Fees
No Daily-Use Permit currently required.
Facilities
Amenities at Platt Branch include parking and a marked hiking trail with benches and overlooks.
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Red-cockaded Woodpecker
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Recreation
In support of the resource management goals and objectives for the area and to provide a quality experience for all area users, the following recreation activities are allowed:
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing is good year-round. Hikes along the area's loop trail take visitors through gopher tortoise and scrub-jay habitats, past seasonal wetlands that attract wading birds and unique plant communities such as cutthroat grass seeps. Red-cockaded woodpeckers make their home in the old-growth longleaf pine in the western portion of the area.
Hiking
Hiking is pleasant in the fall, winter, and spring. The 3.5-mile loop trail passes through oak scrub, pine flatwoods, seasonal wetlands and cutthroat grass seeps in the central portion of the area. Visitors may also hike on the unpaved service roads to reach the floodplain of Fisheating Creek and stands of mature pines with red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Public Access
Vehicles, bikes, and horses are not permitted on trails at Platt Branch. There is one entrance, with parking, to the public-use area. Possession of any animal is prohibited.
Location
Located in Highlands County, approximately 18 miles south of Lake Placid. From US 27: Turn west onto CR 17/Detjens Dairy Road. Continue approximately 2.25 miles to entrance on west side of road.
View a location map 
Nearest Cities/Towns
Lake Placid (18 miles north), Palmdale (9 miles south)
Persons with Disabilities