Lakeland's trails with distances and parking: the 7.75-mile Fort Fraser Trail, the Lake Hollingsworth loop, Lake Parker's paths, Circle B and Se7en Wetlands.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: Polk County’s Fort Fraser Trail and Circle B Bar Reserve pages; the City of Lakeland’s trails and facilities, Lake Parker Park and Se7en Wetlands pages; Bonnet Springs Park; and race pages on RunSignup.

Lakeland walks around its lakes. The Lake Hollingsworth loop, about 2.8 miles, is home to many of the city’s road races; downtown’s Lake Mirror and Lake Morton make a shorter city stroll; and the paved Fort Fraser Trail runs 7.75 miles south toward Bartow with a spur into Circle B Bar Reserve. The city keeps an interactive bicycle and pedestrian map and a walking and running trails map.

Who to call

  • City parks division: 863-834-2233
  • Polk County Parks and Natural Resources (Circle B, trail closures): 863-668-4673
  • Se7en Wetlands: 863-834-7386

Trails at a glance

Trail or loop Distance Start or parking Notes
Fort Fraser Trail 7.75 miles one way Lakeland trailhead behind the sheriff’s substation, 4120 U.S. Highway 98; Highland City trailhead on Fourth Street SE Paved, multi-use; half-mile spur to Circle B
Lake Hollingsworth loop About 2.8 miles Lake Hollingsworth boat ramp area, Lake Hollingsworth Drive Flat lakeside path; popular for races
Lake Parker Park paths Four loops, 0.66 to 0.84 miles Gate 1, 910 E. Granada St. Forest, Water, Soccer and North paths; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seasonal
Bonnet Springs Park Circulator Loop with distance markers 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd. Bikes allowed at low speed on the Circulator only; 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Circle B Bar Reserve Several trails 4399 Winter Lake Road No pets; hours change with daylight saving time
Se7en Wetlands Wetland trails Gates in Mulberry and on Lakeland Highlands Road 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; no bikes or pets

Fort Fraser Trail

Polk County’s Fort Fraser Trail is a 7.75-mile multi-use trail beside U.S. Highway 98 between Winter Lake Road (State Road 540) in Lakeland and State Road 60 in Bartow. Trailheads are at Polk State College in Lakeland and in Highland City. Park at the Lakeland trailhead behind the sheriff’s substation, 4120 U.S. Highway 98; the Highland City trailhead, on Fourth Street SE between Central and Laurel avenues, has parking and restrooms. Along the way are five picnic shelters, six rest shelters and three trestle bridges, through tree canopy, pasture and neighborhoods. A half-mile paved extension reaches Circle B Bar Reserve. The county says a project to extend the trail north into Lakeland at Glendale Avenue is coming.

Lake loops downtown and south

  • Lake Hollingsworth: the lakeside path around the lake is about 2.8 miles, the distance Fleet Feet Lakeland uses for its Thanksgiving run; the Warrior Walk lists it at 2.7 miles. It hosts many of Lakeland’s 5Ks.
  • Lake Mirror and Lake Morton: the Frances Langford Promenade circles Lake Mirror past Hollis Garden, and Lake Morton, a few blocks southeast, has the swans and the public library. The city’s Lake Mirror office leads a Lake Mirror historic walking tour, by reservation, on the fourth Tuesday of the month, October to March; see our downtown Lakeland guide.

Lake Parker Park

Lake Parker Park has four connected walking loops:

  • Forest Path, 0.66 miles, along the Lake Parker shoreline around the original 1978 park.
  • Water Path, 0.84 miles, the longest loop, through wetland hardwood forest.
  • Soccer Path, 0.76 miles, around the soccer complex.
  • North Path, 0.8 miles, over the bridge on the Parker Canal around the lawn bowling area.

Nature trails

  • Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Road: 1,267 acres on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, where alligators are almost guaranteed. Open 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in standard time and 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in daylight saving time. No pets, balloons, music or fishing. Trails can close for management; call 863-668-4673.
  • Se7en Wetlands, run by Lakeland’s water utility, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Enter at Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry, or Mulberry Park, both with restrooms and parking; the Lakeland Highlands Scrub gate, 6998 Lakeland Highlands Road, connects by trail but has no parking at the wetlands gate. No bikes, pets, fishing or drones. Carry water; it is only available near the gates.

New and coming trails

The city lists the Three Parks Trail East along New Jersey Road, the West Lake Parker Trail and the West Memorial Boulevard Trail as recently completed, and the Three Parks Trail West, a Fort Fraser Trail extension to Lakeland Highlands Road, the Hartsell Avenue Trail and a Chase Street Trail toward Bonnet Springs Park as coming, its trails page says. The city’s Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Jog uses the Three Parks Trail each December.

What this means for you

  • Start with Lake Hollingsworth for a flat, social loop; go to the Fort Fraser Trail for distance on a bike.
  • Leave dogs home for Circle B and Se7en Wetlands; see our dog-friendly guide.
  • Florida sun is strong year-round; carry water, especially at Se7en Wetlands.

Related: parks and trails, getting around Lakeland and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the walk around Lake Hollingsworth?

Race organizers put one loop of Lake Hollingsworth at 2.7 to 2.8 miles. Fleet Feet Lakeland’s Thanksgiving run uses a 2.8-mile loop from the boat ramp.

How long is the Fort Fraser Trail?

7.75 miles, paved and multi-use, running beside U.S. Highway 98 from Winter Lake Road (State Road 540) in Lakeland to State Road 60 in Bartow, Polk County says. A half-mile paved spur reaches Circle B Bar Reserve.

Where do I park for the Fort Fraser Trail in Lakeland?

At the Lakeland trailhead behind the sheriff’s substation, 4120 U.S. Highway 98, near Polk State College. The Highland City trailhead on Fourth Street SE has parking and restrooms.

Can I ride a bike at Circle B Bar Reserve or Se7en Wetlands?

Visit Central Florida lists cycling among Circle B’s activities, but Se7en Wetlands bans bicycles, pets and fishing. Circle B bans pets.