Overall, Florida is a great place to stay outside and enjoy the weather. It has a tropical vibe and there are tons of parks near Oviedo that are great for relaxing, hiking, horseback riding, and more. Getting a breather every now and again from the daily hustle and bustle of life is certainly a good stress reliever. Luckily, you don’t have to travel too far from home to get this kind of relief. Here are 10 different parks in or near Oviedo that you can certainly get some well needed fun in the sun!
1. Big Tree Park
Big Tree Park has a very rich history giving a great reminiscent vibe to all its visitors. For those that have lived in the area for a while, they know “the senator” was a symbol of strength. The park gained a lot of publicity from “the senator”, a 3,500 year old bald cypress tree that represented the essence of Big Tree Park. Even though it was burned down from a fire in 2012, it still holds the spirit right in the middle of the park. There’s a new tree on the verge of becoming big, but Lady Liberty (the 2nd biggest tree) is still around. It has a deep history for different settlers as well as Native Americans using the ground to live and make things happen. It’s a good spot to use for picnics, walks, and even catch a nice relaxing moment along the boardwalk. You’ll see beautiful cypresses, which is perfect for a nice photo backdrop. It continues to be a well-known tourist spot as people love the general history and the serene vibe it gives off. The park is open from 8am until dusk. So just be cognizant of the daily operations.
2. Crane’s Roost Park
This park has a very unique atmosphere that’s perfect for outdoor events. It surrounds the Crane’s Roost Lake, which has a continuous walkway for up to a mile with benches and seating areas. If you want to go somewhere to relax and take in great weather, this is certainly the place for you to get that convenience. Crane’s Roost Park screams ritzy with its European-style motif and fountain show that will have your eyes in awe. Imagine taking out your loved one an evening walk seeing different lighting fixtures and cobblestone walkways. This is also a premier place to go to different festivals and take in some theater. You’ll always have something to do at this park. If there are no big events going on in the area, you can inquire about park rentals for your afternoon and evening functions. From weddings to fundraisers, you can contact events management for details on renting a spot in the park. The park is open from 7am-11pm during the week. On Fridays and Saturdays, 7am-midnight. This is perfect for any major events you throw as well as any concerts or shows you intend to watch in the park.
3. Hontoon Island State Park
The perfect chillout spot away from all the madness. Hontoon Island State Park is located right in the St. Johns River. This spot is only accessible through private boat or park ferry giving it sort of an exclusive kind of feel. You’ll get a real sense of culture with the Native American spirit this island represents as you hike through the park. Not only is this place great for hiking, but you can go through the waters on a nice canoe. Ask the information desk for details on how you can rent a canoe for the day. It’s a very nice way to get outdoors and surely build a sweat doing a nice rowing workout. While you’re out there on the water, cast your line and catch a few fish for good times sake. After you’ve enjoyed your time in the water, go ahead and barbeque for the family using one of the designated grills in the picnic area. It’s always nice having a great cookout on a beautiful island. The rich Native American and Spanish history this place has just adds a bit of mystique to the overall island. Whether you stay for a day or rent a cabin for a few days to get away, you’ll surely enjoy your time here.
4. Lake Baldwin Park
This is one of the most beautiful lakeside parks in the area. You’ll enjoy not only the water but the sandy beach that accompanies it. Bring your faithful companion along because this is dog-friendly zone. Throw the ball around or frisbee and get some fun with your little four-legged friend. There are specific hours which your dog can roam around a bit without a leash. If you want to catch a nice walk, there’s a trail here that stretches out about 2.5 miles. It’s a good way to work up a little sweat for the start of your day. Another advantage of this being a dog park is the clean up job won’t have you desperate for bags. There are waste bags, trash bins, and more all across the park. You can have your dog in a fenced section where he can roam around and also enjoy the company of other friendly dogs. Catch a swim, walk around, ride your bike, or skate in this wonderful park. When the weather starts to break in the Spring, this is the ideal spot you want to visit on your weekend to have a good time that doesn’t require you to go well out your way. Park hours are typically from 8am to sunset.
5. Lake Mills Park
Lake Mills is an overall beautiful place to enjoy yourself outside. It has a very scenic kind of look to it with the saw palmetto, oaks, and even a swamp with tall cypress trees. Just roaming around the boardwalk will give you a great vibe due to the general feel of the park. If you want to just enjoy the weather and sit down, there are a lot of picnic tables in the pavilion area. Have your family cookout here or just enjoy a nice evening dinner with a loved one. There’s a great playground for your kids as well. They’ll get exercise from running around, climbing the wall, or get on the bouncy dinosaur. When you go through the fitness trail, you can ride your bike or get a good jog in some really great weather. There are different circuit stations to do specific workouts as well. It’s a great way to get an intense outdoor workout. For the muggy days outside, just be sure to bring in some mosquito repellent for your skin. The park is open from 8am to sunset, so just enjoy yourself through hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activity to get your fix.
6. Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
This is a gorgeous park that many of the Native American could attest to hundreds of years ago. The wildlife in this area is quite amazing ranging from black bears, otters, and even sandhill cranes. It’s certainly picturesque for any kind of photography you may want to do in your spare time. If you want to do some hiking around, there’s a great walkway on the Sand Hill Nature trail for your leisure. You can also guide yourself through this tour and look at all the Florida Plants and wildlife in the area. You can reserve your spot for camping on the grounds, which gets you back in touch with mother nature. It’s also a nice local getaway from your typical work or school week. Enjoy some horseback riding and if you have your own horse, they can stay right by horse stalls. This area is also great for bike riding so you can maneuver around the area much faster and easier. If you want to get in touch with the great outdoors, this is certainly the place because you can camp overnight. Typical day hours are from 8am to sunset. Enjoy natural beauty at its finest in this wonderful establishment.
7. Orlando WetLands Park
This park absolutely screams scenic. There are woodland trails leading up to beautiful marshes. Honestly, it just has this ideal setting for you and your family to enjoy nature in its full capacity. If you’re into photography, bird watching is a big thing here. You’ll find some really nice and exotic looking birds that could lead up to some amazing pictures in nature. If you want to take the action up a bit, you can always go for a nice walk, jog, or bike ride to get your heart pumping. Remember, that these sections are only open for foot traffic now. You can’t drive your vehicle along the premises. Near the main entrance you can have a wonderful picnic to round off your day. The real treat of this place is the wildlife. Depending on the season, you can see wildlife change from wood storks and waterfowls in the colder months to black vultures and bald eagles all year round. That doesn’t even get into the little furry critters roaming around the hiking areas. This park is open all year round and the hours run from sunrise-sunset.
8. Red Bug Lake Park
Red Bug Lake Park is more of your traditional city park due to it promoting more active recreational things. Sure, you can get a bit of hiking and fishing done but this spot is basically for the athlete. If you want a place outdoor to do some major athletic activity, Red Bug Lake Park has tons of facilities for your use. There’s a big playground for your kids to roam on and have a good time with other little ones. For the teens and adults, they can utilize the different courts available. In fact, you can join different tennis and softball leagues. This is perfect for meeting new people, getting involved in group activities, staying out the house, and just keeping in good shape. For the youth, they can take lessons to help develop a foundation for tennis. They can also take advantage of the big playground area. There are a lot of places very local to the area including University of Central Florida. If you have a competitive spirit, there are different tournaments that go on in this area. It’s a great way for you to stay sharp in your sport. The park is open from 8am – 10pm on Monday through Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, it’s open from 8am-8pm.
9. Wekiva Springs State Park
This beautiful state park still has a strong Native American influence that you can feel from the way the vistas look. The spring itself is a gorgeous look and equally relaxing for your swimming and lounging. The spring is over 100 feet in diameter making it very spacious to have some fun in the sun and cool off during the summer. The whole park is very outdoor based ranging from activities like canoeing/kayaking, snorkeling, camping, and wildlife viewing. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the concessionaire. The spot gets really packed especially during the summer months. It’s a good idea to make sure you arrive early so you can get optimal parking. This spot is also great for the youth because there are different camping programs for the summer. Also, you can bring your dog to the area but make sure you check out the state parks rules. Hours range from 8am to sundown.
10. Spring Hammock Preserve
A luscious hike through hidden springs and cabbage palms – the scenery is already set. This is one of those spots that really takes you in adventure zone through smooth or muddy terrain. The trails are not treacherous, and rather pleasant to go through as you explore the area. Also, you’ll have a chance to check out the Seminole County Environmental Studies Center, which takes you through a bunch of wildlife especially different birds looking for food. Naturally, there is a mud walk event due to some of the muddy scenery. This is a very popular event with the kids because what kid doesn’t like playing in the mud? Spring Hammock Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset.
