Lake Griffin State Park

Rate this place

Parks

Florida

Nearby: Fern Prairie Preserve Summerall Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lake Griffin State Park is a beautiful natural attraction in the state of Florida that offers visitors a number of great activities and sights to see.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Located just outside of the city of Leesburg, the park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and fishing enthusiasts. Some of the main reasons to visit Lake Griffin State Park include its stunning natural beauty, the abundance of wildlife and plant life, and the many recreational activities available in the park. Some of the top points of interest to see here include the park's 40-foot observation tower, the hiking trails that wind through the park's forests, and the many lakes and waterways that are perfect for fishing, boating, or just enjoying the scenery. Other interesting facts about the park include its history as a hunting and fishing destination for Native Americans and early settlers, as well as its role in the Civil War as a strategic location for Confederate forces. The best time of year to visit Lake Griffin State Park is during the cooler months of the year, from October through April, when temperatures are more comfortable and the park's many activities are in full swing.

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References