Local Directory — The Villages, Ocala & Central Florida

Aesops Park

Community park with playground, open space, and picnic areas. A family-friendly spot for outdoor recreation and community gatherings.

Alexander Springs

A family-friendly spring in the Ocala National Forest with a large, gradually sloping pool of crystal-clear 72-degree turquoise water. Great for swimming and snorkeling.

Anderson Snow Park

Active county park known for its athletic amenities, children's playground & picnic areas.

Baseline Road Trailhead

Trailhead providing access to the Santos mountain biking and hiking trail system. Parking, restrooms, and trail maps make this a convenient starting point for riders and hikers.

Baseline Trailhead Park

Park and trailhead along the Cross Florida Greenway with access to paved and unpaved trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. A gateway to some of Ocala's best outdoor recreation.

Bennett Park

Berry Park

Community park in Leesburg with a playground, picnic pavilions, and open space. A family-friendly neighborhood spot for outdoor recreation.

Bicentennial Skate Park

Skate park located within Bicentennial Park in Crystal River, part of a larger recreation complex behind the Crystal River Airport.

Bike trail start

Trailhead access point for the Withlacoochee State Trail near Dunnellon, connecting to miles of paved biking and walking paths through the state forest.

Blue Run of Dunnellon Park

Waterfront park on the Rainbow River with kayak and paddleboard access, walking trails, and a 3-acre pond. Water temps stay a consistent 72 degrees year-round, and there's no entrance fee. Get there early on weekends — parking fills fast.

Bluebird Springs Park

Natural spring-fed park with swimming, picnic areas, and a serene wooded setting. A hidden gem for a cool dip on a hot Florida day.

Brick City Adventure Park

29-acre urban adventure park in the heart of Ocala with guided cave tours through White Cliff Cave, a low-ropes course, interpretive hikes, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions. Named after Ocala's historic 'Brick City' nickname.

Bud Mc Kethan Park

Simple neighborhood park offering a kids' play structure & 3 lighted tennis courts.

Cauley Lott Park

Community park on North Highland Street in Mount Dora with a playground, sports courts, and open space. A family-friendly recreation area serving the north side of town.

Chaplin A. Dinkins III Memorial Park

Riverfront park at the convergence of the Withlacoochee and Rainbow rivers in Dunnellon, commonly known as City Beach, with swimming, a playground, picnic area, and fishing access ($2 day-use fee).

Cherry Lake Park

Lakeside park in Clermont with a playground, picnic pavilions, walking trails, and a fishing pier. A family-friendly green space with pretty lake views.

Clermont Waterfront Park

Lakefront park in downtown Clermont on Lake Minneola. Home to Pig on the Pond and other major community festivals.

Coehadjoe Park

Natural area with picnic tables, sport courts, a playground & walking trails through the trees.

Cooter Pond Park

Scenic lakeside park in Inverness with a walking trail, fishing pier, and pavilions. Named after the cooter turtles that call the pond home — look for them sunning on the logs.

Cross Florida Greenway

A 110-mile multi-use trail corridor stretching across Florida, with some of the best sections running through Marion County. Hike, bike, or ride horseback through longleaf pine forests and along the historic canal route.

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Remnants of the county's earliest human settlement, a prehistoric ceremonial center & burial mounds.

Crystal River Preserve State Park

20 miles of coastline with islands, inlets, trails, wildlife viewing, fishing & a visitor center.

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

80-acre state park preserving the site of the 1835 Seminole ambush that started the Second Seminole War. A small museum with artifacts, an award-winning film, and an annual January battle reenactment that draws thousands. Peaceful walking trails through pine flatwoods and live oak hammock.

Delta Woods Park

Leafy neighborhood park with lighted walking trails, tennis courts & picnic shelters.