Lake Jesup
Lake Jesup
4.5
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Neighborhood: Downtown Orlando
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37 within 3 miles
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53 within 6 miles
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4.5
29 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
8
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
InflatableBoat
Oviedo, FL112 contributions
Sep 2011
Lake Jesup is SO LARGE that there's many access points to enjoy around the park. For the less daring, go to Black Hammock. They have a restaurant (try the gator Po' Boy or the Buffalo Gator Nuggets), air boat rides, and a bar with the occasional live band.
http://www.theblackhammock.com/
On the other side of the lake, there's Lake Jesup Park. THIS is where you can access the field of wild sunflowers that bloom in fall. Spectacular sight!
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/guide/parks/park6.aspx
Lake Jesup East has a trail with an observation platform.
http://www.sjrwmd.com/trailguides/images/lakejesup_east.gif
Now, I don't recommend this, but I've been canoeing on Lake Jesup. It's dangerous. You want to be an expert because you may not survive if you fall in, this lake is full of gators. We saw a gator take out a wild boar right in front of us on the shore. This is wild Florida at it's finest.
http://www.theblackhammock.com/
On the other side of the lake, there's Lake Jesup Park. THIS is where you can access the field of wild sunflowers that bloom in fall. Spectacular sight!
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/guide/parks/park6.aspx
Lake Jesup East has a trail with an observation platform.
http://www.sjrwmd.com/trailguides/images/lakejesup_east.gif
Now, I don't recommend this, but I've been canoeing on Lake Jesup. It's dangerous. You want to be an expert because you may not survive if you fall in, this lake is full of gators. We saw a gator take out a wild boar right in front of us on the shore. This is wild Florida at it's finest.
Written September 6, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDogFather
Roswell, GA199 contributions
When we think of Lake Jesup, the Black Hammock comes quickly to mind. Bring the family during the day and enjoy the airboats cruising in a lake with a reputed 10,000+ gators. Then chill in the sports bar area or restaurant on moderately-priced tasty dishes. Fish, steak or gator, they git 'r done! They'll even bring a live baby gator to your table for you to pet. Before you leave, have a photo taken with their 12 foot live alligator outside. After you bring your kids home, come back, rest against a palm tree and savor an incredible sunset while sipping down your favorite libation. By then the music should be kicking in, as the Hammock usually has a variety of live entertainment for the evening. No, we don't work there or know anyone that does. The BH is one of the great non-touristy getaways treasured by locals. If you can find your way down the winding, hidden country road to this spot...you've found a new favorite memory.
Written January 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bjd5139
Downingtown, PA3 contributions
Sep 2011
I saw 3 gators within 10 minutes of arriving on a quiet south eastern side of the lake just off 417. There was a nearby nature trail and the mossy trees were beautiful. Anyone know where to possibly see a bear though?
Written December 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Companion31603
Deltona, FL1 contribution
Large shallow, desolate lake with a large alligator population, and a beautiful view of the Greenway (toll road) that crosses the lake.
Written January 4, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maketrax
Altamonte Springs, FL288 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
Many people have told me there are more gators in Lake Jesup than in any other lake in Florida. I don't know if this is true or not, but I can't argue with them. I visited during the afternoon and walked along a trail that went right to the edge of the lake. I didn't see any gators around. Then, in the distance, I saw a pair of eyes pop up from under the water. One gator looked at me. Then another pair of eyes popped up. Then another. And another. By the time I left, there were nine alligators looking at me. I'd say this is the best place to see a gator anywhere in Florida!
Written March 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James L
Mount Dora, FL594 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
It you want to see gators in the wild, this is the place to go. Take a Black Hammock airboat your, and you will see gators. A early morning car ride over the lake, and you will think there are a lot of logs out in the lake. But it is just alligators floating in the lake.
Written August 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connie J
Minnesota90 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We wanted to see alligators. We were not disappointed! The airboat ride we booked was fun, informative and well worth the money. While moving around the lake on the airboat we saw several alligators sunning on shorelines and on logs. We also saw them all over the lake peeking their eyes out of the water. I sure would not suggest any swimming in this lake!
Written April 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tmreiber
Keyport, New Jersey5 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
A very "Florida" thing to do. Lake Jessup and the Black Hammock are favorites of ours. The airboat rides brought us very close to many gators and native birds. The airboat was a whole lot of fun. The restaurant has great food! There are also tons of gators to visit and hold. All in all, it was a great day!
Written August 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris S
Blaine, MN46 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Wanted to see some gators in the wild and this lake didn’t disappoint. Seen several gators along the shore. Also took an airboat ride at Black Hammock witch was a great experience. Very scenic backwaters.
Written March 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda C
Sanford, FL13 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
We live on this lake. It's a shallow lake and dubiously famous for it's alligator population, but it's a big slice of the "real" Florida. So much wildlife to be seen all thru this area. Best seen by airboat, and the 417 bridge is beautiful lighted at night crossing the lake.
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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