Lake Louisa State Park
If you are looking for somewhere to get some fresh air and see some of Florida’s natural beauty, then this is the place to go! Just north of Orlando, off Highway 27 in Clermont, is Lake Louisa State Park. It is open every day of the year until sundown. Lake Louisa State Park lies in the Green Swamp and within the northern boundary of Lake Wales Ridge. The wetlands create natural flood control while supplying the aquifer with filtered water. The Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Peace, and Ocklawaha Rivers all originate from The Green Swamp.
Camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and horseback riding are activities waiting to be enjoyed. Guided horseback and kayak tours are great ways to see the park. It is a good idea to bring water and snacks or pack a picnic. Lake Louisa State Park features three major lakes, several smaller lakes, 20 miles of trails, and 7 miles of paved roads.
The park offers trails ranging from a half a mile to 5.5 miles where you can explore 11 different ecosystems. Dudes Loop at 0.5 miles and Compton’s Loop at 1 mile are the shortest trails. South Trail is 1.2 miles and Sandhill Loop is 1.5 miles. The mid-level trails are Big Creek Loop and Bear Lake Loop at 2 miles long, and South Loop at 2.5 miles. The more challenging trails are the Nature Trail at 3.5 miles and Bronson Loop at 5.5 miles. Be sure to get a map at the Ranger Station. The Rangers are very helpful and knowledgeable about the park.
Compton’s Loop Trail has some geological formations of limestone and red clay swirling together to make very pretty colors in the rock. The rock has eroded over time, forming a tiny cliff. The trail leads you through the trees and sable palms up to a hill with tall pine trees and a view of the rolling hills. Make sure to check out the very scenic Lake Louisa Beach that has a long boardwalk with a swampy marsh underneath. Mangrove trees growing out of the water keep the boardwalk nicely shaded. The boardwalk leads you to a sandy swimming area with a playground and picnic table. Bear Lake is a great scenic spot that offers boating access for your handheld watercraft. Bear Lake Loop and Bronson Loop circle the lake and are wonderful trails to immerse yourself in nature and for wildlife viewing.
Look for bobcats, white-tailed deer, tortoises, fox squirrels, and rabbits. Near the lakes, you may see alligators, snakes, and otters. The ranger is happy to give guides to identify some of the snakes who are native to the area, as well as a guide for identifying tracks along the trails. There is so much to #explore and #discover at Lake Louisa State Park for any level adventurer!
For more information and trail map: https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa…/lake-louisa-state-park
Written by Briana Gunnell ~ Valencia student and IOF volunteer
Photo Credit: Briana Gunnell
