HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK

By Mike Miller May 25, 2025

OVERVIEW

Highlands Hammock State Park, located in Sebring, Florida, spans 9,000 acres. It’s one of Florida’s oldest state parks, opened in 1931.

The park features diverse ecosystems, including old-growth hammocks, cypress swamps, and pine flatwoods.

Visitors can explore trails, spot wildlife, and learn about the park’s history at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum.

Highlands Hammock State Park

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Local citizens pushed to preserve Highlands Hammock in 1931 to prevent its conversion to farmland. Margaret Roebling, connected to the Brooklyn Bridge family, donated funds to secure the land.

The park became one of Florida’s first state parks in 1935. During the Great Depression, the CCC built trails, pavilions, and a botanical garden.

Their work shaped the park’s infrastructure. In 2018, Highlands Hammock was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

VISITING DETAILS

The park is at 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33872. It’s four miles west of Sebring, off U.S. 27. It’s open daily from 8 am to sunset.

Visitors can hike nine trails, bike a three-mile loop, or take a tram tour for a guided experience. The Cypress Swamp Trail, with its elevated boardwalk, may still be closed for repairs.

Bring water and sun protection for trails. Pets are allowed but must be leashed.

The family campground is closed for renovations until further notice, but primitive camping is available. Check with the ranger station for accessibility details.

INTERESTING FACTS

The park has more rare and endemic species than any other Florida state park.
Some oak trees are over 1,000 years old, with one possibly the largest in Florida.
Fossils of mastodons and giant tortoises were found here in the 1930s.
The CCC Museum is housed in a building constructed by the CCC in the 1930s.
The park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, hosting species like red-shouldered hawks and swallow-tailed kites.
A tram tour offers access to restricted areas for close-up wildlife viewing.
The park’s name, “hammock,” comes from a Native American term meaning “shady place.”