A portion of the Alligator Alley trail at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland is closed until further notice because of active alligator nesting sites.
The trail will be closed to public access at its intersection with the Marsh Rabbit Run and Heron Hideout trails, according to a news release from Polk County. Visitors can still reach the open portion of Alligator Alley and the dock on Lake Hancock by taking the Shady Oak trail.
Alligator Alley typically closes during alligator mating and nesting season in the summer months, a time when alligators become territorial and protective of their nests and young, the release said.
Polk County Parks and Natural Resources closed all of Alligator Alley after Hurricane Milton caused extensive flooding in October. The trail reopened to the public on June 3.
For a location map and additional information on Circle B Bar Reserve, visit https://www.polk-county.net/park/circle-b-bar-reserve/.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Gator activity closes segment of Alligator Alley trail at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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