Major city · United States
Frostproof
Skip as a base: a 3,000-person citrus town worth 2–3 hours on a Scenic Highway 17 drive, or one night if you are working the Lake Wales Ridge trails.
Frostproof is a small town in southeastern Polk County, Florida, on State Road 17 between Lake Wales and Sebring, a couple of miles east of U.S. 27. The name was a marketing claim about frost that the 1894 freeze disproved. There is a restored 1920s movie theater, a wildflower gallery and a handful of lakes, but the real draw is the Lake Wales Ridge scrub and state forest east of town, which need a car. Most travellers pass through in half a day; hikers and RVers stay longer.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, afternoon storms), Sep–Oct (hurricane season peak)
- Airports
- MCO · TPA · LAL
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Frostproof911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Polk County Sheriff (non-emergency)+1 863-635-7863
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Frostproof, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow street-crime risk in a town this size; the real hazards are heat, lightning…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 863-635-7863 Polk County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCO Orlando International (About 1 h by car via U.S.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the town is small, but the trails, boat ramps and state forest are outside it and rural roads have no shoulder and a…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Street or quick mealBreakfast or lunch plate$10–18
- Metro or bus rideWHAT bus single ride (adult)No free transfers; seniors 65+ and disabled $0.75, under 7 free with an adult.$1.50
- Budget bedRV site with hookups, a night, per roomUS$40
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel or lodge room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$145 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCO Orlando International (About 1 h by car via U.S. 27 and I-4; the nearest airport with full commercial service.) · TPA Tampa International (About 1 h 30 min by car.) · LAL Lakeland Linder Regional (No scheduled commercial flights; check before planning around it.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Frostproof: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the town is small, but the trails, boat ramps and state forest are outside it and rural roads have no shoulder and a 55 mph limit. WHAT Route 35 links Frostproof north to Babson Park, Lake Wales and Eagle Ridge Mall, but it is impractical for moving around town. Taxis serve all of Polk County.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20–30 min
U.S. 27 north or S.R. 17 north by car; WHAT Route 35 by bus
Closest town with real choice of beds, food and the Bok Tower area.
Door to door: About 35–45 min
U.S. 27 south by car
Nearest Amtrak stop (SBG) on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes.
Door to door: About 45–60 min by car
U.S. 27 north, then S.R. 60 west; or WHAT Route 35 to Eagle Ridge Mall then Route 30
Chain of Lakes and Legoland; bus route needs a transfer and no free transfers apply.
Fort Meade
goDoor to door: About 25–30 min
U.S. 98 west by car
Oldest town in Polk County; pairs well with the S.R. 17 drive.
Door to door: About 1 h
U.S. 98 north, then I-4 east by car
Better as a separate base than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
In town (Wall Street / S.R. 17)
Walkable main street with the theater and gallery; very few beds, so book ahead or stay in Lake Wales.
Lake Reedy and U.S. 27 corridor
Lodging and RV resorts south and west of town; car needed for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$145 | US$290 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| WHAT bus day pass2 × US$3 · check | US$6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$301 per person per day, bed included | US$601 |
Very few rooms in town; check Lake Wales or Winter Haven if full.
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before Florida sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Breakfast or lunch plate | $10–18 |
| Burger and ice cream | $8–15 |
| WHAT bus single ride (adult)No free transfers; seniors 65+ and disabled $0.75, under 7 free with an adult. | $1.50 |
| WHAT day passGood for 24 hours from activation. | $3 adult / $1.50 senior or disabled |
| Gasoline, per galloncheck | $3.00–3.60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer thunderstorms build fast along the ridge: lightning, 50 mph winds and small tornadoes are possible, and temperatures can drop 20°F in minutes.
- Hurricanes have crossed Polk County before (three in 2004): check forecasts if travelling Aug–Oct.
- Rural roads have no shoulder and a 55 mph limit: do not plan to bike them.
- Cell coverage and services thin out east of town: carry water and tell someone your route.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Polk County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- +1 863-635-7863
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
FrostproofFrostproof
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Polk County Sheriff (non-emergency)+1 863-635-7863
Embassy
No consulates in Frostproof; nearest are in Orlando, Tampa and Miami (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- WHAT Route 35, Frostproof → Lake Wales: $1.50 adult, no free transfer (check)
- WHAT day pass: $3 adult, 24 hours from activation (check)
- Taxi across Polk County: metered; ask the total before you sit (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is there a fee? — Is there a fee?
- How far to U.S. 27? — How far to U.S. 27?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the park open now? — Is the park open now?
- Call me a taxi, please — Call me a taxi, please
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Frostproof. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, afternoon storms), Sep–Oct (hurricane season peak) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares