Florida
Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Get Away From It All At This Crystal Clear Lake In Florida

Lake Apopka in Florida offers a peaceful retreat with opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, and scenic drives.

Published Aug 6, 2019

Written by 

Angie Slayton

Most visitors to our beautiful state wind up spending more time at the beaches rather than other bodies of water. Don't get us wrong, the beaches are surely worth coming down for. But there are plenty of other swimming spots to consider during your vacation, like this beautiful spring river that'll transport you to a different world. Instead of sticking around the crowded beaches this year getting frustrated with tourists, check out this beautiful lake in Florida.

It’s not every day that you come across a stunner of a lake in Florida that is open for adventures throughout the year.

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

But Lake Apopka, just 15 miles northwest of Orlando, Florida is well-worth a visit, for a variety of reasons outside of simply swimming.

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Google Maps

Lake Apopka is the fourth largest lake in Florida, and is one that you can visit in order to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the hustle-and-bustle of life.

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Flickr Stacy Young

If you’re a nature lover, then this is the lake for you—plenty of opportunities to peruse the nearby wildlife, go fishing, swimming, or kayaking.

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

One of the highlights of visiting this wonderful lake is the 11-mile driving trail, which takes visitors along the 20,000-acre shoreline to see migratory birds, butterflies, and other varieties of wildlife.

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Flickr Charles

If you’re an avid fishing fan, get ready to indulge in a nice collection of largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, black crappie, and yellow bullhead to name a few.

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TripAdvisor Marce S.

But you don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy the beauty of this lake—the wildlife drive will give you a front row seat of all the wildlife that call this beautiful area home.

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

Come for the drive, but stay for the sunset—which will always be worth making the trek to the lake.

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Flickr Stacy Young

Bring the family, bring your camera, and enjoy an up close tour of this sensational lake and all the natural beauty that comes with it.

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Flickr Hector A. Parayuelos

Address: 2803 Lust Road, Apopka, FL 32703

Have you ever been to Lake Apopka in Florida? Share with us your favorite parts in the comments section!

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

The Most Remote Lake In Florida Is Also The Most Peaceful

Lake George in Florida offers a peaceful and adventure-filled alternative to the state's popular coastal attractions.

Updated Aug 8, 2024

Written by 

Angie Slayton

While Florida might not be known for being a state where people take lakeside vacations, you’d be surprised at how many beautiful, remote lakes there actually are in the Sunshine State. Most visitors and vacationers indeed tend to stick to the coastline, waterparks, and theme parks to get a true taste of Florida. But, we have an incredible lake that might just change everyone’s minds. Take a tour of the delightfully remote Lake George, Florida. This is one of the most underrated lakes in Florida and it's worth a visit the next time you'd like to take a fun adventure.

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Lake George, Florida is the second-largest lake in the state, following the ever-impressive Lake Okeechobee.

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Wikipedia TampAGS

Spending a day on this remote lake will surely bring you a sense of peace, with six full miles across and 11 full miles around.

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

The lake is fed from the northern flow of the St. Johns River, as well as other spots like Salt Creek, Silver Glen Springs, and Juniper Creek to name a few.

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TripAdvisor hponsell

The area that surrounds the lake is steeped in rich history, as it was part of the Timucua Indian settlement back in the 1500s. A few hundred years later, the territory was sold to a botanist, John Bartram, and named after King George.

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

One of the best ways to view this lake is by boat or other non-motorized watercraft! You can easily spend an entire afternoon paddling the lake and enjoy the solitude of your surroundings.

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TripAdvisor Bethany H

But also, hikers can hit the Lake George Trail in the Ocala National Forest, which gives a glimpse of the beauty of the lake from land.

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

Just make sure to keep an eye out for the boardwalk trail, which will allow you to actually step out onto the water!

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TripAdvisor FlaHarlock

Spend the day fishing, hiking, and boating around this remote lake in Florida for an adventure-filled afternoon.

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Google Maps

Click here to find out where Lake George is in Florida.

Keep in mind there is always wildlife in Lake George, from snakes to alligators and everything in between. As always, please be careful when you visit. And it's always smart to let someone know where you'll be and when you expect to return. 

Need a place to stay while you're exploring? Check out these vacation rentals near Barberville, FL. Have you ever been to Lake George in Florida? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! Meanwhile, when you're visiting Lake George and you happen to be close to Astor, take a detour southwest toward Alexander Springs for a truly underrated natural gem.

Looking for even more to explore? Check out this beautiful footage of the Florida Everglades:

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

The Most Remote Beach In Florida Is A Must-Visit This Summer

Upham Beach in St. Pete, Florida, is a hidden gem with calm waters, secret coves, and a secret garden, perfect for a peaceful family outing.

Updated Jul 25, 2024

Written by 

Lauren

As you probably know, the state of Florida has no shortage of gorgeous beaches. From the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the beautiful destinations along the Atlantic Ocean, the sunshine state is full of incredible natural wonders that have been attracting visitors for years. Some of the most well-known beaches certainly live up to their reputation- places such as Miami Beach, Destin, Clearwater, Palm Beach, and Key West are highly frequented for good reason. If you find yourself near Tampa, the city of St. Pete Beach (located a short drive West of St. Petersburg) is an excellent location that you've likely heard of. But are you familiar with Upham Beach Park? Located on the Northern end of St. Pete, this hidden beach in Florida is a wonderfully calm paradise that you won't want to miss.

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Located on Florida's West Coast, St. Pete is a gorgeous, white-sand beach that visitors of all ages will enjoy.

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Riddhish Chakraborty/Movement via Getty Images

If you're visiting the Tampa Bay area, a day at St. Pete will surely be a day well-spent. Try Upham Beach Florida!

Situated in the Northern Region of St. Pete, you'll find the gorgeous blue waters of Upham Beach Park.

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This family-friendly beach is home to two secret coves, shallow waters, and even a secret garden.

The secret garden of Upham Beach Park offers moments of tranquility and is only steps away from the beach.

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There is no street entrance to this secret garden, which means it can only be enjoyed by Upham Beach St Pete visitors. This spot is a great place for photos as well.

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Upham Beach Park is known for its calm, clear waters- a perfect spot for visitors with children.

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You may be able to spot dolphins, in addition to other wildlife in the area.

Another great thing about the hidden gem that is Upham Beach is the Paradise Grille.

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This beachfront restaurant offers a full food and beverage menu, live music, and amazing views of the ocean.

The Paradise Grille has two locations- the one on Upham Beach has an especially pretty outdoor location.

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Adults can order beverages such as beer or wine.

After a fun day at the beach, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets in the area.

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The peaceful environment is the perfect place to enjoy the evening sky.

With a secret garden, hidden coves, and calm, shallow waters, this spot is incredible. Avoid the crowds this summer with a trip to Upham Beach Park in St. Petersburg, FL. Need a new bathing suit? I love the options at REI.

If you’re looking for more beautiful Florida beaches, don’t worry; there are a ton of them!

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