Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
18 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 as a migratory bird refuge to offset losses of wetland habitat that were occurring in central Florida.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Daytona Beach
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Daytona Beach for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
20places to boat and paddle
18 mito the closest
1within 30 miles
Year-roundbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
31 mi west · USDA Forest Service
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs.
Clearwater Lake Rec Area
32 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida.
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Within 30 miles (1)
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 as a migratory bird refuge to offset losses of wetland habitat that were occurring in central Florida.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Paddling
- Ranger programs
30 to 75 miles (9)
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Swimming
Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses approximately 55,000 acres of salt marsh and mangrove tidal wetlands, oyster bars, estuarine lagoons, upland habitat and offshore seas in Northeast Florida.
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Buck Lake Group Campground
Buck Lake is a group camping facility in the heart of Ocala National Forest in Florida. Great for family reunions and social gatherings, the campground can host a group of up to 50 guests along the shores of Buck Lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Canaveral National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Dorr Cabin
Lake Dorr Cabin is set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Dorr, ideal for a family getaway. The cabin is open year-round and creates a great setting for plenty of outdoor water fun.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Juniper Springs Rec Area
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge traces its beginnings to the development of the nation’s Space Program. In 1962, NASA acquired the lands and waters adjacent to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Ranger programs
75 miles and farther (10)
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks.
- Boating
- Hiking
- History
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Chassahowitzka NWR was established in 1943 for waterfowl conservation. The refuge protects saltwater bays, estuaries, brackish marshes, and hardwood swamps in Homosassa, FL.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Photography
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1983, is the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the threatened Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is situated in the Indian River Lagoon estuary, which runs 156 miles down Florida’s eastern coastline.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits
Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland…
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Ocean Pond Campground
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
- Accessible Swimming
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Cumberland Island National Seashore
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is bisected by 20 miles of the famous Suwannee River and includes 30 miles of coastal marsh habitat along the Gulf of Mexico.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1929 by President Herbert Hoover to protect a breeding ground for colonial nesting migratory birds during a time when market hunters, desiring feathers for the ladies' apparel…
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Nature education
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” The refuge conserves the unique features of the Okefenokee Swamp,the headwaters of the Suwannee and…
- Boating
- Camping
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Daytona Beach. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Daytona Beach?
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 18 miles southwest of Daytona Beach as the crow flies. Next are Alexander Springs Recreation Area (31 mi) and Clearwater Lake Rec Area (32 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Daytona Beach?
Based on Daytona Beach’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.