Though most people first think of Central Florida’s reputation as a major theme park capital, the fact of the matter is that if you like to boat, Central Florida is a great place to be. For your next trip to the Sunshine State, bring your boat – Orlando has a lot to offer for boating fun!
One of the most beautiful and popular places to take the boat, Central Florida is home to Lake Kissimmee State Park. There are boat launches available in the park as well as an onsite boat ramp and marina. When you explore Lake Kissimmee State Park, you’ll have access to over 35,000 acres of Lake Kissimmee and other connected lakes to explore. You’ll enjoy bass and pan fishing as well as wildlife viewing along all of the lake and creek waterways.
If you’d like to make a weekend of it, there are 60 full facility camping areas available, as well as primitive camping. RVs up to 45 ft. are welcome as well.
Another popular area to boat, Orlando lies south of the Harris Chain of Lakes. The nine lakes of the Harris Chain were once home to many national bass tournaments, but due to conservation efforts over the last decade as well as drought concerns, the Florida Fish and Game has maintained a strict catch and release program, limiting the number of tournaments each year. Because of the many springs feeding the lakes, the waters are very clear year round.
Lakes Harris, Dora, Griffin and Apopka are the largest of the Harris Chain. Big Lake Harris has three public launch spots, and has very deep waters to accommodate bigger boats. Lake Dora has two public boat ramps, and there is also a boat ramp in the town of Lake Jem along the Apopka Beauclair canal. Lake Eustis has two boat ramps, one on Buzzard Beach and one just south of the City of Eustis.
There are tons of spots to explore when you tow the boat to Central Florida!