Polk: Nature, Water and History

Polk combines extensive natural areas, lake landscapes and surprisingly diverse culture. Those looking for a vacation rental in Polk can therefore tailor their stay to different interests: walks through unique ecosystems, water activities, wildlife watching, or the history of citrus growing, railroads and tourism. Interstate 4, US Highway 27 and State Road 60 provide access to Polk County for arrival and planning various excursions.

Discover Nature Trails and Landscapes

A notable starting point for nature enthusiasts is Tiger Creek Preserve. It is the only location in Polk County on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. At Circle B Bar Reserve, trails of up to six miles are available for hiking and cycling. The Alligator Alley trail runs along Lake Hancock; alligators can be observed there from the shore or from several piers. Several times a month, free guided tram tours are also offered.

Crooked Lake Prairie also demonstrates how varied the landscape in Polk can be. The 525-acre preserve has two miles of sandy trails and includes scrubland, scrubby flatwoods, wet prairie and depression marsh. Animals found there include wading birds, Florida scrub-jays, ospreys, bald eagles, turkeys, coachwhip snakes and gopher tortoises. Even larger is Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, with more than 8,000 acres. There, six miles of hiking trails and seven miles of equestrian trails pass through scrubland as well as sandhill and flatwoods areas. Rare plants and protected species such as Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, gopher tortoises and Florida scrub lizards are among its special natural features.

Short Walks, Extended Tours and Water Activities

For a shorter hike, the trails at Bok Tower Gardens are a good choice. The three-quarter-mile Pine Ridge Nature Trail passes through a habitat of longleaf pines and turkey oaks. The 1.5-mile Preserve Trail in Pine Ridge Preserve provides insight into one of Florida’s most endangered ecosystems. Those who prefer longer outings will find opportunities for extended hikes, horseback rides and camping in the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Fishing and canoeing are possible year-round at nearby Lake Arbuckle.

At Saddle Creek Park, trails and water come together. The park covers 750 acres; most of it consists of former phosphate mining pits that are now lakes. A 1.2-mile Nature Trail and the 2.3-mile Tenoroc Trails complement the five boat ramps. The waterways are suitable for motorboats and canoes. The Hampton Tract has 28 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and birdwatching; wildlife viewing, fishing and camping are also possible there. At Gator Creek Reserve, approximately seven miles of well-maintained trails, including a paved path, pass through pine, bald cypress and oak forests as well as across streams and wetlands. The reserve is located in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. In these habitats, visitors can also observe butterflies that may be less commonly seen in other parts of Polk County.

At Mosaic Peace River Park, a boardwalk leads through the floodplain forest to the Peace River. The park is known for its diverse birdlife, including limpkins, green-winged and blue-winged teal, hooded mergansers, gray catbirds, blue-headed vireos, American white pelicans, eastern meadowlarks, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, sharp-shinned hawks and swallow-tailed kites. The 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park can be explored on foot, by bicycle or with wheeled mobility aids.

Museums, Architecture and Regional History

Polk can also be explored through its history. The themed exhibits at the Lake Wales History Museum cover cattle ranching, citrus growing, the turpentine industry and tourism. The museum presents permanent exhibits on the history of Lake Wales and local industries, a railroad display with a caboose, and seasonal exhibitions. One notable exhibit is a 21-foot-long prehistoric dugout canoe that is more than 1,020 years old.

The Polk County History Center is located in the former 1908 Polk County Courthouse and houses a history museum and a library. It includes 11 permanent galleries and 4 temporary galleries and provides access to more than 175 historic sites throughout Polk County. In Lakeland, Florida Southern College includes 13 buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. At Bonnet Springs Park, the Watson Clinic Gallery and the Nature Center tell the story of Central Florida’s railroad and citrus history as well as its native animals and Florida wildlife. Westgate River Ranch is located along a historic route where Florida cowboys drove cattle to market. Weekly rodeo competitions featuring trick riding, barrel racing and bull riding take place there.

The Right Accommodation Location for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a vacation rental in Polk, it is worth determining your planned priorities in advance. For days spent in nature, trails, preserves and viewing areas may be decisive; for a more culture-focused stay, museums, architecture and regional history are important points of reference. Those planning water activities can include destinations with boat ramps, canoeing or fishing in their daily itineraries. Above all, accommodation should suit your own excursion destinations and preferred travel rhythm. Polk County is less than an hour from Tampa and Orlando, combining nature and cultural experiences with a well-connected base.

Other Places in Polk

For further orientation, you can also include Davenport, Haines City, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Bartow, Cypress Gardens, Polk City, Mulberry and Fort Meade.

For the broader travel overview: Florida.