Polk County Walking Trails

This is Part IV (sort of…) of a list of great things to do that are free(!) or nearly there in the villa area. See Part I here, and Part II here.
Part III presents details on Osceola County Nature Trails.

You may think us boring, but one of the things we love to do is simply go for walks and explore any area we find ourselves in. Central Florida provides great opportunities to do this, with many incredible and fascinating places to take a leisurely (or even more difficult) stroll, and see sights, learn things, or simply relax. Enjoy this list of Polk County’s nearby Walking Paths. While the villas are located in Polk county, it is in the North East corner of the county, so some of these may be a bit of a jaunt away but are well worth the trip to reach them!

Banana Lake Park
5002 Tillery Road, Lakeland, FL 33812
Banana Lake Park is located in the West Central part of Lakeland. It sits on 10 acres of land. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

ADA Accessible Trails

Bank-Pier Fishing

Boat Launching Site

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Tables

Playground

Christina Park
625 County Road 540-A, Lakeland, FL 33813
Christina Park is located in South Lakeland. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ADA Accessible Trails
Baseball Fields
Leagues
Pavilion
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Tables
Playground
Restrooms
Softball Fields

Circle B Bar Reserve
4399 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL 33803
Circle B Bar Reserve is located in the West Central part of Lakeland. It sits on 1,267 acre(s) of land. Its current hours of operations are from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More Information about Circle B Bar Reserve
ADA Accessible Trails
Biking/Cycling
Nature Center
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Crooked Lake Prairie
Crooked Lake Prairie, Babson Park, FL 33827
Crooked Lake Prairie is located in the Southeast part of Lake Wales. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
More Information about Crooked Lake Prairie
Bank-Pier Fishing
Picnic Tables
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Crooked Lake Sandhill
Crooked Lake Prairie, Babson Park, FL 33827
Crooked Lake Sandhill is located in the East Central part of Lake Wales. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
More Information about Crooked Lake Sandhill
Picnic Tables
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Fort Fraser Trail
County Road 540 and U.S. 98, Lakeland, FL 33812
Fort Fraser Trail is located in the West Central part of Bartow. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ADA Accessible Trails
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Walking Paths/Trails

Gator Creek Reserve
9725 U.S. 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809
Gator Creek Reserve is located in the West Central part of Lakeland. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ADA Accessible Trails
Biking/Cycling
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Hickory Lake Scrub
1658 Scenic Highway, Frostproof, Fl. 33843
Hickory Lake Scrub is located in the Southeast part of Frostproof. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
More Information about Hickory Lake Scrub
Walking Paths/Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Lake Blue Boat Park and Ramp
N. Lake Blue Drive, Auburndale, FL 33823
Lake Blue Boat Park and Ramp is located in the West Central part of Auburndale. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ADA Accessible Trails
Boat Ramp
Bank/Pier Fishing
Open Play Area
Parking
Picnic Tables
Walking Paths/Trails

Lake Gibson Park
4901 Lake Gibson Park, Lakeland, FL 33809
Lake Gibson Park is located in Northwest Lakeland. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Boat Launching Site
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables

Lake Marion Creek/Stokes
Travel about five miles east of Haines City on County Road 580 to Lake Marion Creek Road and turn east. Grassy parking area and entrance is on south side of road Haines City, FL 33844
Lake Marion Creek/Stokes is in East Central part of Haines City/Lake Hamilton. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Tables
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Lakeland Highlands Scrub
6998 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL 33813
Lakeland Highlands Scrub is in South Lakeland. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Biking / Cycling
Picnic Shelters
Walking Paths/Trails
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Wildlife Viewing

Mosaic Peace River Park
2200 County Road 640 (Homeland-Garfield Road), Bartow, FL 33830
Formerly known as IMC-Agrico Peace River Park, Mosaic Peace River Park is located in the Southwest part of Homeland/Fort Meade. Its current hours of operations are from dawn to dusk.
ADA Accessible Trails
Bank-Pier Fishing
Horseback Riding
Pavilion
Picnic Tables
Picnic Shelter
Restrooms
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

North Walk-in-Water Creek
11695 State Road 60, Lake Wales, FL 33898
North Walk-in-Water Creek is in West Central part of Lake Wales. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bank-Pier Fishing
Picnic Tables
Walking Paths-Trails
Wildlife Viewing

Northeast Regional Park , (Close by!)
50901 U.S. 27, Davenport, FL 33897
Northeast Regional Park is located in the Northeast part of Four Corners. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ADA Accessible Trails
Adult Leagues
Athletic Leagues
Baseball Fields
Basketball Courts
Bank/Pier Fishing
Boat Launching Site
Football Fields
Multipurpose Field
Pavilion
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Playground
Racquetball Courts
Restrooms
Soccer
Softball
Tennis Courts
Walking Paths/Trails

Poinciana Community Park
5109 Allegheny Road (intersection of Lake Hatchineha Road), Kissimmee, FL 32560
Poinciana Community Park is located in the East Central part of Poinciana. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ADA Accessible Trails
Basketball Fields
Dog Park
Multi-purpose Fields
Pavilion
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Walking Paths/Trails
Leagues

Saddle Creek Park, Campground & Gun Range
3716 Morgan Combee Road, Lakeland, FL 33801
Saddle Creek Park, Campground & Gun Range is located in the West Central part of Lakeland. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saddle Creek Campground Hours of Operation and Information: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Campground phone: (863) 413-2399, please call for availability
Saddle Creek Gun Range Hours of Operation and Information:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (cease fire at 4:30 p.m.)
Gun Range phone number: (863) 499-2613
Polk County Parks & Recreation offers a commercial fishing license program at Saddle Creek Park.
Baseball
Boat Launching Site
Camping
Bank/Pier Fishing
Open Space
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Playground
Restrooms
Softball
Walking Paths/Trails
Wildlife Viewing
Gun Range

Snively-Brooks Park / Simmers – Young Park
Winter Haven, Fl. 33880
Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Baseball
Basketball
Multi-Purpose fields
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Softball
Hiking

Wahneta Park
Wahneta, FL 33880
Wahneta Park is located in the East Central part of Winter Haven. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Baseball
Basketball
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Softball
Tennis Court(s)
Leagues

Walker Road Park
1285 Walker Road, Lakeland, FL 33810
Walker Road Park is located in Northwest Lakeland. Its current hours of operations are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Softball
Multi-purpose Fields
Walking Paths/Trails
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Playground

This information comes from the Polk County county website. See their Environmental Lands Program Website for more information.

For more information on trails in the area, you can also visit Trail Link by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

As you study this information and visit all of the links on this page, you’ll no doubt discover that there is just so much more to do and explore in central Florida than you can possibly do in a week or two. Plan on returning to Breezy Oak Villa soon so you can continue your adventure in the Heart of Florida!