Metro Orlando Sports & Recreation

The professional athletics offer baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis, racing, soccer and jai-alai.

Amateur athletics are offered through the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Valencia Community College, Seminole Community College and Lake Sumter Community College.

Outdoor Life in Metro Orlando

Water Sports
     Boating; Canoeing; Fishing; Skiing

There are seven (7) state parks in the area. Amenities include cabin rentals, RV hookups, canoe rentals and campsites. Most have swimming, boating and fishing.Some have horseback riding and hiking trails. Phone numbers are listed for more information and directions.

Wekiva Springs State Park- Seminole County
Wekiva Springs Road
407.884.2008
Camping, boating, picknicking, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. Home to bears, gray foxes, bald eagles, owls and deer as well as alligators, turtles, otters, white ibis and egrets and many other birds.

Tosohatchee State Reserve - Orange County
Taylor Creek Road, Christmas
407.568.5893
Borders St. John's River in East Orange County. Hiking, biking, camping for the rugged, horseback riding and fishing. The Reserve has a rather unique landscape and is home to some endangered species.

Blue Springs State Park - Volusia County
Orange City ( Take I-4 east from Orlando to Orange City exit)
386.775.3663
The endangered Manatee uses this park as home during the winter months. Gives you a very rare opportunity to see them. Swimming, snorkeling (equipment for rent in the park), fishing, pickniking, hiking and camping.

Hoonton Island State Park - Volusia County
West of Deland, about 6 miles (Take I-4 east to Deland exit from Orlando)
904.736.5309
Acessible by Ferry service or other boat only.
Boating, fishing, hiking, camping and rental cabins. Rich in Indian history and many artifacts can be seen.

DeLeon State Park Volusia County
904.985.4212
Reataurant with grills. Make your own pancakes, restaurant supplies the pancake batter. Swimming, boating, canoeing, biking, hiking, nature trails. Volleyball court and playground.

Lake Louisa State Park - Lake County
863.394.3969
Swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, picknicking, horseback riding, camping and birdwatching. Home to osprey, bald eagles, blue heron, anhinga and ibis. Park has a white sand beach, shaded picnic area plus a bathhouse with showers. There is a public boat ramp.

Lake Griffing State Park - Lake County
Leesburg, 2 miles north
352.360.6760
Canoeing, fishing, boating, picknicking, camping and playground. I am told that some of the biggest bass in the whole USA is to be found in these waters. See Osprey, Bald Eagles, anhinga and the ibis. Also alligators and otters.

Local Parks

Kelly Park-Rock Springs
Orange County Apopka
407.889.4179
Noted for its free flowing natural spring, always a cool 72 degrees. Using inner tubes, rented in the park, people float along the spring having a great time. Also camping, hiking, swimming, playground, volley court and full service concession.

Barnett Park
Orange County, Orlando
407.858.2295
Off of Colonial Drive, softball fields, 18-hole frisbee disk golf course, golf practice facility, soccer, tennis and basketful courts. There is fishing, a picnic area, a playground, boat ramp and recreational programs.

Moss Park
Orange County, Winter Park
407.273.2327
Large park with 2 boat ramps, two playgrounds, camping, volleyball, swimming and soccer facilities. It has a nature trail and picnic area.

Red Bug Lake Park
Seminole County, Casselberry
407.695.7113
Picknicking, playgrounds, fishing, boating, tennis, racquet ball, volley ball, basketball, softball, soccer and jogging/walking trail. Softball leagues for adults.

Come back and check us out regularly. We will be continually adding new information to this section.