Lake Road

Trail Overview

Lake Road is located within the Hilochee Wildlife Management Area (WMA), extends into both Polk and Lake Counties. The Hilochee WMA is a 10,000+ acre WMA that is part of the Green Swamp ecosystem and water quality management system. Hilochee is a short drive from Lakeland, Clermont, and several major theme park areas. Hilochee is open to public recreational use year-round; however, this is limited to travel by foot, bicycle, or horse. This requires a day-use permit, which is $3 per person or $6 per vehicle. Access by motor vehicle is limited to those who possess the WMA-specific fishing permit or hunting quota permit, along with the state WMA permit. Individuals having one fishing permit may access the WMA on Saturdays and Sundays and during periods open to hunting. Those having quota hunt permits may access the area one day before the designated hunt period and during the period of the hunting period awarded. Fishing permits are free and may be obtained by calling the Southwest Regional Office at (863) 648-3200. The majority of the trail can be navigated by low-clearance 2WD vehicles. This trail travels through longleaf pine sandhills, upland hardwoods, herbaceous wetlands, pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and floodplain swamps. There are several lakes, and the opportunity to spot wildlife is very good.

Photos of Lake Road

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Difficulty

The trail is a rock/shell and dirt road that is mostly evenly graded with some minor rutting and potholes. Due to the limited access into the WMA, most of the trail is single vehicle wide with grass and dirt shoulder areas.

History

The following history is from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website: "Many of the upland portions of Hilochee were once planted in citrus, although this part of the state is susceptible to devastating freezes. Soon after the last major freeze in 1985, many acres of frozen groves were converted to slash pine plantations. Other portions of the area have been used for cattle ranching, hay fields, sod farms, vegetable production, and sand or clay mining. Much of the cypress was logged out in recent decades, although now there is some regeneration. Acquisition began in 1995 and has continued with the purchases of additional parcels, including the Osprey Unit in 2000/2001. Funds for acquisition came from the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program under the Green Swamp Carl Project, Preservation 2000, and the Florida Forever Program. The WMA falls within the Green Swamp Florida Forever Project (GSFFP), a larger area encompassing nearly 279,224 acres of cypress swamps, pine forests, citrus groves, mines, and pastures."

Technical Rating

Lake Road can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV