Explore the edge of the Green Swamp in one of Polk County's most popular hiking areas. Gator Creek Reserve lets you experience a mosaic of cypress swamps, hardwood forests and marshes interspersed with slightly elevated areas. With a series of adjoining loop trails, one of which is paved, this 2,700-acre reserve offers easy short walks or longer treks through several unique habitats. Some visitors even bring their bikes to enjoy this great outdoor experience.
Polk County and the Florida Communities Trust jointly acquired this 2,700-acre Environmental Land site for the purpose of protecting important water, wildlife and wilderness resources. Gator Creek Reserve falls within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, a designation protecting a resource of major statewide significance. Ecologically important for its valuable water resources, the Green Swamp is the headwaters for several major river systems, including Ocklawaha, Withlacoochee, Hillsborough and Peace Rivers.
THINGS TO SEE: Wildlife that may be observed includes deer, turkey, fox squires, and gopher tortoises. If you come across a deer track in the wet sand or mud, look for the dew claws - they will show up along with the hooves in the substrate.
Cache is placed with permission from Brooke Coulter, Biologist with Polk County Parks & Natural Resources
HIKE: Approximately 2 miles round trip
This is a Letterbox Hybrid cache. For anyone not familiar with Letterboxing, there is a log in the cache for you to sign and stamp (with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp that is in the cache). If you do not have your own stamp, then stickers or hand drawn artwork are acceptable or if you do not have your own stamp, you can just sign the log. DO NOT TAKE THE STAMP WITH YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is not required to log this cache.
New validation game cards that participants stamp are available at various locations and are listed on the Friends of the Parks website and OUTPOST 27 CACHE. Trek Ten Trails 2023-2024 program maps, game cards, and other information about each of the featured nature trails may be downloaded from the Friends of the Parks website. Check out our Profile for more details.