Have you explored the wonders of nature lately? There's nothing like a state or national park adventure to take your vacation to new heights. Spending the day at a state or national park is a bit like eating out at a grand buffet. You have an amazing variety of outdoor adventures to choose from – and they're all in one place! From canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, and swimming to hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, fishing, boat tours, and more, there's something for everyone in the family. Here are a few top picks from our most popular Exploria Resorts destinations. Discover Orlando's Natural Side When you're ready to take a break from the theme parks, it's time to explore Orlando's “other” side. Central Florida's state parks offer a full day of entertainment and lots of fun ways to keep cool. Two of the top choices for variety and recreation are less than 45 minutes from Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts. Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont is just 15 minutes from the resort. This natural theme park – known for its beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and scenic landscape – is the perfect choice for carefree diversions. Kayak, canoe, or paddleboard along the park's three major lakes. Swim in clear blue waters or fish from the pier. You can also take a guided trail ride on horseback, enjoy a guided kayak eco-tour, or explore the park aboard a Segway! There's a picnic pavilion complete with barbecue grills, and a children's playground as well. Lake Louisa State Park showcases a diversity of wildlife including white-tail deer, bobcat, gopher tortoises, fox squirrel, bald eagles, and osprey. If you're lucky, you'll spot a few of these while hiking the park's 20 miles of unpaved trails, or bicycling along its seven miles of paved roads. Equipment rentals are available for all of these activities.The 45-minute drive to beautiful Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka will be well worth it. There's nothing better than spending a day at Central Florida's favorite swimming hole and longest-running tourist attraction. Jump into the spring and leave the world behind as you swim or snorkel through emerald waters. Spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch on the grassy, tree-shaded bank. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and paddle past dense, almost tropical hammocks, watching as the speckled perch and largemouth bass go by. Or spend some quiet time exploring miles of trails on foot, bike, or horseback. Be sure to scan the treetops for bald eagles, and the brush for black bears. After a day filled with adventure, you'll understand why visitors have been flocking to beautiful Wekiwa Springs since the mid-19th century. Explore Volusia County's Natural Resources Two of nature's special gifts are waiting less than 50 minutes from Exploria Resorts' Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach properties. Head north to Tomoka State Park where Timucuan Native Americans once dwelled, living off fish-filled lagoons. The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species, such as the West Indian manatee. While there, you can stroll a half-mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field for an 18th-century British landowner. The park's rivers and tributaries offer a beautiful place to observe the bird and marine life of the area. Tomoka is a birdwatcher's paradise with more than 160 species sighted. Today, these waters are popular for canoeing, boating, and fishing. A park store and restaurant offer breakfast, lunch, snacks, and canoe rentals. Summers at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City are all about the invigorating, 72-degree, crystal-clear waters – the perfect respite on a hot Florida day. The variety of water activities here is nearly endless. Swimming, tubing, paddling, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, the list goes on. Non-immersive activities cover everything from guided Segway tours, fishing, hiking, birding, historic sites, and nature trails, to narrated nature and ecological cruises on the St. Johns River, conducted by Blue Spring Adventures. The Manatee Gift Shop, food service, camp store and water activities rental station are located near the public swimming area. Experience Outdoor Fun in The Poconos There's nothing like summer in The Poconos. The state parks and national recreation areas are one giant playground. And Pocono Mountain Villas by Exploria Resorts is at the center of it all. In fact, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area headquarters is just a short drive down River Road from the resort. This 70,000-acre park is rich in both culture and natural history. The river valley contains streams, waterfalls, geologic features, a diversity of plants and wildlife, and traces of the past. The sheer number of recreation options can be mind-boggling. There is a myriad of ways to pursue the most popular activities during summer, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, inner tubing, and whitewater rafting along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. And don't forget hiking, horseback riding, fishing, picnicking, and the area's impressive waterfalls. Another popular destination is Big Pocono State Park in Tannersville, about 20 minutes down the road. Perched atop Camelback Mountain, this park is rugged and scenic. Wandering the hiking trails is a great way to enjoy the sights. A paved, 1.4-mile drive encircles the mountaintop, providing magnificent views of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. It's the perfect place for a summer picnic – or you can stop for a bite at the Summit House restaurant. Hickory Run State Park, a 40-minute drive from the resort, has three state park natural areas, miles of trout streams, and over 40 miles of hiking trails. A hike along Hawk Falls Trail will take you to Hawk Falls, a 25-foot cascading waterfall that's easy for kids and beginners to walk. And don't miss Hickory Run's most famous site, Boulder Field, a flat, 18-acre bed of rocks that's become a National Natural Landmark due to its sheer size.Book Your Exploria Resorts Vacation Today There's nothing like an Exploria Resorts vacation, whether it's in Florida, the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, or another of our popular destinations. Click here to start planning your summer vacation getaway today!