One of Seminole County’s prettiest county parks, Lake Mills Park perches along the southwest shore of Lake Mills.
A hardwood swamp dominated by tall cypresses provides a focal point for a new boardwalk, completed and dedicated spring 2024.
The new boardwalkSnuggled into the saw palmetto and oaks above the floodplain, the campground is especially inviting.
The park is always busy with families enjoying the modern playground, big picnic pavilions, and lakefront on which to fish or launch a kayak.
Tent camping at Lake Mills ParkResources
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Overview
Location: Chuluota
Length: Up to a 0.8 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.63298, -81.12303
Address: 1301 Tropical Ave, Chuluota
Fees: Free
Restroom: at the picnic area
Land manager: Seminole County Parks
Phone: 407-665-2190
The park is open 8 AM to dusk. Those staying in the campground can roam the trails before and after hours. It’s a gorgeous setting for tent camping beneath a canopy of live oaks.
Directions
From downtown Oviedo, head east on CR 419 for 6.2 miles, passing through Chuluota. Turn left into Lake Mills Rd and drive 0.3 miles to Tropical Avenue. Turn left. The park entrance is on the right. Make a left at the T inside the gate. Follow the park road around to the left, in the opposite direction from the campground, and park within sight of the playground and restrooms.
Hike
Walking into the park, the canopy of oaks makes for refreshing shade. Meander through the classic features of the park, past picnic tables and pavilions and restrooms.
Off in the distance, swaying swings line the shoreline of Lake Mills. Next to the pathway, children scramble across the fascinating forms inside the playground.
PlaygroundReach a T intersection with another paved path and make a left to walk towards the lake. It shimmers beyond the grand live oaks, most of which are more than 150 years old.
Follow a slight incline and curve around to reach a side trail through the cypresses rimming the lake to an observation deck and fishing pier.
Observation deckReturn to the main path. At an old highway bridge with a faded dedication plaque, it’s obvious this was once the main road to Chuluota, likely from Christmas and Titusville.
Cross the bridge and admire the beautiful waterway flowing out of the floodplain forest into the lake, the lake panorama edged by cypresses and cypress knees.
Lake MillsMake the turn onto the boardwalk into the floodplain forest. Since we started writing about trails in Central Florida, this is the third iteration of a boardwalk through the park.
It’s far shorter than the prior network of boardwalks that laced this swamp, but shows off the delightful array of ferns carpeting the floor of the floodplain.
Start of new boardwalkAfter crossing one of the waterways that feeds Mills Creek, there is a staircase down to creek level so families can still explore the creek bank up close.
Be mindful of snakes and alligators and insects within this little patch of wild. The walkway continues its jog through the floodplain past royal ferns and grapevines.
Stream feeding Lake MillsAlthough the boardwalk once connected to the campground, it no longer does. Instead, it makes subtle curves to deposit you back at the paved path near the playground.
Continue straight ahead under the oaks to return to the parking area, completing a half mile walk.
Alternatively, turn left and follow the paved path around the park perimeter, adding a quarter mile to your walk.
Broad boardwalkTrail Map
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from Lake Mills Park
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Mills Creek Woodlands Discover a fairyland of ferns at the center of a spectrum of fascinating habitats along this 2 mile linear section of the Florida Trail.
Flagler Trail South Following a historic railroad route, the southern portion of the Flagler Trail provides a sometimes rugged, sometimes gentle offroad ride between Chuluota and Geneva.
Econlockhatchee River Paddling Trail Along a blackwater river surrounded by dense subtropical forest, the Econlockhatchee River Paddling Trail offers a remarkable perspective of Florida landscapes from the water. 
Florida Trail, Little Big Econ State Forest One of the most beautiful hikes near Orlando is rugged, too: the Florida Trail atop bluffs above the Econlockhatchee River through Little-Big Econ State Forest.
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