River of Lakes Heritage Corridor
Byway Length: 156 Miles
Designated: March 12, 2009, National Designation 2021
FDOT District: 5
Overview
The story of the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor (a National Scenic Byway) embodies a blend of history, sophisticated contemporary culture, and gorgeous natural Florida.
Many communities are strung like pearls along the route, including the larger anchors of DeLand and Sanford, which each host significant annual events, diverse restaurants, art galleries, and performance venues, making it easy to plan a rugged hike or motorcycle trip alongside refined creature comforts.
Ancient Natives of the area, the Timucua, referred to the St. Johns River as the “Welaka”, or “River of Lakes.” This is the heart of the byway. People as diverse as early Spanish and English settlers, plantation owners, Civil War supply runners, and 1800s steamboat tourists utilized the St. Johns River for profit, diversion, and survival. Today, people navigate the river in pontoon boats and kayaks. Fishing, bird-watching, or paddling, many sections of the river continue to allow a glimpse of what this region was like hundreds of years ago.
This byway also features springs, including Blue Spring State Park, where manatees gather in winter, DeLeon Springs, with a famous pancake restaurant in the old Mill house, Gemini Springs, and Green Springs. There are inviting multi-use trails, a part of the larger River-to-Sea Loop and Coast-to-Coast Trails, which often parallel the byway.
Byway Gallery: River of Lakes Heritage Corridor
Byway Website: rolhc.org
Byway Map: Downloadable PDF Map
Share This Page:
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Map
River of Lakes Heritage
Corridor Video
Byway Resources
Byway Website: ROLHC.org
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rolheritagecorridor
Byway Facebook: facebook.com/WestVolusia
Tour Suggestions: riveroflakesheritagecorridor.org/tours
Byway Activities: riveroflakesheritagecorridor.org/things-to-do
Ask A Local (“insider” perspectives on the byway region):
http://riveroflakesheritagecorridor.org/ask-a-local/
Associated Resources
These are specific resources for this byway. See Associated Florida Resources for connections to organizations affecting all byways in Florida.
Volusia County Tourism:
http://visitwestvolusia.com/
Seminole County Tourism:
https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/
Main Street DeLand Association:
https://mainstreetdeland.org/
Sanford 365
http://sanford365.com/
General Directions
Located in the center of Florida, entrance to the byway can be reached from several directions.
From Jacksonville: Take I-95 south. You can enter the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor from a few directions:
From Orlando: Take I-4 east toward Sanford. Take the 17-92 exit just before crossing the St. Johns River Bridge. At the light, you will be turning on the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor. You can turn left to go to Sanford or you can turn right to head to Debary and DeLand.
From Tampa: Take I-4 East through Orlando and continue on to Sanford. Take the 17-92 Exit just before crossing the St. Johns River Bridge. At the light, you will be turning on the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor. You can turn left to go to Sanford or you can turn right to head to Debary and DeLand.
From Ocala: From Ocala, take SR 40 east through the Ocala National Forest along the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway until you intersect with US 17. At US 17, you are on the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor. You can either head north on US 17 to the Volusia County line. You could also take US 17 south along the corridor. In addition you can continue on SR 40 past US 17 to SR 11 which is another leg of the corridor.
