The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes offers visitors lots of paddling options on its multiple connecting lakes that are completely surrounded by urban development. While the lakes do not offer lots of natural scenery or wildlife viewing, they do offer plenty of water to get out and explore with the opportunity to customize paddling trips of varying distances. This trip starts from access on Lake Shipp and follows the chain of lakes north through Lake May up to Lake Howard and back. The chain of lakes continues in both directions off of Lake Howard and Lake Shipp giving paddlers the option of extending their trip or exploring different lakes if desired. The lakes are surrounded by lots of private property so be sure to launch and land at public access sites.