Main Page - Colt Creek State Park » Florida State Parks

One of Colt Creek's three beautiful fishing lakes.

Manager's Message

Greetings Everyone:

If you haven’t had the chance to take a ride on the wild side, be sure to join us the first Saturday of each month at 9am for a tram tour of Colt Creek. Our next tour is on December 5, 2009 and seats are still available. Reservations are required as seating is limited to 28 riders. The tram takes visitors on a guided tour of the park to explore its natural beauty and to discuss its history and what the future holds for Florida’s 160th State Park.

In anticipation of our next phase of development which will include a ranger station, entrance road, fitness trail, rental pavilions and fishing dock we have temporarily moved our trail head and re-aligned the trail away from the construction area. So be sure to pick up a revised trail map during your next visit if you are a trail user.

Be sure to join us on Saturday December 12, 2009 for our Kick-Off event of the Trek Ten Trails sponsored by Polk County's "Friends of the Parks" organization. Colt Creek State Park was one of 10 places (including Lake Kissimmee State Park) chosen to showcase trail opportunities throughout Polk County again this year. During the event folks will have the opportunity to go on a guided hike or a short tram tour of the property. If you would like more information about Trek Ten Trails and to download a fact sheet for any of highlighted trails please visit their website at http://www.friendsoftheparks.net/2010TrekTen.html.html.

On December 19th be sure to bring the kids out for a special event called Fishing with Santa. Yes we have invited Santa out to the park for a little bit of rest and relaxation before the big day. Join him and wet a line to see what you might catch from Mac Lake. This event is free with paid park admission of $3.00 per vehicle. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will have their fishing trailer on site and will provide poles, bait and tackle free of charge. Children ages 15 and under do not have to have a fishing license. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available for sale during the event which is scheduled to last from 10am to 2pm. This event is being co-sponsored by Crew 774 of Lakeland.

For more information about the park or any of our special events please feel free to give us a call at (863) 815-6761.

We hope to see you out at the park real soon.

Updated 11/11/09
- Scott Spaulding, Park Manager

Welcome to Colt Creek State Park

Purchased from the Overstreet Family in May of 2006, this 5067 acre park nestled within the Green Swamp Wilderness Area and named after one of the tributaries that flows through the property was opened to the public on January 20, 2007. For over 60 years this property was managed as a cattle ranch by the Overstreet family. Past activities on the land also included lime rock mining, timber harvesting, citrus production and turpentining. Comprised mainly of Pine Flatwoods, Cypress Domes and open pasture land, this piece of still pristine wilderness is home to many animal species including the American Bald Eagle, Sherman’s Fox Squirrel, Gopher Tortoise, White-Tail Deer, Wild Turkey and Bobcat. The park is currently equipped with a lime rock entrance road, grass parking area, wheel chair accessible restroom, informational kiosk, picnic pavilion and several picnic tables and grills. Visitors are invited to fish, picnic, and hike or ride their horses on over 12 miles of trails and enjoy nature study at its finest. Be sure to check out our activities page for more information.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Colt Creek State Park, please call (863) 815-6761.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

The park is located 16 miles north of Lakeland just south of the Withlacoochee River off of State Road 471. From I-4 take exit # 32 and proceed north on US 98 approximately 13 miles, turn right onto State Road 471. From I-75 take exit # 301 and proceed east on State Road 50 for approximately 13 miles, turn right onto State Road 471. The entrance to the park is 3.8 miles north of US 98 and 17 miles south of State Road 50.