands Hammock State Park offers campgrounds, nature trails, the Hammock
Inn restaurant and the state's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum.
Several campsites are located next to a concrete walkway that leads to an
accessible restroom. You may inquire at (863) 386-6094 for suggestions on the
best site for your needs or your camping equipment. Reservations for
campsites may be made at www.ReserveAmerica.com or (800) 326-3521 or TDD
1-888-433-0287.
The state's CCC Museum is also accessible and offers the more spacious
accessible restrooms that those using larger motorized wheelchairs may find
most comfortable. The Hammock Inn restaurant is also accessible and
wheelchair accessible picnic tables can be found within the park's picnic
grounds. Concrete walkways offer ease of mobility to several picnic pavilions
as well.