Best Parks, Gardens & Springs near me in Orlando, FL
Looking for the best parks, gardens and springs in Orlando? This list covers clear springs, botanical gardens, nature preserves and long paved trails across Orange County. Swim in the 72-degree water at Wekiwa Springs, tube down Rock Springs at Kelly Park, and stroll the camellias at Harry P. Leu Gardens.
25 picks ยท Updated October 2026
The ranked list
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- 1
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Park in Apopka, $
The closest classic spring to Orlando, holding about 72 degrees year-round, with a swimming area, canoe and kayak rentals, and trails. Entry is $6 per vehicle, and day visits need a reservation.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
- 2
Kelly Park / Rock Springs
Park in Apopka, $
Floating a tube down the cool, clear Rock Springs run is a summer rite. Tickets are online only with a daily cap, bring your own tube, and leave pets at home.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
- 3
Lake Eola Park
Park in Downtown, Orlando
Downtown's centerpiece, with a paved loop around the lake, the landmark fountain and swan pedal boats. The Sunday farmers market and amphitheater events keep it busy.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Water
- Date idea
- 4
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Park in Audubon Park, Orlando, $
Themed gardens near Lake Rowena with one of the largest camellia collections around, blooming December through March, plus the 1888 Leu House. Adults pay $15.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Date idea
- Family
- 5
Mead Botanical Garden
Park in Winter Park
Free and shaded, with a boardwalk over wetlands, a creek, a butterfly garden and a pond where turtles and wading birds gather. Great for families in Winter Park.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
- 6
Orlando Wetlands
Park in Christmas (east Orange County), Orlando
About 1,650 acres of constructed wetland in east Orange County that ranks among the region's best birding sites. Entry and weekend tram tours are both free.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Local favorite
- 7
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Park in Apopka
An 11-mile, one-way drive through the Lake Apopka marshes, open Friday through Sunday and federal holidays. Bring binoculars and allow up to three hours.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
- 8
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Park in Maitland, $
Walk a paved path past eagles, owls and hawks that cannot be released back to the wild. Admission is $10, and an hour is enough to see it all.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
- Kids
- 9
Oakland Nature Preserve
Park in Oakland
A long boardwalk carries you through wetlands to the shore of Lake Apopka, with wooded trails and nature programs at the small education center.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
- 10
West Orange Trail
Park in Winter Garden
About 22 paved miles from the Lake County line through Winter Garden to Apopka, with restrooms at trail stations and bike rentals near Winter Garden and Killarney.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
- 11
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
Park in Dr. Phillips, Orlando, $
A Dr. Phillips lakeside park with a disc golf course, fishing pier, trails and camping in tents, RVs or cabins. Entry is $5 per car.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
- 12
Tibet-Butler Preserve
Park in Dr. Phillips, Orlando
Quiet walking trails on 438 acres in southwest Orlando, plus a butterfly garden and exhibits at the Vera Carter Environmental Center. No pets or bikes.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
- 13
Kraft Azalea Garden
Park in Winter Park
A small, cypress-shaded garden on Lake Maitland whose Exedra monument is one of the area's favorite sunset spots. Free to visit.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Date idea
- 14
Cady Way Trail
Park in Winter Park
Roughly seven paved miles linking Winter Park and east Orlando, with water fountains, shaded rest stops and a playground. Leashed dogs are welcome.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Local favorite
- Dog friendly
- 15
Jay Blanchard Park
Park in Orlando
An 84-acre east Orlando park where the 7.4-mile Little Econ Greenway runs through, plus courts, fields and a playground for families.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
- 16
Barnett Park
Park in Pine Hills, Orlando
A big Pine Hills park with a splash pad, dog park, skate park, disc golf and an inclusive playground. A strong free pick for kids on hot days.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Family
- Kids
- 17
Moss Park
Park in Lake Nona, Orlando, $
Southeast Orlando camping, boat ramp and canoe and kayak access on the lakes, with trails and picnic areas. Entry is $5 per vehicle, and pets are not allowed.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
- 18
Lake Apopka Loop Trail
Park in Apopka
About 15 miles along the edge of Lake Apopka, popular with cyclists and birders. Start at Magnolia Park, and bring water since shade is limited.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Dog friendly
- 19
Magnolia Park
Park in Apopka
A Lake Apopka shoreline park with camping, a boat ramp and picnic areas, and the trailhead for the Loop Trail. Leashed pets are allowed.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
- 20
Dickson Azalea Park
Park in Lake Lawsona, Orlando
A small, quiet park near downtown with a paved path and shaded trails. Good for a short walk when you want a break from the busier lakes.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Date idea
- 21
Greenwood Urban Wetlands
Park in Lake Lawsona, Orlando
City wetland open space near downtown, open sunrise to sunset, with a dog agility area. A simple stop for a walk with your dog.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Dog friendly
- 22
Lake Baldwin Park
Park in Winter Park
Winter Park city park on Lake Baldwin where dogs can run off-leash throughout open hours, making it a favorite with dog owners. Shade trees, a sandy shoreline, a dock and picnic pavilions round it out.
- Walking
- Dog friendly
- Shaded
- Lake views
- 23
Blue Jacket Park
Park in Baldwin Park, Orlando
Seventy-five-acre city park in Baldwin Park, built on the former Naval Training Center site, with a paved walking path, jogging trails and wide open lawns.
- Walking
- Running
- Paved trail
- Wheelchair accessible
- 24
Horizon West Regional Park
Park in Horizon West, Winter Garden
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
- 25
Lake Lorna Doone Park
Park in Parramore, Orlando
Twelve-acre city park west of downtown with a paved walking path, outdoor fitness stations and gardens. It also has a seasonal splash pad, a playground and athletic fields, and groups of 10 or more need to reserve ahead.
- Walking
- Paved trail
- Restrooms
- Outdoor
Where to find the best parks and springs around Orlando
The springs are in northwest Orange County near Apopka. Wekiwa Springs State Park and Kelly Park's Rock Springs are about a 30-minute drive from downtown and are the top picks for swimming and tubing. Nearby, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Loop Trail, Magnolia Park and the Oakland Nature Preserve make this corner of the county the best for wildlife and long rides. The West Orange Trail runs through Winter Garden and Oakland.
Closer in, downtown has Lake Eola, Dickson Azalea Park and Greenwood Urban Wetlands, while Audubon Park has Leu Gardens. Winter Park offers Mead Botanical Garden and Kraft Azalea Garden, and Maitland has the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. In southwest Orlando, try Bill Frederick Park and Tibet-Butler Preserve. East Orange County has Jay Blanchard Park, Moss Park and the Orlando Wetlands.
How to choose the right park or spring
For swimming or tubing, go to Wekiwa or Kelly Park. For gardens, choose Leu Gardens for variety and history, Mead for a free, wild feel, or Kraft Azalea for a quick sunset stop. Birders should head to Orlando Wetlands, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive or the Audubon Center. Cyclists will like the West Orange Trail, the Cady Way Trail and the Little Econ Greenway through Jay Blanchard Park.
With kids, Barnett Park's splash pad and playground and Mead's boardwalk are easy wins. If you are bringing a dog, check rules first: leashed pets are welcome on the West Orange, Cady Way and Lake Apopka trails and at Barnett Park, but not at Kelly Park, Moss Park or Tibet-Butler. Campers can choose Bill Frederick, Moss Park or Magnolia Park.
Tips for visiting Orlando parks and springs
Book ahead for the springs, especially in summer. Kelly Park sells capped tickets online only, and Wekiwa requires day-use reservations; both can sell out on weekends. Arrive early for parking and cooler temperatures, and bring water shoes, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Plan around Florida weather. Summer afternoons bring heat and frequent thunderstorms, so mornings are best for hiking and biking. Cooler months from November to March are ideal for birding, and Leu Gardens' camellias peak then too. A few parks charge entry, including Wekiwa at $6 per vehicle and Bill Frederick and Moss Park at $5, so keep a card handy.
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 25 parks and springs in Orlando. You'll find them in Dr. Phillips, Lake Lawsona, Downtown and Audubon Park, spread across Orlando, Apopka, Winter Park and Winter Garden.
Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $ range.
What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Wildlife viewing, Tent and RV camping, Butterfly garden, Fishing and Picnic pavilions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best springs near Orlando?
Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka is the closest classic spring, with water around 72 degrees year-round, a swimming area and canoe and kayak rentals. Kelly Park's Rock Springs, also in Apopka, is famous for tubing down a cool, clear run. Both require planning ahead, especially on summer weekends.
Do you need reservations for Wekiwa Springs and Kelly Park?
Yes, plan ahead for both. Wekiwa Springs State Park requires reservations for day-use visits, with entry at $6 per vehicle. Kelly Park sells tickets online only and caps daily attendance, so tickets can run out on busy days. Remember to bring your own tube for Kelly Park.
What are the best free parks in Orlando?
Lake Eola Park downtown is free and home to the fountain and swan boats, which cost extra to rent. Mead Botanical Garden, Kraft Azalea Garden, Barnett Park and Jay Blanchard Park are all free. Orlando Wetlands offers free entry and free weekend tram tours, and the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive costs nothing.
Where is the best place to see wildlife near Orlando?
Orlando Wetlands in east Orange County is one of the region's top birding sites, and the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive offers 11 miles of marsh viewing from your car. The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland lets you see eagles and owls up close, and Mead Botanical Garden has turtles and wading birds.
Which Orlando parks are dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs are welcome on the West Orange Trail, Cady Way Trail and Lake Apopka Loop Trail, and at Jay Blanchard Park and Magnolia Park. Barnett Park has a dedicated dog park, and Greenwood Urban Wetlands has a dog agility area. Pets are not allowed at Kelly Park, Moss Park or Tibet-Butler Preserve.
More lists for Orlando
Best Things to Do 25 places Wekiwa Springs State Park, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and Scenic Boat Tour
Free Things to Do 25 places Lake Eola Park, Orlando Wetlands and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Rainy Day Activities 25 places Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Orlando Museum of Art and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Things to Do with Kids 25 places Magic Kingdom Park, Orlando Science Center and Gatorland
Date Ideas 25 places Lake Eola Park, Scenic Boat Tour and Enzian Theater
Outdoor Activities 25 places Wekiwa Springs State Park, Kelly Park / Rock Springs and Scenic Boat Tour
Nightlife 25 places Will's Pub, The Plaza Live and Sunroom
Best Bars 25 places The Courtesy Bar, Sunroom and Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden
Best Breweries 19 places Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co., Tactical Brewing Co. and Sideward Brewing
Live Music 25 places The Plaza Live, Will's Pub and The Beacham
Best Museums 16 places Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Orlando Museum of Art and Orange County Regional History Center
Theme Parks & Water Parks 13 places Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Best Water Parks 5 places Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove
Family Day Out Ideas 25 places Orlando Science Center, Gatorland and Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Things to Do on International Drive 22 places ICON Park, SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove
Dinner Shows 3 places Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Pirates Dinner Adventure Orlando and Capone's Dinner & Show
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