SEBRING — Residents and visitors from communities throughout the greater Heartland are invited to celebrate Memorial Day at Highlands Hammock State Park. Although the family campground is officially closed and undergoing major renovations, the park remains fully open for day visitation.

The Hammock Inn concession has transitioned to the spring/summer off- season schedule. Days and hours of operation are now limited to Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and holidays. Park tram tours are currently suspended until they resume in the fall. Special Trams and VIP Kubota Tours are available and may be reserved by calling the Hammock Inn at 863-402-0061. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum has also changed to an off-season schedule and is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Weekday school field trips and special group tours may be arranged in advance by calling the ranger station at 863-386-6094. 

The Memorial Day weekend is an ideal time to visit the park. Visitors may explore the park and enjoy the peace, quiet and beauty of our magnificent hammock. They may walk the trails beneath the towering oaks and cabbage palms, revisit the hard times of the Great Depression in the CCC Museum and enjoy a picnic under the shelter of a pavilion. Visitors are likely to spot gopher tortoises along the entrance drive and an alligator from the Cypress Swamp Trail boardwalk. Families of deer with newly arrived fawns are now commonly seen including a delightful calico. Bike rentals, ice, gift items, and Wild Orange ice cream are available at the Hammock Inn.  

On May 24, visitors are welcome attend a special program, ‘Built by the CCC:  America’s Favorite Parks’ at 2 p.m. on the Museum stage.  Join CCC Museum curator David Schmidt for a sweeping overview of CCC parks in all 48 states, their legacy in Alaska and Hawaii and learn why these parks are immediately recognizable as CCC parks due to their similarities in construction, design and materials. Although these parks vary greatly by geographic region and are well known for unique attractions such as historic battlefields, museums, or spectacular natural features, their similarities are certain to evoke nostalgia. They are  embedded in our childhood memories as well as our national history. Regardless of where you grew up, chances are your favorite park is a CCC park!  Park entry fees of $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons), $4 per single occupant vehicle and $2 for bicyclists and pedestrians apply. Highlands Hammock is located at 5931 Hammock Road in Sebring.