Lake June in Winter, Florida, USA

Also known as:  Lake June, Lake Stearns

Lake June in Winter, often referred to simply as Lake June, is a 3,504 acre freshwater lake in the Lake Placid area of south-central Florida. Formerly known as Lake Stearns, the multi-recreational lake is the second largest in Highlands County, Florida. In the early 1920s the Lake Childs Company was established in the town of Lake Stearns, FL in order to develop land in the area. The…
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    • All About Lake June in Winter, FL

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Florida - South Florida -

    Lake June in Winter, often referred to simply as Lake June, is a 3,504 acre freshwater lake in the Lake Placid area of south-central Florida. Formerly known as Lake Stearns, the multi-recreational lake is the second largest in Highlands County, Florida.

    In the early 1920s the Lake Childs Company was established in the town of Lake Stearns, FL in order to develop land in the area. The company was aided by Dr. Melvil Dewey, who owned the Lake Placid Club of New York and was looking to establish a Lake Placid Club South in the Lake Stearns area. He requested that the name of the town be changed to Lake Placid, and that two lakes in the area, Lake Childs and Lake Stearns, be renamed Lake Placid and Lake June in Winter respectively. Dewey had a summer home on Lake June in New York, and the lake in Florida was to be its winter counterpart.

    The water levels of Lake June in Winter are controlled by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Lake June’s overflow waters are released through Stearns Creek and into Jack Creek via a canal and water control structure built in the 1960s. The water is then received by Lake Francis.

    A large portion of the land adjacent to Lake June is used for residential development or citrus production. Three miles of the shoreline are claimed by Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park, an 845 acre park that offers glimpses of rare species of wildlife. Years ago the Lake Placid area was partially covered with water, leaving a few islands exposed. Plants and animals that evolved on the islands were different from mainland wildlife, and this evolution has been able to continue with careful preservation of certain areas including the park. It is a solitary escape for true nature lovers, offering very little in the way of facilities or resources. There is no running water but a composting toilet is available, and there is a picnic area with a shelter and tables but no grills. Visitors to the park can enjoy the trails of white sand and rare vegetation, with a chance of spotting a scrub lizard, gopher tortoise, bobcat, or even a bald eagle flying overhead. Two other parks on Lake June, Bishop Park and Lake June Park, offer public swimming areas, picnic areas and boat ramps.

    Visitors to Lake June can also enjoy the other sights and activities of the Lake Placid area. Lake June is just one of 27 freshwater lakes around Lake Placid. These lakes can range greatly in depth, offering diverse fish populations for anglers. The town of Lake Placid is known as the “Caladium Capital of the World” and even hosts a Caladium Festival every July. The town has so many murals gracing its buildings that it has earned another nickname, “Town of Murals.” There is also a museum in Lake Placid’s renovated railroad depot.

    The clear water and white sandy bottom of Lake June in Winter invite a heavy stream of boaters, swimmers and anglers. The area’s great weather and unique wildlife boost the appeal of Lake June, making it one of the most frequented lakes in the area.

    Things to Do at Lake June in Winter

    These are some activities in the Lake June in Winter, FL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • Museum
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake June in Winter

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    More Sites to Book a Lake June in Winter Vacation

    Our interactive Lake June in Winter lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake June in Winter Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Water Level Control: Southwest Florida Water Management District

    Surface Area: 3,700 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 75 feet

    Maximum Depth: 40 feet

    Drainage Area: 44 sq. miles

    Lake June in Winter Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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