The Magnolia Park trailhead is located in Orange County's Magnolia Park at 2929 S. Binion Road, Apopka. The Clay Island trailhead is located at 22526 Carolyn Lane, Astatula. It is managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. There is a short section of the trail you have to share with cars taking the wildlife drive, but its one way for cars and they go slow and are polite. It forms the southern boundary of the Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area. We came in on the north spur and headed east. From there it is about two miles to Binion Road, take a left and you are about 1/4 mile from where you started at Magnolia Park. Trail is open during this Covid-19 crisis and barely anyone on it yesterday. On first glance, it looks boring. Needless to say, we sat atop the table back to bak to ensure a 360 view. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is nearly 15-miles. If you are a bird lover you will enjoy this trail. Day Trips. Awesome bike ride for those who don't need paved trails. Lake Apopka Loop Trail The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is nearly 15-miles. It is a slow leisurely drive. Plenty of wild life and fresh air!!! The first 4 miles were through more of a marsh area, best seen from bike or horseback. Swim Picnic at Wekiwa’s Natural Springs! After we let some air out of our tires, it was a little better but had to closely watch the road for bumps and holes. TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Magnolia Park on Binion Road (Apopka) and Clay Island Trailhead on Carolyn Ln. Love this place, so much wildlife and such a beautiful breezy ride. A regular bike could make it of course but many areas with a very rough ride. And what will you see on your drive? Playgrounds. I would strongly recommend a bike with shocks. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. The gate to the wildlife drive opens at … The closure is due to the construction of a restoration project and is necessary to ensure public safety as the district anticipates heavy equipment in the area. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. With improved water conditions, wetland plant species are returning. See all. It was very surreal !! Cons First: It is not a loop!! The North Shore property has a marked white trail suitable for hiking, biking and horseback riding (six-mile loop) on Clay Island, with four observation towers, including one overlooking the west shoreline of Lake Apopka. Currently it is just a point to point trail, but is expected to circumnavigate Lake Apopka in the future. The parking is in the Magnolia Park, then a short walk along binion before you hit the actual trail. If I knew how bad the road was I would have been better prepared. They just recently reopened after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Planned as a trail that will circumnavigate Lake Apopka one day, the loop trail currently is an out-and-back trail on the northern half of the lake. Head out of town away from the traffic and crowds of the Orlando tourist zone to swim in the crystal clear waters of nearby Wekiwa Springs, where the water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round!

This state park is where many local Orlandoans go to enjoy fresh water flowing from the underground Florida aquifer and is not generally well known to most tourists. The Loop Trail is expected to circumnavigate Lake Apopka in the future, but is currently an out-and … The trail is virtually flat except for a slight rise and descent at the bridge over the Apopka-Beauclair Canal. rode around him and never looked back. I road to Magnolia park from the west Orange trail, only a couple miles on some side walks and side streets. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Wekiwa Springs provides a memorable “real Florida” leisure experience in a truly natural setting that you will remember long after your visit!

Minimum of 4 people booked for tour to commence. We decided to turn around at pump house, that was enough for us seeing as though we are beginners. It can be a little rough, with many potholes, but it is not a problem if you watch where you are going. Lots of wildlife. Very little shade, some views of the lake. OR start on the Green Mountain side. This is a wonderful trail for nature lovers; a popular birding destination; with abundant alligators and occasional raccoons, otters, and turtles. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Stop by the Lovell's Landing State Historic Marker, located on the trail in Magnolia Park, to learn more about William Lovell's (1828 - 1903) role in Apopka's history. They are all along the shoreline as well as in the water. Lake Apopka Trail is a 17.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Apopka, Florida that features a river and is good for all skill levels. We stopped at La Prada Mexicana grocery and deli 5 miles down from the trailhead and got great homemade tamales to take on the trail. With the completion of the newest extension in 2016, the loop trail encompasses 18 miles of pristine, natural terrain. Magnolia Park (25) 2.5 mi. One was about 15 feet, and we almost turned around. As others have stated, the trail is not smooth - it's compressed sand and gravel, so you can't hurry. We went through Montverde and down to Killarney Station of the West Orange and gave up! I can also see this being a wonderful trail to walk on. Beautiful scenery but ride is very rough, part of the trail is concrete that’s coming apart. Cycling the Lake Apopka Loop Trail is a fantastic way to see the best of what Florida wildlife has to offer. And look out for the peacocks in Magnolia Park. 1st time for me and I loved it--surfaces are comfortable, scenery just beautiful with water on both sides and you feel really removed from things. D. Dominguez. Prepared for Friends of Lake Apopka 14908 Tilden Road Winter Garden, FL 34787 Prepared by Land Design Innovations, Inc. 140 North Orlando Avenue Suite 295 … Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Lots of gators and birds. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a 13-mile loop trail off Lake Apopka you can drive through. The trail is virtually entirely flat, except for the approaches to this bridge over the Apopka-Beauclair Canal. It is a slow leisurely drive And I mean dozens, all with that evil grin. Once arrived, I noticed there were was almost no one on the trail, which I found to be very nice. We saw many alligators and birds, 2 raccoons, and 3 otters. We did a few diversions so it was about 21 miles--I want to go back! Just google "Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive" and go there. The pumphouse has porta potty and a small pond filled with big gators. Follow the spur that heads east from the parking area for one mile to link up with the trail. Lake Apopka Loop Trail (39) 2.5 mi. Be sure you start early, this will help with the heat and rain. This was much worse than the gravel. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. Allow at least an hour to do this. Ran into several people riding bikes and the winter bird count was going on. Please choose a different date. I was surprised how isolated the trail was! First from Mongolia park to the pumphouse. The trail (when completed in 2015) will connect to the rest of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail and allow users to trail the ~18 miles across the North Shore to Magnolia Park in Orange County. Lake Apopka Loop Trail: Address, Lake Apopka Loop Trail Reviews: 4.5/5 got held up by a 12 foot gator who was enjoying the sun just off the trail. It is a marsh and lake! It forms the southern boundary of the Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area. We started out on hard-packed gravel which wasn’t too bad, but as we traveled east, the road deteriorated to a bumpy semi-paved trail. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. I experience a close encounter with a few gators, there are a lot of gators (all sizes). Enjoy. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 30,000 miles of trail maps and more! Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. The paths are from decently smooth to very rough. Vehicles likely will share portions of the road with hikers and bicycle riders exploring the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Northwest of Orlando, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail runs about 18 miles along or near the north shore of Lake Apopka in Orange and Lake Counties. But it does provide an astounding arc of 17.2 miles each way along the lake’s north shore, or a 34.4-mile round-trip. more, Recommended experiences in and around Apopka. Hotels near St Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hotels near (SFB) Orlando Sanford International Airport, Hotels near (DAB) Daytona Beach Regional Airport, Wekiwa Springs State Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Rock Springs. Great way to experience Florida wildlife. Each one is marked with a sign that says Stop! The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is a trail running along Lake Apopka North Shore, connecting Magnolia Park and the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead. Lot's of birds and alligators IN-THE-WILD! From a bike you can see out into different areas of the marsh. Swim Picnic at Wekiwa’s Natural Springs! Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Take plenty of water and whatever else you need. It is always different and you feel like you have left civilization behind. Magnolia Park (25) 2.5 mi. The temporary parking area is on city of Apopka property to the immediate right of the Wildlife Drive entrance at 2850 Lust Road, Apopka. Get to know the area. The drive around the Lake Apopka Loop Trail is seeing Florida in its natural state. Turn right from the T junction and walk south on Ranch Rd to the Lake Apopka Loop Trail junction. The trail starts at Orange County's Magnolia Park with 1/2 mile of paved trail and then 17.5 miles of dirt road and jeep track along the north shore of Lake Apopka. Lake Apopka Loop Trail (39) 2.5 mi. Plentiful gators, up close and personal. The only restrooms are at Magnolia Park and a port-a-john at the old pump house at mile marker 4. It may one day tie into the West Orange Trail and other paths to circle the 50-square-mile lake. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. An out-and-back trek to the flow-way observation tower along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail provided excellent birding. The trail was so uncomfortable that we didn't want to go back so we were forced to take an alternate through. October 11, 2019 @ 8:00 am - 12:30 pm Only activity was some water district work in a couple of sections but we passed right through. The breeze is nice, but the trail goes back to the horrible potholes surface. It is a fun ride! Will do this ride again in the cooler months. I have a Felt 29er and got a great workout. This loop is primarily for biking and hiking. We planned to stop at covered picnic area to find it populated by a few 4 footers. The best section of the trail for viewing 'gators and birds is from Magnolia Park west for about 6 miles, but the entire trail is worthwhile. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive south of Mount Dora begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Road in Orange County and, along the way, intersects with the Lake Apopka Loop Trail – a popular recreational trail for hikers, bikers, joggers, and … Very little breeze, lots of hungry bugs and humid in the marsh area. Make a left to walk straight out to the lake. Next trip in July we started at the north trailhead and went towards the pumphouse. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Apopka, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail began with 6.3-miles of recreation trail allowing visitors to traverse a unique landscape of levees, canals and wetlands. Trail Lake Apopka Loop Trail Wildlife drive Parking area Information kiosk Observation tower Field station Picnic shelter Observation location Restrooms 0 0.5 1 1.5 Approximate scale in miles 2015-05 Lake Apopka North Shore Trail Map. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive south of Mount Dora begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Road in Orange County and, along the way, intersects with the Lake Apopka Loop Trail – a popular recreational trail for hikers, bikers, joggers, and skaters. 2. There is an additional 2.6-mile trail (the red trail) for biking, hiking and horseback riding. We love to take out of town visitors there to see the gators, birds and various plants. Let's clarify - the name is a misnomer, it is not a loop. However, what you will see are LOTS of alligators. Lots of potholes. Saw a lot of gators and birds. Planned as a trail that will circumnavigate Lake Apopka one day, the loop trail currently is an out-and-back trail on the northern half of the lake. It is always different and you feel like you have left civilization behind. Lake Apopka was originally a beautiful clear fishing lake noted for its world famous bass population. Drove over an hour to do trail - and it’s closed! We saw tons of gators, birds of all kinds and beautiful scenery, although some of it was also marred by what looks like old government science experiment wastelands (like something out of the show "Lost"). A friend and I made the 21-mile round trip from the Clay Island trailhead to the old pump house and back on Monday, March 16th. Lots of Florida birds and gators to see. Other than parking, there are no amenities at either the North Shore or Clay Island trailheads. Nature & Wildlife Areas, Parks, Playgrounds. I have completed two sections of the trail. I can just see one of these monsters chomping down on a small pet before you could say as much as "here boy!". (Astatula). If you go down all the various paths you can easily exceed 30 miles of riding. Also trail markers every 1/2 mile for emergency or tracking your distance. It definitely isn't a loop, 18 miles one way. Don't let the crushed stone surface deter you; it is pretty much compacted all the way, and is very rideable. Lake Apopka Trail LoopLake Apopka Trail Loop Design GuidelinesDesign Guidelines November 2002November 2002. There are nice picnic shelters at the old pump house (mm 4) and at mm 8.7. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is a trail running along Lake Apopka North Shore, connecting Magnolia Park and the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead. This is a great trail for a short day hike, biking and photography - I saw several gators, herons, egrets, several species of song and water birds. did the whole trail out and back, it does not loop and is well marked. Dora. Be sure and carry drinking water, as there is none on the trail. Alternatively, runners can choose start on the Green Mountain side. 1 review of Lake Apopka Loop Trail "I hit this trail for the first time this AM. Safe parking with restrooms. With the completion of the newest extension in 2016, the loop trail encompasses 18 miles of pristine, natural terrain. Easy to ride and it has beautiful scenery. The lakeside part of the park is also a trailhead for the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Anytime we stopped we were swarmed by biting flies and mosquitoes. This trail runs along the northern shoreline of Lake Apopka for more than 14 miles. I prefer to ride my old beach cruiser on this trail, but I have seen many people with hybrids and road bikes. Biking Trails. You will likely see large 'gators from a very close distance. There is a bathroom and water fountain at the trailhead but only porta potties in a couple of other places. If you tune to a. certain frequency on your radio, they tell you about what's around you in that area. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail covers more than 20 miles, much of it on the lake’s edge. Either starting point is equally scenic. They just recently reopened after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Would be most comfortable on a mountainbike or beach cruiser. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is nearly 15-miles. Make sure you plan to spend the entire day as lots to see and a long drive on the lake, but well worth it. It is managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. So take your time, stop along the trail and enjoy what's left of Florida's wilderness. Stop by the Lovell's Landing State Historic Marker, located on the trail in Magnolia Park, to learn more about William Lovell's (1828 - 1903) role in Apopka's history. Either starting point is equally scenic. Make sure you have a camera! Lake Apopka was originally a beautiful clear fishing lake noted for its world famous bass population. Turn right from the T junction and walk south on Ranch Rd to the Lake Apopka Loop Trail junction. Tons of birds also saw turtles, family of raccoons, a coyote who was not to concerned about us, and several very large gators on the trail. The trail (when completed in 2015) will connect to the rest of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail and allow users to trail the ~18 miles across the North Shore to Magnolia Park in Orange County. The wide path is not paved but something like compressed crushed stone. It is a real surprise in a land of super amusement parks. It's "Wild Florida" at it's best - birds everywhere and even the occasional turtle. Nice ride with lots of birds and gators. I had such a nice ride I didn't I had gone over five miles. It is out and back on same path. We love to take out of town visitors there to see the gators, birds and various plants. The drive around the Lake Apopka Loop Trail is seeing Florida in its natural state. They are spectacular and very tame but I think they expect to be fed! Not little, just popped out of their shell - "aren't they cute" alligators, but BIG "I haven't eaten in a while and you look like my dinner" alligators. This was found purely by accident we passed the signs daily and after a google search we decided to go and visit and we was glad we did You need a car to get there and need to ensure you take drinks and sun cream but once there natures on your doorstep we saw animals that we, would never of seen normally unless you went to a zoo or a sanctuary We spent half a day here it’s really quiet you can get out of your vehicle to take photos occasionally another car would pass or stop near you and then you just continue on your way the roads one way only and you can’t get lost This is for everyone but you do need to ensure you don’t have any problems walking it’s a dirt track with loose chipping and would be a great place to take children of any age and is a good thing to do if you have the time and don't want to shop or go to a park and there isn’t a gift shop at the end lol. On February 20, 2014, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, which goes through the NSEA, was opened to the public. The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction. Very nice but bumpy in places. Day Trips. Either starting point is equally as beautiful, so you really can't go wrong here. What a great trail to enjoy nature. There’s an abundance of nature as well as some background history regarding the lake. If you are thinking of taking Fido for a walk, I would keep him on a short leash. I will most definitely be back. There’s an abundance of nature as well as some background history regarding the lake. The trail was proposed by the Friends of Lake Apopka to boost appreciation for the suffering lake in Orange and Lake Counties. On February 20, 2014, Phase 2 of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail opened, from Magnolia Park to the Lake County line. The Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. Lake Apopka Loop Trail, Apopka: See 39 reviews, articles, and 83 photos of Lake Apopka Loop Trail, ranked No.7 on Tripadvisor among 13 attractions in Apopka. A portion of the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Lake Apopka Loop Trail will be temporarily closed from Tuesday, February 18th, through Thursday, February 20th. I rode on a hybrid and as long as I rode slowly (7-8 mph) it was OK, although a bit hard on the old behind. Lake Apopka Loop Trail Hike at Green Mountain Scenic Overlook. Not far after the gator, at about 4 miles the trail takes a couple of turns and then arrives at the edge of the lake. I could not imagine walking itin the summer. Didn't see a slot of other riders. Make sure you have water and enjoy the scenery. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Apopka, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail began with 6.3-miles of recreation trail allowing visitors to traverse a unique landscape of levees, canals and wetlands. There is nature galore with many species of birds and alligators everywhere. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. This a beautiful trail, it is very peaceful and the wildlife is breath taking. Spanning across former farmland along the north shore, Florida’s fourth largest lake, once second, is currently a restoration in progress after the soil had been poisoned with pesticides and the city, after buying the land, allowed it to flood. Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. So wear bug spray. Make a left to walk straight out to … Wasn’t sure how to get the the other trails though? Playgrounds. We have hybrid bikes and while the bikes were okay, it was an extremely uncomfortable and bumpy ride. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a. I rode all the way from Green Mountain Trailhead to the pump house was about 27 miles round trip. We had to slow to 10-12 mph. We spotted an owl, soft side turtle, cougar prints and more. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. This is one of the most scenic views of Lake Apopka I have seen. Only drawback no shade. Alternatively, hikers can choose start on the Green Mountain side. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Pros: Interesting wildlife. Title: Lake Apopka North Shore trail map Author: St. Johns River Water Management District 2. Get to know the area. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. that lowers the blood pressure and is so relaxing. For walkers, it's fine, but it would be useless for skateboarders and in-line skaters. Apopka Loop Trail The Lake Apopka Loop Trail covers more than 20 miles, providing hiking and biking opportunities along and in close proximity to the Lake Apopka shoreline. See all. Nice place to get out int he wilderness without travelling far. If you startle them, I promise they will startle you as well. To loop the lake you can run south on the paved road from Green Mountain, through Montverde, and on to the Kilarney Trailhead for the West Orange Trail, then continue on West Orange for 10 miles and take a left on Ocoee-Apopka Road. Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Love that there are long stretches to allow you to gain speed or cruise and take in scenery. Turn around for loop trail. This trail runs along the northern shoreline of Lake Apopka for more than 14 miles. This route starts at Orange County's Magnolia Park with 1/2 mile of paved trail and then 17.5 miles of dirt road and jeep track along the north shore of Lake Apopka. .. bring lots of water, watch out for gators and enjoy a ride. It ends without any sort of signage, so if you simply continue where the trail leads, you will end up on top of a hill. Overall, not our favorit etrail in Central Florida so far. Enjoy and remember to be safe, Florida weather can change quickly. Lake Apopka North Shore | Lake Apopka (28.635181, -81.550427) 17.2 miles Despite its name, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail isn’t truly a loop. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail covers more than 20 miles, much of it on the lake’s edge. Lake Apopka Hammock Trail is a 2.7 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Mount Dora, Florida that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. Cars are alowed in certain parts from Friday to Sunday but shouldn't be a real issue for bikers. Took some friends out on this trail July 4th and we all had a very interesting experience. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a 13-mile loop trail off Lake Apopka you can drive through. Following the lake’s edge through the property, the Loop Trail covers more than 20 miles and provides hiking and biking opportunities. The turns on the trail are well marked as there are multiple roads on levies. Some shouting got him to move back into the water. Get a FREE Rail Trails Guidebook when you become a Member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.

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