Taking an action packed, outdoor oriented vacation to Central Florida is one way to explore the state without your typical visit to theme parks. With camping, hiking, fishing and golf resorts, Central Florida is a great vacation or day trip destination for the active person.
Regional Information
Located between Tampa and Orlando is the central, or lakes region, of Florida. This area of the state is primarily made up of Polk County. Because of its location, getting to your destination is easy with access to several airports, rail lines and lodging.
Polk County weather is similar to other areas of the state, so be prepared for hot, humid days in the summer with a few thunderstorms. The best times to travel are in the spring and fall as you will have a temperate climate perfect for your outdoor activity of choice.
Hiking
Polk County offers over 125 miles of hiking trails, so there is a trail out there no matter what distance or difficulty you might want.
If you are looking for an interactive experience, the Trek 10 Trails program is a good place to start. This guided tour takes you through 10 trails on guided walking tours over the span of the year. If you are a resident or frequent visitor, you can pick up a passport to track each guided walk you complete.
For vacationers, exploring the Audubon Trails or deep woods through the state parks is more accessible. The Street Audubon Nature Center in Winter Haven offers hiking trails to Lake Ned and a butterfly garden.
For a deep woods or state park experience, the best place to go is Lake Kissimmee State Park. The Gobbler Ridge, Buster Islands and North Loop Trails each take approximately three hours to complete, so whether you are looking to spend one morning or the full day hiking, Lake Kissimmee offers a challenge combined with spectacular natural surroundings.
Fishing
Central Florida tourism is well known for its fishing destinations. Fresh water fishing is available throughout the region; many places are encompassed within RV parks or campgrounds. Lake Juliana Boating and Lodge in Auburndale offers 2,100 acres of fresh water fishing with RV hookups or fully furnished cottages with up to three bedrooms.
The Southern Outdoorsman Guide Service based out of Indian Lake Estates offers four- and six-hour Large Mouth Bass excursions run by licensed U.S. Coastguard Captains. Finally, the Grape Hammock Fish Camp located in Lake Kissimmee offers boat rentals, airboat tours, RV hookups and cabins to rent along the Kissimmee River.
Resorts and Excursions
If you are looking for something out of the box, Central Florida hosts some unique opportunities to experience the great outdoors in new ways. Alligator Cove Excursions out of Lake Wales offers a boat tour designed to expose you to the infamous alligator. The Westgate River Ranch Resort offers horseback riding lessons, trail rides, skeet shooting, and a rodeo. Finally, if you've wanted to try water sports but aren't sure you know what you are doing, Barefoot, Inc. in Winter Haven offers vacation lodging for anyone wanting to learn wake boarding, water skiing and barefoot lessons.
Golf
With some of the best weather, Central Florida offers year-round golf courses and resorts. VisitCentralFlorida offers a list of must-play courses in the region.
Southern Dunes in Haines City offers a wide range of difficulty varying by hole and has hosted several qualifying rounds for the U.S. Open. This course is highly novice-friendly with five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels.
The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland is a semi-private club with six sets of tees and has hosted well-known professionals such as Lee Janzen. This course is recommended for play between October-December since it is less crowded.
Also in Lakeland is the Golf Club at Bridgewater. Open since 2007, this is a new course that offers rough close in nature to traditional Scottish courses, so this is not as beginner-friendly as other courses.
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