Located at 14020 Hwy. 60 E., Lake Wales, SUMICA is the largest of Polk County’s Environmental Lands and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 4,000 acres along the shore of Lake Weohyakapka, SUMICA offers stunning landscapes of pine flatwoods, scenic marshes, and shaded oak hammocks—perfect for hiking, biking, or nature photography.
Climb the former railroad bed that rises six feet above the land for a beautiful view of the countryside. Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding trails, picnic areas, and a primitive campsite for an immersive nature experience.
The name SUMICA stands for Société Universelle Mining Industrie, Commerce et Agriculture, a French company that once harvested timber here. Founded in 1917, the town of SUMICA thrived on lumbering and turpentine before disappearing in 1927. Today, this preserved land protects valuable ecosystems and cultural history, serving as a modern-day tribute to Florida’s natural heritage.
