Recreation & Leisure

One of the advantages of living and working in the Lake Wales area is the wide variety of parks and facilities for leisure activities. The City of Lake Wales maintains 110 acres of parks and community recreational facilities --all for you to enjoy.

Lake Wales Family YMCA

YMCA membership offers co-educational facilities and activities for groups or individuals of all ages. The "Y" is located on a 10-acre site, one block west of the entrance to Bok Tower Sanctuary, on Burns Avenue. Many YMCA programs are open to the general public. The "Y" also sponsors daycare and after-school programs, and has a large meeting room with food facilities. For additional information, visit www.ymca.net

Florida Skydiving Center

A spectacular way to view the lakes and hills of the Lake Wales area is from the sky. Located at the Lake Wales Airport, the Florida Skydiving Center is the host for many world record sky-diving events and offers expert training for novices or aficionados of this breathtaking sport. Spectators are welcome to enjoy jumps and landings from the ground. For additional information, please visit www.floridaskydiving.com/

Lake Kissimmee State Park

Lake Kissimmee State Park, east of Lake Wales, consists of more than 5,000 acres, bordered by Lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. The lakes, flood plain prairies, marshes, and pine, Flatwoods form scenic panoramas where wildlife like white-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and turkeys can live safe from harm and be enjoyed by visitors. The park also offers thirteen miles of hiking trails, picnic facilities, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and nature study. Swimming, hunting, livestock grazing, and timber removal is not permitted. Tours are provided during limited hours.

The Great Outdoors

The Ridge Audubon Center and Nature Trail in Babson Park, six miles south of Lake Wales, is owned by the, Florida Audubon Society and has been a hub of local nature and conservation activity for many years.

Tiger Creek Nature Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy, is a 4,400 acre biological treasure located about twelve miles south of Lake Wales. Tiger Creek meanders from springs south of Highway 60, through sand hills and swamps that have changed little since the native Indians paused there on overland trips. Some ten miles of the creek and its riverine forest are protected by the nature preserve.

All manner of water sports are popular in the Lake Wales area --particularly fishing-- and boat rentals and fishing packages are available at a number of locations. Bass are a popular local catch, but other species are also readily caught, including crappie, catfish, pike, bream, perch, and more. Visitors should note that a fishing license is required for those between 15 and 65 years of age. The license can be obtained through most area sporting goods stores or bait and tackle shops. For more information on lakes & fishing, please visit www.myFwc.com

Visit the City of Lake Wales website for more information about City sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce for information about area facilities open to the public.