Guides · Mount Dora, Florida
RVing in Mount Dora, FL: Parks, Trails & Tips
Mount Dora’s 184-foot plateau makes it the rare Florida town where you park the rig on a hill and look down at the lake—an inland anomaly worth a slow circuit.
Why Mount Dora for an RV
The town was sold as a winter resort from the start, and the pitch has barely aged. Surveyors named Lake Dora in 1846 after Dora Ann Drawdy; in 1883 the town took its name from the lake, the same year the Alexander House opened as a hotel. The plateau—184 feet above sea level, the reason for this publication’s name—gives you elevation you will not find in most of the state. That is the whole draw, and it holds.
Where to Park the Rig
Woods-N-Water Trails RV Community sits at 1325 Bay Rd, rated 4.6 from 115 reviews. It is the only campground on the supplied list, so it is the practical anchor for a stay. From there, the rest of Mount Dora is a short drive or a bike ride.
For day-use parking, the parks cluster near downtown. Donnelly Park (530 N Donnelly St, 4.7 from 2174 reviews) and Gilbert Park (310 S Tremain St, 4.7 from 2088 reviews) are the two largest, and both put you within walking distance of the lakefront. Elizabeth Evans Park (100 N Donnelly St, 4.6 from 254 reviews) is smaller but sits right at the north end of the main strip. Sunset Park (230 W 4th Ave, 4.7 from 313 reviews) does what its name suggests, and it is a short walk from downtown.
The Lighthouse and the Boardwalk
The 35-foot lighthouse at Grantham Point, dedicated on 25 March 1988, is the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida. It is at Grantham Pointe (Light House) (357-499 S Tremain St, 4.8 from 470 reviews). You can see it from the shore, and the adjacent Palm Island Park (411 S Tremain St, 4.8 from 473 reviews) and Palm Island Boardwalk (same address, 4.8 from 132 reviews) give you the water-level view. The boardwalk is short, but it gets you out over the lake without a boat.
Trails and Bikes
Mount Dora Trail (1550 E 11th Ave, 4.8 from 616 reviews) runs along the old rail corridor and connects to the dog park at the same address. Mt Dora Dog Park (4.4 from 124 reviews) is right there if you are travelling with a canine. For rentals or repairs, Adrenaline Bike Works (206 N Highland St, 4.9 from 672 reviews) is the local shop—highly rated, and it puts you on the trail network.
If you want a longer ride, the trail links toward the Lake Apopka North Shore, but that is a separate stop.
The Bigger Parks, a Short Drive
Lake Apopka North Shore (24600 County Rd 448A, 4.7 from 1038 reviews) is the outlier—a massive restored wetland with miles of levees for walking and cycling. It is not downtown Mount Dora, but it is the best natural payoff in the area. Trimble Park (5802 Trimble Park Rd, 4.7 from 965 reviews) is quieter, with lake access and picnic tables, and it is closer to the campground than to downtown.
Lincoln Avenue Community Park (1200 N Unser St, 4.6 from 330 reviews) is a neighbourhood spot, useful if you are staying north of the centre. The Yard Stop Garden Center (4200 County Rd 19A, 4.6 from 543 reviews) is a garden centre, not a park, but it is a pleasant detour if you want to see what grows on this plateau. Lowe's Garden Center (18795 US-441, 4.5 from 144 reviews) is the chain alternative; skip it unless you need supplies.
What the Census Says
Mount Dora has 16,812 people, and the median age is 48.8 years. That skew is visible: 500 of 8,121 housing units are held for seasonal or recreational use, and 992 are vacant. The median home value is $316,100, and median gross rent is $1,500. The unemployment rate is 5.1 percent, and 37.5 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Median household income is $69,931. The numbers describe a town that is not cheap, not young, and not empty—just partly absent.
If You Time It Right
The Mount Dora Arts Festival runs the first full weekend of February and draws hundreds of national artists showing painting, sculpture and photography through the downtown streets. The Mount Dora Craft Fair fills downtown for a weekend each October with more than 350 exhibitors; Sunshine Artist magazine ranked it the number one all-time favourite classic and contemporary craft festival in America in its 50th anniversary edition. Both will make parking harder, so arrive early or leave the rig at the campground and take the bike.
Nearby, If You Have Days to Fill
- Altamonte Springs (20 miles): Red Hot & Boom
- Clermont (21 miles): Pig on the Pond
- Sanford (25 miles): Sanford Porchfest
- Oviedo (33 miles): Great Day in the Country
- Dade City (50 miles): Kumquat Festival
- Palm Coast (57 miles): Creekside Music & Arts Festival
None of these are Mount Dora, but they are all within a tank of gas.
The Practical Bottom Line
Bring the RV, park at Woods-N-Water Trails RV Community, and use the bike for everything else. The town is compact enough that a car is a burden downtown, and the trail network makes two wheels the sensible choice. The lighthouse is a 1988 landmark, the lake is named for a settler’s daughter, and the plateau is real. That is the whole story, and it is enough.
Common questions
- Where can I park my RV in Mount Dora?
- Woods-N-Water Trails RV Community at 1325 Bay Rd is the campground we cover, rated 4.6 from 115 reviews. It's the only RV-specific option we list, so book ahead, especially during festivals and peak winter season.
- Is the Mount Dora lighthouse worth seeing?
- Yes. The 35-foot lighthouse at Grantham Point, dedicated March 25, 1988, is the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida. You can view it from Grantham Pointe, rated 4.8, or nearby Palm Island Park and the boardwalk.
- Can I bike the Mount Dora Trail with my RV?
- The Mount Dora Trail, rated 4.8, is a paved path starting at 1550 E 11th Ave. You can ride it, but you'll need to leave your RV at camp—no overnight parking on the trail. Adrenaline Bike Works at 206 N Highland St can help with rentals or repairs.
- What's the best park for a picnic near downtown?
- Donnelly Park at 530 N Donnelly St is rated 4.7 from 2174 reviews and sits close to downtown. Elizabeth Evans Park at 100 N Donnelly St is another option. Both are walkable from the historic district, so you can picnic and explore.
- Are there any dog-friendly spots for my pet?
- Mt Dora Dog Park at 1550 E 11th Ave, rated 4.4, is a dedicated off-leash area. For leashed walks, try Gilbert Park or Sunset Park. Always check local rules, as some parks may have specific pet restrictions.
- When is the best time to visit Mount Dora in an RV?
- The Mount Dora Arts Festival happens the first full weekend of February, and the Craft Fair in October draws over 350 exhibitors. These weekends are busy—reserve your RV spot early. For quieter visits, come in spring or fall when weather is mild.
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