The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Lakeland, Florida (FL)

May 19, 2022 Franklyn Hardiman

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. The westernmost city in Polk County, it is part of the Tampa Bay Area. According to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 100,710. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area (coterminous with Polk County), which had an estimated population of 623,009 in July 2013 based on data from the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research. It is twinned with Richmond Hill, Ontario; Imabari, Ehime, Japan; Bălți, Moldova; Portmore, Jamaica; and Chongming County, Shanghai, China through the Lakeland chapter of Sister Cities International.
Restaurants in Lakeland

1. Circle B Bar Reserve

4399 Winter Lake Rd You link to the web site is broken, Lakeland, FL 33803-7340 +1 863-668-4673 http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/circle-b-bar-reserve
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 972 reviews

Circle B Bar Reserve

Reviewed By zippyincolumbus

We visited Circle B Bar Reserve on a Sunday right as the busy March tourist season is getting underway. We arrived at 9 am which was good timing- we got a great spot in lot by visitor center (which was closed- maybe because it was Sunday?). By 11:30 the parking lot and trails were very full. It was also a cold morning, so it was good timing for seeing gators, since they don’t like cold or wind much. It was getting warmer out by the time we arrived. We did miss the bobcats though- sounds like you may need to come early to see them. We had a great time and saw all kinds of wildlife- gators (close up and out in the water) bald eagles, osprey (one eating a fish in a tree), ducks, turtles, sand cranes, red shouldered hawks, and way more birds than I can name. The gators do sometimes lay by the path and cross or block the path, so you do want to be on your toes and don’t do anything dumb. Leave them alone and be kind and they will do the same. This was our first visit and we were lucky enough to run into a local who was more than willing to tell us and even show us most of the ropes. We did alligator alley and the marsh trail. Absolutely loved our time! If you love nature or are just looking for an interesting place to walk, don’t miss this FREE stop. We had two 40 somethings who walked 5 miles and two 60 somethings who walked 2.5 miles- we both saw a lot of wildlife!

2. Barnett Family Park

730 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801-5030 +1 863-834-2280
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Barnett Family Park

Reviewed By rauler2015 - Lakeland, United States

A great place for families to bring your kids to enjoy themselves in a safe and clean fun park. Clean facilities, bathroom, near restaurants, and a great place to take pictures. Good to celebrate birthdays by getting in touch with Parks and Recreation in Lakeland.

3. Gator Creek Reserve

9725 US Highway 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809-1086 +1 863-534-7377
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Gator Creek Reserve

4. Hollis Garden

702 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801-5030 +1 863-834-6035 http://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/hollis-garden
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 650 reviews

Hollis Garden

Botanical garden

Reviewed By mariaaba - Kenwood, United States

Park located adjacent to the lake, very pleasant. Koi pond, butterflies, soothing music..great place to stroll.

5. Common Ground Park

1000 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803-4183 +1 863-834-2280 http://www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/common-ground-park
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 224 reviews

Common Ground Park

Reviewed By KtWhiting921 - Myrtle Beach, United States

This park was just so unbelievable. There was just so much to do here that I couldn’t believe it. There was a huge jungle gym, ropes, a toddler area, a grass slide, tunnels, rocks to climb, a sand pit and swings. We spent over an hour here and we could hardly pull my nephew from it. They really did a wonderful job here!

6. Lake Hollingsworth

Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33803-3139
Excellent
68%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 145 reviews

Lake Hollingsworth

Reviewed By RandiFayeC - Longwood, United States

Loved this walk around the lake. Beautiful birds, even saw wood ducks! And purple gallinules! This is a paved path, there is traffic noise but the wildlife on one side, beautiful homes on the other make it a great experience. Didn't know Florida Southern had such a nice campus.

7. Lake Morton

Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 175 reviews

Lake Morton

Reviewed By SMGleb - Wilmington, United States

We stumbled across this lovely spot after leaving a bank drive through. and spotted the amazing. numbers of water birds. We made plans to come back about a week later and found that they have both white and black swans! In mid-March, the black swans have had their babies and the mommas and cygnets were safely ensconced in a fenced area where you could observe them. On the other side of the lake were several nests of white swans - appropriately roped off from the public getting too close. There are beautiful white geese, different types of ducks, and white pelicans. as well as many other types of birds. It is well worth a stop if you need to be in Lakeland for any reason, and is right off of South Florida Ave so very convenient to get to. There are machines placed around the lake where you can buy a handful of food to share with the birds - so consequently many of them will head towards you until they realize you aren't going to feed them! (They ask that you not bring bread to feed them.)

8. Saddle Creek Park

3716 Morgan Combee Rd, Lakeland, FL 33801-9628
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Saddle Creek Park

Reviewed By ADCollier - Cincinnati, United States

Amazing bird and wildlife watching around the water and on the trails. Can hardly wait for a return visit.

9. Lake Bonny Park

800 US 98 South, Lakeland, FL 33801 +1 863-834-2233 http://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/LakeBonnyPark.aspx
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Lake Bonny Park

Reviewed By 550JimH - Leamington, Canada

This is Friday March 8, 2019. This park is also known as Fletcher Park and situated on the western edge of Lake Bonny. It is very well equipped park with baseball diamonds, soccer fields, walking trails, wonderful large skate park. Great for walking, picnicking, sports, and may other venues.

10. Holloway Park

2402 Linden Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33812 +1 863-899-6569 http://www.hollowaypark.org/
Excellent
40%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Holloway Park

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.