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Orlando's location in Central Florida places it close to numerous Florida state parks and U.S. national parks. In fact, there are enough state parks in the area to keep you busy for an entire week visit! Of course you might not be able to spend this much time in the parks, so we've listed a few of our favorites and given you a brief description so that you can choose which one(s) you would like to visit for yourself. The first two are the two National Parks and Forests located in the area, and the rest of them are Florida state parks that are located throughout the Central Florida area. As always, if you have any questions about this page, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to help you out.
Distance - 73.8 miles (118.8 km) Travel Time - 1 Hour 38 Minutes
This forest was the first designated National Forest east of the Mississippi River. Established in 1908 this forest covers 608 square miles (1,572 sq. km), and is located between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers. The southern portion of the Ocala National Forest is less than an hours drive from Orlando and offers countless outdoor activities for all types of people. If you are very outdoorsy then a mountain bike ride on the Florida Trail might appeal to you, or maybe horse ride on one of the many equestrian trails that wind through the forest. Try your luck at fishing in one of the hundreds of ponds that dot the forest, or go for a ride on an ATV (fourwheeler).
One of the largest draws to the Ocala National Forest is its’ springs. These natural springs flow out of the Florida Aquifer and up into the forest above. The two most visited springs are Alexander Springs and Juniper Springs and they offer camp sites and are also popular for day trippers. Camping is a very popular activity in the Ocala National Forest and there are over ten locations where camp sites have been set up, many of them are RV accessible. The nature is the most obvious commodity of the Ocala National Forest and you will not be disappointed. With the largest concentration of Florida Black Bears in the state this forest gives you the best chance to see these beautiful creatures as well as white-tailed deer, bobcats, American alligators, wild boar, foxes, river otter, and gopher tortoise.
Distance - 211.0 miles (339.6 km) Travel Time - 4 Hours 10 Minutes
Everglades National Park is located approximately 4 hours south of Orlando at the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. This park is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the world and is registered as a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of International Importance. This national park is the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River and boasts scores of endangered and threatened animals including the Florida Panther, American Crocodile, and West Indian Manatee. It also is home to the largest mangrove tract in the world. There are many thing to do when visiting the Evergaldes including hiking, camping, and kayaking. It is a must see for nature lovers visiting the state.
The Everglades National Park is essentially one huge slow moving river. This can be difficult to wrap your head around but think of the Everglades as a huge drainage area for all of south Florida. Beginning at Lake Okeechobee water flows south at about .25 miles a day and can be up to 70 miles wide. This extremely slow, wide, and shallow river is often reffered to as the "River of Grass" because of the tall reeds that grow in many areas of the park. After years of abuse from humans Everglades National Park luck has changed in the past couple of decades. With a more environmentally sensitive public and politicians new laws have been passed to improve the health of this fragile ecosystem the most important of which is the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This plan is aimed at supplying the water needs of South Florida as well as restore more natural water flow to the Everglades and if successful would greatly benefit all parties involved.
Distance - 21.4 miles (34.4 km) Travel Time - 36 Minutes
Distance - 21.4 miles (34.4 km) Travel Time - 36 Minutes
Just north of Apopka you can find Rock Springs Run State Reserve. Stradeling the upper Wekiva River this reserve offers 17 miles of trails that you can walk, bike, or ride horses on as well as canoe rentals. If you want to take a canoe trip there are primitive camp sites down the river that are only accessible by canoe where you can be totally isolated from the 21st century and experience Florida as it was hundreds of years ago.
Distance - 26.6 miles (42.8 km) Travel Time - 39 Minutes
Just west of Orlando in Clermont lies Lake Louise State Park. Six pristine lakes and the land surrounding them makes up this park. Fishing is permitted in four of the six lakes and only boats with a trolling motor or no motor at all are allowed on these lakes. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy 15 miles of trails that wind around the lakes of the park. There are fully furnished cabins available as well as campsites where you can stay.
Distance - 33.5 miles (53.9 km) Travel Time - 47 Minutes
Blue Spring is the largest spring on the St. Johns River and is surrounded by a beautiful 2600 acre state park. Great for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, scuba diving, and fishing Blue Spring appears in the forest as a crystal clear blue hole. In the summertime months it is very popular to float down the "run" or stream until it meets the St. Johns River nearby. During the winter the spring is closed off to swimmers, and scuba divers because West Indian Manatees make this spring their home during these months and they are protected as a species. Camping is available year round for RV’s and tents.
Distance - 49.2 miles (79.2 km) Travel Time - 1 Hour 2 Minutes
You can find some of the best fishing in the state at Lake Griffin State Park. A wide variety can be caught including largemouth bass, bluegill, speckled perch, and catfish. This park is also home to one of the largest live oak trees in the state of Florida. Bring your tent and stay then night at designated campsites.
Distance - 42.2 miles (67.9 km) Travel Time 1 Hour 3 Minutes
Less than an hours drive away from Orlando, Hontoon Island in the middle of the St. Johns River near Deland. You can take the ferry or your own boat out to the island and enjoy a days worth of fishing, canoeing, and boating. Exploring Hontoon Island State Park reveals evidence of Native American habitation long before Europeans arrived. Get away from the fast paced city life of Orlando and slow down at Hontoon Islando State Park.
Distance - 46.7 miles (75.2 km) Travel Time - 1 Hour 13 Minutes
This state park offers an abundance of wildlife including black bears, otters, sand hill cranes, and alligators. Take a canoe trip down the Wekiva River or navigate one of the many blackwater streams in the area. Camping is available for equestrian campers as well as regular campers. Located 9 miles west of Sanford this beautiful Central Florida landscape is just a short drive from Orlando.
Distance - 67.0 miles (107.8 km) Travel Time - 1 Hour 33 Minutes
In the mood to go hiking through pristine Florida wilderness? This state park offers over 8000 acres to explore including 6 miles of hiking trails and seven miles of equestrian trails. Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic under the covered pavilion after enjoying the wildlife including protected scrub jays, bald eagles, scrub lizards, and gopher tortoises. There are plenty of places to fish as well, so don’t forget your fishing pole.
Distance - 86.1 miles (138.6 km) Travel Time - 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Located an hour and a half north of Orlando the Silver Ricer State Park is near the headwaters of the Silver River near Ocala. You can canoe down the crystal clear spring fed river, hike one of several trails, and camp at one of the designated camp sites. One unique attraction of Silver River State park is the "Cracker Village", which is a recreation of 19th century settlers of Central Florida. This area allows you to see how they lived in Florida over 100 years ago. Nearby is the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center where you can learn about the natural history of the area going back to the time before European contact. Get a glimpse back into time and see Florida as it once was at Silver River State Park.
Distance - 72.1 miles (116.0 km) Travel Time - 1 Hour 41 Minutes
Nestled on the shores of Lake Kissimmee this state park offers a glimpse back into the cowboy days of Central Florida. An authentic "cow camp" is set up to show you how these cowboys lived in the 19th century. This state park also offers equestrian trails around the lake as well as trail for hikers. After a full day of hiking and enjoying the wildlife, which includes bobcats, white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, and turkeys, you can camp at one of the designated campsites that accommodate RVs and tents.
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