Overview

Tiger Creek Preserve encompasses over 4,500 acres. It is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. Its name originates from the blackwater stream which crosses the preserve.

The diversity of hardwood swamps, hammocks, sandhill and oak scrub, and flatwoods habitats provide a home for many of the state’s rarest species, including the scrub lizard, scrub jay, pygmy tree, and the Florida bonamia. The trail traverses some slight elevations illustrating the xeric white sandhill landscape of the Lake Wales Ridge and one bridged creek crossing leading to the short Sand Pine Loop (aka the Patrick Creek Loop), an adventurous walk through a dense hammock with tall ferns.

The main portion of the trail is signposted as the Pfundstein Trail at the trailhead and as the Highland Loop for the loop portion in the high scrub. This portion of the trail best illustrates the desert-like scrub of the Lake Wales Ridge, some of the most ancient land in Florida. The trail makes many sudden twists and turns on and off of jeep roads, so be alert and follow the blazes.

This trail was built in the western portion of the preserve by the Florida Trail Association at the invitation of the owner, The Nature Conservancy. There are two additional trails in other parts of the preserve.

Map

Tiger Creek Preserve is located east of US 27 between Babson Park and Frostproof. From the north, via Babson Park Post Office on SR 17 (south of Lake Wales in Polk County), go 2 miles south to Murray Road, and turn left. Continue 2 miles to Pfundstein Road, and turn left. After 0.3 mile, the preserve entrance is on the left.

 Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey. 

Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc.

Trailheads

Park across from the trailhead kiosk and trail register on the entrance road. Do not block the road.

Features

Botanical

The highest concentration of rare and endangered plants in the United States  

Geologic

History

Lake Wales Ridge was once long thin islands, the only area of Florida above water in the Miocene era,

Conditions

The trail traverses the rolling hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, including some of the highest hills in the Florida peninsula. Most of the trail is out in the open in the desert-like scrub habitat.  

Precautions

Carry adequate water and follow the blazes carefully. The trail passes through several bayheads and pine flatwoods where the footpath may flood after a rain.

Restrictions

 Day use only. Vehicles, firearms, hunting, trapping and camping are not permitted.  

Resources

Tiger Creek Preserve

South 1 Loop Trails

50 Hikes in Central Florida

Hiker’s Guide to the Sunshine State