Day Trippin' › Florida › From Orlando › Best beaches and lakes
Our picks for the best beaches and lakes within 3 hours of Orlando: 63 places, 9 under an hour away, 28 between 1 and 2 hours and 26 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 32801.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Wekiwa Springs State Park, 33 min northwest of Orlando.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Tetraminoe assumed (based on copyright…, CC BY-SA 3.0
#1 · Springs · 44 min north
The best place in Florida to see manatees in winter, hundreds at a time, from a boardwalk.
Heads-up: Day-use reservation required since July 15, 2026. Spring run closed to all water use Nov 15-Mar 15 (manatee season). French Landing ramp and rentals closed from Nov 2, 2026.
Photo: Sphanyx, CC BY-SA 3.0
#2 · Springs · 1 hr 36 min northwest
A former roadside attraction with waterfalls, gardens and a buoyed swim area at the head of the Rainbow River.
Heads-up: All visitors need a day-use reservation (since Apr 29, 2026). Snorkel only in the swim area.
Photo: Richard Mc Neil, CC BY 3.0
#3 · Beach · 2 hr southwest
Nearly three miles of beach, a historic fort, fishing piers, a dog beach and a big campground at the mouth of Tampa Bay.
Heads-up: Open 7 a.m. to sunset. Dogs only at the dog park and dog beach. Ferry to Egmont Key leaves from here.
Photo: Dough4872, Public domain
#4 · Beach · 2 hr 11 min southwest
Soft quartz sand that stays cool underfoot, gentle water and free parking. Often ranked among the best US beaches.
Heads-up: Main lot open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and fills early on weekends. A free trolley serves Siesta Key.
Photo: Pengd0t, CC BY-SA 4.0
#5 · Springs · 2 hr 22 min northwest
The classic Florida tubing river, crystal clear and cool, with swim spots at the head spring.
Heads-up: Midpoint launch closed for repairs since Mar 2026. North river closed to tubing. Off river by 6 pm. Gates close at capacity on summer weekends.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
#6 · Small town · 38 min northwest
A hilly lakeside town with antique shops, festivals and lake views.
Heads-up: See downtown parking info on the city site.
Photo: Moni3 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
#7 · Island · 52 min north
A car-free island in the St. Johns River, reached by a free ferry, with trails and a shell mound.
Heads-up: Last ferry leaves the island one hour before sundown.
Photo: Fred Ward, Public domain
#8 · Small town · 2 hr 44 min south
Sugar town on the south shore of Lake Okeechobee, a base for bass fishing and airboat rides.
Heads-up: Hot in summer. Services are spread out.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
#9 · Small town · 2 hr 49 min southeast
Walkable Atlantic Avenue with cafes and galleries that runs right to the beach.
Heads-up: Busy on weekend nights.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 · Aquarium · 2 hr 27 min southeast
Sea turtle hospital in Juno Beach where you can see patients recovering. Free to visit.
Heads-up: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The beach next door is good for a swim.
Photo: The original uploader was Mwanner at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0
#11 · Springs · 33 min northwest
A clear, cool spring swimming area close to Orlando, with paddling and trails.
Heads-up: All day visitors need a reservation, including passholders.
Photo: Mwanner at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
#12 · Lake · 49 min west
Rolling hills and a string of lakes near Clermont, with swimming, paddling and trails.
Heads-up: Swim area rules.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
#13 · Springs · 54 min north
A spring swim area plus a famous old sugar mill restaurant where you make your own pancakes.
Heads-up: No lifeguards. Pier, dock and ramp closed for flooding in 2026. No pets in sunbathing area.
Photo: Gamweb, CC BY-SA 3.0
#14 · Small town · 58 min northeast
Surf beach town with shops on Flagler Avenue and art on Canal Street.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends.
Photo: Connor J Williams, CC BY 2.0
#15 · Family fun · 1 hr 4 min east
An 800-foot pier with food, bars, an arcade, live music and surf lessons.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends.
Daytona Beach (56 min), Jetty Park (57 min), Cocoa Beach (1 hr 4 min), Playalinda Beach (1 hr 6 min), Tomoka State Park (1 hr 8 min), Alexander Springs Recreation Area (1 hr 10 min), Hillsborough River State Park (1 hr 16 min), Flagler Beach (1 hr 16 min), Juniper Springs Recreation Area (1 hr 17 min), Apollo Beach (1 hr 18 min), Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area (1 hr 18 min), Silver Springs State Park (1 hr 19 min), Lettuce Lake Conservation Park (1 hr 21 min), Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (1 hr 23 min), Lake Kissimmee State Park (1 hr 26 min), Salt Springs Recreation Area (1 hr 30 min), Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (1 hr 32 min), Sebastian Inlet State Park (1 hr 41 min), Anastasia State Park (1 hr 42 min), McKee Botanical Garden (1 hr 47 min), Clearwater Beach (1 hr 49 min), Honeymoon Island State Park (1 hr 54 min), Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve (1 hr 54 min), Caladesi Island State Park (1 hr 55 min), Fort Pierce Inlet State Park (1 hr 57 min), National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum (1 hr 58 min), Egmont Key State Park (2 hr), Anna Maria Island (2 hr 8 min), Fanning Springs State Park (2 hr 11 min), Manatee Springs State Park (2 hr 13 min), Ginnie Springs (2 hr 15 min), O'Leno State Park (2 hr 16 min), Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park (2 hr 21 min), Rapids Water Park (2 hr 27 min), John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (2 hr 29 min), Little Talbot Island State Park (2 hr 30 min), Big Talbot Island State Park (2 hr 33 min), Norton Museum of Art (2 hr 34 min), Flagler Museum (2 hr 36 min), Palm Beach Zoo (2 hr 38 min), Wakodahatchee Wetlands (2 hr 48 min), Fernandina Beach (2 hr 48 min), Stump Pass Beach State Park (2 hr 50 min), Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (2 hr 51 min), Madison Blue Spring State Park (2 hr 56 min), Fort Clinch State Park (2 hr 56 min), Cayo Costa State Park (2 hr 57 min), Gasparilla Island State Park (2 hr 57 min)
Our top picks are Blue Spring State Park (44 min), Rainbow Springs State Park (1 hr 36 min), Fort De Soto Park (2 hr), Siesta Beach (2 hr 11 min) and Ichetucknee Springs State Park (2 hr 22 min). The page lists 63 places in all.
63: 9 under an hour away, 28 between 1 and 2 hours and 26 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 32801.
Wekiwa Springs State Park, about 33 min northwest of Orlando.
7 need no pass or fee, including Hontoon Island State Park, Mount Dora and Clewiston. Fees change, so check each place.
42 of the 63 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.