Just outside of downtown Eustis is a little piece of paradise where you can watch eagles fly over the lake or enjoy a visit to the Trout Lake Nature Center.
One of my favorite features of Trout Lake is their library. Steve and I have been working on building our naturalist’s library since we started beekeeping, and many of the books I love best are on the Trout Lake shelves, but they also have a deep collection that I can never hope to rival. If you’re looking for information on native plants or birds, check them out!
The Center is an independent non-profit and has been in operation since 1985, when the Ocklawaha Valley Audubon Society envisioned a venue dedicated to environmental education and conservation. With only 2.5 paid staff members, the amount of programming that happens here is remarkable, and speaks to the quality and passion of their volunteers. Volunteers not only provide educational programming, but maintain the trails, restore habitat, remove exotic plants, and more. The Center is currently undergoing a major renovation of the grounds to take it into its next 30 years of service to the community.
From the Nature Sprouts program, which serves children as young as two, to Friday Nights with a Naturalist, the Center has something to offer anyone with even a passing interest in natural Florida. As you enter the park, you will pass the gorgeous Grandfather Oak on your left. For 250 years, it has observed the passage of time, and it is a beautiful example of what can be found in upland scrub. Parking is conveniently located right outside the Education Center and the Museum. Two trails lead from the parking area through a lovely example of an upland hammock into a transitional wetland area and then a marsh, before depositing you on the dock at Trout Lake.
Trout Lake Nature Center is closed on Mondays, but you can enjoy the Center Tuesday through Saturday from 9 to 4, and October – May, there are Sunday hours from 1-4. The park is tobacco free and no fishing is allowed in the lake. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails but not in buildings. If you bring you dog, be responsible and pick up after your pets and dispose of their waste properly. Receptacles are provided for this purpose. Trails are short and there is plenty of shade, but bring your water bottle!
This looks great! I had to look up where Eustis was as I hadn’t heard of it before. It sounds like a great place to go for a stroll, can you ride bikes there too?
The trails are small and not suited for mixed traffic.
If you’re visiting the area, though, we have tons of opportunities for cycling. Here’s a link that shows the county-maintained paved bike trails, and Google “Sugarloaf Mountain cycling” for some really nice riding.
I love a peaceful walk through nature any day. The Trout Lake Nature Center looks so tranquil. And you make it sound fantastic. I am pretty close to you and travel through Eustis periodically. Maybe this is the perfect place for a quick stop, a stroll, and a picnic.
This is a great spot for a quick stop. Even if you have only 30 minutes, Trout Lake has something to offer. And if you have half a day, you can see most of what’s important. If you get the chance to stop, c’mon back and let me know what you think!
Thank you for this hidden gem. I’d also like to know more about how your beekeeping is going! We have some friends that do the same.
I love places like this! I had no idea it was there when I lived up in Ocala. We plan to visit Leesburg soon. This lovely place will definitely need to go on the list of things to do while in the area.
Love this place, and have wanting to go back. We did a field trip there a many years ago. They were so helpful, and the kids had a lot of fun.
This sounds like a place we will have to visit sometime! Blake and I love going on trails! We will be definitely be adding this to the list of places we need to visit! Thank you so much for sharing!