From the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, we headed to Highlands Hammock State Park. During the Great Depression, prior to World War II, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed park facilities. Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the highest ranking parks in Florida for biodiversity. The park is known for its beautiful old-growth hammock and thousand year old oaks. Ferns and air plants are abundant. Black bear and the Florida panther are said to be present….but we did not see either or their tracks.
Highlands Hammock State Park
This park is located near Sebring Florida. They have a museum, which was insightful about the startup of the CCC and life of the people who worked for the CCC. We did have time for an amazing hike through the dense old forest. Beautiful. Huge oaks, cabbage palms, magnolias, and orange trees.
We had a good but short visit. Wonderful views of the night sky! There are more than 9,000 acres that include large tracts of pine. Several of the communities are designated as imperiled or of concern, such as the Florida scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and cutthroat seep. An elevated boardwalk traverses a cypress swamp. There are alligators, birds and other wildlife.
Suwannee River State Park
Suwannee River State Park is where the Withlacoochee river joins the Suwannee River. We spent a couple of nights here. Really enjoyed the Suwannee River trail, Balance Rock trail, and the Lime Sink Run trail. Extremely beautiful.
We did not come across anyone on the walks. Jake loved the opportunity to explore and stretch his legs. He took a long nap afterwards. Along the river are long mounds of earthworks built during the Civil War to guard against incursions by Union Navy gunboats. Other remnants from the past include one of the state´s oldest cemeteries, and a paddle-wheel shaft from a 19th century steamboat. Five trails, ranging from a quarter mile to 18 miles, loop through surrounding woodlands and provide panoramic views of the rivers.
