Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Clermont
At the northernmost extent of the Lake Wales Ridge, the rolling hills of Clermont touch the edge of the Green Swamp.
It’s at this intersection you’ll find interesting places to hike and cycle in state parks and other natural lands, with both backpacking opportunities and easy nature hikes to keep the kids happy.
As kids, we both came to Clermont and stood atop the Citrus Tower, overlooking orange groves as far as the eye could see. Those days are now gone.
It’s a sea of subdivisions that washes across the ridges towards Orlando, so it’s fortunate that there are protected natural areas for residents to enjoy.
The Florida Coast to Coast Trail comes right through Clermont on the South Lake Trail, but is lacking a westward connection.
The Green Swamp defines the southwest boundary of the region. It is where four of Florida’s rivers rise from rain-fed floodplain forests.
These include the north-flowing Withlacoochee and the Ocklawaha River, which is the outflow of the Palatlakaha River chain of lakes.
Flowing northward from Lake Louisa towards Lake Harris, the chain of lakes provides a place for paddlers to explore.
Portions of the Green Swamp were carved out for agriculture long ago, and it is through this area that the Van Fleet Trail cuts a north-south line.
It extends along a former rail corridor from SR 50 down to Polk City, connecting with trail systems in the greater Lakeland area.
Trails and Parks around Clermont
Crooked River Preserve On a 1.7-mile loop, Crooked River Preserve showcases a wide variety of habitats in a short hike on the northernmost extent of the Lake Wales Ridge in Clermont.
Disney Wilderness Preserve Protected and managed by The Nature Conservancy, Disney Wilderness Preserve is a 11,500 acre showcase for habitat conservation amid suburban sprawl south of Orlando.
Ferndale Preserve On Lake Apopka's western shore, Ferndale Preserve offers amazing panoramas of Florida's fourth largest lake, along with serious elevation changes on its four miles of multi-use trails.
Flat Island Preserve Established as a botanical preserve for native plants, Flat Island Preserve protects islands in the Okahumpa Marsh, offering hikers and paddlers immersion in a lush wilderness
Florida Coast to Coast Trail With a corridor spanning more than 220 miles across nine Florida counties, the Florida Coast to Coast Trail (C2C) is Central Florida's long distance bike path.
Green Mountain Overlook and Trail At Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, take in a sweeping panorama of Lake Apopka from the highest elevations in Central Florida and hike Florida's longest set of trail switchbacks.
Lake Apopka North Shore Across two counties and along the entire north rim of Florida's fourth-largest lake, this 20,000 acre conservation area is a sweep of wildlife-rich marshes. 
Lake Louisa Hiking Trail Using the decades-old Lake Louisa Hiking Trail as its backbone, this 7.7-mile loop spans natural wetlands and rolling hills at Lake Louisa State Park.
Lake Louisa State Park As longleaf pine reaches for the sky, the rolling hills of Lake Louisa State Park near Clermont return to their forested roots
Oakland Nature Preserve An accessible boardwalk through marshes to Lake Apopka pairs with an extensive network of upland trails for up to 3.5 miles of hiking at Oakland Nature Preserve.
Palatlakaha River Park Picturesque waters flow between two lakes on a narrow river, immersing visitors who paddle within a corridor of cypress swamp abounding with wildlife. 
Pasture Reserve Amid scattered ranches along the eastern edge of Green Swamp, Pasture Reserve offers miles of multi-use trails crossing a medley of uplands and wetlands.
PEAR Environmental Park Discover a deeply shaded walk on a nature trail that follows the trickle that is now the Palatlakaha River flowing towards Lake Harris. 
Reedy Creek Swamp At the Osceola District Schools Environmental Study Center, trails along Reedy Creek Swamp showcase the beauty of the ancient cypress and floodplain forest.
Scrub Point Preserve A hidden preserve tucked behind neighborhoods along Johns Lake in Clermont provides options for hiking, picnicking, and paddling.
Tibet-Butler Preserve A wildlife haven within earshot of Walt Disney World, Tibet-Butler Preserve provides 3.6 miles of well-kept and gentle hiking trails for family fun.
Van Fleet Trail Cruise up a wooded corridor through the Green Swamp along 29.2 miles of paved trail on an old rail corridor optimized for a long ride through the heart of rural Central FloridaFeatured Articles
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