If you want to stretch your vacation dollar without sacrificing the quality of your enjoyment then you should consider visiting some of the Florida State Parks when you plan your vacation in the Orlando area. Visit the popular theme parks, but reserve some days for modestly priced outings in parks that provide unmatched natural beauty as well as great outdoor physical activity.
Two of the must-see parks in the vicinity of Orlando are Blue Spring State Park in Orange, County and the Wekiwa Springs State Park which is situated 20 minutes north of Orlando.
Blue Spring State Park is best known for the manatees, the gentle mammals that ply the waters of the St. John’s River. At Blue Spring you can watch the manatees from specially constructed boardwalks. You can’t swim or dive with the endangered creatures but there are plenty of swimming and diving areas where you can take advantage of the year-round 72-degree spring water. The water is crystal clear and great for scuba diving.
Other outdoor activities at Blue Spring State Park include hiking, picnicking, and camping. Camping can be done in a full facility or primitive camping areas. Cabins are also available but are in limited supply and require a reservation.
As I said, this is a modestly priced outing. Admission to the park is only $5.00 per vehicle and extra passengers cost $1.00. The best things in life are free, and in this case, almost free!
A similar vacation destination is the Wekiwa Springs State Park which is a short 20-minute ride from Orlando. This park is also centered around a powerful natural spring that pumps 42 million gallons of 72-degree fresh water each day.
The park’s name comes from the language of the Creek Indians and means “bubbling water.” And the nature preserve that is included in the park extends over 7000 acres and provides visitors with a glimpse of Florida as it existed hundreds of years ago.
In this beautiful natural setting, you can enjoy yourself by swimming in the 72-degree water, canoeing, picnicking, and camping.
As in Blue Spring Park, there are several camping options at Wekiwa. If you want general camping then you can choose from sixty campsites. The sites have a table, water, electricity, a fire circle with a grill, and restrooms with hot showers. It is extremely important to make a reservation for a camping area.
For the more adventurous there is backpack camping. Two backpack camping sites are located on a 13-mile hiking trail. The maximum capacity of each site is ten people and you have to bring in your water, food, and firewood, as well as take out your trash. Canoe camping is another option, and if you like horseback riding, there is a horse camping trail as well.