Highlands County Parks and Recreation

This is a great County found in South Central Florida that has lots of options for finding outdoor activities for you and your family. Take a hike, dive for a foul ball, and take your board out to Highlands to have a great afternoon in the Florida breeze.

The Preserves at Sun‘N’Lake
This expansive, 1,350 acre natural area is managed for wildlife and non-vehicle recreational activities. Some of the passive activities found at the Sun’N’Lake include fishing, hiking, wildlife/wildland photography, bird watching, and off-road biking. This preserve is also featured in The Great Florida Birding Trail brochure. Visitors can commonly witness red-shouldered hawks, great crested flycatchers, and eastern bluebirds. Florida Panthers are also known residents. Three fishing platforms have been added to the preserve to provide even more locations from which to fish from shore. The entrance to the park provides trail maps to help navigate the preserve’s extensive trails.
The Multi Sports Complex
This facility consists of fifty-two acres of land catered to individual, competitive, and other team sports. Five adult lighted softball fields are the main draw, in addition to two soccer fields, one football field, and one practice field. All of these fields are available for rental by teams, groups, and individuals. Baseball and women’s sports are also accommodated. Local league play and tournament are held year round.
Charlie Brown Park
This fantastically named park has huge playground with extensive slides and climbing areas. The skatepark is another great draw, with lots of ramps all in an enclosed, safe place for kids to practice. Tennis courts are also present on site, along with pavilions to find some shade and maybe a place to have a snack or party.
Highlands County has wonderful outdoor resources that cater to outdoor recreation of all kinds. Parks, sport complexes, and nature reserves all are available to make planning a day in the sunshine as an easy a decision as they come.