Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont

There are so many things to love about living in Clermont, and having Lake Louisa State Park in your backyard is one of them. Lake Louisa State Park is a nature lovers playground with 5 larger lakes and many smaller ones. People come from all over to enjoy the park.

Park Activities

Biking

Biking is one of the most popular activities at Lake Louisa State Park. There are seven miles of paved roads that wind through the park and over the rolling hills along with over 20 miles of un-paved multi-use trails. There are also bike available for rent in the park.

Hiking

For a quick walk/day hike many Clermont locals enjoy the half mile nature trail just off of the Lake Louisa Parking lot. There are vast family-friendly hikes throughout that park that wind through the many lakes and rivers. The area does not lake in beauty to take in with 11 different natural ecosystems. With the different many different areas brings a large amount of wildlife that like to call the park home, you may see some of them as you are out adventuring. Keep an eye out for gopher tortoises, osprey, bald eagles, white-tail deer, bobcat, opossum, many different types of squirrels, and a large variety of birds.

Guided hikes are also available for anyone wanting a more educational experience with an opportunity to learn about cultural, historical, and environmental attributes of the park.

Bird Watching

Bird watching is a popular past time around the park because there are so, so many different species of birds in Lake Louisa State Park. It has become such a popular activity that the ranger station offers bird and butterfly watching checklists so you can record just how many different birds you come across.

Horseback Riding

If you would rather travers the trails of Lake Louisa State Park that is also an option. Guided horse tours are offered by P3 Lake Louisa. Two experienced horse wranglers lead the way on gentle trail horses at a relaxing walking pace. This is a awesome experience for horse lovers of all experience levels, ages 8 and up.

P3 Lake Louisa also hosts a trail ride to benefit Howey Horse Haven once a year where horse lovers are encouraged to ride one of the trail horses or bring their horse and ride along on a separate trail. All horses must stay at a walking pace and all proceeds go to benefit the rescue of horses at Howey Horse Haven.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Rent a kayak or canoe and head out on the lake(s) for a day of water fun. Of course, you can also bring your own or you can even sign up for a guided kayak tour. The tour leaves from the shores of the Lake Louisa beach area and journeys out to the mouth of Big Creek. The tour lasts about an hour and forty-five minutes. It includes a guide that will share about points of interest in the park along the journey, and all equipment needed.

Camping

Camping of all types is available in the park from tent glamping to cabin rentals, to primitive group/equestrian/traditional tent camping.

Fishing and Boating

Fishing and boating are permitted on the lakes in the park as long as boats can be hand-carried into the water. There is no public boat launch in the park and gas motorized boats are not permitted, however, electric trolling motors are.

Beach and Playground

Lake Louisa is the only lake with a swimming area for everyone to enjoy and there is a playground nearby as well.

Looking for a home around Lake Louisa? Start Your Online Search Here or simply call me to set up a consultation or showing at any time.

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Sam Howzit & Katy Warner Image Credit

Best Lakeside Parks in Clermont Florida

Clermont Florida may not be on the coast but it does have its share of water, with several lakes located in and around the city it is a great spot for getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. The lakeside parks in Clermont provide spots for fishing, seasonal swimming and other activities to keep you entertained.

Waterfront Park

If you are looking for a spot to bike or walk head on over to Waterfront Park, located on the shore of Lake Minneola. For people who want to walk or bike, the Lake Apopka Trail runs through the park and along the southern portion of the lake. There is beach access to the lake for swimming (weather permitting) or just playing in the sand, as well as a pier that people can fish on. Champions Splash Park, also located in Waterfront Park, provides a spot for kids who want to play in the water but aren’t interested in swimming.

Lake Hiawatha Preserve

The Lake Hiawatha Preserve offers a great space for anyone looking to spend time in nature. Kids can play in the play area located within the preserve. Dogs are also allowed and there are two dog parks for your furry friend to run and play. Since the park is also a nature preserve there is a series of trails, both paved and unpaved, and wildlife observation areas. The park also offers a disc golf course and a fishing pier for people who want to try something unique.

Lake Louisa State Park

Another great lakeside park is a short drive out of Clermont but worth the trip. Lake Louisa State Park not only includes Lake Louisa but it also has a series of smaller lakes within the park. There is plenty to do here whether you are wanting to go for the day or stay and camp. There is a playground for kids, trails, and pets are allowed. If you are wanting to beat the heat there is a swimming area, a boat launch is open to the public at the Palatlakaha River Park and Boat Ramp, and there are kayaks and canoes for rent at the park’s outpost. In addition, fishing is allowed on most of the lakes in the park, there is wildlife to view and three different types of camping options for extended stay.

Hey! Looking for a home nearby? I’d love to give you a list of all the active properties around any of these amazing lakefront parks. Simply let me know what you’re looking for and I’d be happy to send it on over. And of course, don’t think twice about calling me on any Clermont real estate.

Image by Mwanner at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Best Parks in Clermont Florida

Clermont, Florida Parks

There are around 20 parks in the Clermont, Florida area but in this article we’ll give you information on two of these great parks; Palatlakaha River Park and Waterfront Park. These are great parks to visit especially if you live in one of the area’s lakefront properties.

Palatlakaha River Park

This park offers boater’s access to the Crooked River and the Clermont Chain of Lakes. Here, you’ll find two fishing piers, a playground, and a pavilion with a grill as the main features. The area is great for birding and especially so in the Spring and Fall. Palatlakaha Park has a 0.8 mile loop trail that goes through the 18 acres of habitat kept for the Florida Scrub-Jay, as well as a Live Oak-Bald Cypress Hammock. Other animals that can be found in the park include butterflies, and various wildlife. Additionally, the trail is equipped with many educational signs that point out different plants along the way.

Complete amenities at Palatlakaha River Park include: 4 ball fields, full concession, restrooms, soccer field, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball court, racquetball court, fitness trail, enormous wooden play yard, pavilion, picnic area and a fishing pier/nature walk. This park is home of the South Lake Little League.

Waterfront Park

Located along Lake Minneola( see Lake Minneola Real Estate), Waterfront Park is right between East Avenue and Eighth Street. Weekly festivals happen at this park, such as Pig on the Pond, a host of triathlons and new water competitions, like the Champions’ Dragon Boat Festival and Leader of the Lake Regatta.

Running through the park, is a trail that is part of a 30 mile system and will eventually be part of the coast to coast trail.

Waterfront Bikes and Boards offers rentals of paddleboards, kayaks and bicycles. The park also includes picnic areas, a swimming area, fishing piers and a playground.

Image by Jared FLickr

New Park in Clermont Florida

New Park in Clermont, Fl – Lake Hiawatha Park

As spring approaches, make sure you take advantage of Clermont’s new park! You will find the new park at Lake Hiawatha! Previously blanketed with citrus groves and shade trees, Lake Hiawatha Park now boasts two dog parks, a playground and a covered pavilion!

Lake Hiawatha Park just recently opened to the public on November 15th, 2014. It is a 220 acre preserve with two dog parks, a playground with a working old-fashioned water tower, hiking and biking trails, and a pavilion for picnics.

The first phase of this fabulous park located at 450 N. 12th St is home to the city’s FIRST dog parks, a playground of natural wood, a tree stump obstacle course, hiking trails and picnic pavilion. It’s the perfect place to bring your babies and fur babies alike!

Certainly, the attention grabber of the park is the child sized, working, water tank on the playground. It was designed to be reminiscent of Old Florida so that it would fit in with the history of the property. Also, on the playground, you’ll see a maze made from a cattle chute that was part of the property.

Of the two dog parks, one is meant for dogs 25 pounds or larger and the other for smaller doggies. In each park, you’ll find water fountains for both dogs and people.

Currently, the second phase of Lake Hiawatha Park is under way on the other side of 12th St. This phase is predicted to include a fishing pier and a floating dock. That’s right…this park will be accessible to those arriving by foot, bike, car and even boat!

It’s definitely a park the community of Clermont can be most proud of! So, as you’re looking for a place to play or relax the day away, come out and give Lake Hiawatha Park a try!