By theroadgoeson4ever on March 30, 2010
My wife and I rode the section from Bay Lake to Green Pond and back, a ride of 20 miles round trip. This portion of the trail is about as remote as you can get in Florida. We saw gators, armadillos, tortoises and one very wise owl. The scenery is Florida wetlands - enjoyed the series of bridges in the middle. The trail is straight ahead the entire time, but the scenery alongside is ever changing and wonderful. We didn't see the rest of the trail, but we will return to do so. We parked at the Bay Lake trailhead, which isn't very well marked, so bring a good map. We had no problems there.
By moxroxy on November 28, 2009
The construction is complete on the Van Fleet Trail! Keep your eyes open and you will have wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities. We have seen fox squirrels, pygmy rattlesnakes, deer, alligators (with babies), otters, gopher tortoises and various snakes. The trail is flat and straight which can be a bit dull, but the critters and not having to dodge traffic makes up for that.
By chancock on November 15, 2009
We started in Polk City at the south end of the trail and road north only to find that the trail was closed at the 10 mile mark due to bridge maintainance. The trail was also not completed yet going south from Polk City but we road around the barrier and got a few more miles in anyway, it was a 120 mile drive there we wanted our RIDE! The 10 mile section we got to ride was average not much to see but trees, and a few turtles. I suggest calling ahead to make sure the trail is open, here is the number on the sign at the closed end>352-516-7384