The Discovery Center is wonderful!! So much to learn! Lots of hikes to choose from and beautiful scenery. Slightly terrifying walking next to alligators but also awesome!
edward horalek
Jun 23, 2022
If you want to see a good cross section of central Florida wildlife, this is an excellent place to start. If you want a protected environment that safely separates humans from nature, this is not the place. Keep your eyes open and attention sharp as you take in the splendors of nature, while realizing you are not quite at the top of the food chain. Loved this place, but would've hoped for more cleared foliage at the edge of the path, to make spotting potentially hazardous situations easier. Overgrown with grass, alligator alley was a little unnerving for a newcomer to the south.
Dora Viltre
Feb 24, 2022
When I moved to Polk County, I fell in love with the parks & the lakes. The nature walks are awesome. Circle B is one of my favorites I enjoy it to the max every time I go. There are beautiful birds, turtles, alligators, squirrels, raccoons and the peace you feel inside is the greatest. Enjoy walks with friends, family & kids Highly recommend if your in the area
Carrie
Feb 21, 2022
I tell my husband I’m going to the ‘bird show’, when I go here, because that’s what this place feels like to me. It’s incredible- there’s so much diversity here and it’s right on display as you walk down the trails. It’s like the birds are performing just for you. I love coming here after sunrise when the birds are most active. The wildlife photography opportunities abound. You’ll see lots of other wildlife, too- not just birds, but they are the main act for me. The marsh/swamp is beautiful and the live oak and cypress trees draped in Spanish moss give this place a very enchanting allure!
Unless one is way of it's course, no, but I saw a tour group of kids riding around on one of the parks's ATV that was set up for groups so they might do tours.
You should take someone you can outrun! Just kidding, I've never gone alone but I think it would be okay in the daylight. Every time I have been there it has been in the morning and lots of people are on the trails.
I personally haven’t visited this park in October. It really depends on if any of the trails are closed. Usually due to flooding. Guarantee you’ll see some native birds.
can i fish from the bank at lake hancock? if so where
kirk hadley | Apr 11, 2022
Amanda Leigh | May 11, 2022
No, its protected wildlife property. Im sorry. After going over your question again. I was speaking of indide circle B. I know you can fish at Marshal reserve thats on the corner of thornhill and winter lake rd (r540) its on the back side of lake Hancock
Can you have a small wedding ceremony at circle B?
Ashley Martinez | Sep 8, 2021
M Myers | Sep 8, 2021
Not sure about that I do know a perfect place tho check out the sunken gardens
Most of the wetlands on the trails have become filled with thick vegetation, has been less birds / gradually reduced the past 5 years. Does Polk county have a plan to reduce the vegetation. Thanks
Harold Houk | Sep 8, 2021
Circle B Bar Reserve | Sep 8, 2021
Needs to be directed to Polk County (which I am not). However, understand that the wetands on Circle B were created with wetands mitigation funds, not specifically for bird watching. The goal is to restore more natural wetlands which tend to be covered with vegetation. My understanding is the vegetation control is primarily directed at invasive exotic plants.
Last time I went, I saw all types of wildlife: the biggest vulture I ever saw(lucky they are scared of humans),a raccoon that decide to walk the trail broad daylight with us,and family behind us,alligators all along the trail,and in the water. I think I do remember seeing something about no dogs allowed because they are food to alligators.But they do have a website u want to double check.
For the trails, no. Trail availability is based on animals and weather. Great place to see mother nature. Make sure you have comfy shoes and water and fully charged batteries to take photos
I think if you had a really good motor chair, one that's got good battery life, then yeah, you might really enjoy circle B. On some of the trails (I think it's the treefrog trail?) There are a few muddy patches that might be a little tricky to avoid, but most of the trails are crushed, packed shell gravel and above the water line that I believe most mobility scooters should be able to navigate.
Electric mobility scooters are probably allowed but I think they would have a difficult time because the paths are not paved. However the tram could be a good alternative.
No fees.
You can ride bikes, just know the trails can have a lot of tree roots so are not smooth. Yield to wildlife. You can encounter gators of all sizes, you can wait for them to move out or turn around.
Is the hours posted here correct? It doesn't open until noon on Sunday?
Sacred Rites | Sep 9, 2019
Sylvia Gomez | Sep 9, 2019
Theere are different hours for the trails and the Discovery Center.
Discovery Center Hours
Tuesday-Saturday
Hours of Operation:9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday
Hours of Operation:12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Trail Hours
Monday-Sunday
Hours of Operation:6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Standard Time)
Hours of Operation:5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Daylight Savings Time)
Yes. Rough terrain and many times lots of people stopped or walking. Stop for wildlife crossing. If a gator is laying on a trail you can wait or turn around. Some trails may be closed.
Yes absolutely I see the person above me hear told you that we used to be a ranch before it was a Preserve I hope you get to check it out because it is really fascinating and it's a wonderful walk or ride once you get out there you'll be surprised at what Wildlife you see we had the privilege of having an armadillo right at our feet one time we were out there other special moments with Wildlife work captured on video or photographs that I took her my phone well worth the trip out there
The name Circle B Bar refers to a ranch symbol or logo. It would be a circle around an uppercase B with a line below the b. It's an understandable question.
The guided tour is free and you have to go in the center there and sign the book so I would imagine if you got there at like 7 in the morning 8 in the morning I think the tour goes a couple of times during the day so I think it was like maybe 8 or 9 when the tour started