Polk Has Plenty for Those Who Like Walking
INFORMATION
For more information about trails in Polk and other parts of the state, go to www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt or www.florida-trail.org, or obtain a Polk County Bicycle Map from the Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau by calling 863-420-2586.
For more information about trails in Polk and other parts of the state, go to www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt or www.florida-trail.org, or obtain a Polk County Bicycle Map from the Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau by calling 863-420-2586.
Polk County has more than 250 miles of trails that wind through a variety of undeveloped and developed areas.
The 3.2-mile multi-use Chain of Lakes Trail extends north from Central Park in downtown Winter Haven to U.S. 17-92 in Lake Alfred. A trailhead is adjacent to the Winter Haven Area Transit bus terminal.
The 7.8-mile Fort Fraser Trail between Lakeland and Bartow stretches from south of State Road 60 along U.S. 98 to State Road 540. Three trailheads are in Bartow, Highland City, and Lakeland. A rest area is in Highland City.
The 5.5-mile Auburndale-TECO Trail bypasses Lake Myrtle Park. The 12-foot-wide paved trail extends from the trailhead on Denton Avenue to the beginning of the Van Fleet Trail in Polk City.
The 29-mile General James Van Fleet National Recreational Trail is the longest in the county. This paved abandoned railroad grade runs from Polk City to State Road 50 in Sumter County.
UNPAVED TRAILS
New to the area is the 5,067-acre Colt Creek State Park. Right now, 12 miles of trails for walking, hiking and horseback riding wind through many plant communities including pine flatwoods and cypress domes.
For $2 per vehicle, visitors can also picnic, fish and study nature.
Colt Creek State Park at 16000 State Road 471 in Lakeland is open from
8 a.m. to sunset.
Unpaved hiking trails are also at Sumica, Lake Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales Ridge State Forest's Arbuckle and Walk-in-the-Water Tract, Allen Broussard Catfish Creek Memorial Preserve, the Avon Park Air Force Range (call for permission) and the Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
Some of the unpaved trails are included in the Florida Trail that is maintained by the Florida Trail Association, a private organization of hiking enthusiasts.
Tenoroc Fish Management Area and Polk County's Mosaic Peace River Park have trails open to hikers and horseback riders.
In the past year, Tenoroc opened a trail that is now connected with Saddle Creek Park.
Unpaved trails also are found in the Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area. Bicycles are allowed on the trails.
Those who plan to go mountain biking should check for hunting season regulations and times online at www.watermatters.org.
In Winter Haven, the Chain of Lakes Stadium Trail is open to the public. The trail runs along Lake Lulu. Also, a one-mile trail loops around the athletic fields at Polk State College.
Gator Creek Reserve has unpaved and paved trails.
The Pine Ridge Nature Preserve and Trail, at the Historic Bok Sanctuary, is a longleaf pine-turkey oak habitat.
Several hiking trails are at the Tiger Creek Preserve in Babson Park. It is managed by The Nature Conservancy.
Circle B-Bar Reserve has a network of trails open for hiking and bicycling.
Locations
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