Nature trumps fantasy in Seminole County parks.You won’t find any computer giraffes or singing bears when you walk, bike or paddle your way around the parks in Seminole County. But that alligator wallowing in the mud is real. Same with that anhinga “snake bird,” with its long, graceful neck periscoping out of the water as it surveys the lake. And the white-tailed deer that bounds across your path – she’s also part of the natural ride you take while exploring our exciting parks. Wild, wonderful and real…the natural beauty of Seminole County parks flourishes in abundant wetlands and marshes, across pristine lakes and into tropical forests where nature’s canopy shades you in the warm, winter Seminole County sun. Bring your camera, picnic supplies, water gear, and even your pet…there’s a park or preserve nearby that’s inviting you to discover the real Central Florida. And to make the “home base” of your excursions even more appealing, you’ll enjoy
accommodations for about one-third less than other Central Florida hotels. Read on to find out more about the parks and preserves you’ll remember for a lifetime in Seminole County.
Florida the natural way.
A trip to Seminole County parks is not just a destination…it’s an experience. Up until January 2012, visitors were able to experience standing next to “The Senator”, the 3,500-year-old bald cypress, once one of the oldest trees in the U.S. standing 118 feet tall and nearly 18 feet across. Reduced to a mere 25 feet in an accidental fire, The Senator's remains can still be seen in
Big Tree Park, where amidst native vegetation and marshlands you’re transported back to a primeval time when animals – long since vanished from the earth – once used the shade of the big tree as a respite from the ancient peninsula wilderness. Or discover the variety of habitats in
Chuluota Wilderness Area (mesic hammock, pond pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp and sand pine scrub) that a diversity of wildlife (white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise and Sherman’s fox squirrel) call home. This 625-acre natural area is located in the southeast corner of Seminole County, waiting for you and your camera to capture unforgettable moments.
Another wilderness area that beckons is the
Econ River Wilderness Area. This 240-acre site, located on the Seminole/Orange County line, provides three miles of trails near the Econlockhatchee River. Benches line the trails so you can sit, relax and observe the occasional great horned owl, white-tailed deer and, if you’re fortunate, a golden mouse. White-tailed deer are also inhabitants, along with gopher tortoises, wild turkey and grey fox, in East Seminole County where
Geneva Wilderness Area provides educational programs, exhibits and displays highlighting the diverse ecology of Central Florida.
Near Sanford, you’ll find
Lake Jesup Wilderness Area, where you’ll experience an up close look at the lake’s extensive flood plain and the countless species of wildlife that live there, including anhinga, bald eagle and American alligator. The area is available to hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. Equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers are also welcome at
Lake Procter Wilderness Area in East Seminole County near Geneva. This 475-acre wooded site is known for its wood duck, white-tailed deer, red fox and pink Florida worm lizard, found only in Central Florida.
Spring Hammock Preserve has been called an oasis that provides an escape from urban sprawl. Located in South Central Seminole County in land once known as “Devil’s Bend,” Spring Hammock is the epitome of Central Florida before urbanization and theme parks.
But if you really want to do it all – hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, studying natural and cultural history, you must include
Wekiwa Springs State Park in your itinerary. Take full advantage of the two natural springs that form the Wekiva River – one of only two National and Wild Scenic Rivers in the entire state of Florida – while enjoying the deer, fox, bobcat, raccoon, opossum and black bear that roam the entire park.
Launch a wet and wild Florida adventure.
If you think water fun when you think Florida (and who doesn’t?), Seminole County features several parks with boat launching facilities to put you in the water fast.
C.S. Lee Park near Geneva and
Cameron Wight Park near Sanford are three-acre parks on State Road 46 that feature 24/7 boat launches to put you into the beautiful St. Johns River basin. If you prefer to launch into a 9.4-acre lake that also feeds into the St. Johns, you should consider the boat launch at
Lake Monroe Wayside. Located one mile north of Interstate 4, the park features pavilions and an historical swinging bridge that’s used as a fishing pier. If canoeing is your forte, check out
Little Big Econ, open from sunrise to sunset. The park, which is located at the County Road 419 Bridge on the Little Econ River, is exclusively dedicated as a canoe put-in. And for a park that features fishing and camping as well as a boat launch into Mullet Lake, head for
Mullet Lake Park and enjoy the quiet serenity of the lake before motoring into the St. Johns River Basin.
Pets are part of the family too.
Most parks in Seminole County allow you to bring pet dogs and cats. But they also warn you to take caution. With the wildlife native to Seminole County, your pets should stay on a short leash for their own protection. But every now and then you want your dogs to run free, and two parks in Seminole are designed just for that.
Paw Park in Sanford is one of Central Florida’s oldest off-leash dog parks and one of its best. Or if you’re closer to Casselberry,
Pawmosa features a one-acre shaded park with separate areas for big and small dogs.