Circle B Bar Reserve

Circle B Bar Reserve is one of the best wildlife watching destinations in central Florida, a restored wetland ecosystem of about 1,200 acres just south of Lakeland on the shore of Lake Hancock. The trail system winds through marsh, hammock, and open water, and the wildlife density is remarkable — American alligators are everywhere, and the birdwatching is exceptional year-round.

The reserve is best visited early in the morning, when the light is good for photography and the wildlife is most active. Alligators are seen at close range on most visits; during nesting season, the egret and heron rookeries can contain hundreds of birds. The reserve is free and open daily; the main entrance is on Nichols Road. Allow two to three hours for a thorough walk.

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Circle B Bar Reserve is consistently ranked among the best urban wildlife sites in the United States for photography and birdwatching. The "Alligator Alley" trail section of the reserve — a narrow dirt path between a canal and a marsh — routinely has dozens of American alligators basking within a few metres of the path, along with herons, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, and dozens of other wading birds. The concentration of wildlife in a small, easily walkable area is genuinely extraordinary.