Skip to main content
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility
    • FAQs
    • Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Camping & Lodging
  • Find a Park
  • Learn
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Programs
    • Research & Collecting
  • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Search
  • Camping & Lodging
  • Shop

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Find a Park
Two cormorants perched on a wooden post by the lake

Colt Creek State Park

more than 5,000 acres of native Central Florida habitat

Hours

8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year

Fees

$4 per vehicle

See all fees

Location

16000 State Road 471
Lakeland FL 33809

Get directions

Contact Info

863-815-6761

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
  • Glamping
  • Events
  • History
Make a Reservation Download Park Map

Welcome to Colt Creek State Park

Colt Creek State Park includes more than 5,000 acres of native Central Florida habitat, a place to explore the natural communities and wildlife that make our park special.


Pay Online, Single-Use Day Pass

Composed of large strands of longleaf pine flatwoods, lakes and winding creeks, thick cypress domes and open vistas, Colt Creek State Park is home to many species of plant and animal. Native residents include bald eagles, white-tailed deer, American alligators, otters, and many birds and butterflies. Notably, we are home to threatened species such as the gopher tortoise and the Sherman’s fox squirrel.

Visitors can enjoy more than 15 miles of multiuse trails, shared by hikers, bicyclist and those riding horseback, that meander through the pine flatwoods and natural creeks and wetlands. Park lakes afford views of wading birds and alligators, as well as offer a place for anglers to cast their line from the lake's edge or from our 75-foot accessible dock. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent at the ranger station.

We offer several different kinds of camping experiences, including primitive campsites, an equestrian campground and a group campground.

Pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis or may be reserved ahead of your special event. Our pavilions are perfect for family reunions, birthday parties, weddings, corporate events and many other events that bring people together in an open-air environment. Access to restrooms, lakes and trails are close-by to pavilions.

We offer a variety of educational interpretive programs including ranger-guided hikes, tram tours and special events.

Plan Your Visit

A park ranger in class A uniform posing in front of greenery
Learn

Manager's Message

If a tranquil getaway is just what you need, visit us at Colt Creek State Park and experience why Florida State Parks are ...the Real Florida.
Glamping tent at Colt Creek State Park.
Service

Glamping at Colt Creek State Park

Luxury camping is available year-round!
Equestrian Colt Creek
Learn

Horseback Riding at Colt Creek

The park offers 15 miles of multi-use trails that takes riders and their horses through mesic flatwoods and hydric hammocks, over creeks and streams, and past three lakes.
aerial photo of mac lake, the dock, and kayak/canoe rentals
Learn

Paddling at Colt Creek

Experience the beauty of Colt Creek State Park from the water with a paddling trip on our lakes that encompass over 36 acres.
A young boy skips along the grassy trail.
Learn

Hiking at Colt Creek State Park

Bring your hiking shoes to experience the solitude and tranquility of Colt Creek.
Great blue heron wading in the lake.
Learn

Birding at Colt Creek State Park

Bring your binoculars and your life list! Birding is terrific at Colt Creek State Park.

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Birding
Birding
Camping
Camping
Camping
Camping
Camping Equestrian
Camping Equestrian
Camping Primitive
Camping Primitive
Camping, Primitive Group
Camping, Primitive Group
Fishing
Fishing
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Hiking
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding
Paddling
Paddling
Picnicking
Picnicking
Reunions and Gatherings
Reunions and Gatherings
Weddings
Weddings
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Boat Ramp
Boat Ramp
Campfire Circles
Campfire Circles
Campgrounds
Campgrounds
Dump Station
Dump Station
Equestrian Trail
Equestrian Trail
Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion
Recycling
Recycling
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities
RV
RV
Shower Station
Shower Station

Colt Creek State Park Photo Gallery

30 Tree Swallows at Colt Creek
Palamedes Swallowtail on a Fewflower Milkweed at Colt Creek
RV Camping at Colt Creek
Canoes and Kayaks at Mac Lake
Fox squirrel on a pine tree
Groundbreaking Colt Creek
Five wooden picnic tables at Colt Creek
Three bucks at Colt Creek
Blanket of saw palmetto on the ground and pine trees
Learn

Mesic Flatwood Restoration

Mesic flatwoods are one of the most prominent natural communities at Colt Creek State Park, characterized by an open canopy of longleaf or slash pine and a dense, low ground layer of low shrubs, grasses and forbs.
Swampy area at Colt Creek
Learn

Hydrological Restoration at Colt Creek

Colt Creek is working with its partners to restore waterways back to their original state.

People Make the Parks

Elijah Filsinger

Staff Spotlight

Elijah enjoyed spending time at the park so much that he made it a career.
Gary Ellison

Volunteer Spotlight

Gary Ellison is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of Year Award for Maintenance.
Friends of Colt Creek State Park

Friends of Colt Creek State Park

Friends Groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. They share one thing in common – passion for parks.

Park Map

More Places You Might Like

See all parks
Withlacoochee Trail end at Gulf of Mexico

Withlacoochee Bay Trail

The Withlacoochee Bay Trail traverses 5 miles west from the Felburn Park Trailhead to the Gulf of Mexico along the southern side of the former Cross Florida Barge Canal.

10201 N. Suncoast Blvd.
Crystal River FL 34428

Hontoon Island State Park

Hontoon Island State Park

Enjoy a lush, remote island accessible only by boat and spend a relaxing day hiking, boating, fishing and exploring. Located in the St. Johns River in Volusia County.

2309 River Ridge Road
DeLand FL 32720

Trail Bridge over water

Dunnellon Trail

The 2.4-mile-long paved Dunnellon multi-use trail is sited primarily along a historic railroad bed that runs along the Rainbow River south of County Road 484 and the Blue Run Park and tubers take-out.

1239 W. Withlacoochee Trail
Dunnellon FL 34434

Florida State Parks

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility
    • FAQs
    • Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Camping & Lodging
  • Find a Park
  • Learn
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Programs
    • Research & Collecting
  • Get Involved
  • Events

Have Questions?

Contact the Statewide Information Line:

(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:

FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • You Tube
© Copyright 2024 © Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Customer Survey
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Login