7. Colt Creek State Park - August 30, 2009

Fun fact- Colt Creek State Park is not only the closest park to Tom's house, but it is also the newest state park in the system! In May of 2006, the park system, in conjunction with Polk County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, bought the land from the Overstreet family. Therefore, much of the park was undeveloped, but we were able to speak to a park ranger and learn of their plans.

Currently, the park is $3.00 a carload for entry (bring cash because you have to put the money in a box). There are a few nicely sized lakes to walk around. You can fish in these lakes, but I wouldn't say they are big enough for recreational canoeing. There were other guests riding their bike around the lake or walking their pets. There is about 10 more miles of trails, though the one we attempted to go down was flooded. There were benches around the lake, but they were also flooded. It would be a very nice place to take a horse, as the trails are considered equestrian. There is youth camping (like Boy Scouts) but no regular or primitive camping.

To obtain our stamp, we had to call the cell number of the park ranger. I did feel bad about this, but we needed our stamp! The park specialist drove up in her jeep to help us. We also asked her questions about the park, and learned that they have filed for permits to pave the trail around the lake and build a nice ranger station - the current one is temporary. Once the ranger station is built they are hoping to rent out the canoes and kayaks they already own. There are also more long term plans of building campsites and backpacking trails.

I enjoyed going to this park because for the first time we saw not what a park was, but what it has the ability to be. Seeing the development of a park first hand like that will be beneficial to Tom as he persues his park ranger/Americorps dream. Happily, he did put in his application to volunteer at the park!

Til next time,

The camping bug