Eagle Lake FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Eagle Lake, Florida.
1. Eagle Lake Park
URBAN OASIS WITH FISHING
Eagle Lake Park spans 162 acres in the heart of Largo with restored wetlands and a citrus grove theme. Visitors can enjoy catch and release fishing from designated areas, explore 2,000 feet of boardwalks over wetlands, or walk along numerous shell paths while enjoying nature. The park also offers six picnic shelters, a playground, and a dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs.
2. Madison Blue Spring State Park
CRYSTAL-CLEAR RIVER SWIMMING
Madison Blue Spring State Park offers swimmers a unique experience where they can enjoy the crystal-clear spring and swim into the Withlacoochee River. The park features emerald springs feeding into the river surrounded by lush tropical hammocks, creating a perfect natural swimming environment. This picturesque spot is ideal for cooling off on hot summer days while enjoying Florida's natural beauty.
3. Wekiwa Springs State Park
HISTORIC NATURAL SPRINGS
Wekiwa Springs State Park, Orange County's oldest attraction, has been drawing visitors since the mid-nineteenth century with its emerald springs and lush tropical surroundings. Located just minutes from Downtown Orlando, the park offers a refreshing swimming experience in natural spring waters while providing opportunities to observe abundant wildlife. Visitors can also explore miles of trails on foot, bike or horseback, or rent canoes and kayaks on site for additional water recreation.
4. Bald Point State Park
COASTAL BEACH PARADISE
Bald Point State Park offers access to two beautiful Apalachee Bay beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and various water activities. The park encompasses over 12,000 upland acres featuring coastal marshes, pine flatwoods, and oak thickets that foster diverse biological communities for excellent wildlife viewing. Visitors can enjoy fishing from the dock, relax at picnic pavilions, or participate in water sports like canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing in one of North Florida's most picturesque Gulf Coast areas.
5. Flagler Beach
DOG-FRIENDLY COASTAL RETREAT
Flagler Beach welcomes both human and canine visitors, allowing dogs on leads to enjoy the coastal experience. The sandy shores provide an excellent opportunity for families to bring their pets for swimming and playing in the sand along the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors with dogs can use extended leads to give their pets freedom to enjoy the water while still maintaining control in this pet-friendly beach environment.
6. Ochlockonee Bay
SERENE COASTAL WATERS
Ochlockonee Bay is a tranquil coastal area where the Ochlockonee River meets the Gulf of Mexico near Bald Point State Park. The bay offers excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing in its calm, protected waters. This natural treasure is surrounded by diverse ecosystems that support abundant wildlife, making it a favorite destination for nature enthusiasts and water recreation seekers alike.
7. Blue Spring State Park
MANATEE VIEWING HAVEN
Blue Spring State Park is home to a first-magnitude spring that creates a stunning blue swimming hole and serves as a winter refuge for manatees. During summer months when manatees aren't present, visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and tubing in the crystal-clear 73-degree waters. The park's 2,600 acres also include hiking trails, picnic areas, and boat tours on the St. Johns River, offering a complete natural Florida experience.
8. Rainbow Springs State Park
HISTORIC SPRING SWIMMING
Rainbow Springs State Park features a magnificent headspring and swimming area surrounded by moss-draped cypress trees and lush vegetation. Visitors can swim in the crystal-clear waters that maintain a refreshing 72-degree temperature year-round while enjoying views of ornamental gardens and man-made waterfalls from the park's former days as a private attraction. Beyond swimming, the park offers tubing, kayaking, and canoeing on the Rainbow River, along with hiking trails that showcase Florida's natural beauty.
9. Ginnie Springs
CRYSTAL CLEAR DIVING PARADISE
Ginnie Springs is a privately owned natural wonder featuring seven crystal-clear springs that flow into the Santa Fe River with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. The springs offer world-class cave diving opportunities at the Devil's Spring System while also catering to recreational swimmers, snorkelers, and tubers in its 72-degree waters. Camping facilities, picnic areas, and equipment rentals make this a complete outdoor recreation destination popular with both locals and visitors seeking Florida's natural underwater beauty.
10. Honeymoon Island State Park
PRISTINE GULF BEACHES
Honeymoon Island State Park boasts four miles of pristine white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of Florida's most visited state parks. Visitors can enjoy swimming, shelling, and fishing along the shoreline, or explore the island's pine forests and mangroves via the three-mile Osprey Trail. The park also features a pet-friendly dog beach on the southern end, a nature center with educational exhibits, and spectacular sunset views across the sparkling gulf waters.