Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Located in central Florida along the ancient Lake Wales Ridge, the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge preserves fragmented parcels of dry sandhill and scrub habitat that are home to numerous rare, endemic, and endangered species. Established in 1993, the refuge consists of several non-contiguous tracts totaling approximately 2,896 acres, strategically protecting crucial remnants of this globally rare ecosystem. The refuge spans portions of Polk and Highlands counties and includes some of the highest elevations in peninsular Florida. The area was once part of a prehistoric island chain, which explains its unique biodiversity. The refuge supports rare plants like the federally endangered Lake Wales Ridge scrub lupine and wildlife including the Florida scrub-jay, sand skink, and bluetail mole skink. Visitors to the refuge have opportunities to hike on short interpretive trails crossing sandy scrub and pine flatwoods, where they can observe these unique plant and animal communities. Due to the refuge’s primary focus on conservation, recreational amenities are minimal, and visitation is generally low, offering a quiet experience for wildlife viewing, photography, and natural history study. The refuge plays a crucial role in preserving isolated scrub habitats increasingly threatened by development and fire exclusion. Access is limited, and visitors are encouraged to contact refuge staff in advance for information about guided tours or special events. Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge complements adjacent state preserves and conservation lands in safeguarding this one-of-a-kind ecosystem, making it a valuable destination for those interested in Florida’s natural heritage and rare species.
