🌤 Weather at Highlands Hammock State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55–89 °F | 71–92 °F | 58–90 °F | 49–76 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Avon Park 2 W, 9 mi away, elevation 154 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Highlands Hammock State Park is one of Florida’s oldest state parks, opened in 1931 and officially dedicated in 1935 — a living monument to the Civilian Conservation Corps and a refuge of old-growth cypress swamp, ancient hammock forest, and subtropical wildlife just minutes from Sebring. With elevated boardwalks winding through towering bald cypress draped in Spanish moss, alligators basking below, and a dedicated CCC Museum, Highlands Hammock offers an immersive journey into both Florida’s natural and cultural history.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Location | Sebring, Highlands County, Florida |
| Established | 1931 (public) / 1935 (official) |
| Distinction | One of Florida’s four original state parks |
| Key Feature | Old-growth cypress swamp boardwalk |
| CCC Museum | On-site museum of Civilian Conservation Corps history |
| Trails | 9 named trails (hiking, biking, equestrian) |
| Camping | Campground currently closed for renovation (check status) |
| Nearest City | Sebring, FL |
The Cypress Swamp Boardwalk
Highlands Hammock’s crown jewel is the elevated boardwalk through old-growth bald cypress swamp. Ancient trees tower overhead, festooned with Spanish moss, their buttressed roots plunging into black water. Below, alligators sun themselves while anhingas dry their wings and great blue herons stalk the shallows.
It’s one of the most atmospheric walks in Florida’s entire state park system.
CCC Heritage
The Civilian Conservation Corps (1934–1941) built much of Highlands Hammock’s infrastructure — trails, pavilions, and the iconic structures that remain in use today. The park’s CCC Museum documents the program’s enormous impact on Florida’s state parks and showcases Depression-era tools, photographs, and artifacts.
Trails
- Cypress Swamp Trail — elevated boardwalk through old-growth cypress (the must-do)
- Ancient Hammock Trail — hardwood hammock with massive live oaks
- Fern Garden Trail — lush tropical fern understory
- Young Hammock Trail — younger forest regeneration
- Big Oak Trail — features one of the park’s largest live oaks
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve Trail — longer backcountry hike
- Loop Road — 3-mile scenic drive/bike loop through the park
Wildlife
- American Alligator — regularly visible from the cypress boardwalk
- White-tailed Deer — often seen along the scenic loop road at dawn/dusk
- Anhinga & Great Blue Heron — wading in the swamp
- Barred Owl — calling from the hammock canopy
- Wild Turkey — roaming the upland areas
- Florida Black Bear — rare but present
Camping (2026 Status)
Note: The family campground and primitive wilderness campground are currently closed for renovation. Group and youth camps remain available for organized groups. Check the Florida State Parks website for reopening updates before planning an overnight visit.
Insider Tips
- Walk the Cypress Swamp boardwalk early morning — best light, most wildlife activity, fewer crowds
- Visit the CCC Museum — it’s small but fascinating, and helps you appreciate the park’s historic structures
- The Loop Road is excellent for cycling — flat, shaded, and scenic
- Winter (Dec-Mar) is peak season — pleasant temps, fewer mosquitoes
- Check campground status before planning overnight stays — renovations ongoing
Explore More Florida State Parks
Discover more in our Best State Parks in Florida guide, or use our Park Finder.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Highland Hammocks State Park (a short drive away) or Highland Hammock State Park (a short drive away).
⛺ Camping at Highlands Hammock State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Family campground: water/electric hookups, dump station, sites 20-50 ft long, max RV length 50 ft; 3 paved ADA sites near ADA restroom; max 8 people/2 tents per site; RV sites allow RV + 1 tent; no Wi-Fi in campground |
|---|---|
| Pets | Pets welcome within campgrounds and outdoor areas except trail boardwalks; 6-ft handheld leash required; not permitted on tram tour or in CCC museum |
| Reservations | reserve.floridastateparks.org or 800-326-3521/TDD 888-433-0287; up to 11 months in advance |
| Special sites | Primitive drive-to wilderness sites (no electric/water, solar outhouse near site 8). Primitive Group Camps 1 & 2, up to 25 campers each, no water/electric, picnic table, campfire circle, solar outhouse; youth groups book 11 months ahead, adult groups 30 days ahead; fees $1/youth/night, $5/adult/night |
| Season notes | Effective April 3, 2026: the Youth Camp is the only camping currently available at Highlands Hammock; all other camping (family campground, primitive, group) is currently unavailable |
Camping questions about Highlands Hammock State Park
Can you camp at Highlands Hammock State Park?
Family campground: water/electric hookups, dump station, sites 20-50 ft long, max RV length 50 ft; 3 paved ADA sites near ADA restroom; max 8 people/2 tents per site; RV sites allow RV + 1 tent; no Wi-Fi in campground.
How do you reserve a campsite at Highlands Hammock State Park?
reserve.floridastateparks.org or 800-326-3521/TDD 888-433-0287; up to 11 months in advance.
Are pets allowed at the Highlands Hammock State Park campground?
Pets welcome within campgrounds and outdoor areas except trail boardwalks; 6-ft handheld leash required; not permitted on tram tour or in CCC museum.
Source: floridastateparks.org (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Highlands Hammock State Park
Park policy: Dogs are welcome throughout the park's open-air areas and campsites, with the raised trail boardwalks as the one exception - alligators may be present in the wetlands those walkways cross. Pets also cannot ride the park's tram tour or go inside the CCC Museum. Plastic waste bags are stocked at the ranger station and at dispensers throughout the park.
- Pets allowed?
- Yes outdoors and in campgrounds, but not on boardwalks, tram tours or in the museum
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leashes may not exceed 6 feet; pets must be under physical control at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds, or in bathing areas — swimming pets can be viewed as prey by alligators.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in any state park buildings, cabins or cabin areas.
- Park-specific rules
- Service animals are welcome in all visitor use areas of the park except the historic catwalk on the Cypress Swamp Trail, which is closed to them for safety reasons.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited at several parks including Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs (free kennels at the entrance), Weeki Wachee Springs and Egmont Key; in campgrounds pets must be confined in the camping unit 11 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Dogs & wildlife
- Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge, per FWC's statewide alligator guidance.
Are dogs allowed at Highlands Hammock State Park?
Yes outdoors and in campgrounds, but not on boardwalks, tram tours or in the museum.
Beyond that, Florida’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via floridastateparks.org. More: Florida state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Highlands Hammock State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: The park describes itself as home to more rare and endemic species than any other Florida state park: deer, alligators and a variety of birds frequent the grounds, while Florida panthers and black bears pass quietly through the old-growth hammock. The elevated boardwalk on the Cypress Swamp Trail leads through the swamp to an open vista, and ranger-led tram tours are the park's recommended way to observe alligators in their natural habitat. In winter, visitors may see families of deer settling in at dusk and hear barred owls calling on evening walks.
Watch out for: Alligators live in the park's wetlands; per FWC statewide guidance, keep your distance, never feed them, and swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. Florida black bears also range through the hammock; FWC guidance is to give bears plenty of space, never approach them, and note that feeding bears or leaving out food that attracts them is illegal in Florida.
Are there bears at Highlands Hammock State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via floridastateparks.org.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Highlands Hammock State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
