Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
Encyclopedia
Lower Wekiva River
Preserve State Park is an 18000 acre (7,284.3 ha) Florida State Park
located on six miles (10 km) of the St. Johns River
in Lake
and Seminole
counties. The park forms a wildlife
corridor to the Ocala National Forest
along the Wekiva
and St. Johns River
s.
s, river otters, alligator
s, wood stork
s, and sandhill cranes
.
, off S.R. 44
. This entrance leads to the multiuse trail
s, primitive horse camping
and backpack
camping areas. The entrance to the southern section, off S.R. 46
nine miles (14 km) west of Sanford
, provides access to 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of the park. There is no horseback riding
in this part of the park.
Neither section provides water access. Although canoe
ists can travel the Wekiva River through the park, they must launch from outside.
, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include horse stall
s and corrals and 18 miles (29 km) of multiuse trails.
Wekiva River
The Wekiva River is a river starting in two separate fresh water springs in central Florida and ending in the St. Johns River. One of the springs is at Kelly Park, otherwise known as Rock Springs, and the other is in Wekiwa Springs State Park. Both springs border the Lower Wekiva River Preserve...
Preserve State Park is an 18000 acre (7,284.3 ha) Florida State Park
Florida State Parks
The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...
located on six miles (10 km) of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
in Lake
Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
and Seminole
Seminole County, Florida
Seminole County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. Located between Orlando to the south and Deland and Daytona Beach to the north, it is part of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. Its county seat and largest city is Sanford...
counties. The park forms a wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
corridor to the Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is the second largest National Forest in the U.S. state of Florida and covers approximately of Central Florida. It is located three miles east of Ocala and southeast of Gainesville...
along the Wekiva
Wekiva River
The Wekiva River is a river starting in two separate fresh water springs in central Florida and ending in the St. Johns River. One of the springs is at Kelly Park, otherwise known as Rock Springs, and the other is in Wekiwa Springs State Park. Both springs border the Lower Wekiva River Preserve...
and St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
s.
Fauna
Among the wildlife of the park are black bearAmerican black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
s, river otters, alligator
Alligator
An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. There are two extant alligator species: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator ....
s, wood stork
Wood Stork
The Wood Stork is a large American wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It was formerly called the "Wood Ibis", though it is not really an ibis.-Appearance:...
s, and sandhill cranes
Sandhill Crane
The Sandhill Crane is a large crane of North America and extreme northeastern Siberia. The common name of this bird references habitat like that at the Platte River, on the edge of Nebraska's Sandhills in the American Midwest...
.
The park
There are two sections to the park, north and south. The northern section's entrance is in Pine LakesPine Lakes, Florida
Pine Lakes is a census-designated place in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 755 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, off S.R. 44
State Road 44 (Florida)
State Road 44 is an east–west state highway in the U.S. state of Florida. It runs from Crystal River on the Gulf of Mexico east to New Smyrna Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, passing through Inverness, Wildwood, Leesburg and DeLand....
. This entrance leads to the multiuse trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
s, primitive horse camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
and backpack
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
camping areas. The entrance to the southern section, off S.R. 46
State Road 46 (Florida)
State Road 46 is an east–west route in central Florida, running from US 441 in Mount Dora to US 1 in Mims. Along the way, it crosses the St...
nine miles (14 km) west of Sanford
Sanford, Florida
Sanford is a city in, and the county seat of, Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
, provides access to 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of the park. There is no horseback riding
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
in this part of the park.
Neither section provides water access. Although canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
ists can travel the Wekiva River through the park, they must launch from outside.
Recreational activities
Activities include equestrian camping, biking, canoeing, hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include horse stall
Stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s and corrals and 18 miles (29 km) of multiuse trails.