Day Trip
Vacation Rentals Near Spook Hill
In Lake Wales, about a 35-40 minute drive southeast of Lakeland rentals.
About Spook Hill
Spook Hill in nearby Lake Wales is one of the country's oldest known gravity hills and the only recognized magnetic hill in Florida, even earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. Drivers pull up to a painted white line, shift into neutral, and watch their car seemingly roll backward uphill, an optical illusion created by the surrounding landscape. Local legend ties the effect to a Native American chief who battled a giant alligator on the spot. It makes a fun, free, only-in-Florida stop.
Highlights
Visitor Tips
- →Follow the painted white line and on-site instructions to set up the illusion correctly.
- →Go in daylight and watch for other curious drivers doing the same thing.
- →Combine the stop with nearby Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales for a fuller day trip.
Stays Near Spook Hill
South Lakeland Nature Cabin
2-bed cabin minutes from Circle B Bar Reserve's 12 miles of trails.
Lake Mirror Cottage
1920s cottage two blocks from Lake Mirror — walk to downtown dining and the market.
Dixieland Arts Bungalow
2-bed bungalow in Dixieland — galleries, Swan Brewing, and vintage shops on foot.
Lake Hollingsworth Retreat
3-bed on Lake Hollingsworth, steps from the 3-mile trail.