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.

Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, FL

Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
81 Ratings
Walk In the Water Campground is located on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, (Polk County) on the Walk In The Water tract, approximately 44 miles SE of Lakeland, FL. It features eight primitive campsites that all require an advanced reservation. There is a picnic table and fire ...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
Max reservation window:   View all
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Book a Campsite at Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, FL

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9 site(s) found
9 site(s) found
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Max # of people
Equip length/ Driveway
Amenities
Walk In the Water Campground
Pavilion
20 Accessible
15 Parallel
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8 Accessible
15
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8 Accessible
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
RV or Tent
8 Accessible
15 Back-In
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8 Accessible
15
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
RV or Tent
8 Accessible
15 Back-In
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
RV or Tent
8 Accessible
15 Back-In
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
RV or Tent
8 Accessible
15 Back-In
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Walk In the Water Campground Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Tent Only
8 Accessible
15
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Campsite Search Results: 1-9 of 9 Previous | Next
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Overview

Description

Walk In the Water Campground is located on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, (Polk County) on the Walk In The Water tract, approximately 44 miles SE of Lakeland, FL. It features eight primitive campsites that all require an advanced reservation. There is a picnic table and fire ring at each site. There is no water or electricity available. There are two port-a-pots and a dumpster at the campground. Recreational activities featured here are: fishing, hunting, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, 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 two hiking trails on the Walk In the Water tract, which include Big Bay Trail, Scrub Jay Loop Trail and two designated horseback riding/equestrian trails (Red and Blue). For more information Click Here.

Facilities:

6110 Walk-in-the-Water Road, Lake Wales, FL. 33898 Walk In the Water Campground contains 8 campsites. Sites 1-8 require an advanced campsite reservation

Tent Only campsites include sites 1-3 and 5. Campsite parking for sites 1-3 and 5 is at main campground parking area only. No parking vehicles at these campsites.

RV/Tent only campsites include sites 4 and 6-8.

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

Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring

Day use pavilion available by reservation only. No camping at day use pavilion.

Two nonflushable toilets (Portable toilets) and one dumpster available within campground.

Nearby Attractions:

WALK IN THE WATER PRIMITIVE HIKE-IN CAMPSITES ON BIG BAY TRAIL
SCRUB JAY LOOP AND BIG BAY HIKING TRAILS ON WALK IN THE WATER TRACT
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
RED AND BLUE HORSE TRAILS 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
Thu Apr 25 2024 - Tue Mar 25 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
  • Archery
  • Bird Watching
  • Boating, Canoeing
  • Boating, Kayaking
  • Camping, Backcountry
  • Camping, Primitive
  • Dumpster
  • Fee Station
  • Fire Rings
  • Fishing, Park Lake
  • Fishing, River/Stream
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Difficult
  • Hiking Moderate
  • Hiking Trail
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Information/Contact Station
  • Interpretive Trail
  • Jogging/Running
  • Kiosk
  • Nature Study
  • Park Lake
  • Parking
  • Photography
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicing
  • Recreation Programs
  • Restrooms
  • Sightseeing
  • Trails, Difficult Hiking
  • Trails, Equestrian
  • Trails, Hiking/Walking, Easy
  • Trails, Moderate Hiking
  • Walking
  • Water Access, River / Stream
  • Wildflower Viewing
  • Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
  • Canoeing
  • Dock, Boat
  • Fishing
  • Historic Sites
  • Kayaking
  • River/Stream
  • Scenic Driving Routes
  • Town
  • Water Access, Park Lake
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
    RV or Tent
    $8.93
    Pavilion
    $18.69
    Peak Season
    Jan 01 2025 -
    Dec 31 2025
    Tent Only
    $8.93
    RV or Tent
    $8.93
    Pavilion
    $18.69

    *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):
    27.78305, -81.44898
    27°46'59"N, 81°26'56"W

    From US highway 27 you will:
    Turn onto County Road 630A on left
    At stop sign turn to the left onto County Road 630 East
    Proceed through Frostproof, past the McDonald's, over the railroad tracks, then left onto Walk-In-The-Water Rd
    Follow Walk-In-The Water Rd, about ¼ mile after turning left to Walk In Water Primitive Campground
    Turn left onto entrance road (a shellrock road). You are now on the state forest and should arrive at Walk In Water Primitive Campground

    From SR 60 you will:
    Proceed on SR 60 through Lake Wales and turn right onto Walk-In-The Water Road - just past Jay-Bees Restaurant on left
    Proceed south on Walk-In-The Water Road about 4 miles
    Look for entrance road to Walk In Water Primitive Campground on right
    Turn right into Walk In Water Campground 6110 Walk-in-Water Road, Lake Whales, Fl. 33898
    Contact Information

    Mailing Address:

    Walk In the Water Campground 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; Call for local assistance after hours/emergency.

    Additional Information