Guide to the best campgrounds near Mount Dora, a classic Old Florida village boasting antiques, boutiques, Victorian architecture and a world-class flea market.
The campgrounds in this guide are within 25 miles of Mount Dora.
Best Camping near Mount Dora
Trimble Park
This 71-acre county park on a point between Lake Carlton and Lake Beauclaire has 15 well-appointed campsites shaded by oak trees. Each site has a 30-amp electric and water hookups, picnic tables on a paver patio, lantern post, charcoal grill with smoker lid, and a fire ring with benches. There are no sewer hookups, but a dump station is at the campground exit. Nearby all sites are rest rooms, showers, a boat ramp, boat docks and a playground.
Campsites are $23 per night with discounts for seniors and Orange County residents. Book Online or call 352-383-1993 for reservations up to 45 days in advance. Click here for map and directions: Trimble Park, 5802 Trimble Park Road, Mount Dora, FL 32757. 3 miles from Mount Dora.
Note: When you check in, you’ll go to the park office, which has a separate entrance than the campground. Follow the signs.
Read more: Orange County Parks
Hot tips: When reserving a campsite online at Trimble Park or Kelly Park (see below), be ready to provide the information requested. You’ll need your existing login and password, license tags for all vehicles and trailers (boat or RV) and a valid credit card. Orange County’s reservation system won’t let you create a new account if you already have one, even if you haven’t used it in years. Because there are so few sites at Trimble Park, they are snapped up quickly, up to 45 days in advance.
Kelly Park/Rock Springs
The focal point of this 245-acre Orange County park is Rock Spring, but the campground is one of our favorites. There are 26 campsites, and every one of them is spacious, clean and well-shaded. There is a centrally located restroom with showers, and each site has a fire ring, grill, table, water and electric. No sewer hookups, but a dump station is nearby.
Campsites are $23 per night with discounts for seniors and Orange County residents. Reservations up to 45 days in advance by calling the park office at 407-889-4179 or sending an email to [email protected]. Kelly Park/Rock Springs (Orange County), 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, FL 32712. 12 miles from Mount Dora.
Note: When you check in, you’ll go to the park office at the main entrance, which is in a separate section of the park from the campground. On summer weekends, the main entrance is jammed with cars waiting in line so arranging your stay to start on a weekday is advised.
Read more: Kelly Park hideaway
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Wekiwa Springs is a beautiful state park outside Apopka with its own spring, which merges with Rock Spring Run to form the Wekiva River. There are 60 campsites with water and electric hookups, a fire ring with grill and a picnic table. A dump station is on the premises, and there are two restrooms with showers. Pets are allowed.
Reservation can be made online up to 11 months in advance by calling 800-326-3521. Wekiwa Springs State Park, 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712. 16 miles from Mount Dora.
Read more: Wekiva River Basin: A wild and scenic adventure |
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
Clearwater Lake Campground is part of Ocala National Forest, about 17 miles from Mount Dora. The 42 lakefront sites are shaded and private, accommodating motor homes, trailers and tents. There are no hookups, but flush toilets and showers are available. A dish-washing station is available in both loops. Campsites have level parking pads and space for tents. The day-use area has picnic tables, a beach and a canoe launch.
Bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one — $16 for 2 hours; $24 for 4 hours; $36 for all day. There is a lovely 1.3-mile nature trail around the lake, hike a portion of the Florida Trail, or ride your bicycle on the off-road Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, a 22-mile loop through the forest.
Sites are $31 per night plus tax (2022), and reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations are open up to 6 months in advance. Click for map: Clearwater Lake Campground, 24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767. 17 miles to Mount Dora
Read more about Things to Do in Ocala National Forest
Lake Griffin State Park
Fishing for bass is the big attraction at this 500-acre oak-covered oasis in Fruitland Park. The shady full-facility campground features 40 well-buffered sites with electric, picnic table and campfire grills. No sewer hookups, but a dump station is available. Showers, restrooms and laundry facility are in the center of the campground. Pets are allowed. There is a boat ramp, and canoe rentals are available.
Campsites are $18 per night plus taxes and $7 for water and electric, and one-time booking fee of $6.70. Book your campsite online up to 11 months in advance by calling 800-326-3521. Click here for a map and directions: Lake Griffin State Park, 3089 US 441, Fruitland Park, FL 34731. 21 miles from Mount Dora
Read more: Famous tree, kayaking
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
If you are lucky enough to get a campsite at Alexander Springs, you will find one of the most pristine sub-tropical environments you may ever experience. The campground is located within Ocala National Forest and worth a few extra (25) miles travel to Mount Dora.
There are 66 paved and shady sites, but amenities are limited. No electric or sewer hookups. The campground does have restrooms with showers and a dump station. Pets are allowed.
Sites are $31 per night plus tax (2022), and reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance online at Recreation.gov, or by calling 877-444-6777. Click here for map and directions: Alexander Springs Recreation Area, 49525 County Road 445, Altoona, FL. 25 miles to Mount Dora.
Read more: 6 things to do in Ocala National Park
The downside to public park campgrounds is availability. They fill up fast, so you have to make reservations well in advance whenever possible, especially for weekend stays.
Public campgrounds often offer discounts to seniors, active military and disabled.
Looking for Adventure? Primitive Camping near Mount Dora
Rock Springs Run State Reserve — 14 miles from Mount Dora
Rock Springs Run. Two primitive canoe campsites are accessible only by canoe or kayak from Rock Springs Run. The Indian Mound campsite and Buffalo Tram campsite are both just a short hike from the creek and can accommodate up to 10 campers each.
You can launch at Kings Landing near Kelly Park, or paddle upstream from the launch at Wekiwa Springs State Park. There is no vehicle access to either campsite, so the only way you can get there is by water.
Reservations are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance by calling 407-553-4383. Further information on overnight canoe or kayak rentals, shuttles or guided trips can be obtained at Nature Adventures or by calling 407-884-4311.
Equestrian Campground — Vehicle-accessible RV and tent camping are available within the preserve at the Equestrian Campground, an open field next to stables where you can rent a horse and take a trail ride.
The campground has no amenities with the exception of a rest room with showers. RVers will have to bring their own power and water. For reservations and fee information contact Wekiwa Springs State Park at 407-553-4383.
Seminole State Forest — 16 miles from Mount Dora
There are eight primitive campsites in the forest with fire rings and picnic tables. Three sites are located along the Florida National Scenic Trail. These “Walk-up” sites are for trail users.
Campers can drive into the forest to access the other six sites but require reservations and a forest permit for vehicle access. (The gate is locked.) There are also two group campsites.
The Bear Pond Trailhead is located off of State Road 46, 5.3 miles west of Interstate 4. Cassia Trailhead is located off of Brantley Branch Road, 0.1 miles east of State Road 44 in Cassia. The trailheads provide parking areas for the walk-up campsites and entrance gates for the reservation campsites. For more information, visit the Florida Forest Service web page.
Private RV Parks near Mount Dora
Lake Saunders RV Resort — 1175 Bay Road, Mount Dora, FL 32757, (Age 55 and up). Full hookups. Rates: $35 and up per night. Discounts for long-term rentals. 3 miles from Mount Dora.
Orange Blossom KOA — 3800 W Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, FL 32712. For reservations, call 800-562-5634. 9.5 miles from Mount Dora,
Olde Mille Stream RV Resort, Umatilla — 4.5 stars (TripAdvisor) I haven’t been here, but one TripAdvisor reviewer says, “Can’t go wrong with this little gem hidden at the base of the Ocala National Forest. RV Park is clean. Lots of activities to keep you busy.” Rates are $50-$63 per night on more than 200 full-service sites. Adults only, restricted to RV’s in winter, but tents allowed in summer. Map: 1000 North Central Avenue, Umatilla. 13 miles to Mount Dora
Wekiva Falls RV Resort, Sorrento. — 4 stars (TripAdvisor) I’ve been here many times, my favorite private campground near Mount Dora with excellent access to the beautiful Wekiva River, one of only two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state. There is almost always availability among its 800 sites, some set aside for tents on the banks of the spring run. Kids will love the spring-fed swimming pool. On days off from paddling, we drive to Mount Dora. Map: 30700 Wekiva River Road, Sorrento. 16 miles to Mount Dora
Read more: Wekiva Falls: Fab spring, comfy campground, gateway to scenic river
Holiday RV Village, Leesburg — 4 stars (TripAdvisor) RV park in a 200-acre natural wooded setting with a marina on a chain of freshwater lakes in the heart of Lake County. 935 oversized pull-thru sites with full-service hookups. All include water, sewer, and electric (30 and 50 amp). Map: 28229 County Road 33 Leesburg, FL 34748. Phone: 800-428-5334. 21 miles from Mount Dora
Lake Saunders RV Resort — 3 miles from Mount Dora. 1175 Bay Road, Mount Dora, FL 32757, (Age 55 and up). Full hookups. Rates: $35 and up per night. Discounts for long-term rentals.
Orange Blossom KOA — 9.5 miles from Mount Dora, 3800 W Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, FL 32712. For reservations, call 800-562-5634.
Other Lodging
There are a number of bed and breakfasts, cottages and hotels in and around Mount Dora. For more information — and discounts — check out these listings for Mount Dora Hotels, (Sponsored)
About Mount Dora
Mount Dora is one of those charming small towns that calls you back for more.
This historic village on a hill overlooking Lake Dora is a popular antique center sprinkled with arts and crafts shops, boutiques, offbeat tourist emporiums and some very fine restaurants and cafes, many with a view of the lake.
More from Florida Rambler: 12 things I love about Mount Dora
Just outside of downtown is Renninger’s Flea Market and Antique Center, a 117-acre complex housing endless rows of antiques. On weekends, vendors arrive for one of Florida’s largest flea markets. On the second Sunday of every month, there’s a swap meet for guitars, cars and motorcycles.
While the town has a legion of charming inns and bed-and-breakfasts tucked into neighborhoods of Victorian architecture, you’ll also find outstanding campgrounds in public parks, forests and preserves.
Read more: Mount Dora: 8 big weekend festivals & year-around charm
Resources for planning a visit to Mount Dora
Bob Rountree is a beach bum, angler and camper who has explored Florida for decades. No adventure is complete without a scenic paddle trail or unpaved road to nowhere. Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross 14 years ago.