Best Parks, Gardens & Springs near me in Winter Park, FL

Looking for the best parks, gardens & springs near you in Winter Park? Here are 6 parks and springs worth the trip, starting with Mead Botanical Garden and Kraft Azalea Garden, with what each one does best and how to get there.

6 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Mead Botanical Garden

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
Call Mead Botanical Garden Website for Mead Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)Directions to Mead Botanical Garden (opens maps)
2
Kraft Azalea Garden

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
Call Kraft Azalea Garden Website for Kraft Azalea Garden (opens in a new tab)Directions to Kraft Azalea Garden (opens maps)
3
Cady Way Trail

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
Call Cady Way Trail Website for Cady Way Trail (opens in a new tab)Directions to Cady Way Trail (opens maps)
4
Lake Baldwin Park

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
Call Lake Baldwin Park Website for Lake Baldwin Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Lake Baldwin Park (opens maps)
5
Howell Branch Preserve

Park
Small Winter Park nature preserve of about 10 acres ringed by wetlands, with a boardwalk and lookout deck for taking in the habitat. A fitness trail, playground and picnic pavilion make it an easy short outing.
- Walking
- Boardwalk
- Nature
- Wildlife
Call Howell Branch Preserve Website for Howell Branch Preserve (opens in a new tab)Directions to Howell Branch Preserve (opens maps)
6
Ward Park

Park
Large 66-acre Winter Park park packed with ballfields, tennis courts and an Olympic-size pool, plus an asphalt walking path and a trail that passes through wetlands.
- Walking
- Running
- Paved trail
- Restrooms
Call Ward Park Website for Ward Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Ward Park (opens maps)

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.

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 6 parks and springs in Winter Park.

About Winter Park

Winter Park sits just north of Orlando and is known for Park Avenue, Rollins College, its chain of lakes and brick streets. The city has a dense cluster of independent restaurants, boutiques, salons and professional offices.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best springs near Winter Park?

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 Winter Park?

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 Winter Park?

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 Winter Park 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.