Recreation and Fun Abound at Volusia County’s Parks and Trails

Posted On: July 10, 2025

As communities across the nation celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month this July, Volusia County showcases why parks and recreation are essential to creating strong, vibrant communities. From hiking and biking to camping and canoeing, Volusia County offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities. With over 10,000 acres encompassing 59 diverse parks, the County's Parks, Recreation and Culture Division and Coastal Division deliver world-class outdoor experiences.

"Whether you want to take a nature walk, see historic sites, or spend the day at a beachfront park, Volusia County has it all," said Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Tim Baylie. "You can also boat, fish, camp, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, sunbathe, and take part in active recreational activities across the county."

Flagship parks showcase natural beauty

Gemini Springs Park,where twin natural springs produce 6.5 million gallons of sparkling fresh water every day, is one of Volusia County's most popular parks. The 212-acre park, which welcomes more than 55,000 visitors each year, offers visitors an immersive experience in pristine Florida wilderness. Visitors can enjoy hiking and biking on nature and paved trails, fishing from a dock, canoeing, and camping. The park also features a dog park, pavilions, picnic areas, and a playground.

Lake Monroe Park, one of the county's oldest recreational gems, provides 33 acres of lakefront property while serving as the primary trailhead for the County's expanding trail network. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and hiking, as well as camping and picnicking. There are also boat ramps, fishing docks, pavilions, a playground, and volleyball court.

Meanwhile, Lake Ashby Park's71 acres of rural tranquility offer primitive camping, a spacious playground, volleyball court, nature and horse trails, boardwalks, a fishing pier, and picnic areas with pavilions and grills.

World-class coastal recreation

Volusia County's Coastal Division maintains 13 beachfront parks, providing exceptional coastal recreational opportunities 365 days a year, showcasing the County's commitment to preserving natural coastal beauty while providing accessible family recreation. These facilities range from popular destinations like Sun Splash Park and Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park to two premier inlet parks:

• Smyrna Dunes Park, a 184-acre inlet park with over 2 miles of wide, elevated, handicapped-accessible boardwalk. Special features include a 300-foot handicapped accessible fishing pier and dog-friendly swimming areas.
• Lighthouse Point Park, a 52-acre inlet park with elevated wooden boardwalks and an 800-foot jetty deck. A dog-friendly swimming beach is located along the park's inlet shoreline.

Ambitious trail network connects communities

The Parks, Recreation and Culture Division also maintains an extensive network of trails that connect parks and communities throughout Volusia County.

The County's signature Spring-to-Spring Trail- designed to accommodate walkers, joggers, inline skaters, bicyclists and people with disabilities - will stretch 26 miles from Green Springs Park to DeLeon Springs State Park when complete. To date, Volusia County has completed several segments of the trail totaling nearly 22 miles, with five trailheads strategically located for convenient access.

Extensive water access

In addition to parks and trails, Volusia County maintains 13 boat ramps and 16 fishing docks and piers, providing water access for recreational boaters and anglers. Popular sites include the ramps at Lake Monroe Park and Shell Harbor Park, as well as numerous locations along the St. Johns River. Click here to learn more.

Diverse camping opportunities

Outdoor enthusiasts can discover Volusia County's natural beauty through its comprehensive camping program, featuring traditional park facilities and primitive conservation lands experiences across more than 38,000 acres of protected wilderness.

The County operates overnight camping facilities at three popular parks: Lake Monroe Park in DeBary, Lake Ashby Park in New Smyrna Beach, and Gemini Springs Park in DeBary. These sites offer tent camping at $25 per night plus tax and RV camping at $40 per night plus tax. Each park provides essential amenities including restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and access to water activities such as fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.

For adventurous campers seeking a more immersive experience, Volusia County offers eight primitive campsites across six different conservation preserves. These sites feature fire rings with grill grates, and select locations include pavilions and portable facilities. Activities available at conservation sites include hiking, biking, equestrian trails, kayaking, and fishing.

Notable primitive camping locations include sites accessible only by canoe or kayak at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve's Turnbull Bay unit and group camping facilities at Wiregrass Prairie Preserve in Osteen.

Parks and Trails app

To help visitors navigate the extensive park system, Volusia County offers a comprehensive Parks and Trails mobile app that provides trip planning tools, recreational information, and location services. Learn about the app by clicking here.

Plan your adventure

Discover Volusia County's natural treasures and recreational opportunities by visiting https://www.volusia.org/parks, https://www.volusia.org/coastal, and https://www.volusia.org/camping. With nearly 60 parks spanning diverse ecosystems from coastal preserves to freshwater springs, your next outdoor adventure awaits.