Magnolia Park — Attraction in Apopka

Our excellent experience started when I called the campground to make the reservation. The woman who answered the phone was so polite, I was taken aback. She took our reservation without a credit card number--just the old fashioned name and phone number trust. When we drove around the corner to the park, we wowed by the view of the lake. We pulled into the campsite and we were greeted by peacocks everywhere. The staff was friendly when we checked in and we were soon on the way to our site. The park is huge, but only has 18 campsites--leaving lots of woods and flowers to cocoon your campsite. Our site was large, clean and had additional parking available. Water and electricity was included in the shockingly low price of $23 a night. The real selling point of the campground was the bike path. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail boasts 14.6 miles each way of the most breath taking of views. I did 8 miles in the morning before the rest of the word was up--from Magnolia Park Trail head to the Historic pump house and back I saw 17 alligators and at least 20 varieties of birds. We returned later and did 17.4 miles round trip. Although we had 14 and 10 year old kids with us, and we were all riding beach cruisers, the hard packed trail was easily manageable. There was a super clean Port-a-Potty at the 4 mile mark, but no water at the rest stations--and we were not properly prepared. Bring food and water with you if you are going to do the full 19.2 miles! Between the manicured lawns and the multiple playgrounds, this idyllic campground embodies the charm of the south. The old oak trees with hanging Spanish moss looks like a backdrop...

I thought they would never get finished with this project, It was one of my favorite places in the area to watch sunsets over the water. I was really impressed with what they created, it was so well thought out and complementary to the local environment; worth the wait with a huge parking area and huge new restroom area. They left the picnic pavilion and the little white archway down by the waterfront but created a wonderful walkway out over the water near the pavilion with a dock and multiple boat slips - an incredible view of the whole lake. The huge new playground area is mostly under cover, and I didn’t make it into the Eco info center yet, next trip. I went back the next evening to check out the reopened boat ramp area, because typical Florida evenings at this time of year are hit or miss for great sunsets due to the rain, looks like they added a new dock area and there is a shaded picnic area to the side. The drive down and the parking lot is newly repaved with a dozen boat parking spots. Despite the rain overhead, in the distance, I caught the gem of a sunset I was waiting for. This side of the park is across the street from the campground, and catch the Lake Apopka Loop Trail that goes through and the drivable Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail is not far away. Definitely worth the wait, and despite the rain I got my sunset. I feel a bit safer now being over top of the water and not just at the edge. Always remember this is a natural environment and wildlife including gators can be...

I drove an hour here just to check out how many is “a lot of peacocks” based on Google Maps reviews. We only saw four. That’s the sound of the peacock communicating with the other peacock. My vision of a lot would be at least a dozen or more like at Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth.

Highlights: There's several play ground structures scattered around the park but mainly for ages 3-12 but doesn't have those modern obstacle/balancing/climbing structures. My little people got bored quick so not sure if this is even a 'highlight'. Camp site next to park Sandy volleyball court Shaded picnic areas and gazebos Lots of shade around the play structures If you really have nothing better to do than drive an hour here like me to find and look for peacocks to take pictures of, then this is probably worth the place and time. Took some nice pictures of the peacocks so I guess visiting this park for peacocks pictures can...