Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park | |
Iucn Category: | V |
Map: | Florida#USA |
Location: | Lake and Seminole counties, Florida, United States |
Nearest City: | Sanford, Florida |
Coordinates: | 28.8669°N -81.3681°W |
Area: | 18000-2NaN-2 |
Governing Body: | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park is an 18000abbr=onNaNabbr=on Florida State Park located on six miles (10 km) of the St. Johns River in Lake and Seminole counties. The park forms a wildlife corridor to the Ocala National Forest along the Wekiva and St. Johns Rivers.
Among the wildlife of the park are black bears, river otters, alligators, wood storks, and sandhill cranes.
There are two sections to the park, north and south. The northern section's entrance is in Pine Lakes, off S.R. 44. This entrance leads to the multiuse trails, primitive horse camping and backpack camping areas. The entrance to the southern section, off S.R. 46 nine miles (14 km) west of Sanford, provides access to 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of the park. There is no horseback riding in this part of the park.
Neither section provides water access. Although canoeists can travel the Wekiva River through the park, they must launch from outside.
Activities include equestrian camping, biking, canoeing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include horse stalls and corrals and 18 miles (29 km) of multiuse trails.
Florida state parks are open between 8 a.m. and sundown every day of the year (including holidays).