The best state parks around The Villages, Florida · Lake Griffin State Park · Cross the Florida Greenway - Santos Bike Trails · Cross the Florida Greenway: baseline to Marshall. Three state parks that offer camping are located fairly close to the Villages. Lake Griffin State Park is located in Leesburg, about 10 miles from Villages, and is located on a canal that connects to Lake Griffin, one of the largest lakes in Florida. Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka is about 23 miles from the Villages and contains a huge natural spring and access to the Wekiwa River.
Silver River State Park is located about 39 miles from the Villages. Silver River has dozens of springs and many water-related activities, as well as educational opportunities. Our park spans 620 acres and allows visitors to explore it in a variety of ways. Fishermen or birdwatchers can rent a canoe or kayak to explore the marshes of Lake Griffin.
If you're not sure that paddling is just for you, that's fine, we offer guided canoe and kayak tours. If you prefer a less intense type of exploration, Concessionaire Epic Water Boat Tours offers guided pontoon tours. The Villages is a planned retirement community located in central Florida, about 20 miles south of Ocala. The Villages is home to 90,000 people who enjoy the amenities of a gated community with 20 golf courses.
The Ocala National Forest, northeast of the villages, covers 380,000 acres and has many lakes and several huge springs. Stunning national and state parks highlight some of Florida's picturesque spaces to explore.
