Outdoor Activities in Winter Garden, FL (2026): 4 Local Picks

Looking for the outdoor activities near you in Winter Garden? Here are 4 outdoor activities worth the trip, starting with West Orange Trail and Winter Garden Farmers Market, with what each one does best and how to get there.

4 picks · Updated October 2026

1
West Orange Trail

Park
Around 22 miles of paved rail-trail from the Lake County line through Oakland and Winter Garden to Apopka. Rent a bike near the Winter Garden station and ride to Plant Street.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
Call West Orange Trail Website for West Orange Trail (opens in a new tab)Directions to West Orange Trail (opens maps)
2
Winter Garden Farmers Market

Market in Downtown Winter Garden
More than 100 vendors and live music on Saturday mornings at the downtown pavilion, steps from the West Orange Trail for a ride-and-shop morning.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Family
- Local favorite
Website for Winter Garden Farmers Market (opens in a new tab)Directions to Winter Garden Farmers Market (opens maps)
3
Horizon West Regional Park

Park in Horizon West
Large Orange County regional park in Horizon West with trails open to walkers, cyclists and horseback riders, plus a playground and picnic spots.
- Walking
- Biking
- Equestrian
- Outdoor
Call Horizon West Regional Park Website for Horizon West Regional Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Horizon West Regional Park (opens maps)
4
Johns Lake Conservation Area

Trail
County conservation land on the shore of Johns Lake west of Winter Garden, where a trail leads down to the water.
- Hiking
- Walking
- Lake views
- Birding
Call Johns Lake Conservation Area Website for Johns Lake Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Directions to Johns Lake Conservation Area (opens maps)

The best outdoor activities in Orlando by type

For water, head northwest to the springs: Wekiwa Springs for swimming and paddling and Kelly Park for tubing. Winter Park's chain of lakes is the place for boat and clear-kayak tours, and Epic Paddle Adventures runs paddleboard and kayak trips around Orlando. For something faster, airboat rides at Midway on the St. Johns River add alligators to the mix.

For biking and walking, the West Orange Trail is the long ride, while Cady Way and the Little Econ Greenway at Jay Blanchard Park are shorter and closer to town. Wildlife fans should plan for Orlando Wetlands, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and the Oakland Nature Preserve boardwalk. Families with younger kids may prefer shorter outings: the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Lake Eola's swan boats, Barnett Park's splash pad and Mead Botanical Garden all fit into a morning.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 4 outdoor activities in Winter Garden. You'll find them in Downtown Winter Garden and Horizon West.

About Winter Garden

Winter Garden in west Orange County is built around its historic downtown on Plant Street and the West Orange Trail. Fast growth in Horizon West has brought many new home service companies, clinics and restaurants to the area.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best outdoor activities in Winter Garden?

Swimming at Wekiwa Springs and tubing at Kelly Park are the top summer picks. For something on the water year-round, try the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour or a clear-kayak tour. Biking the West Orange Trail, birding at Orlando Wetlands and an airboat ride on the St. Johns River are also local favorites.

Where can I go kayaking in Winter Garden?

Get Up and Go Kayaking runs guided clear-bottom kayak tours through the Winter Park chain of lakes, including sunset and glow-in-the-dark trips. Epic Paddle Adventures offers clear kayak and paddleboard tours and rentals around Orlando. Wekiwa Springs State Park rents canoes and kayaks on site, and Jay Blanchard Park has access to the Econlockhatchee River.

Where can I see alligators near Winter Garden?

Airboat Rides at Midway on the St. Johns River ends each one-hour tour with an alligator encounter. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and Orlando Wetlands are also known for wildlife viewing, including alligators and wading birds. Always keep your distance from alligators in the wild and never feed them.

What are the best bike trails in Winter Garden?

The West Orange Trail is the longest, with about 22 paved miles through Oakland and downtown Winter Garden and bike rentals nearby. The Cady Way Trail links east Orlando and Winter Park, the Little Econ Greenway runs through Jay Blanchard Park, and the Lake Apopka Loop Trail covers nearly 15 lakeside miles.

Can you swim in the springs near Winter Garden?

Yes. Wekiwa Springs State Park has a swimming area in a spring that stays about 72 degrees year-round, and Kelly Park lets you swim and tube in the Rock Springs run, where water sits between 68 and 72 degrees. Both require planning: Wekiwa needs a day-use reservation and Kelly Park sells limited tickets online.