second time hunting at the mid Florida ranch with. Mark and his guides.great experience in a…read morerelaxed safe inviroment. both times my grand son shot a hog. not a crowded area we had the hunting area to ourselves would recommend this hunt to any one . no hassles like I have found elsewhere, direct attention to your successful hunt.try them .

Had an awesome hunt at Mid Florida Ranch. Mark was an awesome guide who knows what he's doing and…read moreput us on the hogs. Already booked our next trip in 2 months. Can't wait to come back and make those memories that last a lifetime. I killed 6 hogs in 3hrs. Between the 4 of us that went, we killed 9 hogs in total in one evening. This place is the real deal

I've paddled the Emerald Cut a few times now. Initially I didn't like the idea of paying to launch…read moremy own paddleboard. However, it's only $10 now that I have my own life jacket (saving me additional cost of $5 to use one of theirs, as required). Well worth the low cost for some soul-enriching, communing with nature. I have never made a reservation. I normally arrive around 10:30, most recently on a Friday. Parked for free on Baptist Camp Rd. Just a bit of a walk from there with my inflated paddleboard, but I don't mind the extra exercise. You can unload your stuff closer, if preferable. There are port-a-potties available. You can count on there being a line in the check-in office. Various recreation supplies are available there for purchase. The process moves reasonably enough. A reservation will guarantee your entrance, however, and possibly aide quicker personal info collection. I always plan to do the Emerald Cut in roughly 3 hours round-trip, allowing myself several stops to enjoy the surroundings. You do run into (quite literally at times) novice paddlers along the way, which can be a bit tricky, yet not a real nuisance for me. In general, there's friendliness along the waterway. Slighty rowdy, party vibes in some spots, but also opportunities for solace and zen in various nooks. Encountering wildlife, fragrant elderberry, and other captivating flora along this stretch is always gratifying. It's a popular recreation destination for good reason.

Many tourists don't realize Florida is home to stunning crystal-clear spring rivers--perfect for…read moreswimming, kayaking, and tubing aka "hidden gems". My Hubby and I love kayaking, so we booked an excursion months in advance for Rock Springs through TripAdvisor. Our Tour Operator was Get Up And Go Kayaking located at Kings Landing in Apopka, FL. I LOVE saying Apopka ;) The good news: Apopka is a quick 1 hour drive from Orlando. Make sure you don't miss the turn to King's Landing, because the entrance is located on a narrow dirt road. You must drive past Kelly Park (which fills up fast). There is a Park Ranger located here who will guide you to King's Landing. As you get closer and if you see a parking spot, grab it! Check in is located in the Cabin like office where you will have to sign a waiver. If you do not want to take a clear bottom, guided Kayak tour, you can either rent or BYO Kayak versus taking a semi private, clear, guided kayak tour. NOTE: ONLY use their Sunscreen/lotion which is provided at no cost. It protects the wildlife and the Springs. We wanted the full experience as we have previously enjoyed renting clear Kayaks. Our guide for the morning was: Megan, who was fantastic! Full of energy, information and helpful tidbits about the Springs and its human and wildlife inhabitants. Our group was small and capped at 10. We paddled through both narrow and open stretches, and stopped to swim in the warm, crystal-clear water. One highlight was a banyan tree with an 8-foot natural "jump hole"--such a cool experience! It was a serene, memorable day, and fun fact: this is the very spring featured in the Visit Orlando commercials! Yeah, definitely take a day away from crowded Orlando to relax and enjoy Mother Nature! You will Thank Me ;)

-- Recreational Boaters Alert! -…read more Floridians like their boats and that's certainly true in Highlands County as we have over 100 lakes! This boat ramp is very popular and a bit special and here's why- * It's directly off US Route 27 North between Avon Park and Sebring so it's ridiculously easy to access. *It has picnic tables shaded by a small pavilion. * It has an unusual and very nice T-shaped fishing dock so you can easily fish from the shore with folk's love! See my pictures. *It even has a Little Free Library so you can grab a book if the fish aren't biting. Pro Tip- Avoid the Mexican restaurant at the site as there are many better options minutes away! Just check Yelp and my reviews. This lake is relatively small at just under 200 acres, but it's packed with bass and crappie and the fishermen love it! Pro Tip- 12lb bass have ben caught at this lake! If you are in the area with your boat or just want to do some fine freshwater shore fishing, you could have a great day here!