Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Griffin State Park adventure.
Discover Lake Griffin State Park's natural charm and outdoor fun.
Disney World may only be an hour away, but the natural beauty and recreational bounty of Lake Griffin State Park is a mighty contender to the charms of Mickey and crew. The park’s 620 acres of tranquil waterways and leafy lakeside shores include the sprawling Mammoth Oak, the second largest live oak tree in all of Florida and the crown jewel of an easily accessible half-mile nature walk. To access the lake, visitors can kayak or canoe through the Dead River, a meandering canal rife with wildlife including cormorants, anhingas, herons, soft-shelled turtles, ospreys, and friendly Florida alligators (well, maybe not too friendly--there’s no swimming allowed). Ample fishing opportunities drew Native Americans to the lake thousands of years (yes, thousands!) before it was opened as a state park in the early ‘60s to accommodate recreational fishermen; bluegill, speckled perch, catfish, crappie, and bass are among the renowned aquatic offerings. Between the boating, picnicking, camping, canoeing, hiking, and fresh catch off the lines of lucky anglers, there’s plenty of outdoors to explore at the lovely Lake Griffin State Park.
The ideal time to visit Lake Griffin State Park is during the cooler months from October to April, when the Florida heat is more forgiving and the wildlife is abundant. Summer months can be hot and humid, with increased chances of afternoon thunderstorms, making outdoor activities less comfortable.