Highlands Hammock State Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Highlands Hammock State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)

Highlands Hammock State Park Location in Florida Show map of Florida Highlands Hammock State Park Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Highlands County, Florida, USA
Nearest city	Sebring, Florida
Area	9,000 acres (36 km²)
Established	1931
Governing body	Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Highlands Hammock State Park is a huge park in Florida. It's about 9,000 acres big, which is like 6,800 football fields! You can find it near Sebring in Highlands County. This park opened way back in 1931, even before Florida had a system for state parks. In 2018, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places because it's so special.

Exploring Nature
- Amazing Plants
- Cool Animals
Park History
Florida Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Fun Things to Do
Park Hours
Images for kids
See Also

Exploring Nature

Amazing Plants

Imagine walking on raised wooden paths, called boardwalks, through an ancient swamp! Here, you'll see giant bald cypress trees that have been growing for hundreds, maybe even over a thousand years. You'll also spot cabbage palmettos, ferns, colorful bromeliads, and delicate orchids. Some of these plants are called epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants, not in the ground. One oak tree in the park is so big, its trunk is over 36 feet around! It might even be the largest oak tree in all of Florida.

Cool Animals

Highlands Hammock State Park is home to many different animals. You might see white-tailed deer quietly grazing or American alligators sunbathing near the water. Look out for slow-moving gopher tortoises and playful otters. If you're lucky, you could spot a pileated woodpecker tapping on trees or a red-shouldered hawk soaring overhead. Barred owls hoot in the evenings, and the bright Florida scrub jays are fun to watch.

Sometimes, visitors even see Florida black bears, majestic bald eagles, or graceful white ibis. Keep an eye out for gray squirrels and quick bobcats. Very rarely, the super shy and endangered Florida panther might make an appearance.

Park History

Long ago, in 1931, some people in the area were worried. They heard that the beautiful "hammock" (a type of forest) might be turned into farmland. So, they asked the Skipper family, who owned the land, to help save it. These citizens wanted the hammock to become a national park. This was one of the first times people worked together to protect nature. One important person who helped was Margaret Roebling.

The park didn't become a national park, but it did become one of Florida's first four Florida State Parks in 1935. During the Great Depression, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a camp here. They helped create many of the park's facilities and even started a botanical garden.

Florida Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

The museum in 2025

The park has a special place called the Florida Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. Inside, you can find fun, interactive exhibits. They teach you all about how the park was built in the 1930s and 1940s. You'll also learn about the history of the CCC across Florida and the United States. The museum building itself was built by the CCC!

Fun Things to Do

There are lots of ways to explore Highlands Hammock State Park!

Scenic Drive and Trails: You can drive a three-mile loop that takes you to nine different walking trails. This loop is also great for inline skating.
Biking and Horseback Riding: If you like longer adventures, there's an eleven-mile trail. You can ride your bike, go horseback riding, or just walk and look for wildlife.
Bird Watching: The park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, so it's a fantastic spot to watch many different kinds of birds.
Ranger Tours: Park rangers often lead tours, where they teach you all about the park's nature and history.
Camping: You can stay overnight at the campground. There are spots with water and electricity, as well as more rustic areas for camping.
Picnics and Play: There's a picnic area with a playground nearby, perfect for families.
Food and Music: You can grab a bite at "The Hammock Inn" restaurant. In the fall and winter, the park hosts "Music in the Park" concerts on the third Saturday of each month.