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Lake Wales Ridge - Planning Your Visit

Please note!

The bridge at the Lake Placid Scrub Unit is currently closed and the blue and green trails are inaccessible.

Helpful Information

Royce Scraped Scrub Fall Flowers

The most accessible areas of this WEA are the Lake Placid Scrub tract, the Carter Creek tract and the Royce Unit. All three have parking areas and trails. Hunting is permitted on the Royce Unit only. The most comfortable time to visit is during the winter. To see rare plants blooming, visit in late spring or early fall. However, some rare plants do flower during summer.

Get directions by selecting an entrance icon on the entrance finder map.

  • See the Royce Unit regulations summary brochure for hours of operation, public access and vehicle use guidelines specific to this unit.
  • For regulations regarding the Royce Unit Public Small Game Hunting Area, see  Royce Unit PSGHA regulations summary brochure.
  • Download trail map for Lake Placid Scrub Tract.
  • Dogs are permitted, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. Regulations regarding hunting dogs on Royce are found in the Royce Unit regulations summary brochure.
  • Restrooms are not available.
  • No Daily-Use Permit is required. To hunt or fish you must possess the appropriate license and permit.
  • During scheduled hunt days, all visitors are encouraged to wear a daylight fluorescent orange shirt, vest, jacket and/or hat.
  • The rules for horseback riding vary by location on Lake Wales Ridge WEA:

    Royce Unit

    Horseback riding is prohibited during all periods open to hunting. At other times during the year, horseback riding is allowed on the Royce Unit only on firebreaks and named and numbered roads.

    Lake Placid Scrub Tract and Carter Creek Tract

    Horseback riding is permitted in the western and central areas of the Lake Placid Scrub Tract and the southern portion of the Carter Creek Tract. Horseback riding requires a Special-Use Permit. Apply for the permit on FWC’s Special Use-Other Permit page. Permits are not approved at the same time of the application; please plan your trip accordingly and apply ahead of time. Horse trailer parking is available only at the Carter Creek Tract.

Calendar

Lake Wales Ridge - Royce Unit Hunt Calendar


View hunting seasons and dates and download a 'Year-at-a-Glance' calendar of hunt days on the area.