Central Florida’s natural beauty is undeniable, and the area’s attractions celebrate every part of it. Whether you’re a visitor or longtime resident, it’s easy to spend a day, a weekend, or an entire week exploring outdoor activities in Seminole County. Cities like Altamonte Springs, Wekiva Springs, Lake Mary, and Sanford have become synonymous with unexpected experiences, proving there’s so much more to Florida than beaches and theme parks. So, if you’re planning a trip or a backyard adventure, here’s your guide to the great outdoors just north of Orlando.
Explore the award-winning Seminole County Trail System, made up of four one-of-a-kind experiences. The Seminole Wekiva Trail, the Cross Seminole Trail, and the Kewannee Trail are paved options ideal for walking, running, and biking, while the Flagler Trail is unpaved for mountain biking, hiking, and a more challenging run.
For a day spent outdoors that’s equal parts leisure and excitement, look no further than the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. There, you’ll find exotic animal exhibits and demonstrations, as well as Seminole Aerial Adventures, the zoo’s own thrilling course of rope bridges, ladders, zip lines, and more. Just as thrilling and a few short miles from the zoo, Black Hammock Airboat Tours zooms you through canals and canopies for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
If you’re searching for the best golf courses in Seminole County, your options are plenty. Central Florida is home to championship public greens including those at Timacuan Golf & Country Club and Mayfair Country Club. The area is also home to private courses like the Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes for the discerning player up for a challenge.
Take a dip in Seminole County’s waters year-round. This eco-paradise is home to natural springs of which the most notable can be found at Wekiva Springs State Park. Whether you are setting off on a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, or swimming in the natural pools, your experience at Wekiva Springs is bound to be a memorable and refreshing time!
Anglers of all skill levels can find a place to cast their line along the St. Johns River, which runs 310 miles across Florida and can be accessed at several points within Seminole County. Find largemouth bass, bluegill, and more along the river’s waters, and don’t miss out on Sanford’s Lake Monroe and Oviedo’s Lake Jesup which are hot spots for targeting crappie.
Seminole County’s countless parks, fields, and walkways are an ideal destination for those looking to burn calories under the Florida sun. Get a run in along Crane’s Roost Park’s boardwalk, an approximately one-mile loop over water, through an outdoor amphitheater and under oak canopies. Or if a tennis match is more your speed, you’ll find courts at Sanlando Springs Park, as well as an entrance to the Seminole-Wekiva Trail which will take you on a scenic ride or walk through Central Florida.
No weekend is complete without a visit to a local farmer’s market, and Seminole County is home to a variety of them. Stop by the Lake Mary farmer’s market, happening Saturdays from 9 am to 1:30 pm in Downtown Lake Mary’s Central Park, for fresh produce, plants, baked goods, and more. Just a few miles away, the Sanford Marketplace at Magnolia also takes place on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm in the heart of historic Sanford and is surrounded by pubs, eateries, and shops to explore.
Get closer to nature, whether you chose to spend a night under the stars or enjoy a meal al fresco. Seminole County’s campgrounds run the gamut from primitive to pavilions and full-service RV resorts, with favorites including Wekiva Springs State Park, Lake Mills Park, and Wekiva Falls RV Resort.
Looking for even more to see and do in Seminole County? Check out Do Orlando North for fresh ideas and new attractions.
