Despite its "primitive" designation, Arbuckle Primitive Hike In Campsites provides full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections at $8 per night. Located within Lake Wales Ridge State Forest near Frostproof, the campground requires reservations and allows both pets and campfires. Access roads can be rough, so campers should prepare accordingly.
The forested sites sit near both creek and lake water sources, with hiking trails available for exploration. Lake Arbuckle Park & Campground lies less than a mile northeast for those seeking additional amenities. The combination of full hookups with a natural forest setting makes this spot work well for RV campers who want utilities without sacrificing outdoor access.
Description
Arbuckle Primitive Hike-in Campsites are located on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, (Polk County) on the Arbuckle tract, approximately 44 miles SE of Lakeland, FL. It features 5 primitive campsites: Creekside, Grave Island, Hidden Hammock, Isabell and Lakeside. These primitive campsites are scattered throughout the Arbuckle tract and each has a picnic table and fire ring. There is no water or electricity available. All campsites are hike in only and require advanced registration. Recreational activities featured here are: fishing, hunting, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, scouting, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
Tent camping only at designated hike-in primitive campsites. All 5 hike-in Arbuckle primitive campsites require advanced reservation.
Primitive campsites may become flooded during wet periods within hike-in campsites. Contact LWRSF FFS Headquarters at 863-589-0545 for camping assistance. If cancellation is needed contact the Reserve America Call Center.
- Use "Leave No Trace" Principles - Plan Ahead and Prepare, Dispose of trash and litter properly-keep campsites clean, Minimize Campfire impacts-Clean fire ring after use, Respect Wildlife and Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Removal or destruction of cultural artifacts, plants or animals is prohibited.
- Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) and other unlicensed vehicles are prohibited on the forest.
- CAUTION: Bears/Raccoons/Etc. frequent the area. Please store food appropriately for safety.
- Please bring your own drinking water, campsites have no potable water.
- Fires are permitted only within fire rings within primitive campsites.
- Pets must be on a leash, maximum 10 feet, at all times.
It is recommended that all hiking or other recreational users wear Day-Glo orange during hunt seasons. See FWC WMA hunting information in kiosks on state forest for Arbuckle WMA.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Drought conditions continue to worsen, and numerous Florida counties have implemented burn bans. State Forest campgrounds within counties under a burn ban are subject to the same restrictions, which may affect your camping experience. Please check the Burn Ban Public Dashboard and plan accordingly before making a reservation.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundArbuckle Primitive Hike In Campsites — Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is located in Florida
Directions
From US highway 27 you will: Turn left onto County Road 630A At stop sign turn to the left onto County Road 630 East. Proceed east through Frostproof, past the McDonald's, over the railroad tracks, then turn right onto Lake Reedy Blvd. Follow Lake Reedy Blvd (around lake), then keep going until one mile after passing Blue Jordan Rd (on left) you will turn left onto Lake Arbuckle Rd. Turn right onto Rucks Dairy Rd (a paved road). You are now on the state forest (north Arbuckle tract). After driving about a mile down Rucks Dairy Rd you will go over the bridge over Livingston Creek. \*The road splits here, turn to the left onto School Bus Rd. If you take the road to the left you will be on School Bus Rd. which is the main road in the Arbuckle Tract. Creekside, Lakeside, and Hidden Hammock primitive campsites may be accessed from hiking trails (Florida Trail System Loop Trail) from parking areas or service roads located off of School Bus Rd. Grave Island primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail entrance from Rucks Dairy Rd that crosses over Livingston Creek. Isabell primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail closest to Tram Rd from south Arbuckle. Contact Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Headquarters for closest access roads or trails for camping at these campsites. From SR 60 you will: Turn right onto County Road 630 East Proceed west on County Road 630 East until reaching Walk In Water Road/Blue Jordan Road, then turn left. After turning left onto Blue Jordan Road, proceed to stop light and turn left onto Lake Reedy Blvd. Follow Lake Reedy Blvd, about one mile after the blinking yellow light you will turn left onto Lake Arbuckle Rd. Turn right onto Rucks Dairy Rd (a paved road). You are now on the state forest (north Arbuckle tract). After driving about a mile down Rucks Dairy Rd you will go over the bridge over Livingston Creek. \*The road splits here, turn to the left onto School Bus Rd. If you take the road to the left you will be on School Bus Rd. which is the main road in the Arbuckle Tract. Creekside, Lakeside, and Hidden Hammock primitive campsites may be accessed from hiking trails (Florida Trail System Loop Trail) from parking areas or service roads located off of School Bus Rd. Grave Island primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail entrance from Rucks Dairy Rd that crosses over Livingston Creek. Isabell primitive campsite may be accessed off of hiking trail closest to Tram Rd from south Arbuckle. Contact Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Headquarters for closest access roads or trails for camping at these campsites.
Address
851 COUNTY ROAD 630 EAST
Frostproof, FL 33843
Coordinates
27.712610962010945 N
81.42926924628432 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
