Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Trail Overview

The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a one-way, 11-mile trail that begins at Lust Road in Apopka. The dive entrance gate is open and allows access from 7 am to 3 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. All vehicles must exit the Wildlife Drive by 5 pm. The road conditions are a mixture of packed sand, loose sand, and some deep holes that can turn into 2 feet deep mud holes after rainy days. The road is NOT wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Expect wait time if you want to pass somebody who's trying to catch a picture of all the wildlife you can see from and on the road. All vehicles must be street-legal. The Lake Apopka North Shore is a true diamond in the rough. The restoration of former muck farms has transformed this area into a haven for wildlife and a jewel for the recreating public.

Photos of Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

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Difficulty

This is typically a very easy road unless it is driven after heavy rain.

History

The 20,000 acres that make up the Lake Apopka North Shore, were once part of the lake itself. However, these valuable wetlands were separated from the lake in 1941 by a large levee. This decreased the size of Lake Apopka from more than 50,000 acres to just over 30,000 acres. Lake Apopka is the state's fourth-largest lake and is fed by a natural spring, rainfall, and stormwater runoff. The headwaters of the Ocklawaha Chain of Lakes, the lake was designated for cleanup under the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act of 1987.

Technical Rating

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV