Frequently Asked Questions about Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park

Question: Is there a boat ramp within the park?
Answer: Visitors may launch non-motorized boats (canoes/kayaks) from the park’s currently unimproved shoreline. Canoes may need to be carried/pulled for several hundred feet to access the water’s edge. All other watercraft should utilize the public boat ramp at H.L. Bishop Park, located on CR 621 about 2 miles west of US Highway 27.

Question: Can I drive my boat, Jet Ski, etc. up to the park boundary from Lake June?
Answer: The lake depth is quite shallow along the park’s nearly 3 miles of shoreline, necessitating boats to anchor off shore. For the protection of the park’s wetland habitats, all watercraft (including wave runners/jet skis) should remain off shore as well.

Question: Do I have to pay the honor fee if I access the park by boat?
Answer: All park visitors, regardless of access, must pay the honor fee upon arriving at the park. Please retain your stub in the event that entry surveys are conducted by park staff.

Question: May I hike off of designated trails and/or firelanes?
Answer: Due to the fragile nature of this ecosystem, all visitors are requested to remain on trails and/or firebreaks. Many of these rare species can be destroyed by trampling and/or off road vehicle traffic.

Question: Are there BBQ grills available?
Answer: Due to the arid nature of this ecosystem, BBQ grills are not provided. As wildfires are a concern here due to the pyrogenic nature of the plant life, all fires are prohibited.

Question: May I ride my all terrain vehicle (ATV) or dirt bike within the park?
Answer: ATV’s, dirt bikes, or other off road-type vehicles are prohibited within the park due to the fragility of this ecosystem. As the park is accessed by county roads, all local traffic rules apply to these types of vehicles.

Question: Is there anywhere to ride my bike or ride horses within the park?
Answer: Due to the nature of the deep sands in this habitat, and the fragility of the many rare plant species, these types of recreational use are not suited to this park environment.

Question: Are there campsites available at this park?
Answer: There are no campsites, running water, or flush toilets at this park. Please bring drinking water with you-a composting toilet and hand sanitizer is provided. Highlands Hammock State Park, located just 20 minutes away in Sebring, has 159 campsites with water and electric hookups and a sanitary dump station. Contact www.ReserveAmerica.com to inquire on availability or make reservations.

Question: Is there anywhere nearby to purchase drinking water, snacks, etc?
Answer: The town of Lake Placid, located about 15 minutes from Lake June Scrub, offers grocery, restaurants, and shopping. A "Spur mini mart/gas station” is located at the intersection of CR 621 (Miller Road) and Daffodil road, just 2 miles from the park entrance.

Question: Is there lodging nearby this park?
Answer: The historic town of Lake Placid is located just minutes from Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park and several hotels/motels are available. Contact the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce for more information at (863) 465-4331 or www.lpfla.com.

Question: Are there other areas of interest near this park?
Answer: The Archbold Biological Station, located south of Lake Placid, is a private research facility that conducts studies on this rare ecosystem in central Florida. Visitors are encouraged to view their webpage, which will offer information on their projects, activities, and opportunities available for visitors. www.archbold-station.org/abs/visitorinfo/visitor.htm

The town of Lake Placid is known internationally due to the nearly 40 building-sized murals found in the historic district. Each depicts a natural ecosystem, historic event, or cultural theme of this quaint central Florida town. Mural tours are offered at the town’s Chamber of Commerce, as are self-guiding mural tour books. You can reach the Lake Placid Mural Society at www.htn.net/lplacid/murals/murals.htm. Contact the Lake Placid Chamber at (863) 465-4331 or www.lpfla.com. Additional highlights in this town are the Tower Restaurant, which includes a 270-foot tower, offering 7-mile panoramic views of 27 freshwater lakes, citrus-covered hillsides, colorful caladiums, the lower portion of the Lake Wales Ridge, and the Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park. A variety of businesses operate from the Tower Plaza and the most delightful gift shop, the Goodness Gracious, is located next to the Tower itself. The tower is visible from the park’s lakefront, east of the parking area, and views of the park are seen from the heights of the tower. The Caladium Cooperative, located downtown on Main Street, offers hand-crafted work by local artisans and is well worth a visit.

Lake Placid is known as the Caladium Capitol of the World, as 95% of the world’s caladiums are grown here. These beautiful leaf plants, first imported from the Amazon River Valley of South America, are an important and thriving local industry. Annual festivals delight thousands with bulb sales and guided tours through the colorful caladium fields and packing houses. Bulbs currently occupy more than 1,300 acres and are shipped nationwide, as well as overseas to South Africa, Turkey, Spain, Pakistan and Europe. To view these colorful plants and more history on this interesting local industry see www.happinessfarms.com.

Question: Where can I get more information on birding at this park?
Answer: Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park is just one of many state properties that are included on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Birding guides for the Great Florida Birding Trail are available from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at www.floridabirdingtrail.com.