Colt CreekBrochure |
Brochure of Colt Creek State Park in Florida - a paradise found in the heart of the Green Swamp. Published by Florida State Parks.
featured in
Florida Pocket Maps |
source
History & Nature
On May 31, 2006 this 5,067 acre parcel of
land was purchased from the Overstreet family
to become Florida’s 160th State Park. This
acquisition was a joint purchase between the
Southwest Florida Water Management District,
the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and Polk County Natural Resources
Division with the Florida Park Service taking
the role as the lead managing agency. The land
was primarily purchased for the important role it
plays within the floodplain of the Green Swamp
region since the water that flows off the property
eventually makes its way to four of Florida’s major
rivers including the Withlacoochee, Hillsborough,
Peace and Ocklawaha.
Charlie Mack and his brother Stanley Chick
Overstreet purchased the land from John Keen
in 1940. Eventually Charlie Mack purchased
his brother’s interest in the land and continued
to operate it as a cattle ranch along with his
son Mark. During their decades of ownership
the Overstreets used the land for beef cattle
production, silviculture (growing and harvesting
pine trees) and hunting.
In the 1990s the Overstreets engaged in a lime
rock mining operation which included the digging
of several large pits. In some places these pits
are 50 feet deep. In fact, they are deep enough
to reach the aquifer layer beneath the soil which
allows the water to flow through that soil and up
to the surface. As a result, the pits are now
natural-looking lakes which provide additional
habitat for numerous species of birds and aquatic
plants and animals.
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
Colt Creek State Park
16000 State Road 471
Lakeland, Florida 33809
(863) 815-6761
Central
Florida
Colt Creek
State Park
FloridaStateParks.org
Park Guidelines
Paradise found in the heart of the Green Swamp
• Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
• All plants, animals and park property are protected.
Collection, destruction or disturbance is prohibited.
• Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets
must be kept on a hand-held leash no longer than
six feet and well behaved at all times.
• Fishing, boating and fires are allowed in
designated areas only. A Florida fishing license
may be required.
• Intoxicants, fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
• Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger station.
• Adjacent properties allow hunting
• Canoe and kayak rentals are available.
• An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees
may apply.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park.
SM
FLORIDA
State Parks
Created on 11/14
National Gold Medal Winner
Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner”
Real Fun in
Metal Mark Pond
SM
Biking
Welcome to Colt Creek State Park. The park
offers over 12 miles of beautiful, multi-use trails
which make for great horse-back riding, hiking
and biking opportunities. These trails meander
through the pine flatwoods around cypress
domes, bottomland forest and past open pastures.
Three tributaries flow through the park including
Little Gator Creek, Gator Creek and the park’s
namesake Colt Creek.
While out on the trails you may come across
some native wildlife including Bald Eagle, Eastern
Bluebird, white-tailed deer, bobcat, river otter and
Sherman’s fox squirrel. During a year-long survey
for birds and butterflies in 2007, 150 bird species
and 79 butterfly species were observed. So be
sure to bring a camera along with you because
you never know what you might see.
A primitive youth camping area for organized
youth groups is available as well as a primitive
back-pack camp and a primitive equestrian
camp. The youth camp is accessible by vehicle
but the back-pack and equestrian camps are not.
Reservations are required.
Fishing is available at the three lakes between
the two picnic areas. Some of the species anglers
might catch include catfish, sunshine bass, bream,
bluegill, shell-cracker and largemouth bass.
Visitors may bank fish or use the fishing pier which
extends 75 feet out into Mac Lake. Small boats
may be hand launched but gas propelled motors
are prohibited.
Picnic pavilions, tables, grills and restrooms
are available in two different areas of the park.
The pavilions can be reserved by calling the
Ranger Station.
Birding
Camping-primitive
Camping-youth
Main
Entrance
Canoeing
Little
Lake
Fishing
N
W
E
S
Middle
Lake
Geo-seeking
Hiking
Mac Lake
SR 471
Mac Lake
Nature Trail
Service
Road
Horse Trail
Picnicking
Pavilions
Directions
Colt Creek State 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
U.S. 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.
N
W
E
S
N
W
E
S
Spur/Cross Trail
Orange Trail
US
98