Our Travel Adventures

A short drive from Orlando, this 4,500-acre park is noted for its beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and scenic landscapes. Lake Louisa, the largest in a chain of 13 lakes, is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water Way. Lake Louisa, Hammond Lake and Dixie Lake, the park’s most accessible lakes, provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The park is home to 11 distinct natural plant communities and lies within the easternmost boundary of the Green Swamp (Area of Critical State Concern) and the northernmost boundary of the Lake Wales Ridge. The presence of white-tail deer, bobcat, fox squirrel, raccoon, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, osprey and cypress fringed lakes makes nature study a great pastime. The park is located on US Highway 27, seven miles south of State Road 50 in Clermont. History still resurfaces today. During the 2001 drought, when the lake level dropped, two prehistoric dugout canoes were found in LakeLouisa. Later that year, remnan

Blue Spring State Park covers more than 2,600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. During manatee season, which approximately runs from mid-November through March, several hundred manatees can be viewed atop the spring’s overlooks on cold days. The spring and spring run are closed to all water activity from mid-November to at least mid-March.  Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted; this rule is strictly enforced. The spring's crystal clear, 73-degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers, with a partner during our designated swimming season. Fishing, canoeing, and boating are also enjoyed along the St. Johns River. Riverboat tours are available; for reservations, call St. Johns River Cruises at (386) 917-0724Call: (386) 917-0724. A self-guided t