Sylvan Lake Park in Heathrow is one of those rare finds that perfectly balances nature, recreation,…read moreand community. My kid plays soccer here with Seminole Youth Soccer, and it's easily one of our favorite spots for practice and weekend games! The soccer fields are well maintained, and the sidelines have plenty of space for families to relax and cheer on their teams. Between matches, it's not unusual to spot a few deer wandering through the trails, which always feels like a little dose of magic in the middle of a busy day. Beyond soccer, the park offers a small playground, tennis courts, and beautiful walking and biking trails shaded by trees -- perfect for getting some steps in while the kids play. There's ample parking, clean facilities, and it always feels safe and family-friendly. Whether you're here for youth sports, a morning jog, or just some quiet time in nature, Sylvan Lake Park is a true Heathrow treasure.

Such a beautiful park ! Great scenic walking path for…read morestroller, or little ones on bikes/scooters. Absolutely beautiful playground that had plenty of big trees for some shade, with bathroom facilities right next to the playground. (While I did not go in the bathroom, it looked standard from the outside).

This park is a nice addition to the community of Lake Mary. It is a good place to kick back for a…read morebit and enjoy a break from the hassles of your day.

They really revamped this park into something absolutely beautiful. It's near the library in the…read morehigh school, there's tons of shade, clean bathrooms, and a party gazebo. We bike ride from our home here quite often.

The park is nice but could have better options for the playground area maybe add a jungle gymread more

Trailblazer Park is a great find in Lake Mary in Seminole County! It has a cool playground,…read morepavilion with picnic tables, and splash pad. There are a few trees for shade near the playground but the splash pad is mostly in the sun. The splash pad is seasonal and $2 cash per person, is fenced in, and has an attendant. The playground has swings and couple fun climbing structures. The bathrooms are clean and there is a changing table in the women's restroom. We would come back to this nice park again!

Amazing place. Fairly easy to get to and lot of wildlife. Few trails for hiking, no horseback…read moreriding. Beautiful lake. Picnic area and I think that's about it. Oh you can camp there and they do have Occasional hunting

This has to be one of the MOST beautiful state parks in Florida! Its 18 thousand acres occupy Lake…read more& Seminole counties. The park is managed by the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection. Opened 8:00 - 8:00 seven days a week, this is where you come for excellent hiking & wildlife observation. You'll also see lots of fishing & boating. There is; however, no water access from the North end, which is where you'll find the equestrian campsites. Afraid to lose my phone on the trails or in the water, the pictures are from the web; I did not take them, but wish I had. You've got to visit this gorgeous park. It's a very special state park. I cannot wait to return!

Overall, this is a pleasant enough park. It has a fair amount of parking and is well kept. I would…read moredefinitely recommend a visit here.

Cute park! Not many things here but it was great for my 1 year old to walk around and explore for…read morethe first time in a park setting. Not many people when I arrived at 3pm

I've paddled the Emerald Cut a few times now. Initially I didn't like the idea of paying to launch…read moremy own paddleboard. However, it's only $10 now that I have my own life jacket (saving me additional cost of $5 to use one of theirs, as required). Well worth the low cost for some soul-enriching, communing with nature. I have never made a reservation. I normally arrive around 10:30, most recently on a Friday. Parked for free on Baptist Camp Rd. Just a bit of a walk from there with my inflated paddleboard, but I don't mind the extra exercise. You can unload your stuff closer, if preferable. There are port-a-potties available. You can count on there being a line in the check-in office. Various recreation supplies are available there for purchase. The process moves reasonably enough. A reservation will guarantee your entrance, however, and possibly aide quicker personal info collection. I always plan to do the Emerald Cut in roughly 3 hours round-trip, allowing myself several stops to enjoy the surroundings. You do run into (quite literally at times) novice paddlers along the way, which can be a bit tricky, yet not a real nuisance for me. In general, there's friendliness along the waterway. Slighty rowdy, party vibes in some spots, but also opportunities for solace and zen in various nooks. Encountering wildlife, fragrant elderberry, and other captivating flora along this stretch is always gratifying. It's a popular recreation destination for good reason.

Many tourists don't realize Florida is home to stunning crystal-clear spring rivers--perfect for…read moreswimming, kayaking, and tubing aka "hidden gems". My Hubby and I love kayaking, so we booked an excursion months in advance for Rock Springs through TripAdvisor. Our Tour Operator was Get Up And Go Kayaking located at Kings Landing in Apopka, FL. I LOVE saying Apopka ;) The good news: Apopka is a quick 1 hour drive from Orlando. Make sure you don't miss the turn to King's Landing, because the entrance is located on a narrow dirt road. You must drive past Kelly Park (which fills up fast). There is a Park Ranger located here who will guide you to King's Landing. As you get closer and if you see a parking spot, grab it! Check in is located in the Cabin like office where you will have to sign a waiver. If you do not want to take a clear bottom, guided Kayak tour, you can either rent or BYO Kayak versus taking a semi private, clear, guided kayak tour. NOTE: ONLY use their Sunscreen/lotion which is provided at no cost. It protects the wildlife and the Springs. We wanted the full experience as we have previously enjoyed renting clear Kayaks. Our guide for the morning was: Megan, who was fantastic! Full of energy, information and helpful tidbits about the Springs and its human and wildlife inhabitants. Our group was small and capped at 10. We paddled through both narrow and open stretches, and stopped to swim in the warm, crystal-clear water. One highlight was a banyan tree with an 8-foot natural "jump hole"--such a cool experience! It was a serene, memorable day, and fun fact: this is the very spring featured in the Visit Orlando commercials! Yeah, definitely take a day away from crowded Orlando to relax and enjoy Mother Nature! You will Thank Me ;)

The first segment of the Cross Seminole Trail opened in 2002. It has since grown to about 23 miles…read morelong. It is used by runners, hikers, bicyclists and more. With Covid still keeping things quiet this is a great place to spend time enjoying the outdoors. It's easy to keep your distance from others and the trail appears safe from end to end. Everyone was respectful during our hike and the trail was well maintained and clean.

Walk. Run. Bike. Whatever you want to do on a paved walkway, this is available for you. The trail…read moregoes behind various neighborhood and through multiple towns. It covers miles and miles so you can go on a long trip or a short one. Great for kids too!

This was a beautiful park nestled in the back of a winding road. Trees offered ample shade and…read morethere was plenty of space to wander. Great for pets to stretch their legs. The views were lovely at the boardwalk by the pavilion and we were able to see a baby alligator! If you're looking to be with nature, I would recommend checking this place out.

Wilson's Landing Park is a great place to launch your canoe or kayak. There is a huge pavilion with…read moregrills and a water fountain. The dock is small but the view is beautiful. The park is very quiet and loaded with wildlife. No pets are allowed. They are open from 8am to 9pm daily.