Colt Creek State Park is located In central Florida, halfway between Orlando and Tampa, right north of Lakeland off of State Road 471. Colt Creek State Park includes more than 5,000 acres of native Central Florida habitat, comprising large strands of longleaf pine flatwoods, lakes and winding creeks, thick cypress domes and open vistas. Different kinds of camping experiences are available including primitive campsites. Although the park closes at sunset, the Imperial Polk Astronomical Society (https://polkastro.org) occasionally hosts star parties at the site where visitors are allowed for a nominal fee. The area has been described as rural and good for stargazing, with some the darkest skies in Central Florida.
Deborah Byrd
View Articles
About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.