Important Notice:
The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
Krul Campground Info: Day Passes are not valid for entry at Krul Campground. Reservations are required for entry and are available 2 days in advance here. Annual passholders also require a reservation, but will be admitted for free.
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Important Notice: The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.

Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, FL

Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
40 Ratings
Arbuckle Primitive Hike-in Campsites are located on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, (Polk County) on the Arbuckle tract, approximately 44 miles SE of Lakeland, FL. It features 5 primitive campsites: Creekside, Grave Island, Hidden Hammock, Isabell and Lakeside. These primitive...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
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Book a Campsite at Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, FL

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Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Campsite Search Results: 1-5 of 5 Previous | Next
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Overview

Description

Arbuckle Primitive Hike-in Campsites are located on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, (Polk County) on the Arbuckle tract, approximately 44 miles SE of Lakeland, FL. It features 5 primitive campsites: Creekside, Grave Island, Hidden Hammock, Isabell and Lakeside. These primitive campsites are scattered throughout the Arbuckle tract and each has a picnic table and fire ring. There is no water or electricity available. All campsites are hike in only and require advanced registration. Recreational activities featured here are: fishing, hunting, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, scouting, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Geography:

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest derives its name from the narrow ridge that runs north and south through the Florida Peninsula. Many years ago ancient ocean levels rose and covered nearly all of the present-day peninsula. The ridge became an island on which the plants and animals continued to evolve in isolation. Today, the scrub ecosystem that thrives on the ridge may have the highest concentration of rare and endangered plants in the continental United States. For more information Click Here.

Recreation:

The forest offers many recreational opportunities for the rugged outdoor enthusiast as well as the occasional visitor. Hiking trails cross a variety of terrains from forest wetlands to ancient, dry scrub communities. The state forest contains four hiking trails that are included in the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Hiking Program. Hikers can take advantage of the numerous hiking trail, which include 25 miles of the Arbuckle Trail on the Arbuckle Tract.

Facilities:

Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring.

Primitive camping hike-in only access to campsites on Arbuckle Trail or service roads. Parking areas located on School Bus Road, Rucks Dairy Road and Tram Road for access to primitive campsite parking.

Base campsite fees include 5 people and two cars. Additional individuals are $2.00 each and each additional car is $5.00. Use "Leave No Trace" Principles - Plan Ahead and Prepare, Dispose of trash and litter properly-keep campsites clean, Minimize Campfire impacts-Clean fire ring after use, Respect Wildlife and Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Nearby Attractions:

LAKE ARBUCKLE PARK AND COUNTY CAMPGROUND
REEDY CREEK CAMPGROUND I ON ARBUCKLE TRACT
REEDY CREEK II HUNT CAMP AND PAVILION
ARBUCKLE TRAIL ON ARBUCKLE TRACT
MCLEAN CABIN DAY USE AREA ON ARBUCKLE
ARBUCKLE HORSE TRAILER PARKING AREA
LAKE GODWIN DAY USE AREA ON ARBUCKLE
WALK IN THE WATER CAMPGROUND ON WALK IN THE WATER TRACT
WALK IN THE WATER WMA
BABSON/DINNER LAKE TRACT LOCATED OFF WALK IN THE WATER RD
LWRSF HEADQUARTERS LOCATED AT 851 COUNTY ROAD 630 EAST, FROSTPROOF, FL 33843

Booking Window
Fri Apr 26 2024 - Wed Mar 26 2025

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.

Season Dates

Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Mon Jan 01 2024
Tue Dec 31 2024
Peak
Wed Jan 01 2025
Wed Dec 31 2025
Services and Amenities
Within Park
  • Bird Watching
  • Camping, Backcountry
  • Fire Rings
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Trail
  • Historic Structure/Feature
  • Interpretive Trail
  • Jogging/Running
  • Kiosk
  • Photography
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicing
  • Walking
  • Water Access, Park Lake
  • Water Access, River / Stream
  • Wildflower Viewing
  • Wildlife Viewing
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Special Policy Applicable to this Facility
Cancellations:

  • Cancellations can be made on the website and through the call center.
  • 1 or more days prior to arrival: $9 non-refundable cancellation fee.
  • Day of or after arrival, must be cancelled through the call center.
  • $9.00 plus the 1st night's use fee.
  • After the arrival date, $9 non-refundable cancellation fee, fees for the nights following the call will be refunded. No same night refunds.

    Refunds:

  • Credit Card refunds are automatically credited back to the original credit card and will take up to 3 - 5 business days to appear on the customer's statement.
  • The State Forest campgrounds cannot process refunds for reservations processed online or through the call center.
  • The State Forest can process refunds for cash or check payments made through walk-in office reservations and walk-up campsites. State Forest do not process any credit card refunds.

  • Facility Rates*
    Park Season
    Site Type
    Nightly/Daily Rates
    Peak Season
    Jan 01 2024 -
    Dec 31 2024
    Tent Only
    $8.93
    Peak Season
    Jan 01 2025 -
    Dec 31 2025
    Tent Only
    $8.93

    *Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges

    **Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

    Getting There
    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
    27.71014, -81.44982
    27°42'37"N, 81°26'59"W

    From US highway 27 you will: Turn left onto County Road 630A At stop sign turn to the left onto County Road 630 East. Proceed east through Frostproof, past the McDonald's, over the railroad tracks, then turn right onto Lake Reedy Blvd. Follow Lake Reedy Blvd (around lake), then keep going until one mile after passing Blue Jordan Rd (on left) you will turn left onto Lake Arbuckle Rd. Turn right onto Rucks Dairy Rd (a paved road). You are now on the state forest (north Arbuckle tract). After driving about a mile down Rucks Dairy Rd you will go over the bridge over Livingston Creek. *The road splits here, turn to the left onto School Bus Rd. If you take the road to the left you will be on School Bus Rd. which is the main road in the Arbuckle Tract. Creekside, Lakeside, and Hidden Hammock primitive campsites may be accessed from hiking trails (Florida Trail System Loop Trail) from parking areas or service roads located off of School Bus Rd. Grave Island primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail entrance from Rucks Dairy Rd that crosses over Livingston Creek. Isabell primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail closest to Tram Rd from south Arbuckle. Contact Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Headquarters for closest access roads or trails for camping at these campsites. From SR 60 you will: Turn right onto County Road 630 East Proceed west on County Road 630 East until reaching Walk In Water Road/Blue Jordan Road, then turn left. After turning left onto Blue Jordan Road, proceed to stop light and turn left onto Lake Reedy Blvd. Follow Lake Reedy Blvd, about one mile after the blinking yellow light you will turn left onto Lake Arbuckle Rd. Turn right onto Rucks Dairy Rd (a paved road). You are now on the state forest (north Arbuckle tract). After driving about a mile down Rucks Dairy Rd you will go over the bridge over Livingston Creek. *The road splits here, turn to the left onto School Bus Rd. If you take the road to the left you will be on School Bus Rd. which is the main road in the Arbuckle Tract. Creekside, Lakeside, and Hidden Hammock primitive campsites may be accessed from hiking trails (Florida Trail System Loop Trail) from parking areas or service roads located off of School Bus Rd. Grave Island primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail entrance from Rucks Dairy Rd that crosses over Livingston Creek. Isabell primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail closest to Tram Rd from south Arbuckle. Contact Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Headquarters for closest access roads or trails for camping at these campsites.
    Contact Information

    Mailing Address:

    Arbuckle Primitive Hike-In Campsites Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
    851 COUNTY ROAD 630 EAST
    FROSTPROOF  FL  33843
    Phone Number:
    Information:  (863) 589-0545
    Lakeland District Headquarters - 863-940-6701 for after hours assistance/emergency.

    Additional Information