Bike Trails and Bike Shops in Lakeland and Polk County - Lakeland Mom (2024)

Are you looking for a bike trail in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale or Polk County? If you’ve got a bike trailer or a way to transport bikes, we’ve got a list of the best bike trails for families and kids. Below you’ll find paved bike paths, mountain bike trails, AND a list of bike shops in case you’re looking for a new bike or need a repair.

Whether you’re looking for a paved path for a family bike ride, need a grassy field and short bike trail for your little one to learn to ride a bike, or you enjoy the challenge of mountain bike trails and rough terrain, you can find a great bike trail right here close to home.

While many of these trails are multi-use paths where you can also go for a walk or run, we have a separate guide to Walking Trails and Paved Paths you might want to check out, as well as a list of Hiking Trails in Polk County.

Paved Bike Trails in Polk County

Below you’ll find the best bike trails in Polk County. These are multi-use paved trails that are popular for biking, but they also work as a paved trail for running, walking, or as a stroller path. Paved trails are ideal for biking with kids – they are typically nice and wide and are located away from the roadway so you don’t have to worry about passing vehicles. We’ve included both long-distance bike trails (2+ miles) as well as shorter paved bike paths in local parks.

Fort Fraser Trail

Fort Fraser Trail is a paved multi-use bike trail in Lakeland that runs along Bartow Hwy/Hwy 98 between Lakeland and Bartow, great for biking, rollerblading, walking, or jogging with a stroller. The full trail is 7.75 miles long. Perfect for a leisurely family bike ride, you can even stop to enjoy a picnic at one of the rest shelters. The trail begins at Winter Lake Road/540 in Lakeland and ends just before Hwy 60 in Bartow. Parking is available at:

• Behind the Polk Sheriff’s Office Substation – turn at the light at Polk State College on Hwy 98 and follow the signs for Fort Fraser parking (this is just a parking lot, no restrooms)
• Highland City Trailhead / Main Trailhead – Central Ave & 4th Ave off Hwy 98 in Lakeland (restrooms available here)
• Bartow Trailhead – 1197 N Wilson Ave, Bartow, FL 33830

TECO Auburndale Trail

James A. Van Fleet State Trail

3 Parks Trail in Lakeland

Paved Bike Paths in Lakeland

These paved paths are a shorter distance (typically 1 mile or less) and are designed for a leisurely ride or a place to learn to ride a bike. Some of them are near a grassy field so you can start learning on the grass and move to the paved path when your child gets more comfortable riding a bike.

Common Ground Park

In addition to Lakeland’s largest playground, there is a large grass field as well as a paved path at Common Ground Park. Look for the paved path near the parking area at the “back” of the playground (turn at Southington/Denton and go around the tennis courts).
Location: 1000 E Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33803
Learn more:Common Ground Park and Playground

Banana Lake Park

This park is tucked away in the neighborhoods off Clubhouse Road in south Lakeland, and we think it is a hidden gem! The park includes a playground, huge grass field, and paved path around the park (as well as a boat ramp).
Location: 5002 Tillery Road, Lakeland, Florida 33812
Learn more:Banana Lake Park

Walker Road Park

Walker Road Park is off the beaten path in north Lakeland. It has softball fields, grass multi-purpose fields, a playground, and a paved walking path around the park.
Location: 1035 Walker Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810
Learn more:Walker Road Park

Dobbins Park

Our favorite thing at Dobbins Park are the ziplines on the playground! There is also a paved walking trail around the park, and a large open field to play or learn to ride a bike.
Location: Next to Dixieland Elementary School at 514 Ariana St, Lakeland, Florida 33803
Learn more:Dobbins Park and Playground

Christina Park

You won’t find a grassy field at Christina Park (just softball fields), but you will find one of our favorite shaded playgrounds in Lakeland. There is a paved path that runs around the outside of the softball fields, plus when the park is empty the parking lot is a great place to ride a bike.
Location: 500 Co Rd 540A, Lakeland, FL 33813
Learn more:Christina Park and Playground

Lake Parker Park

The partially shaded trail at Lake Parker Park is a nice leisurely ride, plus you can visit the amazing Rotary Playground at Hernando’s Landing.
Location:910 Granada St, Lakeland, FL 33801 (There are two entrances to Lake Parker Park – use the one on Granada to access the playground and trail)
Learn More:Lake Parker Park and the Rotary Playground at Hernando’s Landing

Peterson Park

Veer left at the fork in Peterson Park and you’ll end up at a nice grass play area, perfect for learning to ride a bike. Minimal road traffic also means you can use the circle around the screened pavilion to ride on a paved path. There is also a straight paved trail, approximately 1/2 mile long, that is part of the City of Lakeland’s 3 Parks Trail (see above). Access this trail between the boat ramp parking and shaded pavilion.
Location:3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803
Learn More:City of Lakeland

Lake Mirror and Hollis Garden

Fletcher Park at Lake Bonny

Best known for the Lakeland skate park, Lake Bonny Park is also home to a 1+ mile paved walking trail as well as a large grass field.
Location:800 US-98, Lakeland, FL 33801
Learn More:Fletcher Park at Lake Bonny

Douglas M. Cook Park

Located near Lakeland Square Mall in north Lakeland, this park has a huge grass field and a paved path around the park.
Location: 955 Wedgewood Estates Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida 33809
Learn more:Douglas M. Cook Park

Lake Hollingsworth

Editor’s Opinion on biking around Lake Hollingsworth – there is a 3 mile paved path around Lake Hollingsworth as well as a designated bike path along the road. There is no barrier between the bike path and roadway, so it is designed for experienced bike riders. While we have certainly seen plenty of younger kids riding bikes on the paved path, it is meant for walkers and runners and can get pretty crowded, so if you’ve got older kids or bike riders going faster than a walking pace, we recommend visiting one of the other paved trails for bike riding.

Paved Bike Paths in Winter Haven

Chain of Lakes Trail in Winter Haven

South Lake Howard Nature Park

Places to Learn to Ride a Bike

Wondering where you can find the best place to learn to ride a bike? Sometimes it is nerve-wracking to watch your child learn to ride on the street or sidewalk near your home. The best suggestion we have is to find a grass field to start with, that way they don’t end up with scraped knees or elbows if they fall over.

All of the places listed above and in our list of on our Open Fields and Parks Where You Can Play Outdoors in Lakeland are a great place to learn to ride. Some parents have also suggested finding an empty parking lot (schools that aren’t gated, malls or shopping centers when closed, etc. – just be sure you aren’t trespassing).

Mountain Bike Trails in Polk County

Loyce E. Harpe Park / Carter Road Park Mountain Bike Trails

Colt Creek State Park

Alafia River State Park

Bike Shops in Polk County

Wondering “is there a bike shop near me?” We’ve got you covered!

Bikes are also sold at Target, WalMart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon, and local resale shops.

Join a Local Bicycling Group

If you’d like to learn more about cycling in Lakeland or Polk County, want some guidance on the best mountain bike trails for kids, or just enjoy the camaraderie of a group bike ride, check out these local groups listed below. Many of the local bike shops also coordinate group rides and other bicycling events.

• Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Association – Website | Facebook
• Bicycling in Lakeland – Website | Facebook
• Bike Lakeland – Facebook
• Bartow Cycling Community – Facebook
• Lakeland Landsharks Triathalon Club – Facebook
• Pedal Power Bike Ministry – Facebook (Pedal Power is based at First Presbyterian Church, they collect used bicycles then restores and refurbishes them to safe working order to give away for FREE to Children and Adults in need)

Map – Bike Trails Near Me

Bike Paths Near Me | Paved Trails Near Me

Did we miss a bike trail near you? Contact us and we’ll add it to our list.