Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in central Florida that covers approximately 1,400 acres.
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Summary
Visitors can explore the refuge's diverse habitats, which include longleaf pine forests, sandhills, and scrubland. The refuge is home to a wide range of wildlife, including gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, and eastern indigo snakes.
One of the main reasons to visit the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is to experience the unique flora and fauna of the area. The refuge is home to several endemic species, which means they can only be found within this particular region. For example, visitors may encounter the scrub blazing star, a rare plant that only grows in Florida's scrub habitats.
There are several points of interest to see within the refuge, including the Arbuckle Tract and the Walk-in-Water Tract. The Arbuckle Tract features a hiking trail that winds through longleaf pine forests and offers scenic views of Lake Arbuckle. The Walk-in-Water Tract is known for its wetlands, which provide habitat for a variety of bird species.
Visitors to the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge should be aware that the best time to visit depends on their interests. Spring is a popular time for birdwatching, as many migratory species pass through the area. On the other hand, those interested in wildflowers may want to visit in the fall, when the scrub blazing star and other plants are in bloom.
Overall, the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of central Florida and learn about the area's endemic species. Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities while immersing themselves in the refuge's diverse habitats.
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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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