Sign at entrance of Lake Griffin State Park

Lake Griffin State Park, Fruitland, Florida

ByGeorge and Paula

LAKE GRIFFIN STATE PARK – FRUITLAND, FLORIDA

We just got back from the most relaxing weekend at Lake Griffin State Park in Florida. It is in central Florida, about an hour NE of Orlando & Disney World.

The campsites there are perfect for RVs – we had a nice level concrete pad with water and electric hookups, plus a picnic table and fire ring. The best part was being parked under these gorgeous oak trees draped with Spanish moss that kept us nice and shaded. The park roads are packed sand/dirt, which gives the whole place a natural feel surrounded by lush greenery everywhere you look.

The park itself sits right on Lake Griffin (which is huge – over 9,400 acres!). There’s a boat ramp if you want to get out on the water, and they even offer a small catamaran boat tour that takes you around the lake to spot wildlife. For the kids or the young at heart, there’s a nice playground, volleyball court, and even a disc golf course that winds through part of the park.

Boat access waterway at Lake Griffin State Park

We spent one morning hiking the Dead River Marsh Trail – it’s only about a mile long, so totally doable even if you’re not big hikers. We saw tons of birds, some turtles, and even spotted a deer! You’ve got to check out “The Grandfather Oak” when you visit – it’s this massive 400-year-old live oak tree that’s absolutely breathtaking. The kids would love it!

Every evening, we’d build a campfire (they sell firewood at the ranger station), roast some marshmallows, and just chill out under the stars. It was so peaceful – just the sounds of nature all around us. The park gets nice and quiet after dark, so we all slept great. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway spot for your RV, definitely put Lake Griffin on your list.

Here are 3 fun facts about Lake Griffin State Park:

  1. Lake Griffin is home to one of the oldest live oak trees in Florida, known as “The Grandfather Oak,” which is estimated to be over 400 years old. Its massive trunk is more than 36 feet in circumference!
  2. The park is part of the Oklawaha River Chain of Lakes, and Lake Griffin itself serves as an important habitat for the endangered Florida apple snail, which is the primary food source for the threatened Everglade snail kite bird.
  3. Lake Griffin has a unique geological feature called “dead river” marsh areas, which are remnants of ancient river channels that have been cut off from the main flow but still contain water. These areas create specialized habitats that support diverse wildlife and contribute to the park’s rich biodiversity.