The Geneva Wilderness Area offers a nice Trail to take a morning hike. A Hidden Gem on this Trail…read moreis this tiny outdoor Chapel in the middle of nowhere next to a body of water. I honestly cannot see this being used very often, but it certainly wasn't nice find during my morning walk. With it being late May in Florida, the bugs kept me company swarming about my head as I walked parrots hey, this is real nature. Nothing can be done about it. The trail is well laid out with continuous markers on the trees and on posts. I would call this definitely a beginner's type trail and you will not find a lot of challenges walking it. Another nice touch is the fishing pier along the trail. I did find it interesting that they had a few signs posted about releasing non-native fish into these waters, specifically tilapia. I didn't know that this was a problem here in Florida, so I could understand how that could destroy a lake. I also liked the rocket-box bat house by the fishing pier. All in all, I will give this trail five stars. With plenty if parking and a nice walk, it was a great way to start a Saturday.

Deserts, fires, and…read morenature centers The Geneva Wilderness Area is a wonderful place of almost 200 acres. Miles of well marked trails cut across the area and allows for some easy yet interesting hiking. Of course no hills or rocks, most of the trails are in soft sand and goes through what is known as Florida's desert. Very dry and rather barren but interesting terrain. They actually start fires here to burn away the underbrush and debris and the marks of the fires are visible on many of the trees. Doesn't harm the healthy trees and keeps uncontrolled fires from starting. There is also a very cool nature center at the wilderness area that has lots of interesting exhibits and a great woman that knows everything there is to know about the area. A very cool place for a easy hike, you get to see lots of interesting trees, plants and critters. A pleasant place to spend some time with nature.

Overlook Park is located on Lake Jessup near the southern end of the beltway bridge. Lake Jessup is…read morenotable for being the home of over 13,000 alligators giving it the highest concentration of alligators in Florida. The park is surrounded by two sulfur springs of historical significance, one to the east and one to the west that give you the feeling as if you are on a small island. The three acre park has a pavilion with several picnic tables and a grill. Throughout the park are large oak trees covered in moss that provides a shaded canopy from the sun. Around the water's edge are Cyprus trees with their interconnecting roots, also known as Cyprus knees, that stick up out of the ground. As you look out towards the water, you can see a newly reconstructed boardwalk popular with local fisherman. I especially enjoyed the wildlife at the park which is home to osprey, various Florida wading birds, and the alligators of Lake Jessup. This is an especially picturesque and peaceful park with a rich depth of area history.

If you like the sound of the highway as you gaze across the St. John's you…read moreMight like it. There is no trail. A nice long boardwalk over the river. Right now there is an algae alert so wouldn't recommend fishing

I entered at the Jones East Trailhead, which has plenty of parking and also has restrooms at the…read moreentrance to the trailhead. Walking the trailhead was relatively simple and relaxing. I did encounter a few other people (they were either walking like myself or on a bicycle). The path itself is somewhat narrow, but it was enough for us to pass each other with no real inconvenience. Little Big Econ State Forest is a pretty cool place to check out. Walking the path, it was easy to forget that you were just outside of a major United States city in the twenty-first century. I seek out these spots where I can walk through the trees and forget the troubles of living in a modern city in today's modern world. Little Big Econ State Forest is a cool place to seek out if you are looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

This state forest is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Orlando. We highly recommend it. They…read moreoffer maps at the start of the trail. So lush and peaceful. The stream along side most of the trail is beautiful. There are many benches along the path that offer a nice view of the scenery with shade. We took our pups and hiked for about 2 miles. The hikes range from 3 - 10 miles. I saw they do offer camping as well. Make sure to pack some water. It was nice to see many tamiles and couples enjoying the outdoors. We loved the variety of scenery and that it has lots of natural shade throughout the hike.

A very nice park in Oviedo. Parking can sometimes be difficult, especially during the evening and…read moreweekends, but it is free. Better free parking can be found in the strip malls. The park is very beautiful with lots of fountains, including a large one on the lake. There are various restaurants, apartment complex, and shopping areas around the park. You can also rent a swan boat and buy food for the fishes. The kids can play in the playground while enjoying ice cream at Bruster's. The great restaurants within walking distance includes Tabla, Jinya, TJs, and Marlow's. It's just a wonderful park for a nice walk, eating out, playing, or shopping. Overall: A

I had no idea this park was here! We came into the area to find a certain restaurant (which I will…read morealso review) and stubbled onto this GREAT little area for Oviedo. Oh my goodness the splash pad and playground were a hit with my 10 year old. They have an amphitheater and little swan boats you can rent out to go out on the little lake. They have a concession stand to get very reasonable treats both salty and sweet. I loved the permanent checkerboards on the benches that could be used as little tables or bring your own pieces for a game! There is a lot of space where you can chillax while your kids play and they have a lot of events that happen here. I am going to keep my eyes open and attend one sometime and check out the people vibes. There are restaurants and shopping everywhere. I am SO IMPRESSED! This place was just a LITTLE past where my usual activities take me so its a testimony to getting just a BIT outside of your area and find new places to treasure!

Yesterday, my friend, Lydia and I drove to Kelly Springs State Park for fun in the sun and a day of…read morerelaxation. The park is about 40 minutes from where she lives off of colonial. You get to bring your own food and drinks. They also have a concession area where you can just your own food and drinks. At the state park, they have a concession booth and a restroom as well. The park is open from 8 AM to 6 PM and I have a recommend staying at the full day. It was so nice and relaxing plus parking was only three dollars. 10/10

Kelly Park was the first spring I've ever been too and I just fell in love!! Make sure you take a…read morefloatie because It is a lazy river type of spring. There is also an option to rent tubes outside the park! You have to get there SUPER early to get in as there will be a line!! You walk to the very beginning and the spring will take you with the current all the way to the end where you need to get out and walk all the way to the beginning!! I have seen a hand full of people trying to walk back while in the water but it is a work out! They have showers, restrooms and even a concession stand! You can even camp there and they have trails to walk through. The beginning of the spring is probably the deepest at -about 3ft and the rest is about 2 feet tall if that! There is also a kiddie pool area that is part of the spring. It was only $5 to get in for 2 people in one car and bring cash! It is a nature park and you do see wild life!! Only reason I gave 4 stars is because if it is peak season you may not get in unless you get in line by 6am Make sure to pack a lunch or use the grill there... they also have pavilions you can rent

I consider this one of my secret spots. I have been going here for years and every time I do the…read moretrail, I find something different, and feel something new. Sometimes I come here to write or draw or read or think. I like that the trail is soft which makes it easy to jog on. I love that there are many options within the trail that helps you customize your experience depending on the time, energy, and desires that you have. This is definitely one of the spots that I repeatedly go to in order to feel grounded and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's pet friendly, feels super safe, and has beautiful trees.

One of my fave hiking areas! The only con is that there are no restrooms so prepare accordingly…read more You'll see lots of lovely trees, rabbits, tortoises, birds, and the occasional snake, and there is a nice river at the end of the loop with shaded banks to rest.

Great Park multipurpose... you can view a lot of animals... ride bicycle.. walk... and navigate to…read morethe lakes

I have an annual bonfire event every year and our normal park was closed. We chose Moss Park as our…read morelocation for this year. I grew up nearby and used to come here every other weekend. It's always been, and still is, a lovely and peaceful park. Full of exploration, adventure, joy, with so many opportunities for so many types of events, get together, celebrations, etc. We reserved a multi-family sight and with support from the park staff we were able to use the group camp site that had a nice big bone fire ring, which is where we had our celebration. It's was just isolated enough from the rest of the park we were able to listen to music, talk, and go adventuring around a little bit. We're definitely coming back next year! This is the PERFECT park for a campfire, bone fire, lake swimming, and overnight camping.

Lake Claire Recreation Area is definitely a cool little part of the University of Central Florida…read more(UCF), it has a few pavilions, a nice lake to kayak on or just chill and enjoy the water, a cool little walkway, a place to play volleyball and a field and a soccer net. It also has a decent enough parking lot. It is on Gemini Boulevard not far off of Lake Underhill Road. All in all, Lake Claire Recreation Area is a great part of the University of Central Florida (UCF) and I would definitely recommend coming to check this place out.

This is one of the highlights of being a student at UCF! Lake Claire has free rentals for students…read moreyear-round, and it has encouraged an extensive kayaking habit on my end. It is a great place to host gatherings and events, especially since it has its own parking lot, electrical outlets, bathrooms, and rentable spaces. When it isn't the rainy season, most of the trails surrounding the lake stay well-maintained. I have not encountered any frightening levels of wildlife (like gators) personally, even though it's always a risk in Florida. It may just be a small, round lake, but it's definitely beautiful and doesn't lack different ways to explore it during your time there!

Had a wonderful time here. This garden is a beautiful and peaceful place. There are so many birds…read moreand wildlife. The perfect place to walk around, read, have a picnic. Public bathrooms available. Lots of free parking.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Maitland, Kraft Azalea Garden is one of the most peaceful and…read morebeautiful spots in Central Florida. From the moment you walk in, you're surrounded by towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, creating a calm, almost magical atmosphere. The lakefront views are absolutely stunning, especially around sunset when the light reflects off the water--it's the perfect place to relax, take photos, or just unwind. The historic Exedra monument adds a unique touch and makes for a great backdrop. What really stands out is how quiet and serene it feels, even though it's so close to everything in Winter Park. Whether you're going for a peaceful walk, a picnic, or just some time to clear your mind, this hidden gem delivers every time