The Winter Haven Chain Of Lakes is a very popular boating destination for people even outside of the area.
Browse all homes for sale on the Winter Haven Chain Of Lakes.
The South Chain is the most popular, and includes the following lakes, in order from most northern to most southern.
Starting at the Top of the map
Lake Jessie
Lake Jessie is home to Jack Browns Seaplane Base, which is connected to the Winter Haven Airport. Lake Jessies is just shy of 190 acres, and is connected to Lake Idylwild at its South East side. It has mostly single family homes around its shores, but the North East side is Airport land. Lake Jessie is a dead end.
Lake Idylwild
Lake Idylwild is just under 100 acres of water, and connects Lake Jessie, Lake Hartridge, and Lake Cannon. The Moose Lodge is located on the South side bordering the Lake Cannon canal. To the West is the Canal to Lake Hartridge.
Lake Hartridge
Lake Hartridge covers nearly 430 acres and has the Winter Haven Airport to its west. There are some condos on Lake Hartridge, but the majority of its shoreline is Single Family homes. The Locks to the North Chain are on the North East side of the lake, but more on the North Chain in another post. There is a public boat ramp on the South West side of the lake, south of the canal.
Lake Cannon
Lake Cannon is covers roughly 333 acres and there is a public boat ramp on W Lake Cannon Drive on its West side. The lake is mostly residential lakefront homes, however Casarena Townhomes are located on the North Side. There is a canal on the East Side to Lake Mirror and Spring Lake.
Lake Mirror
Lake Mirror is a smaller lake at 130 acres, and the bridge to it from Lake cannon is very low so use caution. Ben DeHaven grew up on lake Mirror and spent plenty of time on the chain of lakes. Lake Mirror is almost completely single family homes, with a small parcel that will likely one day be developed into apartments or townhomes on its North East side.
Spring Lake
Spring lake is the smallest on the chain at only 24 acres, and is home to a very popular 55+ Community of condos Spring Lake Towers. There are only two homes on the lake as most of it borders 6th Street. Spring Lake is a dead end.
Lake Howard
Lake Howard is a popular lake due to Old Man Franks being located on its South side, offering a dock for boaters to stop in for food and drinks. They also have live music on the weekends. It is mostly residental single family homes around its shores. Lake Howard covers 624 acres and has two canals, one to Lake Cannon and the southern one to Lake May. There is a small boat ramp on its East side with 4 parking spots. It also has the South Lake Howard Nature Park on its South East corner.
Lake May
Lake May is a small but busy lake. On its canal from Lake Howard is Carribean Bay and a bait and tackle shop. On the lake is Tanners Lakeside, a very popular destination for boaters where they have food and live entertainment and music. There is also Twisted Prop on the North East corner, another bar and grill that provides live music on the weekends. Lake may is also home to Marine Supply, which offers boat storage and sales. They are also the only location on the lake that sells fuel. There are a few canals on the East side of the lake that do not go to another lake, but more single family canal front homes. Lake May leads to Lake Ship via its South canal.
Lake Shipp
Lake Shipp is a medium size lake at 276 acres, and is where most people launch their boats. There is the William G Roe boat ramp on the East Side and the Lake Shipp boat ramp and park on the West side. For dining there is Harborside, on the southern shore, right next to the canal leading to Lake Lulu.
Lake Lulu
Lake Lulu is a 315 acre lake with homes and condos on its North side, and vacant land/wetlands on its South side. There is a canal on the South West corner that you can navigate but it is a dead end and is the overflow to Peace Creek that eventually flows into the Peace River. On the North east side is the canal to Lake Roy, and on the East is the canal to Lake Eloise. Lake Lulu residents have placed a slalom course on its south east side for the skiers. There is no public boat ramp here.
Lake Roy
The Canal to Lake Roy is the longest on the South Chain, and covers roughly 75 acres. There is a boat ramp in the South East side of the lake. Lake Roy is a dead end.
Lake Eloise
Lake Eloise is one of the best known lakes in the area. It is home to Legoland and the Legoland Water Park. You can catch the Ski Show at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00 daily, weather permitting. Aside from Legoland Lake Eloise is all single family homes, and some of the most expensive in the area! Lake Eloise covers 1174 acres and is typically 10-18 feet deep. Lake Eloise leads to Lake Summit on the North East corner, and Lake Winterset on the South East side. On the south side is Little Lake Eloise, but it is just a smaller part of the larger lake.
Lake Summit
Lake Summit is a smaller lake, but is home to a boat ramp on its western side that offers deeper draft and t-top boats access to Lake Eloise and Lake Winterset, depending on water height. It has Legoland Waterpark on its South East side, but other than that is all single family homes.
Lake Winterset
Lake Winterset is Ben's personal favorite lake as it is spring fed and more clear than the others. On the weekends many boaters gather here to raft up and enjoy the beautiful weather. Lake Winterset is 556 acres and has both single family homes and townhomes around its shores. Some of the most expensive neighborhoods in Winter Haven are here. Renaissance is one great example. At the South East side of Winterset is Little Lake Winterset, a secret that Ben doesn't want you to tell anyone, because that's where you'll find on the weekends, hanging with friends and family. Lake Winterset does not have a public boat ramp, and is the end of the South Chain.
If you are wanting to buy a home on the Chain Of Lakes in Winter Haven, give Ben a call at 863-333-5053 to go over your needs!