Located on the northeast shore of the lake from which it derives its name, Eustis, FL is a beautiful and welcoming community of 23,000 conveniently located an hour outside of both Orlando and Kissimmee. While the city is best known for GeorgeFest, the longest consecutively running celebration honoring George Washington every February, there’s still plenty to see and do for those who love nature, historic buildings, and perfect Florida weather.
GeorgeFest: Celebrating America’s First President 
You might think it’s strange that the longest running celebration of America’s first president occurs in Florida, which he wasn’t known to have visited during his life, but the people of Eustis certainly don’t let that stop them. Held since 1902, the event is currently a week long, with smaller events, like a 5k and a bass fishing tournament held throughout.
Each year has a different theme (2026 is “Camp GeorgeFest”) and includes a variety of family friendly events like a car show, dog jog, carnival rides, parade, vendors, live entertainment, and more! The festival draws thousands each year, and residents look forward to it at the end of every February.
Putting the Lakes in Lake County
Eustis is part of Lake County, and the name is no joke – they have 250 named lakes and 1,735 other bodies of water! If you love to be on the water, this is the ideal place for you. Still, we did have to narrow it down a little, so here are our top picks, just for you:
- Lake Eustis
The centerpiece of the city and the lake for which it’s named, Lake Eustis covers more than 7,000 acres and is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes. Being part of a lake chain means there are canals between each, allowing you to easily transition from one to another. Its location near the center of the chain makes it a perfect launching point for your next adventure.
Primary attractions here include the Eustis Lake Walk at Ferran Park and the Dora Canal, where kayakers can enjoy a gorgeous 1-mile stretch leading to Lake Dora beneath ancient cypress trees as alligators lurk and herons preen.
Fun fact: the lake is also home to the rare Lake Eustis Pupfish, a small, light-brown fish that are only found in the lakes of Central Florida!
- Lake Harris and Little Lake Harris
We’re sure you can guess that Lake Harris and Little Lake Harris are also part of the Harris Chain of Lakes. But did you know that it’s the largest lake in all of Lake County (and one of the deepest), covering more than 15,000 acres? That leaves plenty of room for boating, fishing, wakeboarding, and water skiing.
We recommend visiting Hickory Point Park on Lake Little Harris for picnics, a swimming beach, and nature boardwalks.
- Lake Norris
If you’re looking for a much quieter place to kayak, canoe, and enjoy what nature has to offer, Lake Norris is the perfect choice. The water’s dark, gorgeous color comes from the leaves of the rare dwarf cypress trees that surround it.
Are you an avid bird watcher? Lake Norris also has one of the highest concentrations of Osprey nests in the area.
- Lake Yale
Lake Yale sits just north of Eustis and offers 4,000 acres of prime fishing. Being unconnected to the lake chain gives it significantly less boat traffic, making it an excellent spot for catching Crappie and Bass.
If you’re looking to set your line, head to Marsh Park where a public boat ramp and fishing piers are waiting for you.
- Lake Joanna
Clear and sandy, Lake Joanna is the perfect choice for those looking to go swimming in spring-fed waters. Access is somewhat limited due to it being a primarily residential area, but it’s highly regarded for its water quality.
Self Storage in Eustis, FL
At our Eustis, FL storage facility we offer vehicle storage in addition to drive up and climate control self storage units in a range of sizes, designed to fit into any budget! It doesn’t matter if you’re a university student looking for a place to stash dorm essentials for the summer, a resident looking to renovate, or a local business owner storing documents and inventory – we've got a self storage unit that’s perfect for you.
If you’re one of the many adventurers exploring Eustis’s lakes and parks in your boat or RV, we’ve got that covered too with vehicle parking spaces up to 45 feet! With Mini Mall Storage, you can enjoy Lake Harris and the many parks within driving distance without having to worry about where you’ll park when you get back.
Visit our storage facility at 19400 FL-44 for service from our friendly local team of storage specialists or rent a Mini Mall Storage unit near you online today!
