Horseback Riding
Equestrian Adventures of Florida,
(386) 527-5333
EquestrianAdventuresFL.com
Horseback ride on the beach
or on trails through oak
forests and preserves and
along natural rivers and
springs. Minimum age is 10.
Shenandoah Stables,
1759
Tomoka Farms Road, Port
Orange, (386) 257-1444
Enjoy horseback riding
lessons, pony rides and trail
rides. Open daily. Call for
an appointment.
Nature Parks
Blue Spring State Park,
2100 W.
French Ave., Orange City,
(386) 775-3663
The largest spring on the
St. Johns River, Blue Spring
is a designated manatee
refuge and the winter home
to a growing population
of West Indian manatees.
The spring’s clear,
73-degree water is enjoyed
by swimmers, snorkelers
and scuba divers. The
river is popular for fishing,
canoeing and boating. River
boat tours are available.
The park has picnic areas, a
hiking trail and access to the
Spring to Spring rail trail.
Bulow Creek State Park,
3351
Old Dixie Highway, Ormond
Beach, (386) 676-4050
This park protects one
of the largest remaining
strands of southern live oak
forest along Florida’s east
coast. The reigning tree is
the more-than-400-year-
old Fairchild Oak, which
has picnic tables and a
pavilion nearby. Several
trails allow hikers to explore
the park, including ruins of
a plantation destroyed in
the Second Seminole War
in 1836.
DeLeon Springs State Park,
601
Ponce de Leon Blvd., DeLeon
Springs, (386) 985-4212
The spring-fed swimming
area is adjacent to a
beautiful, shady picnic
ground. Canoe, kayak,
paddleboat rentals and a
boat tour are available for
exploring the spring run.
At The Old Spanish Sugar
Mill Restaurant in the park,
guests can make their own
pancakes at the table.
Gemini Springs Park,
37 Dirksen
Drive, DeBary, (386) 257-6000,
ext. 15953
About 6.5 million gallons
of sparkling fresh water
bubble up from the 221-
acre park’s twin springs
each day. Swimming is not
allowed, but a boardwalk,
camping, canoeing,
community building,
fishing, horseback riding,
pavilion, picnic area,
playground, restrooms,
nature trail, paved trail,
multi-use trail and dog
park are available.
Green Spring Park,
994
Enterprise/Osteen Road,
Enterprise, (386) 257-6000,
ext. 15953
Access to the East Coast
Regional rail trail.
Highbridge Park,
39 Highbridge
Road, Ormond Beach,
(386) 257-6000, ext. 15953
On the bank of the Halifax
River, this one-acre park
provides access to the
waterway with a free canoe
launch and boat ramp. A
fishing pier winds under
the drawbridge for which
the park is named. A picnic
table, barbecue grills,
pavilion and restrooms are
available.
Hontoon Island State Park,
2309
River Ridge Road, DeLand,
(386) 736-5309
This quiet island, accessible
only by private boat or
park ferry, has evidence
throughout of Native
American habitation over
thousands of years. Boating,
canoeing and fishing are
popular activities and canoe
rentals are available. Picnic
areas include tables, grills
and a playground.
Lake George Park,
770 Nine Mile
Point Road, Pierson,
(386) 257-6000, ext. 15953
This 7,870-acre park on
Lake George in northwest
Volusia County includes a
fishing pier, nature/horse
trails, and picnic pavilion
with tables and grills.
Spruce Creek Park,
6250
Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange,
(386) 257-6000, ext. 15953
Scenic Spruce Creek Park is
on 1,637 acres. Its
536-foot boardwalk begins
more than threemiles of
nature trails leading to the
15-foot observation tower
and continues to Rose
Bay. Canoeing, fishing,
horseshoes, horseback
riding, pavilion, picnic area,
playground and restrooms
available.
Tomoka State Park,
2099 N.
Beach St., Ormond Beach, (386)
676-4050
Popular for camping,
canoeing, boating and
fishing, the park protects a
variety of wildlife habitats
and endangered species,
such as theWest Indian
manatee. Tomoka is a bird-
watcher’s paradisewithmore
than 160 species sighted.
Visitors can stroll a one-half
mile nature trail through a
hardwood hammock. The
park store has camping
supplies, frozen bait, canoe/
kayak rentals and snacks.
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