Circle B Bar Reserve is now open 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. daily and Polk's Nature Discovery Center (at the reserve) is open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and Noon - 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The center features an exhibit hall, along with indoor and outdoor classrooms providing visitors an opportunity to discover Polk County's water, wilderness and wildlife! Experience hands-on exhibits, view live aquatic plans and animals in aquariums and explore the Learning Tree. Monthly workshops include topics such as birding, photography, native plants and animals.

Observe nature, hike, picnic and bicycle on 1,267 acres that once served as a cattle ranch. The property features an oak hammock, freshwater marsh, hardwood swamp and lake shore. Lake Hancock, Polk County's fourth largest lake, sits at the headwaters of the Peace River. Trail hikers may see a variety of birds, including sandhill cranes, bald eagles, wood storks, great blue herons and many other wading birds. A walk along the banks of Lake Hancock will likely include many alligator sightings.

Circle B Bar Reserve was purchased jointly by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The property was purchased to protect the floodplain of Lake Hancock and restore the Banana Creek marsh system.

Circle B Bar Reserve is located at 4399 Winter Lake Road (State Road 540) in Lakeland. For more information, call (863) 534-7377.

** Pets are NOT allowed at Circle B Bar Reserve or at the Nature Discovery Center.