polk county florida: 8 healthy outdoor activities
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8 Fun and Healthy outdoor activities to enjoy in Polk County FloridaTRANSCRIPT
www.VisitCentralFlorida.org
Exciting Things To DoAlthough Central
Florida may be best known for outstanding theme parks, there are many other exciting things to do that involve the great outdoors.
The area’s collection of state and local parks offers walking trails, cycling, wildlife viewing and fishing. Whatever your interest, there’s something for the nature enthusiast in everyone.
www.VisitCentralFlorida.org
Circle B-Bar ReserveCircle B-Bar Reserve offers fun
things to do in Central Florida. The 3.4 mile roundtrip Oak Hammock Interpretive Trail takes hikers to Lake Hancock. The Lake View Trail is a short .5 miles roundtrip path that runs along the lake.
Visitors will see oak hammock stands, hardwood swamps, freshwater marshes, lakes and creeks, which are home to alligators, osprey, eagles and many other native species.
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Polk’s Nature Discovery CenterThis on-site facility
has a variety of hands-on exhibits, aquatic plants and animals and offers a unique and fun approach to learning. Monthly workshops include topics such as birding, photography, native plants and animals.
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Colt Creek State ParkLocated adjacent to the Green Swamp Wilderness
Area, Colt Creek State Park is comprised of cypress domes, pine flatwoods and open pastures. Animals calling Colt Creek home include gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer and bobcats.
Visitors can enjoy picnic areas, grills and wildlife while fishing, hiking or horseback riding on 12 miles of trails. Enjoy more than 5,000 acres of pristine natural beauty.
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Fort Fraser TrailFor Polk County
residents and visitors who enjoy healthy outdoor activities such as walking, jogging and cycling, Fort Fraser Trail will be one of your favorite things to do in Central Florida.
At nearly 8 miles long, the paved trail easily accommodates both foot and bike traffic and is accessible from one of two trailheads: By Polk Community College behind the Polk County Sheriff’s Office or in Highland City.
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Trek Ten Trails & GeocachingVisitors can search for geocaches on
15 area trails.Geocaching is a high-tech version of
treasure hunting where hunters are equipped with GPS devices to help locate geocaches located in the parks.
Geocache hunters have the option of trekking any 10 of the 15 delegated trails to receive a certificate of completion.
Lake Kissimmee State ParkOn land once used by
Native Americans because of the abundant fish and game, the park is named for Lake Kissimmee, the third largest lake in the state. The 5,930 acres of Lake Kissimmee State Park are teeming with plant and animal life.
The park offers fishing, bird watching, camping, boating and hiking on 13 miles of trails.
Florida's cowboy past comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters" in an 1876-era cow camp. Open on weekends.
Van Fleet State TrailVan Fleet State Trail offers more than 29 miles
of biking, hiking and horseback trails through dense forests full of 300 year old oak trees.
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Running through the Green Swamp, the Withlacoochee (South), Hillsborough and Peace Rivers, Van Fleet State Trail has only one curve so cyclers and hikers can enjoy a brisk pace or go slow to view the wildlife.
Experience Florida nature at its finest at one of the area’s many parks. From walking paths to nature trails, your entire family will enjoy the natural beauty of Central Florida.
www.VisitCentralFlorida.org