River Breeze Park, Gateway to Mosquito Lagoon

Lets All Go Down To The River!

Here we are again, another weekend, and another new place to explore with my son. We had tons of other things to get done and we were expecting bad weather so we decided to take a quick little trip to a park we have already been too. Located right-smack-dab on the Indian River, this park is perfect for a quick trip or a full days worth of activities! We were only there for an hour or two, but despite having visited this park multiple times I still managed to discover a few new things I wanted to share.

The Fishing Pier @ Low Tide

The Playground Scoop

Covered Playground Facilities

Because my little guy is still pretty small, he really can't do much when it comes to playgrounds. What makes this park very special is that both the playground and the swing sets are shade covered! While I wouldn’t consider them water proof, the sun shade fabric will keep you cool in the hot summer months, and works very well with the river breeze. Some covered playgrounds just seem hot and stagnant, but you won't experience that here! One other really nice feature is the the playground area is actually covered with outdoor carpeting material that somewhat reminds me of astro-turf. It's not like the normal fake grass, but instead seems to have a rubber base that actually leaves a spring in your step. This is a great improvement over the rubber much chips that were there a few years ago.

Full Facilities

Ok, so you can't plug in your RV or anything, but there were a few things of note as we wandered through the park. First off, the bathrooms were actually clean. To me this is surprising as there was no attendant. Maybe they were just cleaned, or maybe my outlook on humanity is improving, but people seemed to really take pride in the rest room cleanliness. Some parks I have visited have been absolutely disgusting, but not this one.  Over by the boat ram, there is what I can only describe as a boater's shower. It's not really meant for bathing, but rather rinsing the salt off you of after a long day on the river.

Example of Large Pavilion

Example of Small Pavilion

There are multiple pavilions that are available for use. If you would like to reserve one, you can call the number below Monday through Friday. The small pavilions have 3 picnic tables and a nice shade covering, where the two larger pavilions have 7 tables each with electricity. One of the large pavilions is secluded from the playground area, with a beautiful river font view and the other is right on top of the playground. Each pavilion has at least one charcoal grill. No matter which pavilion you get, your just a stone's throw from the rest rooms and play area.

Pet Friendly

Although this is my no means a dog park, it is pet friendly. You must keep you pets on a leash and clean up after them at all times. There are also notices that aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated. If you plan on bringing your four legged friend, be sure to bring an ample supply of waste bags. Although there were a few waste stations throughout the park, don't count on them always being fully stocked with bags. On my way out, I did notice a large field where a family was playing with their dogs off leash. It was a bit secluded from the rest of the park, and they appeared to be well behaved (the dogs not the family), however it was not fenced in, and if you have dogs that are easily distracted, might not be a good idea for you.

Boating Facilities

If your have a boat and want to head into Mosquito Lagoon, then this is THE place to launch from. There are plenty of parking spaces for boat trailers as well as additional cars, and since it is open 24 hours a day, you can come and go as you please. Taking a few moments to soak in the sights of an operating boat ramp, I was pleased to find very friendly folks, and even saw a few people helping strangers out with the launching process. Since there are no fees to launch from this location, you may want to get there early for launching if you are planning a day on the river. Just a word of warning: the boat launch drops off quickly, a friend of mine has actually seen a truck roll backwards at the ramp only to be pulled out by a tow truck. Many professional fishing guides also launch from this park if they are headed to the Mosquito Lagoon, so you may even have the opportunity to get some free advise from the professionals!

Paddling Trail

Checkout the paddling trail!

While checking out the boat ramp, I actually found something new this visit! There is apparently a "paddling trail" here in Volusia county specifically setup for canoeing, and kayaking. Because it's in water, I don't think it's actually a marked trail or anything, but a suggested route. There are multiple parks listed on the map so if you just want to go for a quick trip you can, or even stay overnight on an island. I have a friend with his own kayaks, so I might see if we can check it out one day. This location does not feature canoe or kayak rentals, so you'll need to bring your own gear.

Fishing Pier

In addition to the boat launch, I should also mention that there is a large fishing pier heading out into the Indian River. I have cast a few lines from this park in my experience and have found it to be a great place to relax and toss a line out. A friend of mine swears by this park catching a few small fish, but nothing really of note. Besides, fishing is all about the experience, not what you catch. If you plan on using the pier, be sure to check the tides, because when it's low tide, it's really low tide!

If you are in need of recycling fishing line, you will also find a few line recycling stations in the park. One by the pier, one by the boat ramp. Because unused fishing line can be a hazard to wild life, take a few moments to do the right thing.

Camping

Primitive camping is also available for a few dollars a night. These spots must be reserved in advance and are for tents only. Because there is no direct access to your camping spot with your vehicle, be aware you must lug your gear to your location. I wouldn't consider it a hike or anything, but this may be one of those location you might want to pack light for. Each spot has a fire ring, lantern post/hook grill, and table. Each spot seems to be in a pretty well shaded area. I have never camped here, but wouldn't mind giving it a try one day.

Location Specifics

250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill

Open 24 Hours A Day  Days A Week

Free Admission

386 736-5953 Pavilion Rentals

Operated by Volusia County Parks & Rec

River Breeze Park Map & Flyer (PDF)


View FrugalFloridaFun.com in a larger map

Overall Impression

Because I have been to this park multiple times in the past few years I might be a bit biased, but I think that it's a great place to go for a few hours, or even have a birthday party there.  If you are travelling from out of town and are looking for a destination, you might be a bit disappointed. Not in the park per se, but there is literally not much else around this park. No convenience stores, no restaurants, or other fun excursions are within a quick drive. It is literally out in the middle of no where. Now if you bring along gear for boating, camping, or kayaking, then this could be a destination for you. The charm of this location is the seclusion that it provides, but with that sort of get away from everything feeling, you must also realize that this is a park in the middle of no where, with no attendant stationed there, and it's open 24 hours a day. In addition Oak Hill, the town where this park is located does not have a huge police force. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I have ever felt unsafe at this park, nor have I ever seen an unsavoury crowd there, but police assistance might be a few minutes away if needed. As always use your better judgement and always be aware of your surroundings. I have personally found that at any time of day or night that I have visited, most people are friendly and are there simply to enjoy the park as you and your family are.