Scott Fais, Florida On A Tankful
Are you tired of the traffic and the long commute?
Not too far away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you can escape and get lost in Florida's vast eco-system – more than 100,000 acres of the Green Swamp.
"You can bicycle, equestrian friendly areas, or horse friendly areas, a lot of hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing," said Eric Sutton, the assistant director of the Land Resources Department for the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
But don't be surprised if you don't come across another sole in this corner of Polk County. The Green Swamp spans several counties.
The beauty of the land is the main attraction here.
But it's also what you don't see that impacts us all.
"Underneath is what's really important and that's aquifer. This serves as the recharge for all of the Bay area and more drinking water," said Sutton.
The aquifer is the source of Florida's clean drinking water. Sutton says without natural spaces like the Green Swamp the state's drinking water would be in jeopardy.
"You have to protect not just the wetlands, but the uplands that filter them and provide the drinking water," said Sutton.
Spending time in nature means going without something else.
“There aren't a whole lot of facilities, except the beautiful ones around you," said Sutton.
Are you allowed to run behind a tree if you have to go?
"No comment,” said Sutton, with a laugh.
But there are accommodations for the entire family, and someone else.
"I try to come out every weekend if I can," said Mary Hession, a camper.
Hession and other equestrian lovers are welcome to bring their friends and stay overnight at the Green Swamp campground.
"You can come up upon a lot of things when you are riding horses because it is quiet. Owls, coyotes, deer, lots of deer, and it is beautiful out here. And the peace and quiet that you find. And you don't find that in the city," said Hession.
Camping reservations must be made in advance so that the Southwest Florida Water Management District can send you a pin number to unlock the gate.
For more weekend travel adventures with our Scott Fais, check out Central Florida On Demand at no extra cost. Visit channel 300 on your digital cable, select Entertainment/Travel and then scroll over to Florida on a Tankful.
The Green Swamp
What:
110,000 acres of untouched and reclaimed natural Florida
Where:
North of Lakeland, East of Zephyrhills
Polk County
Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset
Overnight camping 7 days a week
Phone:
Call the Southwest Florida Water Management District
Brooksville Office (352) 796-7211, ext. 4470
Address:
Corner of Rock Ridge Road and Deen Still Road in Polk County, northwest of Lakeland and west of Zephyrhills.
Approximately 10 miles northeast of U.S. 98. (Mapquest.com and google.com maps to this address: 14980 Rock Ridge, Lakeland, Polk, Florida, United States)
Longitude & Latitude:
(28.283823966106382, -81.9635009765625)
Parking:
Free
Admission:
Day Visitors: Free
Overnight Campers: Free
Web site:
Interactive Site
Dial-Up Site
Central Florida Directions:
Expect a 1 hour, 15 minute drive from the Orlando Area.
Be ready for a drive where you ask yourself, “Did I do this right?”
Take I-4 West towards Tampa.
After Fantasy of Flight, keep an eye out for the Lakeland exit 35A.
Jump on U.S. 98 North.
Travel 10 minutes past the strip malls and chain stores to more rural areas. Come to the intersection of Rock Ridge Road. Turn right.
Travel northeast for 10 minutes. When the road takes a HARD right turn, you’re there (I missed it twice). Keep an eye open. The sign is brown and set back from the road.