Lake Apopka, Part 3

Part of a continuing series on Florida's Lakes. I've written previous pieces on the history and the current environmental challenges of Lake Apopka.

This is the final article on Lake apopka. This will be about the ecotourism opportunities near the lake. Specifically hiking, biking, kayaking and other outdoor activities that are available. 

To look at the major ecotourism activities around Lake Apopka you have to start on the North Shore. There are over 30 miles of gravel roads trails open to hikers and bikers including an 18 mile trail from Lake Magnolia to the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook. There are also several mowed grass roads.

So, who's up for a swim? Photo by Tina Pruitt

During wintertime the North Shore becomes a prime birdwatching area. There are several entries onto the trail system, Magnolia Park, Jones Stormwater Park, North Shore Trailhead, Clay Island, and Green Mountain Scenic Overlook. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday cars are allowed to go on a 9 mile trek through North Shore beginning on Lust Road and exiting on Jones Avenue.

The longest trail near lake Apopka is the West Orange Trail. It covers 22 miles from Apopka to Oakland. It's a paved trail that passes through the communities near the lake. It doesn't have nearly as good of lake views as the North Shore trails, but it makes for a peaceful bike ride around the east and southern parts of the lake.

West Orange Trail

The overall goal is to eventually connect trails that completely loop Lake Apopka. Current the only missing links are a 4 mile link from Magnolia Park to the West Orange Trail and a 10 mile section from the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook to the Killarney Station trailhead of the West Orange Trail.

Ferndale Preserve sits on the western edge of Lake Apopka. It boasts an area with an elevation of 162 feet above sea level, the highest point in the Florida peninsula. So be sure to take your high altitude equipment if you hike there. It's a scrub habitat on the top so look for the scrub species -- gopher tortoise, 5 line skink, etc.

Ferndale Preserve

Oakland Nature Preserve is on the southern edge of Lake Apopka. They have lots of nature programs for kids as well as several hiking trails. The most used trail is a boardwalk that walks over the flooded swamp and then out on to Lake Apopka. They also have lots of interesting native animals in the visitor center.

Gopher Tortoise at Oakland Nature Preserve

Magnolia Park is the Eastern Trailhead for the Lake Apopka Trails. It also has a butterfly garden and picnic areas. It has 1 of only 2 boat ramps on the entire lake. The sunsets from Magnolia Park are sometimes stunning.

Sunset on Lake Apopka

Newton Park in Winter Garden has the other boat ramp on Lake Apopka. It also has a very nice playground and a fishing pier. Newton Park is the place to watch 4th of July fireworks on Lake Apopka. 

Newton Park

Unfortunately there don't seem to be any kayak rental businesses serving Lake Apopka. But you can launch your kayak at either Newton Park or Magnolia Park. A 3rd boat launch is currently being built in North Shore. 

In Winter Garden West Orange Bikes and Blades rents bikes for the West Orange trail as does Winter Garden Wheel Works. Spin City Cycles rents bikes on the Apopka end of the trail.

So, that's most of the ecotourism activities available around Lake Apopka. I say most because I'm sure I've missed a few. Despite the history of the lake there are still lots of ways to get active around the lake. Few of them involve going out on the lake, but the trails and wildlife viewing around Lake Apopka are great.