For those who leave their boat at home, there is also excellent fishing from the canal banks. Be sure to take a Florida fishing license for anyone older than 14. Canoe rentals are available most weekends at the Trading Post, and a sightseeing cruise goes out on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, the park has 13 miles of trails, from a short interpretive trail detailing the effects of the early turpentine industry, to a 10.5-mile trail that circles the park near the banks of all three lakes. Home to 50 species of endangered, threatened or specially-concerned animals, there is wildlife throughout the park.
Deer are common, and the park is also home to eagles, cranes, turkeys and bobcats.
Flowers are abundant with nine different plant communities, including mosses and orchids. If you are just looking for a place to relax, the park has a beautiful stand of live oak trees with a picnic pavilion and playground in the middle. Reprinted with permission from The News-Journal. The Florida Quest is a joint project of WCEU and NIEWorld .