Seminole State Forest, off SR 46: quiet, undeveloped, and the closest real nature to 32776. Best in the cooler months and best in the morning.
Wekiwa Springs State Park, about 25 minutes south: crystal-clear spring water, big picnic pavilions, and a hard capacity limit on busy days. Arrive early or you'll be turned away.
Gilbert Park in Mount Dora: lakefront, shaded, and easy for families with a playground on site.
Wooton Park in Tavares: seaplanes taking off from Lake Dora, splash pad for kids, and plenty of parking.
Ferran Park in Eustis: right on Lake Eustis with a long walkable waterfront and shade that actually helps in July.
Kelly Park / Rock Springs in Apopka: the tubing run everyone knows about, which also means the capacity fills before mid-morning on weekends.
Picnic packing rule: one loaf, one hard cheese, one soft spread, fruit, and something crunchy. Cut the bread at home so you don't need a knife.