Center Hill FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Center Hill, Florida.
1. Lake Louisa State Park
PRISTINE LAKES AND TRAILS
Lake Louisa State Park offers visitors access to six beautiful lakes where swimming, fishing, and paddling activities are popular. The park features over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through scenic landscapes of pine forests, cypress swamps, and rolling hills. Visitors can enjoy overnight stays at the park's campground or cabins for an extended waterfront experience.
2. Lincoln Avenue Community Park
LOCAL SWIMMING RETREAT
Lincoln Avenue Community Park provides a family-friendly waterfront setting with designated swimming areas. The park features picnic facilities, playgrounds, and shaded areas perfect for a day of relaxation by the water. Its convenient location makes it a popular spot for locals seeking a quick retreat from the Florida heat.
3. Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Beach
MAGIC BY THE WATER
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort offers a sandy beach area along Bay Lake where visitors can swim and sunbathe in a carefully maintained environment. The beach provides boat rentals, fishing opportunities, and spectacular views of the nightly fireworks from the Magic Kingdom. While primarily for resort guests, the beach area can sometimes be accessed by day visitors looking to enjoy Disney's waterfront amenities.
4. Deer Lake State Park
PRISTINE COASTAL DUNES
Deer Lake State Park features one of the most pristine coastal dune lakes in Florida with a quarter-mile boardwalk leading to gorgeous white-sand beaches. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and fishing in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The park's natural setting offers a peaceful escape with opportunities to observe diverse coastal wildlife and plant species in their natural habitat.
5. Grayton Beach State Park
AWARD-WINNING GULF SHORES
Grayton Beach State Park is home to one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States, consistently ranking among America's best beaches. The park offers swimming, paddling, and fishing in both the Gulf of Mexico and the rare coastal dune lake, Western Lake. Visitors can explore nature trails, camp overnight, or rent cabins to fully experience this remarkable coastal ecosystem.
6. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
DUNES AND WHITE SANDS
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park features more than three miles of pristine white sand beaches and magnificent dunes that rise over 25 feet tall. The park is home to three rare coastal dune lakes where visitors can swim, fish, or paddle in freshwater environments just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. A tram service provides convenient beach access, making this natural paradise accessible for all visitors looking to enjoy its unspoiled beauty.
7. Navarre Beach
ACCESSIBLE TURQUOISE WATERS
Navarre Beach offers stunning white sands and clear turquoise waters with excellent accessibility features including ADA-accessible ramps and beach mats. Visitors can borrow free beach wheelchairs from the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center with 24-hour advance reservation. The beach's natural beauty and calm atmosphere make it ideal for families and visitors seeking a more relaxed Gulf Coast experience.
8. Siesta Beach
PURE QUARTZ SAND PARADISE
Siesta Beach is renowned for its 99% pure quartz sand that remains cool underfoot even on the hottest days and its crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming. The beach offers excellent accessibility with a 400-foot-long mobi-mat and beach wheelchairs available at the park concessionaire. Visitors enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, complete with accessible facilities including restrooms, concession stands, and covered seating areas.
9. Clearwater Beach
ENERGETIC COASTAL PLAYGROUND
Clearwater Beach is a colorful and energetic waterfront destination featuring soft white sands and warm, shallow waters ideal for swimming. The beach offers exceptional accessibility with free beach wheelchair loaners that can roll across the sand and even into shallow water. Visitors can access the beach via three dedicated beach access mats and enjoy nearby Pier 60, which hosts a daily sunset celebration with street performers and craft vendors.
10. New Smyrna Beach
DRIVE-ON ATLANTIC SHORES
New Smyrna Beach offers a unique drive-on beach experience where visitors can park directly on the firm-packed sands for convenient access to the Atlantic Ocean. The beach features multiple access points with facilities including restrooms and outdoor showers to enhance the visitor experience. Surfers particularly enjoy New Smyrna's consistent wave breaks, making it one of Florida's top surfing destinations.