The Florida Forest Service offers camping discounts for individuals age 65 and older, active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans, and for individuals 100% disabled at applicable camping facilities on Florida's State Forests. If you qualify for any of these discounts, please call the Reserve America Call Center at (877) 879-3859 and provide the appropriate document number (e.g., driver's license number; military ID number) to have the documentation added and your profile updated. Once this is complete, your discount will automatically apply upon checkout. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to verify documentation provided to Reserve America.
Important Notice:
Drought conditions continue to worsen, and numerous Florida counties have implemented burn bans. State Forest campgrounds within counties under a burn ban are subject to the same restrictions, which may affect your camping experience. Please check the Burn Ban Public Dashboard and plan accordingly before making a reservation.
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: Drought conditions continue to worsen, and numerous Florida counties have implemented burn bans. State Forest campgrounds within counties under a burn ban are subject to the same restrictions, which may affect your camping experience. Please check the Burn Ban Public Dashboard and plan accordingly before making a reservation.
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Walk In the Water 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
13 Ratings
Walk in the Water Hike-in Primitive Campsites are 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 2 Hike-in only primitive campsites: Black Bear and Wood Duck campsites, both along the Big ...
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Camping
Description
Walk in the Water Hike-in Primitive Campsites are 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 2 Hike-in only primitive campsites: Black Bear and Wood Duck campsites, both along the Big Bay Trail. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. There is no water or electricity available. Both campsites are hike in only and require advanced registration. Recreational activities featured here are: hunting, scouting, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing 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 Click Here. 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:

Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring.

Primitive campsite access is hike-in only to each primitive campsite from Big Bay Trail or service roads on Walk In the Water tract. Campsite parking is primarily located at Big Bay Trailhead located off of County Road 630 East. See kiosks at trailheads and campground on Walk In the Water tract for information.

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:

SCRUB JAY LOOP AND BIG BAY HIKING TRAILS ON WALK IN THE WATER TRACT
WALK IN THE WATER CAMPGROUND LOCATED OFF WALK IN THE WATER ROAD
REEDY CREEK CAMPGROUND I ON ARBUCKLE TRACT
REEDY CREEK II HUNT CAMP AND PAVILION
ARBUCKLE TRAIL AND NATURE/CABIN LOOP HIKING TRAIL ARBUCKLE TRACT
MCLEAN CABIN DAY USE AREA ON ARBUCKLE
WALK IN THE WATER 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

Services & Amenities:

Within Park
  • Bird Watching
  • Camping, Backcountry
  • Camping, Primitive
  • Fire Rings
  • Fishing
  • Fishing, River/Stream
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Difficult
  • Hiking Moderate
  • Hiking Trail
  • Historic Sites
  • Jogging/Running
  • Kiosk
  • Office/Ranger Station
  • Parking
  • Photography
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicing
  • Recreation Programs
  • River/Stream
  • Trailhead
  • Trails, Hiking, Difficult
  • Trails, Hiking, Moderate
  • Trails, Hiking/Walking, Easy
  • Walking
  • Water Access, River / Stream
  • Wildflower Viewing
  • Wildlife Viewing
Alerts and Important Information
  • Tent camping only at designated Hike-in only primitive campsites. Each Hike-in primitive campsite requires advanced reservation on Walk In the Water tract.
  • Located off the Big Bay Trail, Walk in the Water tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. During wet periods, campsites may become flooded or impacted from site conditions. Contact LWRSF FFS Headquarters for camping assistance at 863-589-0545. For cancellations, contact the Reserve America Call Center.
  • 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
  • Removal or destruction of cultural artifacts, plants or animals is prohibited.
  • Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) and other unlicensed vehicles are prohibited on the forest.
  • CAUTION: Bears/Raccoons/Etc. frequent the area. Please store food appropriately for safety.
  • Please bring your own drinking water, campsites have no potable water.
  • Fires are permitted only in the fire rings.
  • Pets must be on a leash, maximum 10 feet, at all times.
  • It is recommended that all hiking and other recreational users wear Day-Glo orange during hunt seasons. See FWC Walk In the Water WMA hunting information in kiosks on the state forest.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Walk In the Water 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