This past weekend we stayed for three nights at Lake Griffin State Park, located in Fruitland Park, Florida. The reason we wanted to check this park out was because it is home to the second largest live oak tree in the state. We stayed in site #14, which is one that does have a full hook-up. The park offers 40 camping sites, but only 10 of them offer sewer hook-ups at this time. There is a dump station for those without a full hook-up (but I always prefer a full hook-up). They also have a centrally located bathhouse/restrooms.

Lake Griffin State Park has to be the smallest state park I think I've ever been in! It's seriously small. It's also oddly right off of a main 6-lane highway. The campground is very close to that busy road and you do hear the noise from it. In fact, last night we heard sirens from ambulance on four occasions, too. The traffic can be a bit loud. This is not a park that is secluded in nature. In fact, it is literally in a city. It's like a protected nature area within a city. Walmart is two minutes down the road, as is numerous restaurants and other stores. It's a very busy area and is commercial. It's kind of odd the way there is a state park here as it is. But... it's protecting a small area of nature, including that second largest live oak tree in the state. The oak tree is absolutely beautiful and is worth stopping in to check it out. 

There is only about a mile worth of hiking trail in the park. The hike back to the large live oak tree is about 10 minutes. They do offer a boat launch and kayak/canoe rental. There are some nice picnic tables and a children's playground. The campsite itself is nice, offering enough space and privacy that we like it.

If you don't mind being in a city and hearing the traffic then you will like it here. It's a nice place to camp for those who may bring their own small boat or kayak to launch or plan to rent the park's kayak/canoe. Personally, we wouldn't stay here again, because we don't care for the location, of how it is in a city and the campground is right off a major road with lots of traffic noise. However, some people may not mind and may even like being so close to so many conveniences. If that's you, then it's a good option, because the campground is nice, even if it is on the small side.

While camping at Lake Griffin State Park we drove 30 minutes to check out the Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis, and we drove 15 minutes to take a nice hike at the Flat Island Preserve. 

Here are pictures from Lake Griffin State Park: