Welcome to the Sandhill Lodge on the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes (a 38 mile stretch of connecting fresh water spring lakes with the most beautiful views of wildlife in old Florida)! If you are looking to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, immerse in a laid-back comfortable vacation, and still be close to an abundance of things to do, you have found the right place! Driving in you will pass white fences with horses and cows. This cute clean home is located in the quiet community of Lake Park. The famous Withlacochee 48 mile bike trail is right down the street. A nice quiet park is right down the road with a boat launch, beach, swimming, and picnic areas along with burger joint, pub, deli, Italian Argentinian restaurant, unique shops, party store, golf, and it’s within a few minutes of Rainbow River, inverness, Crystal River, and World Equestrian Center!
Comfy 2-bedroom 2-full bathrooms
65" Smart TV
Wi-Fi
Well stocked kitchen with utensils and basic condiments
4-season room
All paper products and linens are provided
Kayaks and life preservers are provided
Fishing poles are supplied (we promote catch and release).
Fish pellets to feed the fish that swirl around the covered boat dock are available. It's like a gigantic aquarium.
SPECIAL DEAL - 10% OFF FOR STAYS 29 DAYS OR MORE
Your vacation starts here! Outdoor adventures await! This nicely decorated oasis is located in heart of the Nature Coast on beautiful Lake Hernando part of the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes. Enjoy the entire home, parking for two vehicles, yard, covered dock with cushioned chairs to enjoy stargazing night skies, nature viewing (there are many types of birds that live in and migrate through this part of Florida), and glorious sunrises. You are about to indulge in nature and enjoy Wild Florida!
Within a few minutes you will find various local attractions:
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1 - Visit Rainbow Springs via trolley ride in the forest to go for a 2 1/2 hour tubing ride down the world famous sparkling emerald Rainbow River. Lunch at Swampy's in Dunnellon. Shopping in Dunnellon at the Grumble House. Dinner at Crackers, Crab Plant, Vintage on the 5th, Tipsy Tarpon or another gem restaurant in Crystal River. Drinks and music at Norton's.
Day 2 - Homosassa State Park train ride and then boat ride through the mangroves to see all the wildlife Florida offers. View manatees, gators, even the oldest hippo in the US and so much more. Lunch at MacRae's, The Freezer, Monkey Island, Old Mill Tavern, or another surrounding restaurant on the water. Dinner in Crystal River Bubbaque's, Cody's Roadhouse, Kane's Cattle, or another fabulous place nearby. See the most beautiful sunset at the end of Fort Island Trail, Fort Island Beach. Ice cream treat at Dockside Ice Cream, Guyers, Frozen In Time, or What's The Scoop.
Day 3 - Air Boat Ride at Crump's Landing, view Monkey Island, lunch on the beach at Crump's Landing. Dinner at Old Peck's down the beautiful Ozello Trail.
Day 4 - Rent Electric Bikes and bike the famous Withlacoochee Bike Trail. Lunch at Salty's, Stumpknockers, Coach's, or anywhere in downtown Inverness. Take a drive down to Floral City, stop at Ferris Groves, the 1930's orange grove store and then drive down Avenue of the Oaks, the most beautiful canopied covered street on historic Orange Ave. Stop at any of the state parks in the area (ie., Potts Preserve, Fort Cooper, or Flying Eagle Preserve) around that area or visit the museum and make a stop at Jack's for locally made goodies. Dinner at The Cove.
Day 5 - Breakfast at Chicken King, Cattle Dog Coffee, Joe's, Breakfast Station, Amy;s on the Avenue, or the Tea House and head out to the beach at Hunter Spring's Park or Fort Island Trail Beach for a day in the sun. Grab something to cook at the Lake House from Publix. Relax!
Day 6 - Visit The canyon at The Canyon's Zip Line and Adventure Park. Zip Line the longest zipline ever across a canyon (1,100 ft), or horseback ride along the canyon, or kayak the springs in the canyon. This place is a hidden gem in Florida. Grab dinner at Stumpknockers.
Day 7 - Visit the Mermaid Museum in Lecanto and then go shopping in historic Crystal River. There are some great places there to eat as well.
Day 8 - Visit the World Equestrian Center in Ocala and have lunch. Or, find many amazing restaurants in Ocala.
Day 9 - Breakfast at The Biscuit Barn, Visit the Crystal River Preserve State Park Eco Trail. Take a drive up to Cedar Key, wonder around, and have dinner.
Day 10 - Brunch at Sadies and hike the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge at Chassahowitzka Salt Marsh trails, Pepper Creek trail, Inglis Dam and Island trails or there are plenty more to explore. Dinner at Cody's, West 82, Vintage on the 5th, Waterfront Social, St. John's Tavern
Day 11 - Brunch at Red's, Front Porch, then rent a boat in Dunnellon and go out to the Withlacoochee River or Lake Rosseau or rent a boat Crystal River at The Port and go out the Crystal River to the Gulf.
Day 12 - Visit more springs: Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Crystal River, or Weeki Wachee and go kayaking or hiking. Visit Wild Sassa for lunch and then stop at the Withlacoochee State Forest and hike the cave areas at Dames, Sick Bat, Peace, and Danger caves. Head back to the lake house and grab lunch at Mike's Other Place, relax, then have dinner at Los Magueyas or Brother's Pizza.
Day 13 - Visit Devil's Den in Williston and look for fossils in the prehistoric spring. One of the most unique spots in the USA. Lunch at the Ivy House.
Day 14 - Hang at the lake house and kayak the lake. BBQ fresh meat from the Chopping Block and steam fresh veggies from Hernando Fresh Market or Tony's Market. Ice Cream treat at the Burger Station.
Day 15 - Take a day trip and drive to an amusement park in Orlando or drive to St Pete Beach and stop at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs. Dinner at Wallace’s at the Greenhouse.
Day 16 - Breakfast at West 82 Bar and Grill at the PlantResort. Take a tour through Kopp Brewery in Crystal River for beer and wine tasting. Relax back at the lake house the rest of the day! Dinner at Taverna Manos Mediterranean Grille, Bangkok Thai, or World Fusion.
Day 17 - Cook a grand breakfast at the lake house. Pack a lunch and rent mountain bikes and challenge yourself to The Vortex or Santos Trails Extreme Sports. Lunch at The Front Porch.
Day 18- After breakfast visit Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens and indulge in 50 plus botanical gardens, cascading waterfalls, koi ponds, and countless breathtaking views. Then head over to Two Tails Ranch and learn all about elephants. Eat, drink, and shop at Homestead Park and Market in Williston.
Activities close by: Gulf fishing tours, Airboat rides, Mermaid Shows, Fort Island Gulf Beach, World Equestrian Center, Withlacoochee Bike Trail, Blue Grotto, Fresh and Saltwater fishing charters, a ton of Fishing area spots, Scalloping, Manatee and dolphin viewing, Scuba diving, Swimming, Tubing, Snorkeling, Ziplining, Hiking trails that wind through the marsh, springs, caves in nearby forests, Golf courses, State parks, Horseback riding, E-bike rentals, Boat rentals, Quaint shopping, Museums, Live theater shows, Art fairs, Music festivals, Citrus Speedway, Dragon boat racing, Car shows, and much more. This area is known for its water and wildlife so besides being minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico, there are several lakes, springs, and rivers to enjoy viewing, fishing, boating and kayaking. There are also many trailheads in forests and along the Gulf throughout the area to explore.
For your palette there is an amazing variety of local mom and pop specialty restaurants, you can't go wrong, just pick your pleasure, a lot of them use local ingredients. Or, savor in this home's stocked kitchen and cook inside or outside. If you like night life there are nearby places such as Sauced Hogs, Nikko's, Sparrows, or Skipper's.
This area is just far enough off the beaten path but centrally located for day trips to all the top attractions in Orlando, Tampa, Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages, to name a few. And, if you like to explore, travel a little further and you will find St. Augustine and Daytona are just a trip through the beautiful Ocala National Forest!
The Nature Coast is a very unique area. This really is "real" Florida! Just bring food and clothes. Come stay with us!
