The best part about Highlands Hammock State Park was the boardwalks, especially on the cypress swamp trail. The first section has lovely corner benches which is followed by a narrow section with only one railing that keeps your shoes dry, but lets you feel a part of the swamp. The unofficial Florida Hikes trail report described sour orange milkshakes from the concession stand in the park. We walked under some wild citrus trees, but all we found listed at the perhaps open restaurant was standard park lunch fair. Perhaps those are seasonal. Several old oak trees were also noted as attractions on the park maps, but these seemed mostly to be large, knarled, dead stumps.

It was Thanksgiving weekend and there were quite a few people, especially later in the day. Though close to civilization, the route that google recommended was over a longish washboardy dirt road. The primary entrance (at the far side of the park relative to us) was paved, but had oddly painted lane lines and speed humps which left it really unclear where especially eastbound traffic was expected to be.

Mike was having more luck with the wildlife. The rest are his. He also converted these pictures for the blog.