Between Gainesville And Orlando Is Florida's Rural Community With Lake Fun And An Endangered Animal Sanctuary

Exploring the towns and forests between Gainesville and Orlando can reveal some pretty enticing destinations, such as Belleview, a charming city with friendly vibes and a lake. But maybe you're tired of spending time in Florida's cities and are looking for something more rural. If so, the charming community of Citra should be on your radar. Not only is it home to the largest lake in the North Central Region, but it also has a strong connection to citrus farming (hence, its name) and an award-winning wildlife sanctuary.

Today's Citra isn't as widespread or prosperous as it was during the 1880s boom in citrus farming, and some people might consider it a rather desolate community. However, for others, Citra's woodsy aesthetic and handful of shops and restaurants offer a welcome rural escape from Florida's more touristic and bustling destinations. Another reason people enjoy visiting Citra is its proximity to the 12,550-acre Orange Lake, just northeast of town.

You can drive to Citra in about 1.5 hours from Orlando or around 40 minutes from Gainesville. You could realistically make it a day trip from either, but it's far more feasible from the latter. If you have an RV, you could also stay at one of the parks just outside of Citra, such as the Old Florida RV Resort or Citra Royal Palm RV Park. They're positioned on Orange Lake and are known for having beautiful water views, serene surrounding nature, and welcoming communities. If you do end up staying in Gainesville, make sure you save some time to explore it, too — it's one of the five most vibrant college towns in the South.

Orange Lake is a popular fishing destination, with the size and depth to accommodate most vessels. Anglers can reel in a range of species here, from black crappie and largemouth bass to bluegill and sunfish. You can launch your boat either from the Orange Lake Public Fishing Pier or the Kate Barnes Boat Ramp in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, considered one of Florida's 13 best state parks that are completely underrated. Both boat ramps are about a 15-minute drive from Citra. You can still fish even if you don't have a boat, as the Orange Lake Public Fishing Pier also has a fish attractor that helps land-based anglers reel in some beauties right off the shore.

You don't need a fishing rod and reel to have fun on Orange Lake. It's also a great spot for boating or paddling, particularly because of its floating islands: mass vegetation mats on the surface of the lake. These were once so famous that they were featured in "Ripley's Believe it or Not" and became a massive draw for tourists. They're still very picturesque and great for spotting wading birds, like pipers and plovers.

Other local gems exist on dry land in Citra. Flyers Cafe is a great spot for a meal in a casual diner setting. The joint is renowned for its sandwiches and has a welcoming atmosphere befitting Southern hospitality. "A great place for breakfast or lunch. Their Philly cheesesteak is to die for," one customer writes on Google. After your meal, pop into the famous Orange Shop next door. The seasonal shop preserves Citra's citrus heritage with fresh fruits, sauces, dressings, jellies, and more. It's been dishing up fruit-inspired treats for more than 88 years.

The Endangered Animal Rescue Shelter (EARS) is the top-ranked thing to do in Citra on Tripadvisor. It has a 4.7 rating on the review platform and was also recognized in 2025 with an award from North Central Florida Media. Visit EARS to get up close with some of their protected and beloved big cats and other exotic animals. Every animal living here has been rescued from abuse or other life-threatening situations and brought back to health by the shelter.

Every visitor is asked to become a member, and then you can book a group or private tour of the 35-acre facility. Group tours are held on the first Saturday of every month and include up-close encounters with lions, orange-and-white tigers, bears, cougars, monkeys, and other protected species. You can't take any photos, but you will learn more about these animals' stories and how they're being cared for at EARS. Private tours can be booked separately for larger groups.

The walking tour usually kicks off at 10 a.m. and takes between 1.5 and two hours to complete. Visitors compliment the sanctuary on its commitment to caring for the animals and keeping visitors well educated. "I'm so grateful for what this organization does to help these animals," one visitor writes on Tripadvisor. "You can tell the animals are happy and definitely love the staff that works there."