Family Outings at Bill Frederick Park: Camping, Farm Friends, and Drone Zone Fun
183 acres of lakefront fun tucked between Metro West and Dr. Phillips — minutes from Universal, hidden from the tourists
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake is a 183-acre City of Orlando park located at 3401 South Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835. The park sits between Metro West and the Dr. Phillips area, roughly 3 to 4 miles from Universal Orlando. Amenities include tent and RV camping, rental cabins, two disc golf courses, a dedicated Drone Zone with on-site power for battery charging, a swimming pool, a fishing pier on Turkey Lake, canoe and kayak rentals, paved bike paths, and recreational horse stall boarding. Daily entry is $5.00 per car or $2.00 for a driver only, and park hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. November through March and 8 a.m.–7 p.m. April through October.
So you live in Orlando, you've done Disney enough times to recite the Haunted Mansion monologue from memory, and you want a weekend outing that doesn't involve a $25 parking lot. Meet Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake — 183 acres of woods, water, and excellent disc golf that most locals drive past without realizing it's there.
Tucked between Dr. Phillips and Metro West, off South Hiawassee Road, this is the City of Orlando's largest park — and almost certainly its most underrated. Lakefront camping minutes from Universal, a designated drone-flying area with power outlets, rentable horse stalls, and disc golf courses that frisbee nerds drive across the state to play. Here's what locals know.
A Quick History: From Turkey Lake Park to Bill Frederick Park
Long known simply as Turkey Lake Park, the City of Orlando renamed the place after former mayor Bill Frederick, who served from 1980 to 1992 and championed the parks system. Turkey Lake itself is rated among the top five fishing lakes in Florida, and most longtime locals still call it Turkey Lake Park out of habit. Either name works at the front gate. The vibe — rolling oak-shaded hills on the lake's western shore, a campground tucked behind the cabins — hasn't changed.
The Camping Setup: Cabins, RV Sites, and Tent Spots
Here's where it gets interesting for relocators: you can legitimately camp inside Orlando city limits, less than 4 miles from Universal. The campground has full-hookup RV sites, electric/water RV sites, and a row of rental cabins along the lake.
This is the move for visiting in-laws who don't want hotel prices but also don't want to be 45 minutes away in Kissimmee. Bathhouses are clean, sites are paved, and the oak canopy keeps things shaded. Reservations run through the City of Orlando's Active Communities portal; weekend cabins book out fast November through April.
The Drone Zone: Yes, This Is a Real Thing
Bill Frederick has a dedicated drone flying area called the Drone Zone — one of the few places in metro Orlando where you can legally fly a recreational drone without worrying about theme park no-fly zones. The city recently installed power at the Drone Zone pavilion, with a shelf and outlets for charging batteries on site. Central Florida sits inside layered restricted airspace because of the parks, MCO, and Orlando Executive Airport, so a city-sanctioned drone space with infrastructure is rare.
Disc Golf: Two 18-Hole Courses
Disc golf players know Bill Frederick well. Two full 18-hole courses wind through scrub forest, with at least one notorious over-water hazard. Check the city's closure schedule before driving out — courses occasionally close for events.
Farm Friends: The Horse Stalls (And What's Actually There)
Let's be real about this part. Older travel write-ups mention a "children's farm" with barnyard animals, but the current City of Orlando amenities list does not advertise a public petting farm. Don't promise the kids they'll be feeding goats by the bucket.
What the park does have is recreational horse stall boarding — the city rents stalls to residents for personal use, which means there are usually horses on the property and a barn area that has the feel of a working stable. Walking the trails, you'll often spot horses, turkeys, and other wildlife. Honest pitch for kids: "we might see horses" lands better than "we're going to a petting farm." For more local outdoor options, our Dr. Phillips Parks & Recreation guide covers the wider scene.
The Rest of the Park: A Lot to Do for $5
The full City of Orlando amenities list is impressive for a city park:
- Two playgrounds (ages 2–5 and ages 5–12)
- Swimming pool (hours depend on lifeguard staffing — call ahead)
- Fishing pier on Turkey Lake
- Canoe and kayak rentals
- Paved bike paths and natural-surface hiking trails (about 2.4 miles when looped)
- Sand volleyball courts and outdoor fitness stations
- Pavilions in four sizes for parties and reunions
- Grills, picnic tables, gazebos, plenty of open space
- Bird watching — herons, egrets, hawks, the occasional bald eagle
The park also hosts environmental field trips for schools and Scout troops. If you're a parent in Windermere or Horizon West looking for a low-stakes outdoor classroom, this is worth knowing.
Practical Info: Hours, Fees, and Getting There
Address: 3401 South Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835
Phone: 407-246-4486
Daily entry: $5.00 per car, $2.00 for a single driver, $1.00 per person for buses and 15/16-passenger vans
Hours (Nov–Mar): 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Hours (Apr–Oct): 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Closed: December 24 and December 25
The park sits west of John Young Parkway and south of Conroy Road, with quick access from the Florida Turnpike at the Hiawassee exit. From most of Dr. Phillips, you're 5–10 minutes out. From Downtown Orlando, figure 15–20 minutes via the 408. Our West Orange Trail guide covers another Orange County outdoor classic.
The Pros and Cons (Because We Don't Sugarcoat)
The Pros:
- Cheap entry ($5 per car) for legitimately impressive amenities
- One of the only urban camping options inside Orlando city limits
- Dedicated Drone Zone with on-site power — almost unheard of
- Two disc golf courses plus a 2.4-mile trail loop
- Minutes from Universal, Disney parks reachable in ~20 minutes
The Cons:
- Florida Turnpike runs along the boundary — light traffic noise from some perimeter sites
- The pool isn't always open; staffing has been inconsistent
- No stocked petting farm — temper kid expectations
- Reservations are tight on weekends and holidays; book ahead
Why This Park Matters to Orlando Residents
For families moving to southwest Orlando — Dr. Phillips, Metro West, Bay Hill, Gotha, or even Winter Garden — Bill Frederick is the kind of "we'll just go to the park" amenity that quietly raises your quality of life. Cheap day-trip when out-of-state guests visit, real Saturday-morning destination for kids on bikes, legitimate recreational infrastructure if anyone in the family is into disc golf, drones, or paddling. Our Dr. Phillips homes for sale guide covers the nearby neighborhoods.
What the Locals Know
Go on a weekday morning if you can — no crowds. If you're camping, request an interior site away from the Turnpike fence line. Bring bikes; the park is bigger than it looks on the map. If you've never flown a drone, the Drone Zone is a great place to try — far from theme park no-fly zones, with power on site. Just watch for disc golfers in the open scrub areas. A park membership pays for itself fast if you visit more than five or six times a year.
Orlando has a reputation as a city built for tourists, but Bill Frederick Park proves it's also built for the people who live here. Camping, drones, disc golf, and a quiet lakefront 15 minutes from your door — that's a pretty good Saturday for $5. 🌳
For current hours, reservation availability, and pavilion rental info, visit the official Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake page on the City of Orlando website.
Thinking about moving to southwest Orlando? Browse our Dr. Phillips homes for sale or our Dr. Phillips Parks & Recreation guide, or contact David Myers for personalized relocation help in Central Florida.
