Hike the Lake Louisa State Park Trail

Starting at Fort Maitland Park, free entrance and parking, unload your water transport unto the designated area. Be mindful of other people as this is a popular spot to unload big boats as well as small crafts. In general, it is easy to get out of the bay made by the lake on this particular spot, Dog island is located directly east and slightly to the left of the peninsula; be mindful that maki...

Start at King's Landing. Here you can either drop your own kayaks in or choose to rent. Kayak/Canoe rentals are $30 for the day. Using your own kayak is $20, if you choose to have them pick you up at Wekiva Springs and shuttle you back. During summer months, get there early (before 11), as they typically sell out. Head upstream to the right first. This is Extreme Emerald Cut, which was easily t...

The Econ River Wilderness Trail is a largely unnoticed section of preserved land, although it is just 1.5 miles away from University of Central Florida and nestled between residential communities.  This trail might not be the most interesting or dramatic trail in all of Central Florida, but what always intrigued me most was the variety of flora that you see in such a short hike.  This trail has...

Located near Orange City, Florida, Blue Spring State Park is the largest spring on St. Johns River.  Here you can come in and rent full snorkel gear (snorkel, mask, flippers), tubes to lazy river down if that's more your style and many other activities.  At the website you can see all that the park has to offer.  We drove in and it was $6 per car to enter the park.  Follow the signs and you wil...

I'm not sure why this trail is called Gobbler Ridge. I do understand the Gobbler part as there are wild turkeys in the park. However, I don't think there is a ridge in all of Florida! Anyway, this is a nice trail about 2.8 miles long marked with green blazes. The trailhead is from the south end of the parking lot past a playground or you can access the trail via a connecting trail from the Nort...

The Buster Island Loop hike is the longest hike in the park at 6.7 miles. It is completely flat and easy hike that goes through a varied landscape. The trail starts from the north side of the parking lot (only one parking area). Follow the blue connector trail a short way to a road. Here you will see a sign for the Buster Island trail to the left. Follow the road over a canal where the road the...