Lake Griffin State Park — Attraction in Fruitland Park

Unfortunately it was not a very good visit. Our reservation apparently got messed up (no one's fault, computer error) and we had to check in on one site for the first night then change to another for our other 2 nights. Wouldn't have been an issue except we were tent campers. It's not easy packing up and relocating. Cooked breakfast,moved, then by the time we were basically set up again it started raining the rest of the day. Our second day there was pretty much ruined. I should have called to make sure the change I made to the reservation was correct on their end but I didn't,my fault. That issue aside:

I don't believe the ground here is tent (canopy or screen tent) friendly. Beware it is extremely difficult to put stakes in the ground here. Granted I was mostly using some cheap stakes because we misplaced our regular ones but even the few better, thicker ones bent. The park itself is very small. Total of 40 sites and only about a mile and a half of trail. The mile and a half definitely makes up for the ground issue. The large oak tree is absolutely beautiful! The longer trail with the boardwalk was halfway blocked by water and we couldn't pass it without drenching our shoes so we turned back. Was totally worth the little hike though. Since we were tent campers the traffic noise is very noticeable, you're literally right next door to a 6 lane highway. There was really no wildlife that we could see. Heard some birds, an owl and saw a bunch of squirrels but that's it. I figured it was probably from being too close to the highway? Worth the stop but I don't know if...

The park was packed! I've never seen camping spots so close together..you could butter your neighbors toast they are too close. There was techno and rap music blaring. People blocking the road. Woke up to alarm at dump station and red light w loud buzzer which I thought was tinnitus..

Lot #38 is where we stayed and it's closest to the dump station which was good for our cassette toilet. The water spigot was very close to ground so our filter almost touched the ground. The laundry should have a quarter machine for singles. You need the code for the bathrooms so make sure you remember to write it down. This is more a young person's parry area. The trails were ok..1.8 miles There was a huge black bear the ranger took the picture of that I will post here. Gator eggs we found so be careful if gators and bears on trails. The trail had a wooden super slippery boardwalk that sunk when I walked on it w my dog. It needs to have rail road ties bolted over the current wooden path.

Florida 2nd largest oak tree is here which was cool to see. They have a playground and amphitheater you can play movies if you have a projector for your cell phone.

30amp and 50amp shore power $27 a day.

(I wish ever Rver, overlander would take pics of the shore power and water)only salt springs ocala ($65!!!) And this place lake griffin ($27) found had shore power and water w dump station. #38 lot is also a pull through site so it's goof for large class b/c it maybe a short class...

I came to Lake Griffin state park on January 29th to camp for the night. When I got there, the park ranger was very sweet and helpful with check in, telling me all about activities in the area, directions to the camping area, asked me if I needed to buy firewood, etc. I camped in spot 26, which is close to the bathrooms. There is electricity so I was able to charge my phone right there in our camping area. There is also a firepit and a grill cage that goes over the top. The nature trail is nice, I saw some butterflies, a snake (which I'm pretty sure was a coral snake), and birds. As I was about to fall asleep that night, I heard something rustling around in the leaves by the tent. It was an armadillo rooting around! Saw it again the next morning as well. Very cool. As the website states, there is noise from traffic, so if you're looking for a quiet night in the woods, you should check out another park for tent camping! Or you could bring ear plugs 😊 If you're in an camper or something, then Lake Griffin state park will be just fine. This particular park also offers canoe and kayak rentals, which is great. You could come and spend the day on the lake...