The Florida Department of Environmental Protection offers free admission to all state parks on Thursday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.
There are a number of state parks in the area that offer a variety of day-use experiences from hiking steep sandhills on the Lake Wales Ridge to walking along a boardwalk in a cypress swamp. Some also include campgrounds.
If you happen to be in an area without a lot of urban light pollution and a clear night sky, Veterans Day also coincides with the peak time for the Taurid meteor shower.
Area state parks include:
Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, was constructed by the workers employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression. Facilities include a museum honoring the CCC, boardwalk, hiking trails and a campground.
Lake Kissimmee State Park, 14248 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, features a 19th century cow camp commemorating the days of Florida’s open range, hiking trails, a marina that provides access to Lake Kissimmee and Lake Rosalie and a campground.
Colt Creek State Park, 16000 State Road 471, Lakeland, contains hiking and horseback trails, an artificial lake for fishing and kayaking and a campground.
Payne Creek Historic State Park, 888 Lake Branch Road, Bowling Green, contains hiking trail, a boat ramp and a museum.
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, 4335 Firetower Road, Haines City contains a network of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park, 630 Daffodil St., Lake Placid, contains hiking trails.
Lake Louisa State Park, 7305 U.S. 27 Clermont, contains hiking, mountain bike and equestrian trails, campgrounds, bicycle and kayak rentals and cabins.
If you visit state parks often, consider getting an annual pass. Veterans receive a 25 percent discount.