If you're looking for an up close and personal experience with nature, this might just be the place…read moreyou've been looking for. Depending on when you visit you may experience total isolation from the outside world, I have to be honest it can be a little intimidating if you aren't a brave soul this is nothing like visiting a zoo. As beautiful as this place is being aware of your surroundings is of the utmost importance, the wildlife here has little fear of man and I'm not sure they understand that man is at the top of the food chain. The trails are well maintained but if you are the adventurous type and choose to get a little closer look it's likely you could be considered an intruder and some inhabitants may resort to the laws of self-preservation and become a little aggressive. I don't think exhibiting risky behavior exposes you to imminent danger of being attacked but walking up on a alligator or snake could be taken as a threatening act to some of those that call this home. Although alligators can be viewed and may seem harmless from a distance I don't recommend getting too close they are hunters and you may be considered prey and remember you are in their environment so who do you think the advantage goes to. There are plenty of great vantage points to get that perfect photo without risking your welfare so stay on the trails and follow the recommendations on the posted signs and you'll have a great day and remember keeping quite and still may present a very rewarding experience, nature is defined as "the material world, especially as surrounding humankind and existing independently of human activities" we all act differently when we are alone at our homes with no visitors around, the same applies here...

Fantastic slice of nature. If familiar, it's a cross between Paynes Prairie and Orlando Wetlands…read morepark. There are two parking areas We parked in the Myaka trail area. Started in a woodsy area surrounded by swamp. It led to an open area around the lake. Which is where we ran into three otters playing on the trail. We were attempting to head to the Audobon overlook but didn't want to disturb them. Well groomed path. Recommended for a cloudy or cooler day as there is little cover. There is another trail, the live oak trail, which we will explore on another trip. Worth the drive from Orlando

Silver Glen Springs is beautiful, crystal clear, and perfect for swimming and relaxing!read more

Hidden gem! We loved swimming and my boys enjoyed climbing the palm tree…read more We did a short trail and saw plants and bugs! We had a picnic at a table but moved to the sun because the boys were cold.

My first time at a spring and it did not disappoint! We came on a Thursday morning. Parking was…read moreeasy and there is a bathroom with showers right next to the parking lot. It's a short walk from the parking lot to the picnic tables and springs. The weather was perfect and the water was crystal clear.

Alexander Springs is one of my favorite springs to snorkel in the summer. The spring head is…read moregorgeous and the water is crystal clear. It is also nice for kayaking! There is a cool little area where you can 'park' your kayak and stand in the water, throw a frisbee, etc. On land, there is a sandy area you can lay out or various picnic tables perfect for lunch and snacks after swimming. I like that there is a reservation system so you can be sure you will be allowed in and don't have to arrive super early to get in line.

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

Such a beautiful place to spend a day with endless activities! You can walk the boardwalk, swim,…read moresnorkel, scuba, tube, kayak, or paddleboard down the spring. Fishing is permitted from the fishing dock on the St. Johns River. There is also camping, cabins for rent, hiking, and manatee viewing. You can even rent an all-terrain tracked wheelchair for accesible hiking! You can find a gift shop and a concession stand inside the park. Follow the Blue Spring State Park Facebook page to stay up to date on fun activities and events like Manatee Bingo, Meditate & Move with the Manatees, guided moonlight hikes, and the Junior Ranger Program. My favorite event of the year is Firefly Nights from around mid March to mid April. You get to walk the boardwalk after the park closes to see thousands of Florida fireflies! It is absolutely magical, and a little surreal. Weekdays are less crowded, but honestly if you can only go on a weekend it's worth braving the crowd. It's a separately-ticketed event, and it does sell out some nights so make sure to get your tickets in advance!

Who doesn't want to swim with the manatees! Driving to the state park, you would never think this…read morebeautiful place, this wonderful gem, is nestled back in a residential area. WOW! When we arrived and set up chairs, etc. we walked down the path to the St John's river where we first saw the gentle giants gliding through the water. The water is crystal clear and is slightly chilly when first getting in but this is what you expect from a spring fed river. Tubing down the river and then just hanging out was amazing but was highlighted by a manatee swimming directly under me. So Cool! Please remember, do not to touch them. This is a must do if time allows. You must make a reservation online but the price is per car and was crazy reasonable. Just go, enjoy!

This playground is incredible! A community funded project, this playground is not to be missed - it…read morehas designs and features I haven't seen anywhere else! We love stopping to play here if we are in the Deland area. Freedom Playground has plenty of parking, bathrooms, pavilions with picnic tables, and playground equipment that can be used by a wide range of ages and body abilities. I love that the park has one main entrance gate to keep kids contained and also has the little kid area separate from the big kid area. There are accessibility features like wheelchair accessible ramps for the playground equipment and a ground level merry-go-round. There's plenty of slides, climbing and obstacles, a zip line, pirate ships, pretend play houses, and all the features you would want in a playground. I love the nods to Florida with multiple gators throughout! Freedom Park is a Florida gem!

From what I've read online, DeLand faced the exact same issue that so many municipalities around…read morethe country have faced and continue to face regarding what to do with their playgrounds. At one point in time it was a thing to build these large destination playgrounds made out of wood. While a nice idea on paper, eventually the upkeep proves to be problematic and expensive. Eventually the municipality is faced with the hard choice of costly renovations that will need to be redone in the not too distant future, demolishing the structure or trying to replace it with something more modern/contemporary. Either way it equals a lot of money that usually is nowhere to be found. Thankfully a few years ago DeLand along with residents, area companies, school children and a newly formed non-profit committee figured out how to replace the original wooden structure. Amazingly over 300K in private donations were raised along with DeLand kicking in the rest and what you have today is an amazing structure/facility. In my own area there have a been a few success stories with places like this: www.savekidscastle.org/ But there have also been a few mismanaged disasters with places like this: articles.mcall.com/2004-11-19/news/3571642_1_playground-jungle-gym-time-capsule What works here: * Lots of parking * Solidly clean bathrooms * Lots of shaded areas * Super safe recycled rubber ground which means no tracking mulch into the car * A very needed water fountain * Lots of different structures/play areas/misters that offer a ton of diversity What doesn't work: * At least when we were here the zipline was in sad shape. It needs to be raised up or just gotten rid of it because it was way too low to be enjoyable. I don't want to lay on the hyperbole but honestly aside one other park (Kids Castle in Doylestown, PA) this place is the nicest that I've ever seen and even though my kids are arguably a bit on the too old side to be enjoying a place like this, they still did. Great job DeLand! What an awesome place for the community!

Loved this Mount Dora gem. We came here at the end of March…read more It's more of a board walk than a park, but there is a small green area with gazebos, picnic tables and bbqs before entering the board walk. Besides the nature walk through the board walk where we saw LOTS of wildlife (woodpeckers, baby alligators, turtles, ospreys and more) and beautiful cypress trees, you can also rent kayaks. This place is dog friendly. There are even baggies for people to pick up after their pets. I recommend wearing closed shoes if you want to walk the full trail. The board walk ends in a dirt path which loops around, but is not ideal terrain for sandals. However, walking to the end of the boardwalk and back again is just as fun (that's what we did ;) ) The park hours are sunrise to sunset but the board walk opens at 7:30am. Honestly this is a must see.

BEAUTIFUL park, nice long boardwalk trail with many other groomed trails. Lots of little creatures…read morearound. I was pleasantly surprised it was so nice!!

We always come and visit this beautiful park when we are in Ormond beach. It is hands down the best…read morepark we have ever been to. So much fun, so many different places to play. I wish I had a park like this when I was a kid.

Awesome Playground! Cool Spot!…read more This is a great place with lots going in for kids to play with! So many different things to play with and it's all in a cool wooden theme! Really great place to be grateful for! I really liked the swing under a big tree in the far back corner! It needs some line to reduce the squeaking but it was a happy spot!