Exploring Lake Ashby Park in Palm Coast, Florida

Destinations Southeast Florida Palm Coast

Exploring Lake Ashby Park in Palm Coast, Florida

Introductory Overview

Just a short drive from Palm Coast, Lake Ashby Park offers visitors a perfect blend of tranquility and recreation. Known for its serene natural beauty and excellent facilities, this park is a fantastic destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and nature lovers looking to enjoy a variety of activities. A visit to Lake Ashby Park allows guests to enjoy Florida’s lush landscapes while benefiting from well-maintained amenities that cater to all ages.

Adventure Guide to Lake Ashby Park

1. Kayaking and Canoeing

Lake Ashby’s calm waters are ideal for kayaking and canoeing. The park provides a boat ramp, perfect for easy lake access. As you paddle along the water, you might spot local wildlife, such as ospreys, turtles, and occasionally an alligator sunbathing on the shore. The expansive lake lets you carve out a peaceful moment while exploring its hidden corners.

2. Playground and Family Zone

Families will appreciate the thoughtfully designed amenities, including a shaded playground area outfitted with modern equipment for kids. For group gatherings, the park features covered pavilions with picnic tables and grills. It’s a great spot to enjoy outdoor meals with scenic views of the lake.

3. Nature Trails and Boardwalk

The park has accessible walking trails and a scenic boardwalk that extends across the wetlands. These trails are perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts, as the area is home to species such as great blue herons and red-shouldered hawks. Strolling the trails provides an up-close look at the park's native flora and fauna.

Local Insights

Lake Ashby Park offers a microcosm of Florida’s unique ecosystems with its blend of wetlands, pine forests, and aquatic habitats. While the park itself is small, it offers an authentic look at the natural environment typical of this region. It’s also an area frequented by locals, offering a quieter experience than some of the more tourist-heavy attractions.

Visitor Tips

Best times to visit: Early morning for cool weather and wildlife activity.
What to bring: Sunscreen, insect repellent, a fully charged phone, and sturdy walking shoes.
Directions: Located about 40 miles south of Palm Coast, take US-1 South and follow signs for the park. Approximate travel time: 45 minutes.

Adventure Map

Reviews

Kurtis Q2 years ago

Meh , I could have used a nature walk but instead I found the only dirt boat ramp on the lake and thought that was all there was too it. A couple was fishing near shore said there’s a few alligators out there in the water so they didn’t venture out very far. Next time I will have to find the park and walk the trails.

Johanna Moralesa year ago

Suuuuper nice!! Great playground, great bathrooms, clean, and amazing unreal views. Had some picnic tables, grills, campgrounds, nature walks and a beach area (no swimming obviously allowed) great for sun bathing! GPS will probably want you to go straight into a home but when that situation arises, turn left and wait for the correct entrance on the right side. It currently does have an area under construction(board walk) but will not interfere with your day!

Frankie Paintera year ago

We have been here many times and love this park. Plenty of parking, lots of grills, picnic tables, multiple covered shelters, volleyball court, playground, bathrooms, campsites, and a beautiful boardwalk hike. So quiet and peaceful!

Michaela year ago

Lake Ashby Park is a hidden gem in central Florida halfway between Sanford and Daytona Beach! It is FREE to access, and is a beautiful, well-kept, and peaceful park complete with a boardwalk over Lake Ashby, hiking trail, horseback riding trails, a playground, plenty of parking, an easy access road (all paved, no dirt road here), picnic tables, grills, and even a hidden beach! Yes, you heard me correctly: Lake Ashby has a hidden beach! You obviously need to be mindful of alligators, but head to the right of the boardwalk and you’ll find a little river flowing into the lake - at the mouth of the river, there is really nice white sand and a whole beach area you can relax at! The coolest thing about this river is there are actually a few rapids along it - this is one of the only rivers in the whole state of Florida that has any amount of rapids (keep in mind it’s literally only like 4 inches tall, but better than nothing) and it’s just cool to hear flowing water for a change!! Every other river across this state has stagnant water that barely flows - this is different!! Be sure to walk out to the boardwalk, because if you’re lucky, you might be the only one there…as I found! I came around 4 pm on a weekday in August right after it rained, so it cooled down a lot - I was the only person there. Such a beautiful, peaceful place! I love this place!

Frank Decot2 months ago

Great park with a long, scenic boardwalk. Theres also a nice beach area on the lake as well as a playground for kids.

Hiking

Exploring Lake Ashby Park in Palm Coast, Florida