An urban park just on the fringe of the industrial area east of downtown Lakeland, Saddle Creek Park draws a lot of attention for its primary attraction, fishing.
Like those at nearby Tenoroc Fish Management Area, the oddly shaped lakes are remnants of phosphate mine pits.
The “lake” in the northeast corner of the parkFilled with water, they are stocked with game fish like largemouth bass and speckled perch, appealing to anglers.
Open green space attracts dog walkers, and a shaded campground set in an oak hammock near the back of the park keeps busy all winter.
Camping under the shade of the oaksIn the park’s northeast corner, the Saddle Creek Nature Trail roughly parallels the floodplain of Saddle Creek along the east side of the lakes.
Established by Boy Scout Troop 123 of Winter Haven, it was built for birding and has surprisingly steep grades in spots.
It follows a forested ridge of old fill above the mine pit lakes and the natural floodplain which Saddle Creek drains towards Lake Hancock.
While unmarked, the path is largely broadThe observation tower that originally capped a high grassy knoll is no longer in place. Instead, there are benches at two natural overlooks.
From this same trailhead, a longstanding trail which connected to adjoining Lost Lake at Tenoroc WMA has been officially abandoned and blocked off.
Closed trail to TenorocResources
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Overview
Location: Lakeland
Length: Up to 2.5 miles
Trailhead: 28.064207, -81.881445
Address: 3716 Morgan Combee Rd, Lakeland
Fees: None
Restroom: Near the trailhead
Land manager: Polk County
Phone: 863-534-4340
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Use mosquito protection: with all the water, mosquitoes are always present, especially at the prime times to see the birds, dusk and dawn.
Directions
Follow US 92 east from Lakeland or west from Auburndale to find this large city park on the north side of the road. Turn north on Saddle Creek Park Road and follow it for 1 mile, passing a campground on the left. Bear right and follow the road to where it ends past the maintenance yard and restrooms within sight of the trail kiosk.
Hike
Start your hike at the old wooden kiosk with a routed approximation of the trail route and a Great Florida Birding Trail sign.
Follow the sweep of grass around the curve of the northernmost lake in the park. The forest on the left is within the Saddle Creek floodplain.
Start of the hikeReaching the hill where the observation tower stood, bear left to walk a leafy path above a ditch dropping into the forest.
This drainage feeds the Saddle Creek floodplain. Where the path sweeps to the right between the trees beyond the hill, follow it.
Hill where the tower stoodNear some old fence posts, a worn footpath drops down into the creek basin for a closer inspection of its natural flow.
It’s the only spot along this hike that feels truly natural. The surrounding forest otherwise grew atop mine tailings and has a lot of invasives in the understory.
The side path ends at Saddle CreekFollow the graveled path up a steep hill. Descend under the forest canopy, reaching a broad opening under the oaks at 0.4 miles.
At this T junction, the right turn loops back towards the trailhead. Make a left to start the round-trip portion of the hike.
Trail junction for short loopWalk the leafy path within its forested corridor, coming to a bench on a bluff within a tenth of a mile.
A narrow footpath leads from it downhill between the ferns to the sparkling edge of one of the mine pit lakes.
Bench on the bluffBeyond the bench, oaks arch over the footpath. Sizable specimens of oaks and cypress tower within the creek floodplain.
Past a trash can in a clearing at 0.6 miles, the pathway curves annd climbs, with glimpses of murky water through the trees on the lake side.
Murky sloughMounds of vines start obscuring the creekside understory. Ascend a hill before dropping almost to lake level, reflections obvious through the vegetation.
The pathway undulates, graveled on many slopes and hemmed in like a tunnel beneath bowing limbs.
Tunnel effectClimb a sharp slope and descend a long straightaway before tall trees return alongside a curve.
On a high bluff at 0.9 miles, enjoy a long view into a cove off a large lake. On the opposite side of the path, the floodplain is crowded with cypress.
Lake viewMore sky opens up overhead as the floodplain shows off more tall cypresses far below. The ridge is most obvious here.
Around the next curve, keep alert for black vultures perched in trees on the bluffs above the lakeshore.
Saddle Creek floodplainThe next curve swings towards a bench at 1.2 miles. It overlooks the lake closest to the frontage of the park along US 92.
Vultures become commonplace, as if this is a roosting and breeding destination. There are literally hundreds in the trees late in the day.
Vultures have claimed the trees in this cornerWithin less than a tenth of a mile, the pathway comes to an ignominous end in a semi-circular clearing behind thick vegetation along a lake. There are no views.
Turn around and ascend back to that final bench for a glimpse across the waters below. Late in the day, it faced the sun.
Bench near trail’s endReturn along the broad path, passing the other bluff bench before reaching the loop trail junction at 2.2 miles.
Continue straight ahead and downhill, the footpath curving to the right to parallel a cove on a lake.
Footpath along the coveSquawks of birds call attention to spots where you can look out into the cove. Emerge from the shade onto a sunny grassy mound.
Follow its sculpted ramp towards the worn path ahead to close the loop. Continue straight around the curve of the lake to the trailhead to finish this 2.5 mile hike.
Descending the moundTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Saddle Creek Park
Slideshow
See our photos from Saddle Creek Park
Nearby Adventures
Tenoroc Explore a blend of peculiar landscapes and challenging terrain along a lengthy loop trail maintained by the Heartland Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. 
Marshall Hampton Reserve Sample a colorful corner of more than 1,100 acres of conservation land along the eastern shore of Lake Hancock on a hike combining oak hammocks and wetlands for birding.
Circle B Bar Reserve For fabulous birding and more alligators than you can count, roam the marshy edge of Lake Hancock on miles of causeways through Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland
Bonnet Springs Park Offering a bounty of outdoor and nature activities along with museums and public spaces, Bonnet Springs Park is an urban gem in the city of Lakeland, a top destination statewide for family nature fun.
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