A Complete Guide to Hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve

Are you thinking about going hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve? You’re in the right place for more information. Keep reading for everything you need to know to make your hiking trip to Circle B Bar Reserve the best it can be.

Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,267 acre wildlife preserve in Polk County in central Florida. Located along the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, the reserve protects several distinct ecosystems, including freshwater wetlands, marsh, and hardwood hammocks. Lake Hancock and the Banana Marsh water system are often considered the headwaters of the Peace river, one of Florida’s most important and iconic rivers.

Wander Florida is fully reader-supported. For that reason, this article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This revenue helps keep Wander Florida free and updated. I only recommend products or services that I would use myself. Read the full disclosure here.

Polk County acquired Circle B Bar Reserve in 2000 as part of an effort to protect the Banana Marsh system and environmentally sensitive Peace River headwaters. A former cattle ranch, the land was allowed to flood to its natural state. These acres now support a wide variety of plants and animals. The reserve retains former ranch roads which have been turned into hiking trails.

• Distance: 6+ miles
• Elevation: none
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 2+ hours
• Trailhead address: 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803
• Parking: yes, free

Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley is perhaps the most popular of the trails at Circle B Bar Reserve. At just one mile long, the unpaved trail passes along the shore of Lake Hancock then turns to pass between a canal on one side and wetlands on the other. The trail is mostly shaded and a hotspot for alligator activity, particularly animals crossing the trail from lake to wetlands or vice versa.

On our visit in April we saw three alligators cross and were serenaded by their bellows much of the way. Several racoons crossed our path, too, including one which was trying to eat a turtle. It dropped the turtle and scurried away when we stopped to take photos. The turtle appeared unharmed; it ambled off into the tall grass after a few minutes.

Shady Oak Trail

Shady Oak Trail is one of two trails which connect the parking areas with Alligator Alley. It’s shady, passing through an oak hammock. Along the trail, cabbage palms rise to the sky, encircled by trumpet vines. Oaks trees cover the trail with their branches covered in resurrection ferns and native butterfly orchids. The hammock is often dry except in the height of the rainy season and is an important home to many of the preserve’s land animals.

We started our hike on Heron Hideout on the opposite side and ended on Shady Oak Trail. After several hours walking and photographing the wildlife, we welcomed this shady trail as an end to our hike.

Marsh Rabbit Run

A continuation of Alligator Alley after it crosses Heron Hideout/Eagle Roost, Marsh Rabbit Run passes between a shallow marsh on one side and the former Banana Creek Canal on the other. Halfway along the trail, a pier overlooks one of the lakes at Circle B Bar. Several fallen trees provide sunning spots for turtles and otters. Dead trees along the canal’s banks offer places for wading birds to rest or build nests.

This is an out-and-back trail that’s 0.7 miles in each direction. In dead ends at Winding Bird Way. On our passage of this trail, we saw a large alligator, witnessed a smaller one cross from the marsh to the canal, saw a nest with three baby herons, and saw several squirrels.

Heron Hideout Trail

We began our hike this day on Heron Hideout, a half mile trail which runs from the parking lot to the intersection of Marsh Rabbit Run, Alligator Alley, and Eagle Roost. An open, unshaded trail with marsh on both sides, it’s absolutely stunning at sunrise. The sun rises behind the marsh on one side of the trail, bathing the tall grasses in golden light and reflecting off the many spiderwebs strung between grass stalks.

Sandhill cranes and their colts frequent these shallow waters as do moor hen, herons, and other wading birds. Alligators have also been seen crossing the trail here. Small ponds offer open waters for lily pads to grow. In the distance cypress trees rise from the swamp. Unshaded, however, the trail can be hot and unforgiving in the summer.

Eagle Roost Trail

Eagle Roost Trail is an unshaded, 0.7 mile trail which runs between Wading Bird Way and the intersection of Marsh Rabbit Run, Alligator Alley, and Heron Hideout. This trail is under restoration with plantings of native wildflowers, wiregrass, and longleaf pine trees. It’s a popular trail to see reptiles and bobwhite quails, eastern meadowlarks and American kestrels.

Other Things to Do at Circle B Bar Reserve

Though activities at Circle B Bar Reserve revolve around hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography, there are a couple of other things to do there as well and which do not require walking far.

Nature Discovery Center

The Polk County Nature Discovery Center offers outdoor education and indoor exhibits. Located beside the parking area, it’s a great place to stop before venturing into the reserve to learn more about local ecosystems, plants, and animals. Or take a break in the cool interior after a walk around the reserve.

Picnics

Five large picnic shelters are available for rental for group outings. Circle B Bar Reserve is a unique place for a birthday party or family get together. Or a good meeting place for a nature-focused organization.

Fun Facts About Circle B Bar Reserve

• It is 1,267 acres.
• It became a cattle ranch in 1949 and operated successfully into the 1990s.
• It is named after the cattle ranch, Circle B Bar Ranch.
• It is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, a program highlighting exceptional natural sites for viewing birds and wildlife.
• The trails at Circle B Bar Reserve connect to the Fort Fraser Trail which runs nearly 8 miles between Lakeland and Bartow.

More Information for Hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve

If you go hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve, note that there are no restrooms or concessions. There are portable toilets beside the parking areas.

Plan your day according to the season. From October/November to March, the weather will generally be cooler and the humidity less stifling.

In April and May, the heat ramps up but the ground remains drier. These are typically our drought months. Of note also, alligator mating season reaches its peak from April to June. They tend to be more aggressive in these months.

From June to October, rains pour down nearly daily in the afternoon. The heat and humidity make hiking potentially dangerous, especially for anyone who is not accustomed to Florida’s heat and humidity.

Additional general tips:

• Wear weatherproof shoes, especially in the summer when you might encounter water on the trails.
• Bring water on the trails with you. There are no drink stations on the trails. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially if it’s hot out.
• Wear a hat.
• Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
• Bring your camera or phone for pictures.
• Bring your phone for emergencies though cell signal might be spotty on the more remote trails.

FAQs About Circle B Bar Reserve

Closing: Hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve

Hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve is a great way to get outdoors, see different ecosystems common in this part of Florida, and see a lot of wildlife, including the reserve’s famous alligators which are often seen crossing the hiking trails. Bring a camera and capture your own stunning photographs of the resident wildlife.

If these kinds of parks are right up your alley, check out Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg, Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa, or Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey. Both offer outstanding opportunities to explore Florida’s unique ecosystems in the central Florida area.