POLK COUNTY, FL — Portions of Circle B Bar Reserve remain closed due to active alligator nesting sites.
The Marsh Rabbit Run trail is closed until further notice. A portion of the Alligator Alley trail was also closed earlier this summer for the same reason. Visitors can still access the open section of Alligator Alley up to the dock on Lake Hancock by using the Shady Oak trail.
Located on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, Circle B Bar Reserve covers 1,267 acres and features multiple ecosystems. The reserve was formerly a cattle ranch and is now a habitat for diverse plant and animal species. Alligators are commonly seen in Lake Hancock, which serves as the headwaters of the Peace River.
The reserve is managed by Polk County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. It was acquired in December 2000 to protect local water and wildlife resources and to restore the Banana Creek marsh system.
Visitors are required to follow regulations, including:
- No pets
- No balloons
- No music
These rules are in place to minimize disturbance to wildlife.
