While Florida might be more well-known for beautiful beaches and sprawling shorelines, the lakes we have aren’t anything to sneeze at. With around three million acres of lakes within The Sunshine State, we sure have our fair share of natural and man-made beauty to explore. However, we know it can be tricky to choose a favorite, so we polled our readers on our Only In Florida Facebook page to share their choices for the most beautiful lakes in Florida, and some of the answers might surprise you.
- Lake Apopka, Florida
Kim West Olinger via Only In Florida Lake Apopka is the fourth-largest lake in Florida, fed by rainfall, a natural spring, and stormwater runoff. This gigantic lake is over 30,000 acres in size and is located just 15 miles northwest of Orlando. Lake Apopka, Florida, USA
- Lake Hancock, Florida
Keri Wilks via Only In Florida Lake Hancock is located just north of Bartow and is a public lake over 4,500 acres in size. Many anglers flock to Lake Hancock to cast a line, with the most popular catches including catfish, blue tilapia, and bass. Lake Hancock Road, Lake Hancock Rd, Lakeland, FL 33812, USA
- Lake Tarpon, Florida
Rose ONeill via Only In Florida This freshwater lake near Tampa, Florida, is the largest in Pinellas County. Because of the largemouth bass population, this lake is a real delight for fishing. But you can also boat, kayak, and swim, too. Lake Tarpon, Florida, USA
- Lake Davenport, Florida
Flo Mooney via Only In Florida Lake Davenport might be one of the smaller lakes on this list, but it still deserves a spot. This 179-acre public lake in Davenport, Florida, is available for keeping cool during the hot summer months. There are even separate shallow swimming areas for toddlers! Lake Davenport, Davenport, FL 33837, USA
- Lake Stanley, Florida
Erin Harrison-Fuller via Only In Florida Lake Stanley is in the Northwest portion of DeFuniak Springs. This beautiful lake offers a variety of activities both in the water and out. Guests can swim in the open swimming area, use the boat ramp, paddle around, and so much more. Stanley Road, Stanley Rd, Florida 32433, USA
- Lake Monroe, Florida
Alicia Swartwout Mandeville via Only In Florida Part of the famed St. Johns River system, Lake Monroe is situated right along the southern shore of Sanford. Clocking in at nearly 9,000 acres in size, this lake is excellent for canoeing, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and rowing! Lake Monroe, Florida, USA
- Lake Minneola, Florida
Katrina Gonzalez via Only In Florida What makes Lake Minneola in Clermont so special is that it’s not just on the water that you’ll have fun. It’s around the lake, too. The area around the lake has a cycling and walking path that makes for a perfect place to enjoy the area while getting some exercise. Lake Minneola, Florida 34711, USA
- Angela Lake, Florida
P Patti Smith via Only In Florida In Volusia County, you’ll find the 153-acre lake known as Angela Lake. Perhaps one of the lesser-known lakes on our list, Only In Your State readers have certainly made the case for why it’s beautiful. With or without an accompanying rainbow. Angela Lake, Deltona, FL 32738, USA
- Lake Zappa, Punta Gorda
Laura Ferrell via Only In Florida While Lake Zappa is on the smaller size at just 78 acres, rightly so since it’s considered a private lake. But still, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy nature, especially if your front-row view is right from your very own porch. Punta Gorda, FL, USA
- Waldena Lake, Florida
Melissa Sutphin Jones via Only In Florida Right in the heart of Florida in Marion County is Lake Waldena. A few of the reasons to visit Lake Waldena include lakeside camping, boating, fishing, shoreline activities, and much more. There is even a nearby RV park to spend the night! Waldena Lake, Florida 34488, USA
- Lake Griffin, Florida
Marsha Wright via Only In Florida What is the best reason to visit Lake Griffin State Park outside of the natural beauty? The 400-year-old live oak trees! Wildlife thrives within this Florida state park, and on the first visit, you’ll learn exactly why. Lake Griffin, Florida, USA
What are your thoughts about the most beautiful lakes in Florida? Did we miss any that you think we should know about? Join our Florida Nature Lovers Facebook Group to add your suggestions and discover more epic photographs from around the state.
Kim West Olinger via Only In Florida
Lake Apopka is the fourth-largest lake in Florida, fed by rainfall, a natural spring, and stormwater runoff. This gigantic lake is over 30,000 acres in size and is located just 15 miles northwest of Orlando.
Lake Apopka, Florida, USA
Keri Wilks via Only In Florida
Lake Hancock is located just north of Bartow and is a public lake over 4,500 acres in size. Many anglers flock to Lake Hancock to cast a line, with the most popular catches including catfish, blue tilapia, and bass.
Lake Hancock Road, Lake Hancock Rd, Lakeland, FL 33812, USA
Rose ONeill via Only In Florida
This freshwater lake near Tampa, Florida, is the largest in Pinellas County. Because of the largemouth bass population, this lake is a real delight for fishing. But you can also boat, kayak, and swim, too.
Lake Tarpon, Florida, USA
Flo Mooney via Only In Florida
Lake Davenport might be one of the smaller lakes on this list, but it still deserves a spot. This 179-acre public lake in Davenport, Florida, is available for keeping cool during the hot summer months. There are even separate shallow swimming areas for toddlers!
Lake Davenport, Davenport, FL 33837, USA
Erin Harrison-Fuller via Only In Florida
Lake Stanley is in the Northwest portion of DeFuniak Springs. This beautiful lake offers a variety of activities both in the water and out. Guests can swim in the open swimming area, use the boat ramp, paddle around, and so much more.
Stanley Road, Stanley Rd, Florida 32433, USA
Alicia Swartwout Mandeville via Only In Florida
Part of the famed St. Johns River system, Lake Monroe is situated right along the southern shore of Sanford. Clocking in at nearly 9,000 acres in size, this lake is excellent for canoeing, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and rowing!
Lake Monroe, Florida, USA
Katrina Gonzalez via Only In Florida
What makes Lake Minneola in Clermont so special is that it’s not just on the water that you’ll have fun. It’s around the lake, too. The area around the lake has a cycling and walking path that makes for a perfect place to enjoy the area while getting some exercise.
Lake Minneola, Florida 34711, USA
P Patti Smith via Only In Florida
In Volusia County, you’ll find the 153-acre lake known as Angela Lake. Perhaps one of the lesser-known lakes on our list, Only In Your State readers have certainly made the case for why it’s beautiful. With or without an accompanying rainbow.
Angela Lake, Deltona, FL 32738, USA
Laura Ferrell via Only In Florida
While Lake Zappa is on the smaller size at just 78 acres, rightly so since it’s considered a private lake. But still, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy nature, especially if your front-row view is right from your very own porch.
Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Melissa Sutphin Jones via Only In Florida
Right in the heart of Florida in Marion County is Lake Waldena. A few of the reasons to visit Lake Waldena include lakeside camping, boating, fishing, shoreline activities, and much more. There is even a nearby RV park to spend the night!
Waldena Lake, Florida 34488, USA
Marsha Wright via Only In Florida
What is the best reason to visit Lake Griffin State Park outside of the natural beauty? The 400-year-old live oak trees! Wildlife thrives within this Florida state park, and on the first visit, you’ll learn exactly why.
Lake Griffin, Florida, USA
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