Off the beaten path and uncrowded, the Orlando Wetlands Park is a wildlife lover’s refuge. Park guides estimate there are 100 who frequent the park.(Photo courtesy Randy Yates) Orlando Wetlands Park Roseate spoonbills are a visitor favorite at Orlando Wetlands Park. Map of trails at Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve There are tails of various length available, from 1.5 mile loops to trails that are several miles long. ![]() The park is known for its wildflowers in spring and fall. It’s food for birding and wildlife such as gopher tortoise, sandhill cranes, turkey and deer. With more than 1,000 acres, this quiet preserve 30 minutes from downtown Orlando has 14 different ecosystems, from oak hammocks to pine flatwoods to forested wetlands along Christmas Creek. There are great cabins here as well as a campground. You can rent kayaks and canoes here to explore the St. When the manatees leave in the spring, Blue Spring is opened to kayakers, swimmers and people floating downstream on tubes. It’s memorable to see these sea cows – and they are the size of a cow – floating blissfully in the spring. In the winter, Blue Spring attracts hundreds of manatees to its crystal-clear spring run. This terrific park is the longest drive from the theme parks - an hour - but we think it’s worth it. (Photo: Bonnie Gross) Blue Spring State Park (407) 254-6840 Nature parks in Orlando:Manatees at Blue Spring State Park. Wildlife is abundant - mostly deer and sandhill cranes - and there is camping and kayaking in the two adjacent lakes. (407) 254-1940 Moss Park and Split Oak Forest ParkĪbout 30 minutes from the theme parks, these two adjacent parks offer an expanse of forest and hiking in the 2,000-acre forest that wraps a beautiful lakefront with picnic tables and pavilions. There are 3.6 miles of trails here and a large nature center too. Trails and boardwalks pass through marshes, cypress swamps, pine flatwoods and scrub with chances to spot wildlife from deer to eagles to gopher tortoises. If you don’t have a lot of time and just want a walk in nature near the theme parks, this gem is 15 minutes from the Magic Kingdom. Here’s Florida Rambler on things to do in charming Winter Park, a story that includes Leu Gardens. It would be easy to spend several hours wandering and admiring this beauty spot. There’s even wildlife - visiting here, I saw two otters playing in the central lake just below the overlook. Just 30 minutes from the theme parks, this 50-acre botanical garden is full of blooming flowers, tropical plants, scenic vistas and easy-to-walk trails. Nature parks in Orlando: Camelias blanket the ground during spring at Leu Gardens in Orlando. Located on the river, it offers a party-like atmosphere with canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, a boat launch, a food truck and a bar serving beer and wine. The Wekiva is one of two Florida rivers designated as Wild and Scenic by the US Department of the Interior.Īnother way to access the river is via a commercial operation called Wekiva Island. This is a wild place one of the few where black bear thrive. Wekiwa Springs State Park offers swimming in the spring water plus kayak rentals and 25 miles of hiking trails in a dense tropical forest. Two places worth considering for an outing: Wekiva Springs State Park and Wekiva Island, both about 40 minutes from the theme parks. Kelly Park is located in this vast ecological preserve that offers an abundance of recreational opportunities with unique exposure to Florida’s great outdoors. ![]() Nature parks in Orlando: Wekiva River near Katie’s Landing.
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