Walk In The Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

About

Walk In The Water Campground is a primitive camping area nestled within the 26,713-acre Lake Wales Ridge State Forest in Polk County, Florida. This unique forest is recognized as a global hotspot for rare and endangered species, featuring scrub and sandhill ecosystems with one of the highest concentrations of imperiled plants in the United States. The campground offers 8 reservable sites: sites 1-3 and 5 are tent-only, while sites 4 and 6-8 accommodate both RVs and tents with 15-foot back-in parking. Each site features a picnic table and fire ring. Facilities include two port-a-potties and a dumpster for trash disposal. There is no potable water, electricity, or hookups available, so campers must bring their own drinking water. Recreational opportunities include hiking on the Big Bay Trail and Scrub Jay Loop Trail, fishing, hunting, bicycling, horseback riding on designated equestrian trails, and wildlife viewing. Pets are permitted on leashes up to 10 feet in length. All sites are ADA-accessible. Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 7 AM. There is a 14-night maximum stay, after which campers must leave for a minimum of 3 nights before booking again. Bears and raccoons frequent the area, so proper food storage is essential. During hunting seasons, visitors should wear day-glo orange for visibility.

Directions

Located at 6110 Walk-in-the-Water Road, Lake Wales, FL 33898, approximately 44 miles southeast of Lakeland.