hidden gem. My dog loves it. The creek is clear and people working there are very niceread more

Payne's Creek State Park is a historical center in Bowling Green Florida - Who knew this place even…read moreexisted. The only reason I found out about it is because a Facebook friend of mine let me know they were offering Ghostwalks during the month of October due to the high spirit activity on the land. Legend has it that some Renegade Seminole Indians once came to trade at the little grocery on the property, but trading wasn't what they had in mind. Instead they ambushed the whites and killed them, taking their child with them to Tampa. In late 1849 Fort Chokonikla was built, and though the Indian's never attacked it, it was nearly destroyed by Mosquitoes. The restless spirits of soldiers who died of infected mosquito bites and boredom seem to wander about. No one knows for sure where their bodies are truly interred. The walk sometimes takes you to the youth camp about a mile away, on Payne's Creek itself where Mary Jane is said to have perished when she swung out over the creek on a rope swing and got caught in one of Florida's many shallow limestone caves. Divers tried to rescue her lifeless form but they too, got caught - because in those days the tanks and suits were heavy and bulky - far from the stream lined things of today, and they drown as well. Their spririts are said to roam as well. The information we were given, the tools we were allowed to use and the pictures we took were all interesting. I can't say I saw anything paranormal or super natural. What I can tell you is that it was a good time with friends. It was a lovely evening under the blood moon and it was totally worth the $5 I paid for the tourguides time.

I was in town visiting. A day pass is valid for a week between $20-25 per vehicle. There are…read moredifferent beach lots. I visited the first lot. There was parking available, accessible restrooms, trash and recycling bins next to beach ramp. The water was a bit chilly but gorgeous! It was easy to walk on the sand, not many shells. I highly recommend a visit to this beach.

Beautiful, unspoiled beach with a clothing-optional area. I enjoyed spending time here with my gf…read moreduring our trip to Florida

This is not open!!! The walkway is closed off!!' Only picnic tables available. And they were…read moreworking in the bathrooms that left a chemical smell for the whole area Lots of parking at the top

This park was the site of a 460 acre open-pit phosphate mine until the early 1980s. The land was…read moredonated to the Polk County Parks and recreation Division in 1984. The park borders the Peace River floodplain. This park is south of Kissingen Spring, which was once one of Florida's major springs pumping more than 20 million gallons a day. It stopped flowing in 1950 as a result of the flow of the Peace River dropping due to the increase of phosphate mining in the area from mines like this one. The park has a peaceful one mile elevated boardwalk that winds through the shady floodplain forest out to the Peace River. Along the way interpretive signs give background information on the 1,800-square-mile Peace River basin. There is an additional 7.5 miles of multi use trails for hiking and horseback riding through wetlands and scrub in the reclaimed mine lands to the west. The parking lot is at the top of the hill and there is a restroom and picnic pavilion in the park. The park is known as a great place to bird watch. Birds that have been sighted here include limpkins, winter ducks, green-winged and blue-winged teal, hooded merganser, gray catbird, blue-headed vireo, American white pelican, and eastern meadowlark. Raptors that have been recorded here are the Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Swallow-tailed Kite. More than 25 wood-warblers have been found in the park like the Louisiana Waterthrush and the Chestnut-sided Warbler. Peace river Mosaic Park is open 7 AM to dusk. Admission is free. This is a great place to get your steps in and take in the natural beauty of Polk County.

Great spot to get away and enjoy nature. There are trails for horseback riding, driving, bicycling,…read moreside by sides, and hiking. They have campsites for campers and primitive ones to bring just your tent. There are places for picnicking, grilling and get together a with family and friends. If you like fishing there are lots of spots to do that as well as boat ramps to bring your boat or even a kayak. The deer encourage picture takers and I have also seen alligators, otters, possums, armadillos, to name a few of the wildlife in the park. Bird watching is another great activity to do as I have seen bald eagles and hawks.

Love camping here! Beautiful park, relaxing, nice walks, riding bikes, fishing, Florida nature at…read moreits best!

Opened in 2011, Heritage Peace River Landing is a park that was created as part of a plan to…read moreincrease the public access to bodies of water all over Polk County. The park is located on the east side of the Peace River south of County Road 640. It was added to already existing boat launches in Bartow and Fort Meade. This park provides access to the upper Peace River. The idea for putting a boat launch here dates back to 2003. It was finally accomplished through a public and private partnership. Clear Springs LLC lent heavy equipment and brush was cleared by ACT and the Dick Pope Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. A boat launching area was then created and a pier was added. The creation of this boat launch helped to extend the paddling trail on the Peace Rive, north from Fort Meade to Bartow. With more people using the river for recreation it is hoped that they will want to protect the river. During the Seminole Wars there were many settlements along this section of the river and to this day it attracts a great variety of wildlife. The river provides drinking water for people downstream and it contributes to the health of the Charlotte Harbor estuary. Heritage Peace River Landing is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. In addition to the boat launch and fishing pier there is also a parking lot and picnic shelter. Admission is free. Come out and enjoy the natural beauty of the area by paddling down the Peace River.

This place is tucked away from everything making it a great spot for a picnic, fishing, or just sit…read moreand enjoy nature. Unfortunately there is trash lying around including a bloody looking shirt. People parked on the boat ramp made it inaccessible. There was also a man asleep at the wheel in his truck with his door open and constantly dinging. What could be a beautiful spot is a little to "creepy" for me. We did enjoy hearing two barred owls calling to each other while briefly there and watching a hawk flying overhead.

This was the first park in the central Florida area that actually made me feel like I was on a real…read morehike! From the outer appearance, driving into the park, it looks like a typical Florida, flat-surface park. However, once you enter the trails, it's very 'hilly', has extremely challenging bike ramps, fishing areas, views, and be prepared to sweat if you're walking through the biking area/ trails. I'm looking forward to the challenge again and returning to the park for a hike.

Finally had the opportunity to ride the famous Carter Rd. Trails! These are some of the most unique…read moreand epic trails in Florida. The terrain is magical and the trail crews have really used every inch of this place as creatively as one can. The riding is super technical and really fun. Can't wait to come back.

I love these type of parks and I have been to a few across Florida. A town will move several of…read moretheir historic buildings to one area which saves them from being demolished and it creates a place where people can learn about the history of the area. This historical park was created in Homeland, Florida in 1985 and it was set up to recreate a community from the mid 1800's. The town of Homeland got its name from an Irish peddler who was passing through and said that the town reminded him of his homeland. Buildings in the park include:: The Homeland Schoolhouse built in 1878. It was first called the Bethel Academy. The name was changed in 1885 when the town changed its name to Homeland The school started with only 5 students but when it grew to 60 a large room was added in 1888. Students in first through eighth grade were taught basic reading and math so they could help with farming and read the Bible. By 1925 the school had been expanded to a L shape. It closed in 1956 due to a decline in enrollment. It is the only building in the park on its original foundation. It is also the oldest school in Polk County. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Homeland Methodist Church was established in 1875. Construction of the church started in 1887, 500 feet south of its current location across the street. It took two years to complete and it was finished in 1889 at a cost of $2,000. In 1946 the church steeple was knocked over by a hurricane. The church served the community until the 1970's. In 1986 it was donated to the park. In 1990 the church steeple was built back up to its original height. Today the church can be rented for weddings. The Raulerson Home was built in the 1880's by Mr. and Mrs. Blocker. It was originally located in Lakeland near County Road. The house is an example of what an affluent family would have lived in. The house was purchased from the Blockers by Daniel Amos Raulerson who lived in it from 1901 until 1912. After that they rented it out. The house contains two rooms on the second floor that can only be entered from a ladder on the porch. These type of rooms were meant for the farm help. This was the third building to be added to the park and it was moved here on March 25, 1988. The English log cabin was built in 1888 in the Winston area of Lakeland, Florida by Cornelius English and his brother James Jackson. It was as a family home until the 1900's. The building is an example of the earliest kind of dwelling in Polk County, a single pen log cabin. The house remained in possession of the English family until it was donated to the park and moved here in 1989. The Pole Barn is the type of outbuilding a settler would have had in 1894. The building was added to the park in 1994 and it was the last building to be added. The barn was used to store farm equipment, protect animals, and store crops. The loft was used to store hay and feed for the animals. The barn was donated to the park by the English family. Tours of the buildings are given by appointment and several events are held throughout the year. In April they hold the Good Old Days Festival and their largest event is the Cracker Storytellers Festival. In December they hold the Christmas Notes Festival . Homeland Heritage Park offers scheduled tours, walk in tours, field trips, and their special even programs. Even though the buildings were closed I still had a great tour. Signs outside of each of the buildings told their history. It was so cool seeing buildings over a 100 years old preserved. I would love to make it back for an event one day.

Great small scale historical outdoor museum area. Free access to outdoor areas that are…read morewell-marked with historical signs. If you want to tour inside buildings, you need to make an appointment or peer through windows. Original school on original site from 1878. Small Methodist Church, one of first with stained glass windows. 1900 log cabin, 1880 aristocratic farmhouse, pole barn with some farm implements. Giant live oaks. Will take about an hour to stroll through it all. Great place for a picnic and peek back at the original cracker life in central Florida. South of Bartow, north of Fort Meade on 640. Signs are good to get there. Raw honey stand and "greens for sale" on the way in. Gotta love it!

Went here recently, nice little mini beach. Sat for awhile, watched the boats, overhead planes, and…read morepeople. Got my groove on. $2 entrance fee not bad. Plenty of parking. They also have some trails to walk nearby , and a park. Opens up to the bay eith a great view from the beach and lets you get your "chill" on! Very relaxing

Beautiful place. There are little picnic areas. A nice little beach and trails. You can sit there…read moreall day and look out on the bay.

This is a quaint little spot with primarily boardwalk trails around the Peace River. Consider it a…read moresnapshot of the Florida wetlands ecosystem. The key to really enjoying this park is being quiet. Yep, it is the truth. I have seen more wildlife on weekdays when the park is empty on my own, rather than on weekends with howling children and drunk kayakers floating by. People are always incredibly noisy, which scare the grey foxes, snakes, bobcats, deer and multitude of birds. Most people probably would not want to make the trip out; it's not the most interactive park for those that like to set their youngsters loose to play and such. It's really just a place to quietly walk and meditate, and perhaps catch the wild pig or alligator. I doubt kids younger than 12 would really enjoy it anyway.

Gasparilla Island/Boca Grande is a hidden gem and one of my new favorite places to visit in…read moreFlorida. You can get to both of these places through the same toll, and is just a smaller, quaint, and quieter side of the gulf shores in Florida. Very beautiful pristine and crystal clear waters from all ends of the island. $6 for Tolls and $3 for Parking Arrive anytime between 9am-3pm to check out most of the shops within the area. It is a more small and private island where many of the residents shops close early. (Island Time) This place has two light houses. One in the middle of Gasparilla and then the other at the very bottom of Boca Grande. This place is going to have beautiful sunset views from most places on the island as well!

Love this beach so much . Good place to see the sunset with your love one or friends !! Great warm…read moreweather during February . Warm ocean water, too . Wish can stay this place forever .