Diverse Natural Communities
Polk County is larger than Rhode Island, which means we are large enough to have many different ecosystems and landscapes. Polk County is a place where in the span of only a few miles you can go from a freshwater marsh on the shores of a lake, to a desert-like scrub habitat complete with prickly pear cactus.
Some of the more distinct natural features to explore in Polk County include Lake Wales Ridge, Floodplain Swamps, Wet Prairie, and Scrubby Flatwoods.
State Parks in Central Florida
Follow blazed trails through our unique landscape at Colt Creek State Park, Lake Kissimmee State Park, or Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park. All together, these three state parks in Central Florida have over 31-miles of hiking and equestrian trails to explore. Arbuckle WMA and Walk-in-the-Water WMA in the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest has 12.2-miles of equestrian trails and more than 50-miles of hiking trails combined.
County Parks & Reserves
Whether you are interested in seeing ancient beach sand dunes, unique plants and animals, or looking to explore the Green Swamp with its majestic cypress domes, Polk County’s Environmental Lands Program offers visitors many ways to discover Florida’s true nature. The County’s nine parks and reserves include SUMICA, Lakeland Highlands Scrub and Crooked Lake Prairie.
One of our most popular outdoor areas is Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, named as one of “51 Great Places to See Wildlife” by USA Today. This 1,267-acre nature preserve is popular for birding and alligator watching.
Pine Ridge Nature Preserve at Bok Tower Gardens
This nature trail can be accessed near the entrance of Bok Tower Gardens in Lake…
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL 33847
Phone: 863-676-1408
Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve – East Tract
East Tract in North Lakeland offers 33 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and birding.…
Address: Entrance at intersection of Rock Ridge Rd. and Dean Still Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
Phone: 863-648-3200
Tiger Creek Preserve
Tiger Creek Preserve in Babson Park covers more than 4,800 acres and is owned and…
Address: 674 Pfundstein Rd.
Babson Park, FL 33827
Phone: 863-635-7506
VisitTCP@tnc.orgKICCO Wildlife Management Area
KICCO, adjacent to River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, features 13 miles of sandy, dirt trails…
Address: 25699 S.R. 60
River Ranch, FL 33867
Phone: 800-250-4250
Walk-In-The-Water Tract at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
6,000 acre property in Frostproof offers opportunities for long hiking excursions, equestrian trails and camping.
Address: State Hwy. 630 E., 6 Miles east of U.S. Hwy 27
Frostproof, FL 33843
Phone: 863-635-8589
Avon Park Air Force Range
106,000 acre active military training facility and recreation area south of Lake Wales. The Air…
Address: 8005 County Road 64
Avon Park , FL 33825
Phone: 863-452-4254
Marshall Hampton Reserve
Reserve west of Winter Haven offers ample trails for hiking, running and cycling. Marshall Hampton…
Address: 3115 Thornhill Rd
Lakeland, FL 33880
Phone: 863-665-0062
Crooked Lake Prairie
Situated on Polk County's only state-designated "Outstanding Florida Water Body," Crooked Lake Prairie is home…
Address: 985 Ohlinger Rd
Babson Park, FL 33827
Phone: 863-534-7377
SUMICA
At SUMICA, a 4,031 acre wilderness preserve, visitors can expect to see Florida wild turkey,…
Address: 14020 Hwy. 60 E
Lake Wales, FL 33898
Phone: 863-534-7377
