Florida's Scenic State Park Near Orlando Is A Lakeside Retreat With Quiet Trails And Paddling Fun

Some Florida state parks charm visitors with white sand beaches on the Gulf Coast, while others boast spring-fed rivers to snorkel and swim. Central Florida's Lake Louisa State Park offers something a little different. Instead of one main attraction, Lake Louisa State Park's 4,500 acres offer so much to do that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection calls the area a "natural theme park."

From glamping getaways and kayaking under the full moon to horseback riding and uncrowded hiking, the park makes outdoor activities enjoyable and easy to access. Ideal for casual outdoor explorers, the Lake Louisa State Park Tours site puts planning and booking resources all in one place — and it's super user-friendly. Named after the larger Lake Louisa, the park contains six lakes in a section of the Green Swamp. But don't let the term "swamp" deter you. Cypress-lined shores give way to white-sand beaches and shady paths through 11 different habitats, including pine savannas and sandhills, home to surprisingly large gopher tortoises and other critters. 

Lake Louisa State Park lies within about 30 minutes of some of Florida's most famous human-made amusement parks outside Orlando, including Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. Despite being near a major city, visitors marvel at the peaceful setting. "Feels like you're miles away from civilization but every night you can see the Disney fireworks show only a few miles away," shared one camper on Reddit. If you're traveling from out of state, you'll likely fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO) and drive 45 minutes to the park. 

Unlike some beautiful, yet inaccessible wilderness areas, getting out in nature at Lake Louisa State Park is straightforward. Download the park's trail map, which includes over 20 miles of trails winding deep into the wilds and 7 miles of wide, paved roads. Rent a cruiser and explore the paved areas at your leisure, or spot deer between the pines as you hike the 6-mile Bronson Loop Trail. If you stay really quiet and go in the morning, you might spot a whole herd of deer. But the lack of crowds makes an outing worthwhile at any time of day. 

Choose between 3 and 6-mile horseback riding tours (approximately one or two hours) that follow peaceful trails beneath oaks draped in Spanish moss and along the shoreline. You can also ride your own horse on 15 of the 20 multi-use trail miles, and stay at campsites with paddocks and grazing areas. Keep in mind that you'll be sharing these trails with mountain bikers and hikers. 

Lake Louisa State Park offers several paddling experiences, including renting your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard by the hour, but the "Night Kayak: Full Moon Paddle" is something special. For one and a half hours, you'll glide on Hammond Lake's serene waters, lit only by the moon's glow, while you listen to the guide share stories about the area. Boats with electric motors aren't allowed on the water at night, so the experience will be serene and peaceful.

An incredible thing to do in and around Orlando that's not visiting Disney World is stay overnight at Lake Louisa. While the park is close enough to Orlando that you can easily retire to a 5-star hotel and enjoy a night in the city, you can also reserve a lakeside cabin, a glamping tent that looks straight out of Coachella, or a variety of traditional camping sites. 

Perched on a grassy hill overlooking Lake Dixie, the 20 cabins are especially popular among travelers, praised for their cleanliness and comfort. Each one features two bedrooms (up to six guests), two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area, air conditioning, and a screened-in porch. With prices starting from $120 per night, the cabins offer an affordable retreat in a space that's rustic without feeling old or dingy. 

For a stay halfway between tent camping and a cabin, choose the canvas glamping tents. They even come with queen-sized beds and air conditioning. You'll still feel like a real camper when you warm up around the campfire or walk to the shared bathrooms at night. Occupying a thin strip of land between Lake Dixie and Lake Hammond, the campground is a fan-favorite with 4.7 stars on Google. RVers appreciate the large, flat pads, while tent campers get easy access to the park and sites that some visitors find too open for comfort. However, if you want to truly feel a world away from Orlando, you can hike into and stay at one of the primitive sites in the park.