A stay at the Lakeside Inn jogged my memory of when I first discovered Palm Island Park. I was in the thick of researching a travel guide, and had walked down to the Dora Lighthouse to take some photos. I noticed people out on a boardwalk on the distant shoreline, and thought it was interesting enough to find out why, especially since egrets were flying in to roost amid the trees. There, at the end of the street, a portal: an open gate to a boardwalk leading to Palm Island.
Resources
Overview
Location: Mt. Dora
Length: Up to 1 mile
Lat-Long: 28.793683, -81.641817
Type: loop
Fees / Permits: none
Difficulty: easy
Bug factor: moderate
Restroom: no
The park opens at 9 AM and closes at sunset. I suggest you depart the boardwalk before the birds come in to roost!
Directions
From US 441, follow Donnelly St. through downtown Mount Dora. Turn left on E. 3rd Avenue, and right on S. Tremain St. Continue to the end of the street where it intersects with Liberty Ave, and park in the lot.
Hike
The narrow boardwalk hugs the shoreline of Lake Dora along a line of tall pond cypress. Look down, and you’ll see alligators lurking in the shallows, or coots and moorhens squawking amid the cattails. When the boardwalk reaches the island, you can walk down a staircase and start exploring the footpaths – and you should, given the jungle feel of the palm and live oak hammock – or continue along more boardwalk to the open lakefront to enjoy the scenery and watch for birds. There are benches where you can sit and sketch or write in your journal, savoring the breeze off the lake and the birdsong in the trees.
Oxbow Trail
We tried to go here today but there was a sign saying the park is only open for local residents. Too bad.
It’s a city park and we’ve never, ever run into that when visiting Mount Dora over the past 15 years. Where did you see the sign? Happy to call the city and find out what’s up.
Fantastic renovation!
Palm Island Boardwalk Renovations Complete
“The more sustainable boardwalks are made up of a Brazilian hard wood known as IPE wood, and are expected to last for at least the next 25 years. New additions to the boardwalk include pavilions and larger seating areas at various sections on the boardwalk.
The boardwalk winds through eight acres of natural preservation and connects to the city’s existing trail system. Lined with cypress trees on the shore of Lake Dora, the Palm Island Boardwalk serves as the ideal location within the city for bird watching, fishing, afternoon picnics and early morning jogs. The interior paths of the Palm Island peninsula brings visitors back to the wooded shade where the tree canopy offers a welcomed break from the summer time heat.”
I suggest you go during the week if you can, tourists have already discovered this lovely piece of nature!