7 local parks to explore in Central Florida

BLUE SPRINGS STATE PARK

What to know: Blue Springs is known mainly as the oasis to enjoy manatee watching in the winter, but this park has plenty to offer throughout the year. It’s quite popular, especially on the weekends, so it’s not uncommon to see a line of cars outside the entrance waiting for the capacity to drop so they can let more people enter. If it’s the weekend, go early.

Admission: $6 - you can reserve a spot and pay ahead online.

Activities:

You can also hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail.

Activities other than hiking:

Hang out on the multiple overlooks into the clear water and spot fish and other wildlife.

Launch a canoe or kayak (rentals are available at the park) or take a guided riverboat cruise.
Tour the historic Thursby house.
You can rent or bring your own tube to float down the springs lazily.

Gemini Springs Park

What to know: Gemini Springs Park is a 210-acre public nature park in DeBary featuring two springs. It’s a very serene and visually pleasing park that I didn’t know existed until recently. It’s more of a quiet destination to hang out in, rather then trek a long nature trail. There are shorter trails here that are worth exploring but they aren’t quite as scenic as other spots.

Admission: FREE

Activities:

Nature Trail - 3/4 mile
Bike Trail - 1 mile
Fishing Pier

What I like about it: I love sitting by the springs (if it isn’t too hot) or hanging out on the fishing pier. It definitely has more of a relaxing vibe with plenty of places to sit and soak in the Florida beauty.

Green Springs Park

What to know: Green Springs has a nature trail that leads into a longer bike trail, but it’s mostly known for being a popular photoshoot spot. People perch above the large, fresh springs pond, but there’s more beautiful areas if you actually enjoy the trail.

Admission: FREE

Activities:

Visit Florida’s few green sulfur springs.
Trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas.
This park is also a trailhead to both the Spring-to-Spring Trail and the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

What I love about it: As you hike you’ll come across several smaller parts of the springs. You can find a shady spot right next to a smaller babbling brook where you can sit and listen to music, read, or practice any other creative outlet. It’s pretty secluded and heavily shaded making it a great place for some alone time once you’ve gone past the more Instagram famous spot.
If you are going here with the sole purpose of taking a cute picture of yourself at the large springs hole, be warned this is a popular area with lots of kids hanging out. Swimming, jumping off trees, and laying in hammocks was all taking place on my visit even though it’s prohibited. Patience will be needed.

Mead Botanical Garden

What to know: It’s easy to think Mead Gardens is just a place to get married or visit when a popular flower is in bloom, but some may not fully grasp how large it is, and all that is has to offer. Right in the heart of Winter Park you can explore the 48-acre urban oasis.

Admission: FREE

Activities:

Various Gardens and Greenhouse.
Butterfly Garden
Hike through several different paths and trails.

What I love about it: The path that goes behind the amphitheater follows Howell Creek with beautiful spots to take a moment of peace.

Lake Lotus Park

What to know: On the border of Maitland and Altamonte Springs is a large park that hugs hidden Lake Lotus.

Admission: FREE

Activities:

120 Acres of Woods and Wetlands
1 Mile of Raised Boardwalk
Fishing Pier
Picnic Pavilions and Barbeque Grills
Education Center

What I love about it: Most of the hiking trails are shaded, so in this brutal summer heat Lake Lotus has proved to be a great alternative for exercise instead of walking the hot concrete sidewalks of our neighborhoods. The pier is also a nice spot to take a break and search for gators and other wildlife. I see baby gators every single visit.

Washington Oaks Park + Beach

This unique park has two different scenic elements next to each other: a garden and a beach. The beach is full of swirling, sculptured coquina rocks perfect for listening to crashing waves or searching for snails and anemones. The other portion of the park features gardens and walking trails.

Admission: $5 parking which gains you entrance for the beach and the park.

Activities:

Walking the beach.
Lots of wildlife.
Streams and hidden ponds with shade.
Helpful trail map Here.

What I love about it: The varieties of well-landscaped areas are beautiful and lush. Rather than wild, unkempt trails, you can come here and focus on some of Florida’s most stunning natural elements in a more refined setting.

SPRING HAMMOCK PRESERVE

What to know: This nature preserve is huge, at 1,500 acres. its got varied terrains perfect for an extensive and immersive nature hike or a bike ride on the wider trails. Many animal and plant species in the preserve are either rare or near their range limit. Open sunrise to sunset. Park gates close at dusk. Leashed dogs welcome.

Admission: FREE

Activities:

Short trails providing opportunities for hiking and bicycling, as well as a visitor center for learning about the park's natural and cultural resources.
Picnic areas and fishing spots along either the beach or the seawall along the Matanzas River.
Streams and hidden ponds with shade.
Helpful trail map Here.

What I love about it: The vast size of the area allows you to get in a really good exercise while leisurely viewing the surrounding wildlife. It feels very secluded at times, and much of it is shady which helps keep you from fully melting.