The best camping near Highlands Hammock State Park

This is one for wildlife lovers! With more rare and endangered species than any other Florida state park, animal sightings await around every tree at Highlands Hammock State Park. Look out for white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, and black bears from the Cypress Swamp boardwalk, take a tram ride to spot alligators along the South Canal, and spy raptors, songbirds, and wading birds around the wetlands. You might even spot a Florida panther slinking through the woodlands. After exploring the hiking trails, rent a bike to tackle the biking trail, visit the Florida Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, then check into the RV campground. Highlands Hammock Campground has water and electric hookups, and an on-site dump station. There are also several drive-in primitive campsites in the park’s wilderness.

1. You can reserve one of the RV campsites or primitive campsites at Highlands Hammock Campground via the Florida State Parks Reservation website. 
2. Florida residents can make campsite reservations 11 months in advance, while non-residents can make reservations 10 months in advance.
3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially over holiday weekends, so book at least three months in advance.

Florida’s summers can be hot, humid, and wet, and the trails can get muddy—fall, winter, and spring provide much better weather for hikers. Peak season runs from October through May, when ranger-led guided tours and campfire circles are held in the park, and tram tours run daily. Winter and spring are also great times for birding and wildlife watching.

• Highlands Hammock State Park is set seven miles west of Sebring, about a 15-minute drive. It can be reached in less than two hours from Orlando, Fort Myers, and Tampa.
• A day pass is required for Florida State Parks, and campsite booking fees also apply. 
• Facilities at Highlands Hammocks include a rentable amphitheatre and picnic pavilions, restrooms, picnic tables and grills, and a playground. Wifi is not available at the park.  
• There are accessible campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas at Highlands Hammocks State Park. The tram tours and CCC Museum are also accessible.
• Dogs are permitted at the state park but must be kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash at all times.