Bare Hiking in Lake Marion Wildlife Management Area

DeLorme Florida Atlas and Gazeteer page 85 grid C3 Geocaching ID GCNZDN

Lake Marion management area is between Haines City and Poinciana, just off Polk County Road 580. There are three parking areas north of CR 580. The trails I am describing are off the eastern area. (Not the one near the big radio tower.)

Hunting is allowed, and during hunting season, people drive in and out. I would strongly recommend against trying to hike nude then. You won't be able to camp during hunting season, either.

Outside of hunting season, it is a foot-acess only area. There is a main jeep trail, with side trails. About 2 miles in from the parking area is a campsite with a picnic table.


The campsite

A few hundred feet east of the campsite is the Hucklberry Island geocache (ID # GCNZDN). Most of John Q. Public would never walk in that far. Neither would most geocachers, based on the number of geocaches in urban areas vs geocaches in natural areas.

About 1/3 mile south from the campsite is is a stream you can boil or chemically treat for drinking, or douse yourself with to clean up or cool off (it's not really deep enough for skinny dipping).

You have to call for a camping permit 10 days ahead of time (800-250-4250). Because of this, you are certain of having the campsite to yourself for naturist camping.

I have found that in warm weather, you're not likely to meet other hikers. The hiking may be mundane (jeep trail), but at least you can plan on doing it naturally (or au natural-ly).

There is a substantial set of side trails off the main jeep trail, and I have yet to hike them all. The campsite is just South of the center of the area. If you set up camp, and put up a bear-bag for your food, you can take a small day-pack with water and snacks and thoroughly explore the area. It might take you a few visits to see it all.

As with Hidden Pond and Green Swamp West, all my backpacking and camping here have been naked.


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