The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge

This guide features a selection of 4 easy, family-friendly hiking routes. The broader Lake Wales Ridge region, encompassing areas like the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) and Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, offers many more opportunities for families to explore its unique landscapes.

The Lake Wales Ridge is known for its ancient sand ridge ecosystem, so you'll often find trails traversing unique scrub habitats with sandy paths and stunted trees. Other areas feature pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and even the edges of sinkhole lakes, providing a diverse and interesting experience for families.

While the trails themselves offer natural beauty, two of the routes in this guide, the Bok Tower Loop and the Bok Tower Exhibition – Café and Snack Restaurant loop, are located near the renowned Bok Tower Gardens. This is a fantastic family-friendly attraction with beautiful gardens, a carillon tower, and often educational programs.

The cooler, drier months from late fall through early spring (roughly November to April) are generally the most pleasant for hiking in the Lake Wales Ridge region. Temperatures are milder, and there's less humidity and fewer insects, making for a more comfortable family outing.

Dog policies vary by specific location within the broader Lake Wales Ridge area. While some state parks and wildlife areas may allow leashed dogs, it's always best to check the regulations for the specific trail or park you plan to visit beforehand to ensure a smooth family hike with your canine companion.

Yes, all the routes featured in this guide are circular, making them convenient for families. For example, the Lake Myrtle Park loop from Lake Myrtle offers a pleasant circular walk of just over 4 kilometers, perfect for a family stroll.

The Lake Wales Ridge is a biodiversity hotspot. Families might spot unique species like the Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, and various bird species. The region's diverse habitats, from scrub to pine flatwoods, support a wide array of fascinating creatures.

The trails in this guide are generally easy and relatively flat, making them suitable for families with young children. However, due to the sandy nature of some paths in the scrub habitats, sturdy strollers with larger wheels would be more appropriate than standard umbrella strollers. The paved sections around places like Bok Tower Gardens are more stroller-friendly.

Parking is typically available at the trailheads or designated access points for the various parks and preserves within the Lake Wales Ridge region. For routes like those near Bok Tower Gardens, there are dedicated parking facilities. For Lake Myrtle Park, parking is available at the park itself.

Absolutely! Beyond hiking, the broader Lake Wales Ridge region offers birdwatching, with many areas excellent for spotting diverse species. Some locations also provide opportunities for fishing, and designated firebreaks or roads may be suitable for bicycling, though deep sand can be a challenge in certain areas.

The Lake Wales Ridge is Florida's oldest natural system, an ancient sand dune system that remained above water when much of Florida was submerged. This geological history has led to the evolution of unique scrub habitats and a remarkable concentration of rare and endangered plants and animals, offering families a truly distinctive natural experience unlike anywhere else.