• Located in Central Florida, Highlands County occupies the southern end of the Lake Wales Ridge, a 100-mile-long range of sandhills, scrub, and freshwater lakes.
• Once a group of prehistoric islands, the County is home to dozens of rare species of plants and animals.
• Wildlife, including alligators, deer, and wild hogs, can be observed in different parts of the County.
• Birds, including scrub jays, swallow tailed kites, bald eagles, osprey, and sandhill cranes, all in their native habitat, can be seen and heard.
• Highlands County boasts 95 freshwater lakes which provide excellent boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities, including bass fishing on world renowned Lake Istokpoga.
• The county has extensive bikeways, including several routes through the very beautiful and popular Highlands Hammock State Park, as well as routes from 10 to 100 miles long on other scenic roads..
• There are hiking and equestrian trails in the State Park and on the grounds of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Archbold Biological Station, the Avon Park Air Force Range, and the Royce Preserve--all large conservation management areas, including thousands of acres.
• The County's Blueways, Greenways, Trails and Bikeways Comprehensive Master Plan, completed in 2002, calls for expanding and connecting these trails, thus making all of them more accessible to county residents and to tourists.

Highlands County has a population of 87,000. Sebring, with a population of 10,000, is the largest municipality and the county seat. Other municipalities include Avon Park and Lake Placid. Agriculture-principally citrus, dairy farming, and cattle ranching-and tourism are the primary industries.

Like other counties in Florida, Highlands has begun to experience increased population growth, land development, and traffic. This is part of what led concerned citizens to form the Ridge Trails Association to protect the natural environment, prevent the loss of open space, and enhance opportunities for recreational activities, and for enjoying nature and the great outdoors.

Istokpoga Parks' Boat Basin