Ridge Scenic Highway keeps Polk County on higher ground
The Ridge Scenic Highway follows the Lake Wales Ridge, where hills, lakes, citrus country, old towns, Bok Tower, and SR 17 make Central Florida feel less flat.
Central Florida is not all flat road and subdivision exits.
The Ridge Scenic Highway follows the Lake Wales Ridge in Polk County. Florida Scenic Highways describes it as a 39-mile byway along SR 17 and US 17, running through places tied to Frostproof, Lake Wales, Dundee, Lake Hamilton, Haines City, lakes, citrus fields, natural areas, and older town centers.
That makes the drive useful for understanding the middle of the state. The ridge is higher ground, and the road feels different from interstate Florida. You see lakes, groves, hills, older streets, and stops that make Polk County feel like its own place instead of a pass-through between Tampa and Orlando.
Bok Tower Gardens is one of the best-known anchors near the route, but the smaller views matter too. A curve, a lake edge, a grove road, or an old downtown can explain the area better than a fast highway sign.
Check the current map, road work, attraction hours, and town stops before you go. The route works best as a slow drive with a few planned pauses.
Where to see it
The Ridge Scenic Highway along SR 17 and US 17 through Polk County, including Frostproof, Lake Wales, Dundee, Lake Hamilton, and Haines City. Check current maps, road work, attraction hours, and small-town stops before driving the full corridor.
Place paths
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Helpful context
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 27, 2026.
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