Locations
C.S. Lee Park and Little Big Econ State Forest
Drive 15 miles east of US 17-92 on SR 46 just before crossing the St. Johns River. The state forest is on the south side of SR 46 just before the St. Johns River and C.S. Lee Park on the left.
Possible meeting place for Fri 15
Drive 15 miles east of US 17-92 on SR 46 just before crossing the St. Johns River. The state forest is on the south side of SR 46 just before the St. Johns River and C.S. Lee Park on the left.
Possible meeting place for Fri 15
Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead
20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34715
Meeting Place for Sun 8
20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34715
Meeting Place for Sun 8
Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park
4500 Dallas Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32833.
The actual entrance is located at: https://goo.gl/maps/a7LNonHEP729WuWt5
Meeting Place for Fri 1
4500 Dallas Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32833.
The actual entrance is located at: https://goo.gl/maps/a7LNonHEP729WuWt5
Meeting Place for Fri 1
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
2850 Lust Rd
Apopka, FL 32703
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and most Federal Holidays, entry 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; exit by 5:00 p.m.
2850 Lust Rd
Apopka, FL 32703
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and most Federal Holidays, entry 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; exit by 5:00 p.m.
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, 2045 Mud Lake Road, De Leon Springs, FL 32130
Meeting Place for Fri 9
Meeting Place for Fri 9
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
From I-95, take Exit 220 (Titusville, SR 406). Drive east on SR406, also known as Garden Street. Continue east on Garden Street for 4 miles and travel over the Max Brewer Causeway Bridge. The Refuge begins on the east side of the causeway. Meeting Place for Mon 6.
From I-95, take Exit 220 (Titusville, SR 406). Drive east on SR406, also known as Garden Street. Continue east on Garden Street for 4 miles and travel over the Max Brewer Causeway Bridge. The Refuge begins on the east side of the causeway. Meeting Place for Mon 6.
Ocala National Forest
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767
Meeting Place for Sun 2
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767
Meeting Place for Sun 2
Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR) Park Wildlife Conservation Area
4800 Univ. Ave.
Leesburg, FL 34748
Meeting Place for Mon 2
4800 Univ. Ave.
Leesburg, FL 34748
Meeting Place for Mon 2
Pine Meadows Conservation Area
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Rd, Eustis, FL 32726
Meeting Place for Sat 8
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Rd, Eustis, FL 32726
Meeting Place for Sat 8
Seminole State Forest
SR 46, Bear Pond Trailhead
Mount Dora, FL 32757
This is the South Entrance,
just west of the Wekiva River Bridge. Approx
14 miles west of Sanford.Meeting Place for Mon 5
SR 46, Bear Pond Trailhead
Mount Dora, FL 32757
This is the South Entrance,
just west of the Wekiva River Bridge. Approx
14 miles west of Sanford.Meeting Place for Mon 5
T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Broadmoor Marsh
3200 T. M. Goodwin Rd., Fellsmere, 32948
Meeting Place for Thurs 7
3200 T. M. Goodwin Rd., Fellsmere, 32948
Meeting Place for Thurs 7
Trimble Park
5802 Trimble Park Rd, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Meeting Place for Fri 8
5802 Trimble Park Rd, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Meeting Place for Fri 8
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area
3365 Taylor Creek Road Christmas, FL 32709
Meeting Place for Fri 2
3365 Taylor Creek Road Christmas, FL 32709
Meeting Place for Fri 2
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
Meeting Place for Fri 6, Fri 16 and Mon 4
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
Meeting Place for Fri 6, Fri 16 and Mon 4
Where to Stay During the NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL
The hotels listed below are those the festival organizers have worked with in the past.
There are also some camping options, listed below.
321 S Lake Cortez Drive, Apopka, FL, 32703.
(407) 880-7861
Estimated 23 minutes to McDonald Canal, 16 miles.
Hotels
Please note that it is "high season" for hotels in Central Florida. Less expensive rates can be found closer to Orlando's tourist area ( International Drive or US-192), but it will take more time to get to the field trip sites.
Please note that it is "high season" for hotels in Central Florida. Less expensive rates can be found closer to Orlando's tourist area ( International Drive or US-192), but it will take more time to get to the field trip sites.
Note that each field trip starts at a different location, but that many on Saturday and Sunday start at the McDonald Canal Pavilion, 24600 CR 448A, Mount Dora, Florida 32757. That is where box lunches are served for trips that indicate that they include a box lunch.
Featured hotels
Hampton Inn and Suites Orlando - Apopka321 S Lake Cortez Drive, Apopka, FL, 32703.
(407) 880-7861
Estimated 23 minutes to McDonald Canal, 16 miles.
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Leesburg/Mt.Dora
9700 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL 34788.
(352) 315-1234
Estimated 24 minutes to McDonald Canal, 15 miles.
This hotel is 5.8 mi from Venetian Gardens, a pleasant place for walks on your own and easy place to see Purple Gallinules.
9700 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL 34788.
(352) 315-1234
Estimated 24 minutes to McDonald Canal, 15 miles.
This hotel is 5.8 mi from Venetian Gardens, a pleasant place for walks on your own and easy place to see Purple Gallinules.
Other suggestions
Fairfield Inn and Suites Ocoee
10971 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.
(407) 573-1010
Estimated 28 minutes to McDonald Canal, 22.2 miles (tolls on SR 429).
10971 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.
(407) 573-1010
Estimated 28 minutes to McDonald Canal, 22.2 miles (tolls on SR 429).
Orange County has several nearby county parks with RV/tent sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Site rental, per night for non-Orange County residents is $ 23.00; for non-Orange County Seniors (55 and older) is $17.25 per night; for Orange County resident is $18.00; for Orange County Seniors (55 and older) is $13.50 per night. Online link
Contact the park directly at the numbers below.
Magnolia Park, 2929 South Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703, 407-886-4231
Magnolia Park has 18 RV/tent sites.
Magnolia Park has 18 RV/tent sites.
Trimble Park, 5802 Trimble Park Road, Mt. Dora, FL 32757, 352-383-1993
Trimble Park has 15 RV/tent sites
Trimble Park has 15 RV/tent sites
Kelly Park/Camp Joy, 400 East Kelly Park Road, Apopka, FL 32712, 407-254-1902. Kelly Park has 26 RV/tent sites
Clarcona Horseman’s Park, 3535 Damon Road, Apopka, FL 32703, 407-254-9010. Clarcona Horse Park has 28 RV/tent sites
Some commercial campground options are:
Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA, 3800 W Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, FL 32712, Reservations: (800) 562-5634, (407) 886-3260
Lake County also has commercial campgrounds near the Lake Apopka North Shore listed at this link.
Closest to the McDonald Canal field trip meeting site are Fisherman's Cove/Lake Harris Resort in Tavares (13 minutes), Palm Gardens Marina and RV Park in Tavares (20 minutes), Rolling Ridge RV Resort and Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort in Clermont (both 20 minutes), and Bee's RV Resort in Clermont (21 minutes).