{"id":11798,"date":"2017-04-07T21:22:37","date_gmt":"2017-04-08T03:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/?p=11798"},"modified":"2022-03-06T17:17:23","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T00:17:23","slug":"natural-florida-3-hidden-gems-your-big-family-will-enjoy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/natural-florida-3-hidden-gems-your-big-family-will-enjoy\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Florida: 3 Hidden Gems Your Big Family Will Enjoy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11805\" title=\"Great Nature Destinations in Central Florida\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturalflorida.jpg\" alt=\"Must Visit Nature Destinations in Central Florida\" width=\"342\" height=\"619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturalflorida.jpg 735w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturalflorida-166x300.jpg 166w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturalflorida-565x1024.jpg 565w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 342px) 100vw, 342px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Theme parks draw millions of visitors to the Sunshine State, but scattered throughout Central Florida are treasures for the nature-lover as well.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find parks, gardens, and nature preserves just a short drive from the more well-known attractions.\u00a0 Check out these local favorites when planning your next Florida trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Deleon Springs State Park\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">With natural springs flowing at 72 degrees year round, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridastateparks.org\/park\/De-Leon-Springs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">De Leon Springs<\/a> offers all sorts of recreation in and on the water.\u00a0 During the cooler months, manatees flock to the warm springs.\u00a0 Our children were thrilled to spot several near the swimming hole during our February visit.\u00a0 Rent a canoe or take an eco boat tour and be on the lookout for more wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">If you\u2019d rather keep your feet dry, the park offers plenty of trails.\u00a0 A four-mile loop takes visitors through several habitats, but if you have very young hikers like we did, you might want to stick to the paved half-mile nature trail.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find a variety of wildflowers along with cypress trees common to low-lying areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11800 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/makebreakfast.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/makebreakfast.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/makebreakfast-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Your favorite part of De Leon Springs might be <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oldspanishsugarmill.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant<\/a>\u00a0right inside the park.\u00a0 Fuel your outdoor explorations with a hearty breakfast of bacon, sausage, and pancakes you pour and flip yourself on a griddle built into your table.\u00a0 Armed with a pancake flipper and some blueberries our kids had the best breakfast ever!\u00a0 On weekends and holidays, be sure to arrive early to get a table.\u00a0 If you\u2019re not an early bird, consider leaving your name with the hostess before your hike and enjoy pancakes upon your return.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A paved nature trail and swimmer chairlift in the swimming area make this park particularly accessible for visitors with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ocfl.net\/CultureParks\/Parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&amp;d=39#.WORBRzufukh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve<\/a> offers a magnificent and quintessential Florida landscape just minutes from theme parks.\u00a0 In fact, this park makes a great half-day outing when you plan to spend the evening at nearby Disney Springs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11801 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturetrail.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"431\" height=\"575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturetrail.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/naturetrail-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 431px) 100vw, 431px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Choose a hike through the dry scrublands or take a boardwalk through the wetlands.\u00a0 Both trails offer beautiful scenery and the opportunity to spot Florida wildlife, though the wetland trail is our favorite.\u00a0 Besides a view of Lake Tibet, the trail leads through woods and clearings that seem to have a magical glow in the afternoon sun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11804 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/tibetbutlertrail.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/tibetbutlertrail.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/tibetbutlertrail-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Tibet Butler\u2019s educational programs are a big draw for us.\u00a0 Twice monthly Park Rangers host <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ocfl.net\/Portals\/0\/Library\/Culture-Recreation\/ParksModule\/docs\/Mar17-June17%20Eco%20Sat%20Flier.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EcoSaturdays<\/a> on a variety of topics, covering everything from archeology to endangered species, to orienteering with hands-on activities to involve participants.\u00a0 Also offered are a series of Tuesday morning classes for homeschool students and a wide array of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ocfl.net\/Portals\/0\/Library\/Culture-Recreation\/ParksModule\/docs\/Eco%20Education%20Programs%20for%202017%20Tibet-Butler.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">field trip programs<\/a>\u00a0available for your group (or large family).\u00a0 The Visitor Center\u2019s interactive exhibits offer an educational and air-conditioned respite from the Florida heat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Kelly Park at Rock Springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ocfl.net\/cultureparks\/parks.aspx?d=22&amp;m=dtlvw#.WORG1jufukg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kelly Park<\/a>\u00a0is one of Central Florida\u2019s most popular natural springs.\u00a0 The summer months are crowded and arriving early is highly recommended, but the water temperature stays at 68 degrees year round and this has become our New Years Day tradition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Before you enter the park, you\u2019ll notice vendors offering inner tube rentals.\u00a0 You\u2019ll want to make a stop here because tubing is one of the best ways to enjoy Rock Springs, but there are no tube rentals inside the park.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11802 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/kellypark.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/kellypark.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/kellypark-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Near the parking lot are many picnic tables and grills along with a play structure for the kids to enjoy.\u00a0 It\u2019s just a short walk to the restrooms, boardwalk, and swimming area complete with a small sandy beach perfect for digging holes and burying sibling with sand!\u00a0 Parents can appreciate that the swimming area is relatively shallow and somewhat sheltered from the current of the spring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11803 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/waterfunatkellypark.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/waterfunatkellypark.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/waterfunatkellypark-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Grab your inner tube and head up the boardwalk to the spring head to ride the gentle current down the run and back to the swimming area, passing a small island and floating under a bridge along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Tent and RV camping are also available at Kelly Park.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Natural Florida might not get as much attention at the flashy theme parks, but there are plenty of hidden gems for nature lovers to enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Theme parks draw millions of visitors to the Sunshine State, but scattered throughout Central Florida are treasures for the nature-lover as well.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find parks, gardens, and nature preserves just a short drive from the more well-known attractions.\u00a0 Check out these local favorites when planning your next Florida trip. Deleon Springs State Park\u00a0 With natural&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/natural-florida-3-hidden-gems-your-big-family-will-enjoy\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Natural Florida: 3 Hidden Gems Your Big Family Will Enjoy<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":11802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","neve_meta_reading_time":"","_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11445,3404],"tags":[4897],"class_list":["post-11798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-big-family-travel-ideas","category-guest-post-2","tag-florida"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Natural Florida: 3 Hidden Gems Your Big Family Will Enjoy - SixSuitcaseTravel - Big Family Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Scattered throughout Central Florida are treasures for the nature-lover. 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