When we talk about Orlando, Florida, the first thing we remember are the world famous amusement parks: Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, ICON 360 Complex, SeaWorld and many others. These are tourist spots that are part of the travel itinerary of almost everyone who goes there, but there are other super cool activities to spend time in the city!
That's exactly what we're going to talk about in today's post! We have prepared a list of the best natural parks in Orlando for you to get away from the madness of the city and enjoy moments of rest and tranquility. Stay with us and come check it out!
Check out the 17 best nature parks in Orlando
Getting to know Orlando is a dream! The place is incredibly busy, so there are thousands of activities to do. Despite this, there is another side of the city that few people explore, but that enchants everyone who wants to escape the city a little: the natural parks. Check out the main ones:
1. Wekiwa Springs State Park Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is amazing and a great option for those passing through the municipality during the summer. With a large preserved environmental area, the park is perfect for hiking, meditating or even taking a nap.
For nature lovers, there is a great diversity of plants to see, as well as a beautiful spring that flows into a small river. For those looking for a more lively activity, it is possible to rent kayaks for a super fun ride.
In addition, you can see several animals, after all, there is the habitat of deer, foxes, raccoons, lynxes and even black bears. To enter the park you need to pay a small fee, but in my opinion it is very worthwhile. The opening hours of the gates start at 8am.
2. Lake Kissimmee State Park Nature Reserve
The Lake Kissimmee State Park nature reserve is another incredible option for those who want to be in the middle of nature. In this park, you will have the opportunity to camp and spend the night near the small animals that live there, as well as enjoy countless trees.
In addition, it is possible to take boat trips, canoeing and fishing in the rivers of the region. It is worth mentioning that the park has a specific area for camping, accommodating up to 50 people. This is a very popular activity for young people to observe the stars at night. Oh, and the park opens at 8am and closes at sunset (except for campers), 365 days a year.
3. Ralph V. Chisholm Park
Ralph V. Chisholm Park is located on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga and features several beaches, swimming areas, playgrounds for the kids, picnic areas, and horseback riding trails. In other words, there are activities for all tastes!
The park is very family-friendly, offering softball fields and sand volleyball courts, so if you like sports, this is the best option. In addition, the park also offers spaces with electricity, restrooms, barbecue grills, and seating areas.
4. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
This reserve is a true refuge in the bustle of the city of Orlando. It is located on Merritt Island, it is more than 570 km² of virgin forest that serves as home to many species of animals and various types of vegetation.
The park also has a wide variety of recreational and educational activities ranging from bird watching and nature study to seasonal fishing. The view of the coastline is truly fantastic and proves that Orlando also has options for sea lovers. The reserve is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8am to 4pm.
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5. Lake Eola Park
If you don't want to be so far from the city center, Lake Eola is a great idea. With a 1.4-kilometer trail around a huge lake, you can go for romantic walks or have fun with the kids, rent swan pedal boats, watch the local birds and take a picnic break.
On Sundays, there is a fair to enjoy and on July 4, the park has fireworks to celebrate American independence, as well as theater festivals for the public. It is open every day of the week from 6am to 23:59. The pedal boats are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
6. Tosohatchee State Nature Reserve Orlando
For the more adventurous, this reserve is perfect! We are talking about 30 km of river and vegetation, with exotic plants and swamp areas, ideal for those who are extreme and enjoy adventures.
The park is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and unspoiled in the United States. With a very diverse fauna and flora, the area features a variety of birds and mammals native to the region. The entrance hours start at 8 am and it is necessary to pay a small environmental preservation fee.
7. Bill Frederick Park
If you're a fan of fishing, you can't miss Bill Frederick Park! This is one of the best parks in Orlando, it has 183 acres of land and one of the five best fishing lakes in the state of Florida. In addition, there are many other activities for nature lovers, such as bird watching, canoeing and kayaking, barbecue grills, picnic tables, swimming pool and much more.
To use the accommodation available in the park, you need to make a reservation, but the amount charged is very symbolic. From November to March, the site is open from 8am to 5pm, while between April and October it is possible to visit it between 8am and 6pm.
8. Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park is a Florida state park rich in animal and plant life. In addition to the beauties of the space, it is possible to do several fun and relaxing activities. During the summer, for example, it is possible to do swimming, diving, boating, kayaking and several others.
Oh, and it is also possible to camp in the park, as it is prepared with all the necessary accommodation. That is, it has restrooms, trailers, a specific place for showering, cabins, space for tents, parking, a picnic pavilion and a restaurant. It is open every day of the year from 8am to sunset (except for campers).
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9. Canaveral National Seashore
If you love wildlife, you'll surely be enchanted by Canaveral National Seashore! The national park is home to many endangered species, as well as the small sea turtles that lay their eggs there.
In addition, there are several activities to do on site, such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, hiking, surfing and swimming. During the summer, the park is open every day from 6am to 8pm, while during the winter it remains open from 6am to 6pm.
10. Everglades National Park
Like the previous park, Everglades National Park is home to several species of endangered animals, such as the American crocodile, the Florida panther and the manatee. This is a World Heritage Site and is full of swamps, meadows and mangroves.
There, it is possible to take professionally guided boat trips, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and cycling. Oh, and it is worth mentioning that the boats used are specially designed to move through the waters quickly and without harming animals or vegetation.
11. Rock Springs Run in Kelly Park
This is a nature reserve that is located about 40 minutes drive from downtown Orlando. It is one of the best parks in Orlando, very quiet, full of natural beauty and activities to do, such as cycling, watching local animals, primitive camping, hiking and geographical research.
In addition, on some predetermined weekends between September and January, the park allows hunting in specific areas of the reserve. To ensure everyone's safety, some trails are closed during these dates. The reserve is open every day of the year from 8am to 6pm, with the exception of campers.
12. Lake Tohopekaliga
The famous "Lake Toho" is the perfect destination for fishing enthusiasts. The lake has a length of approximately 22 acres and is well known for its professional bass fishing competitions.
But the site's activities don't stop there, since the park offers picnic areas, barbecue grills, trails, playground and splash pad. The region is also very rich in animal life, containing alligators, birds, turtles, otters and several others.
13. Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest is considered the largest protected forest in Florida and has over 150,000 acres of beautiful scenery! This reserve is federally owned and attracts thousands of people every year. Among the activities that can be done there are: canoeing, swimming, fishing, boating, scuba diving and outdoor camping.
This is a tour for nature and adventure lovers, so if you're like me and love it all, you need to visit Ocala National Forest!
14. Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park
The next park is not for the faint of heart! Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park is a totally different place from the others that offer boat rides to see wild animals like alligators, wild boars, eagles and other animals native to the region. But it doesn't stop there, you can also observe animals native to Africa, Australia and South America, such as zebras, sloths and lemurs.
In my opinion, this is one of the best parks in Orlando because it provides an incredible and unforgettable experience that inspires education and conservation. The site is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm. In addition, it is possible to make reservations on those same days from 8 am to 5 pm.
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15. Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve
This is an Orlando municipal park that is located in the southeast of the city. It is managed by Orange County Parks and Recreation and admission is completely free. There are several activities to be done there, such as hiking, animal watching and picnics.
In addition, this park is also home to the Vera Carter Environmental Center, where you can find a number of exhibits and more leisurely activities. The Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve is open every day from 8am to 6pm.
16. Harry P. Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens is a haven for those who want something peaceful and not so adventurous. The park has extensive beautiful gardens with many plants and flowers. In addition, they also have more than 15 themed spaces, such as the Arid Garden (arid garden with cacti, bromeliads, palm trees, succulents and others) and the Butterfly Garden (butterfly garden full of plants that attract these little animals).
The park is open every day from 9am to 5pm, with the last visitors entering at 4pm.
17. Three Sisters Springs
The Three Sisters Springs is a beautiful place that enchants everyone who passes by! The region is 1h30 from Orlando and is a set of three springs that form a super transparent and movie-worthy natural pool. During the winter, the waters are filled with manatees and visitors can even swim with the animals in an organized way.
All these wonderful parks prove that Orlando has much more to offer than just the amusement parks, being a perfect travel destination for nature lovers.
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