The outdoors in Central Florida.

Monkey Island

Discover Historic Monkey Island, a charming and one-of-a-kind attraction in Old Homosassa, Florida, known for its playful spider monkeys and rich local history.

Mount Dora Golf Club

Historic member-owned public golf course established in 1946, featuring an 18-hole par-70 layout across 88 rolling acres that's been called 'the longest 5,700 yards in Florida.'

Mount Dora Trail

A 2.5-mile mountain bike trail loop through a forested area with options for beginner through advanced riders, plus a bike wash and tools at the trailhead near the dog park.

Mount Dora Yacht Club

Florida's oldest inland yacht club, established in 1913 on the banks of Lake Dora, featuring a granite bar with floor-to-ceiling lake views, a private dock, and an annual regatta tradition.

Mt Dora Parks & Recreation

Mount Dora's parks and recreation department managing local parks, sports leagues, youth programs, and community events. The hub for everything outdoor recreation in town.

Ocala Downtown Square

The heart of downtown Ocala — a tree-lined public square surrounded by restaurants, shops, and galleries. Farmers markets, art walks, and community events keep the square buzzing year-round.

Ocala Golf Club

Golf club and event venue in Ocala hosting tournaments, dinner shows, and private events.

Ocala Regional Sportsplex

Multi-sport complex in Ocala hosting youth and adult leagues, tournaments, and fitness programs. Fields for soccer, football, and more across a well-maintained facility.

Ocala Wetland Recharge Park

200-acre wetland park with walking trails, boardwalks, and observation decks over restored wetlands. A surprisingly scenic spot for birding and nature walks right in Ocala.

Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park

Veteran's & war memorial park with over 5,000 commemorative bricks & plaques charting war history.

Old Homosassa Heritage Park and Working Waterfront

Community waterfront park on the Homosassa River featuring picnic areas, a shrimp boat playground for kids, and commercial waterfront operations, with plans for walking trails and a history museum.

Palatlakaha Recreation Park

City of Clermont recreation park offering ball fields, playgrounds, and community gathering spaces near the Palatlakaha River corridor.

Palatlakaha River Park & Boat Ramp

23-acre park on the Palatlakaha River in Clermont with boat ramps to the Clermont Chain of Lakes, two fishing piers, a playground, and a mile-long nature trail through wetland and scrub habitat.

Palm Island Boardwalk

Free 8-acre nature preserve on Lake Dora with a 1/3-mile boardwalk winding through old-growth live oaks and ancient cypress, offering frequent sightings of alligators, turtles, and wading birds.

Palm Island Park

Eight-acre nature preserve on Lake Dora with a winding boardwalk through old-growth oaks, cabbage palms, and cypress. Watch for wading birds, turtles, and gators along the water's edge. Free, open sunrise to sunset.

Rainbow Springs State Park

Florida's fourth-largest spring feeds the Rainbow River with 72-degree water so clear you can see your shadow on the sandy bottom. Perfect for tubing, kayaking, and swimming in a pristine natural setting.

Rainbow Springs State Park Tubing

Seasonal tubing launch at Rainbow Springs State Park where visitors rent tubes and float 1.5 hours down the crystal-clear Rainbow River, one of Florida's first-magnitude springs.

Recreation & Nature Park

Nature-focused recreation area in the Mount Dora area with walking trails and green space for outdoor activities.

Riverbend Cattle Company

Family-owned cattle ranch and farm store on the Withlacoochee River in Floral City. Pasture-raised, 14-day dry-aged beef and pork sold at the ranch store, online, and at area farmers markets including Brownwood in The Villages. Ranch experiences and tours available.

Roger's Park at Venetian Gardens

Splash pad, playground, and event pavilion within Venetian Gardens on the Leesburg waterfront, with scenic islands, walking trails, and free admission.

Rogers Park Splash Pad

Free splash pad in Leesburg's Rogers Park at Venetian Gardens, providing water play for kids during warm weather months.

Sabal Bluff Preserve

A 55-acre nature preserve on the shores of Lake Griffin in Leesburg with 2 miles of hiking trails, scenic bluff overlooks, and excellent birding and wildlife viewing. No pets allowed.

Salt Marsh Trails - Crystal River Wildlife Refuge Complex Trailhead

The Salt Marsh Trails offer access to wetlands and are used for environmental education, with facilities constructed for public enjoyment.

Santos Trails

80+ miles of single-track mountain bike trails built on a former rock quarry — one of the top trail systems in the Southeast. Color-coded trails for all skill levels, plus the Vortex Freeride area for adrenaline junkies. Free admission.

Scott Springs Park

Community park in Ocala with a natural spring-fed pool area, picnic pavilions, walking trails, and a playground. A local favorite for family outings and afternoon picnics.

Shocker Park

Neighborhood park in Ocala with open green space and a playground. A simple, family-friendly spot for outdoor play and picnics.

Sholom Park

A 44-acre public garden and park in the On Top of the World community in Ocala. Features walking paths, formal gardens, water features, and the popular Spring Strings outdoor concert series. Free admission.

Silver Glen Springs

An underrated spring in the Ocala National Forest with a large pool that flows into Lake George. Unique mix of freshwater and saltwater species makes snorkeling here exceptional.

Silver Springs State Park

Florida's original tourist attraction, featuring the world's largest artesian spring formation. Glass-bottom boat tours reveal an underwater world of fish, turtles, and ancient fossils in impossibly clear water.

Silver Springs State Park, Campground and Museum Entrance

The campground entrance to Silver Springs State Park, providing access to the Silver River Museum, hiking trails, and campground facilities. A quieter entry point away from the glass-bottom boat crowds.

Ski Beach Park

Beach and swimming area within the Venetian Gardens park system in Leesburg, connecting through walking trails and islands along the lakefront.

Summerall Park

Community park in Tavares on Wells Avenue with green space, walking areas, and recreation facilities.

Tavares Nature Park

Nature park in Tavares offering walking trails, green space, and outdoor recreation along Milwaukee Avenue.

The Villages Polo Club

Watch fast-paced polo matches on a 250-acre facility in the heart of The Villages. Tailgate on the sidelines, stomp the divots at halftime, and enjoy a quintessential Florida Sunday afternoon.

Thousand Trails Three Flags

Grassy RV park featuring a swimming pool, shuffleboard court & game room with pool tables.

Three Sisters Springs

One of Florida's most stunning natural springs, where crystal-clear water reveals every detail of the sandy bottom. A must-visit for swimming, snorkeling, and winter manatee encounters.

Tom Varn Park

Spacious park with open & forested areas, a fitness course, basketball softball & racquetball.

Trimble Park

Lakeside park with picnic & camping areas, plus a playground, trails & docks in scenic surrounds.

Trout Lake Nature Center

Troy Samuel Cumming Nature Preserve

The Troy Samuel Cumming Nature Preserve is 6.09 acres of healthy bottomland hardwood hammock forest, providing habitat for native wildlife including fox, deer, and numerous bird species.

Tuscawilla Art Park

Outdoor art park in downtown Ocala featuring rotating sculpture installations and public art. A creative green space perfect for an afternoon walk among the artwork.

Venetian Gardens Park

A gorgeous 100-acre waterfront park on Lake Harris with arched pedestrian bridges, island walkways, and panoramic lake views. The splash pad, playgrounds, and paved trails make it a perfect family outing.

Veterans Memorial Park

Memorial park in Leesburg honoring military veterans with monuments, memorial displays, and a quiet space for reflection.

Victory Pointe

Community park and green space in Clermont providing recreation and outdoor enjoyment for families.

Violette Hill Hay Farm

30-acre hands-on petting farm in Mount Dora offering capybara encounters, horse rides, hayrides, farm school classes, and seasonal events like pumpkin patches and Christmas on the Farm.

W. H. Willoughby Park

Community park in Summerfield with open space, picnic areas, and walking paths. A peaceful outdoor escape in the southern Villages area.

Wallace Brooks Park

Historic waterfront park on Lake Henderson in Inverness with shuffleboard, walking paths, a scenic dock, and a boardwalk connecting to Liberty Park along the Withlacoochee Trail.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Newt Perry opened this Hernando County roadside attraction in 1947, training swimmers to perform underwater ballet in a first-magnitude spring; Florida took it over as a state park in 2008.