Highlands Hammock State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Highlands Hammock State Park is a popular tourist attraction located in the state of Florida.
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Summary
Some of the reasons to visit Highlands Hammock State Park are its diverse wildlife, beautiful scenery, and abundance of outdoor activities. The park is home to several endangered species, including the Florida panther and the scrub jay.
The park covers 9,000 acres and features several points of interest, including a 3-mile loop road, hiking trails, a butterfly garden, and a tram tour. The park also has a museum that showcases the history of the area and offers educational programs for visitors.
One of the most interesting facts about the park is that it contains one of the largest and oldest hammocks in the United States. The park's hammock is estimated to be over 1,000 years old and is a significant ecological and historical site. The park also features several native plant species, including oak trees, bald cypress, and saw palmetto.
The best time of year to visit Highlands Hammock State Park is during the winter months, from November to February when the weather is cooler and drier. During this time, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and camping in the park's pristine wilderness areas. Overall, Highlands Hammock State Park is an excellent destination for visitors looking to experience Florida's natural beauty and learn about its rich history.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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