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BEST RATED LAKELAND, FL HIKING TRAILS

3 Best Hiking Trails in Lakeland, FL

Expert-recommended Top 3 Hiking Trails in Lakeland, Florida. All of our hiking trails actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Circle B Bar Reserve - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Destination Image
Circle B Bar Reserve - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Trail Image
Circle B Bar Reserve - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Attraction Image
Best Hiking Trails in Lakeland FL - Circle B Bar Reserve video
9+ YEARS IN TBR
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CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE

(4.9 Score)
4399 Winter Lake Road,
Lakeland, FL 33803 Directions

Since 2000

Specialty:

✓Hiking ✓Road Biking ✓Trail Running ✓Nature Trips ✓Lake ✓Wild Flowers ✓Fishing ✓Kid Friendly ✓Birding ✓Dogs On Leash ✓Trees ✓Walking ✓Wildlife ✓Walking Trails ✓Multi-use Trails ✓Fishing

"Circle B Bar Reserve features a wide variety of plants and animals in several distinct ecosystems covering 1,267 acres. The trail is loop-type, and its length is 4.8 miles. The trail is generally considered an easy route, with an elevation gain of 36 feet. The total time to complete the trail is 1 hour and 24 minutes. The trail is a pleasant spot for various outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and birding. Visitors can be guaranteed to see alligators in Lake Hancock, often considered the headwaters of the Peace River, which flows more than a hundred miles from Polk County southwest to the Gulf of Mexico. The trail system provides numerous opportunities for photographers and painters who want to capture the beauty of nature. Circle B Bar Reserve also features picnic shelters, restrooms, trails, freshwater wetlands, and Banana Creek Marsh.

2026 Highlights: Pets, balloons, and music are prohibited at Circle B Bar Reserve."

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Contact:

(863) 668-4673

Mon-Sun: 5:30am - 8pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Colt Creek State Park - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Destination Image
Colt Creek State Park - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Trail Image
Colt Creek State Park - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Attraction Image
Best Hiking Trails in Lakeland FL - Colt Creek State Park video
9+ YEARS IN TBR
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COLT CREEK STATE PARK

(4.9 Score)
16000 State Road 471,
Lakeland, FL 33809 Directions

Since 2007

Specialty:

✓Birding ✓Camping ✓Fishing ✓Restroom Facilities ✓Bicyclists and Riding Horseback ✓Family Reunions ✓Birthday Parties ✓Weddings ✓Educational Interpretive Programs ✓Tours ✓Special and Corporate Events ✓Running ✓Geocaching ✓Picnicking ✓Wildlife Viewing ✓Picnic Pavilion and Benches ✓Equestrian and Nature Trail ✓Parking ✓Site Camping

"Colt Creek State Park includes more than 5,000 acres of habitat, an area to discover the various plant groups, flora, and fauna. The trail offers over 15 miles of beautiful, multi-use trails, which make for great horseback riding, hiking, and biking opportunities. These trails meander through the pine flatwoods, cypress domes, bottomland forest, and open pastures. The trail also offers various recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors can also enjoy picnic pavilions, ranger-led programs, and primitive and full-facility camping options. The park expanded its amenities to include a large screened pavilion with attached restrooms and a paved parking area overlooking Mac Lake. Colt Creek State Park also allows dogs on a leash.

2026 Highlights: Colt Creek State Park has 27 full-facility campsites and six tent-only sites nestled in the pine flatwoods ."

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License #N14000002403

Price:

Admission
Per Vehicle (Up To Eight People) $4
Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Extra Passengers $2
Primitive Camping
Per Adult, Per Night $5
Per Child, Per Night $1
Pavilions
Large Screened Pavilion Per Day $125
Medium Open Pavilion Per Day $50
Site Camping
Per Night $24
Annual Entrance Pass Options
Individual Annual Entrance Pass $60
Family Annual Entrance Pass $120

Discount:

50% Off on Current Base Campsite Fees

Contact:

(863) 815-6761

Mon,Tue,Thu-Sun: 8am - 7pm
Wed: 8am - 6pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Gator Creek Reserve - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Destination Image
Gator Creek Reserve - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Trail Image
Gator Creek Reserve - Lakeland, FL Hiking Trails - Visitor Experience Image
Best Hiking Trails in Lakeland FL - Gator Creek Reserve video
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GATOR CREEK RESERVE

(4.8 Score)
9725 U.S. Highway 98 North,
Lakeland, FL 33809 Directions

Since 2000

Specialty:

✓Hiking ✓Walking Trails ✓Multi-use Trails ✓Wildlife Viewing ✓Bird Watching ✓Nature Viewing

“2026 Highlights: Gator Creek Reserve is a 2,700-acre reserve in North Lakeland that protects important water, wildlife, and wilderness resources within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. Visitors can explore miles of scenic trails that wind through cypress swamps, hardwood forests, marshes, and pine flatwoods while enjoying hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and nature photography. The reserve provides a peaceful outdoor experience and supports the conservation of diverse native plants and animals, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.”

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Contact:

(863) 534-7377 (321) 223-8807

Mon,Wed-Fri & Sun: 6am - 6:30pm
Tue & Sat: 6am - 6pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE REVIEWS

Loved the scenery. Nature at its finest for sure. Loved the free parking and free entry to this place. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes when coming here. I learned the hard way (I had on flip flops) We got to see lots of alligators up close and personal. Saw lots of birds and even a turtle. The people visiting were very nice and repeat visitors too. The workers were very pleasant and spoke to us giving us information for future visits as far as tours etc. This was a definite work out and make sure you bring lots of water to stay hydrated when walking here !!.

Amazing place to come for a walk! There is so much wildlife and such a pretty environment. We saw many alligators and birds! Definitely recommend if in the area!! We saw baby alligators and it was such a cool experience! The trails are mapped out so nicely and it’s easy to find your way around. They have a mix of paved and gravel trails.

If you want to see crazy amounts of wildlife including gators big and small come to the Circle BBar Reserve . Saw dozens of gators and exotic birds as well as turtles and an armadillo. Was an amazing visit and I highly recommend it.

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COLT CREEK STATE PARK REVIEWS

Glamping at Colt Creek State park was fun and relaxing. We enjoyed a camping experience without all the work. Some of the comforts included a/c, beds, chairs, towels, coffee maker and bathroom facility including laundry. The park has nice well marked trails. Would highly recommend for anyone who loves the outdoors!.

Nice park Sites are all level and large enough for any RV Not much shade though. Bathhouse is like new. 2 dump stations. Small lake to paddle on 15 miles of trails for hiking. Plenty of paved area and trails to ride bikes. Will definitely be back.

It's a very nice park, places to fish, trails to walk. Beautiful Park.

GATOR CREEK RESERVE REVIEWS

Great hidden gem! Very nice trains, some paved, some just well worn, and some with rock and straw. There was a ton of shade and wildlife. Plenty of parking. 1 very nasty porta-potty, but I never expect a bathroom at a state park that doesn't ask you to pay. Also has horse trails but we just walked.

Great place for a quick hike or a long one. Lots of great trails but some don’t have much tree cover. Some of the lost lush grass I’ve ever seen on a trail. Almost a shame to walk on it. Count the tortoises!!.

The last time we’ve been here was months ago though we’ve been a bunch of times already. We saw a bobcat before but we visited again recently and I noticed they put up new posts of trail maps and we saw deers. They have different proximity of trails you can try which me and my husband pretty much did all of it when we visited often before, I’d say this place isn’t bad at all. This place is a nice little place whenever you want to walk in nature and be in a quiet place.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Complete Info: 9
Contact Info: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10
Website Source: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

COLT CREEK STATE PARK Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Contact Info: 9
Location Proximity: 9
Social Media: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Pricing: 10
Real Discounts: 10
Video: 10
Website Source: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

GATOR CREEK RESERVE Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Business Hours: 9
Business Images: 9
Complete Info: 9
Contact Info: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10
Website Source: 10