House in Polk County, FL
5 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
High-end valueWell priced for this area
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this house rental
The Howell's 1920s lakefront bungalow on Crooked Lake is an ideal family vacation spot in Babson Park, Florida. It's been lovingly restored and well-maintained for decades, with its most recent renovation in 2024. The owners have welcomed vacation renters for over 20 years, with many guests returning for 10+ consecutive years.
Spring-fed Crooked Lake is over 4,200 acres and is an "Outstanding Florida Water." Outstanding Florida Waters are rivers, lakes, and other water features designated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as "worthy of special protection because of their natural attributes." Outstanding Florida Waters have special restrictions on any new activities that would lower water quality or otherwise degrade the body of water.
Crooked Lake is an ideal lake for many water activities. Fishing for tournament bass and speckled perch (Florida Crappie) is a year-round sport. Boating, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skiing, water skiing, and kayaking are fun family activities. Watching stunning sunsets or simply relaxing on the white sandy beach are also options. Bring your own boat and watercraft. A cement boat launch is available on the property.
In a quiet private-home neighborhood along the Scenic Ridge Highway, our Bungalow offers comfortable space for 6: Living room with satellite TV, DVD, and DVR; Dining Room; fully equipped kitchen; Sunroom overlooking the lake with dining table and seating area; 3 bedrooms, and two full baths. The primary bedroom has a King bed and an adjoining bath with shower and tub. The lake-view bedroom offers a King bed, and the third bedroom has a queen bed.
Just off the sunroom with panoramic views of the lake, there is a spacious lakefront covered porch for reading your favorite novel, cooking on the gas grill, dining, and gathering in the comfortable seating area less than 40 steps from the water’s edge.
On the beach, you will find for your enjoyment a large tiki hut, a shaded hammock under the palm trees, Adirondack chairs, and two kayaks.
For bird watchers, we often see strolling sandhill cranes, soaring bald eagles and ospreys, colorful wood ducks, anhinga, herons, black-bellied whistling ducks, Florida mallards, herons, and other wildlife.
Local restaurants within 10 miles include:
The Coop (Comfort food), The Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern, L'incontro (fine Italian), Crazy Fish Bar & Grill (casual seafood), Manny's Chop House (steak house), Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak (on Lake Pierce), and Blue Palmetto Cafe at Bok Tower Gardens (quick bites),
Things to do within a one-hour drive include:
*Bok Tower Gardens
*Lake Kissimmee State Park
*Streamsong Golf, Dining and Spa
*Ridge Audubon Center and Museum
*Lake Wales History Center
*Polk Museum of Art
*Tiger Creek Preserve
*Legoland
*Circle B Bar Reserve
*Lake Myrtle Sports Center
*Florida Skydiving Center
*Webber International University
*Warner Southern College
Spring-fed Crooked Lake is over 4,200 acres and is an "Outstanding Florida Water." Outstanding Florida Waters are rivers, lakes, and other water features designated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as "worthy of special protection because of their natural attributes." Outstanding Florida Waters have special restrictions on any new activities that would lower water quality or otherwise degrade the body of water.
Crooked Lake is an ideal lake for many water activities. Fishing for tournament bass and speckled perch (Florida Crappie) is a year-round sport. Boating, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skiing, water skiing, and kayaking are fun family activities. Watching stunning sunsets or simply relaxing on the white sandy beach are also options. Bring your own boat and watercraft. A cement boat launch is available on the property.
In a quiet private-home neighborhood along the Scenic Ridge Highway, our Bungalow offers comfortable space for 6: Living room with satellite TV, DVD, and DVR; Dining Room; fully equipped kitchen; Sunroom overlooking the lake with dining table and seating area; 3 bedrooms, and two full baths. The primary bedroom has a King bed and an adjoining bath with shower and tub. The lake-view bedroom offers a King bed, and the third bedroom has a queen bed.
Just off the sunroom with panoramic views of the lake, there is a spacious lakefront covered porch for reading your favorite novel, cooking on the gas grill, dining, and gathering in the comfortable seating area less than 40 steps from the water’s edge.
On the beach, you will find for your enjoyment a large tiki hut, a shaded hammock under the palm trees, Adirondack chairs, and two kayaks.
For bird watchers, we often see strolling sandhill cranes, soaring bald eagles and ospreys, colorful wood ducks, anhinga, herons, black-bellied whistling ducks, Florida mallards, herons, and other wildlife.
Local restaurants within 10 miles include:
The Coop (Comfort food), The Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern, L'incontro (fine Italian), Crazy Fish Bar & Grill (casual seafood), Manny's Chop House (steak house), Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak (on Lake Pierce), and Blue Palmetto Cafe at Bok Tower Gardens (quick bites),
Things to do within a one-hour drive include:
*Bok Tower Gardens
*Lake Kissimmee State Park
*Streamsong Golf, Dining and Spa
*Ridge Audubon Center and Museum
*Lake Wales History Center
*Polk Museum of Art
*Tiger Creek Preserve
*Legoland
*Circle B Bar Reserve
*Lake Myrtle Sports Center
*Florida Skydiving Center
*Webber International University
*Warner Southern College
Amenities
Non-smoking
No pets allowed
Family friendly
Map of Polk County, FL
Ratings and reviews
Summary of reviewsGuests loved the well-equipped, clean cottage with beautiful lake views, welcoming hosts, and enjoyable activities like fishing and kayaking. They felt at home and plan to return for another stay!
10 / 10Outstanding·Jun 2026
Lovely time at the lake. The house was perfect for us and the view is dreamy. We had a wonderful time and would love to come back. We made some special memories.
10 / 10Outstanding·Jun 2026
A perfect home for our weekend stay. We were in town for a wedding and found the cottage to be the perfect place to stay. The relaxing views and very comfortable accommodations made our trip extra special. The host and communication was great. We did not have any issues at all. If any of us are ever in the area again this will be my first choice for a place to stay !
10 / 10Outstanding·Dec 2025
Jolene and Marty’s place could not have been a better experience. This charming cottage sits right on the lake with a beach and an absolutely beautiful view. Sitting on the porch or on the sand, you get the full experience. Jolene has provided everything you could want. We walked in the park in Lake Wales a few miles away, again beautiful place and friendly people. We ate at the Crooked Bass, great food!! We enjoyed meals on the deck after grilling out. Publix is a few short miles away for everything you need. We had the BEST experience. Come check out this place, you won’t be disappointed!!
10 / 10Outstanding·Jan 2024
Our family stayed at the cottage while visiting family in town. The cottage was better than expected! The bedrooms were comfortable and the kitchen well equiped. It was very clean and truthfully, I was a little worried about bugs....but we didn't see a single one!
Anything we forgot, we found avaliable in the cottage! The best part was sipping coffee on the back porch overlooking the lake each morning. Those sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking! I could get used to that! We will definitly be booking again!
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Top rated by guests
10Outstanding
(29 Ratings)
Guests loved the well-equipped, clean cottage with beautiful lake views, welcoming hosts, and enjoyable activities like fishing and kayaking. They felt at home and plan to return for another stay!
From real guest reviews summarized by AIDon't miss out! Price and availability may change
