Lake Griffin State Park is a little hidden gem in Fruitland Park, Florida, tucked in among the hustle and bustle of the surrounding towns. Don’t underestimate this little park, it has lots to discover.
Location
Lake Griffin is located north of Lake Apopka and to the east of The Villages. You can get there easily from the Florida Turnpike and it is right off US 441 in Fruitland Park.
The state park is not actually adjacent to Lake Griffin. To get to the lake you have to canoe, kayak, or motor your boat through a canal to get to the Dead River. The Dead River will then take you to Lake Griffin. It is about a mile from the park to the actual lake.
What to do
You may be asking, “What is there to do at Lake Griffin State Park?”
Lots! You can hike to the Mammoth Oak Tree, the second-largest oak tree in Florida. It is a short and easy trail. You can also hike the Spur Trail. Use caution on this trail. It was very wet during our visit. There are wooden planks to help you cross the wettest places, but you could still get your shoes wet. This is also not a handicap or stroller-friendly trail. If you aren’t steady on your feet, you may want to think twice about this trail. It is about a mile long.
As mentioned earlier, you can do some boating. Bring your own boat or rent one of theirs. The rental prices seemed decent. There is a very nice paved ramp for motored boats and a grass ramp for kayaks and canoes. You could also fish from the long dock.
A decent-sized playground for the kids near the dock area. It has swings, slides, and a handicapped swing. Our kids had lots of fun making new friends at the playground. A restroom is nearby.
A pavilion is available to rent. It is close to the playground.
Camping
Of course, there is camping at Lake Griffin State Park. They have 40 sites. A few are full hook-up and a few are pull-through sites. Most sites were tight and short. If you are reserving, make sure to check the dimensions well. We had site 37 in the back. It was a pull-through and was perfect for our 26-foot travel trailer and a tent. There is one bathhouse centrally located. It was spotless every day we were there. It even had an overhead heater in the shower area to keep you warm in the winter. We were super thankful for this during our visit. The dump station is near the back of the campground. All sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and a metal hook.
Don’t forget your bikes! The campground is pretty sandy and hilly. It was difficult for our kids to bike up and down the hills. Their bikes kept getting stuck in the sand. Outside the campground, the roads throughout the park are paved.
During our visit it was pretty chilly, so we didn’t notice any bugs. I can imagine this isn’t always the case. With water all around, I can almost guarantee there will be mosquitoes when it is warm. It is Florida!
Lake Griffin Reviews
When reading reviews about this park on social media, I kept seeing people say that it was noisy and there was nothing to do. Yes, you could occasionally hear the highway and sirens. But you can hear those in just about any park. It wasn’t bothersome to us. Nothing to do is just plain silly. You’re here to camp and enjoy nature. This park offers plenty. If you just want a place to sleep so you can go be a tourist during the day, then yes, you need a different park. There is nothing touristy to do close by.
Need a break from camp?
If you want a break from camp food, take a short drive. There is a really awesome barbecue restaurant 3 miles north of the park. Oakwood Smokehouse and Grill is superb! Everything from the food to the service was excellent. You won’t be disappointed. I’m still salivating over the ribs. Yum!
Wrap-up
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do at Lake Griffin State Park. Take a relaxing stroll on a trail. Enjoy a float down the river. Make a new friend. Or just take in your surroundings at camp.
Who is ready to camp?
- Hillsborough River State Park, a campground close to Tampa
- Silver Springs State Park, Monkeys and More
- Highlands Hammock State Park, One of FL’s Oldest Parks
- Lake Louisa State Park, a campground close to Orlando
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed here are solely mine. I did not receive compensation for this review.
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