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.
Meeting Place for Trip 13
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.
Meeting Place for Trip 13
Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead
20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34715
Meeting Place for Trip 23
20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34715
Meeting Place for Trip 23
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.
Magnolia Park
2929 S Binion Road
Apopka, FL 32703
Lakeside portion closed for renovations this winter. A good site for sunsets
2929 S Binion Road
Apopka, FL 32703
Lakeside portion closed for renovations this winter. A good site for sunsets
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 Trip 53 and 54
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 Trip 53 and 54
Ocala National Forest
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767
Meeting Place for Trip 32
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767
Meeting Place for Trip 32
Pine Meadows Conservation Area
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Rd, Eustis, FL 32726
Meeting Place for Trip 49
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Rd, Eustis, FL 32726
Meeting Place for Trip 49
Seminole State Forest
SR 46, Bear Pond Trailhead
Mount Dora, FL 32757
This is the South Entrance,
just west of the Wekiva River Bridge. Approximately
14 miles west of Sanford.
Meeting Place for Trip 14
SR 46, Bear Pond Trailhead
Mount Dora, FL 32757
This is the South Entrance,
just west of the Wekiva River Bridge. Approximately
14 miles west of Sanford.
Meeting Place for Trip 14
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
Meeting Place for many trips and site of Friday and Saturday keynotes and star program
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
Meeting Place for many trips and site of Friday and Saturday keynotes and star program
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 limited camping options, listed below.
Youth Camp Cabins
The North Shore Birding Festival has booked the Wekiwa Springs State Park Youth Camp for Thursday, December 2nd, through Monday, December 6th.
The North Shore Birding Festival has booked the Wekiwa Springs State Park Youth Camp for Thursday, December 2nd, through Monday, December 6th.
This year all leader cabins are being utilized by our trip leaders, but student (primitive) cabins are available for rent by participants during the festival. These student cabins have bunk beds and shared bathrooms in an adjacent building. Book one for $135 including tax for the four-day festival -- one person pays and any roommates pay that person their portion. Normally 10 people fit into a student cabin, but during COVID times, we suggest a limit of 4 people, all of whom must be registrants in several festival events. Photos of the cabins are included in the college student scholarship information. Email festival@orangeaudubonfl.org to reserve. Advance payment will be necessary.
Hotels
Please note that it is "high season" for hotels in Central Florida. You can find less expensive rates closer to the International Drive or US -192 tourist area, 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. You can find less expensive rates closer to the International Drive or US -192 tourist area, 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 most trips start at the McDonald Canal Pavilion, 24600 CR 448A, Mount Dora, Florida 32757.
Hampton Inn and Suites Orlando - Apopka321 S Lake Cortez Drive, Apopka, FL, 32703.
(407) 880-7861
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 23 minutes without traffic, no tolls, 16 miles.
Also close to Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Leesburg/Mt.Dora
9700 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL 34788.
(352) 315-1234
Travel time from hotel to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 24 minutes without traffic, with tolls, 15 miles.
This hotel is 5.8 mi from Venetian Gardens, an easy place to see Purple Gallinules.
9700 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL 34788.
(352) 315-1234
Travel time from hotel to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 24 minutes without traffic, with tolls, 15 miles.
This hotel is 5.8 mi from Venetian Gardens, an easy place to see Purple Gallinules.
Other suggestions
580 E. Main Street, Apopka, FL 32703(407) 703-4493
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 28 minutes without traffic, 15 miles.
Fairfield Inn and Suites Ocoee
10971 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.
(407) 573-1010
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 28 minutes without traffic, 22.2 miles (there are tolls on SR 429).
Hampton Inn Mount Dora10971 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.
(407) 573-1010
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 28 minutes without traffic, 22.2 miles (there are tolls on SR 429).
19700 US Highway 441, Mount Dora, FL 32757
(800) 426-7866 (800-HAMPTON)
This hotel is 10.7 miles from McDonald Canal; 14–20 min., no tolls.
Hampton Inn - Leesburg Tavares
9630 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL, 34788.
(352) 315-1053
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 23 minutes without traffic, no tolls, 16 miles. 5.8 mi from Venetian Gardens, an easy place to see Purple Gallinules.
9630 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL, 34788.
(352) 315-1053
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 23 minutes without traffic, no tolls, 16 miles. 5.8 mi from Venetian Gardens, an easy place to see Purple Gallinules.
Oakland Manor House
620 N. Tubb St., Oakland, FL 34760.
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 30 minutes without traffic, with tolls, 23.4 miles
A boutique inn and B&B on the southern shore of Lake Apopka with 5 rooms.
(407) 614-8219 or email: info@oaklandmanorhouse.com.
620 N. Tubb St., Oakland, FL 34760.
Travel time to McDonald Canal Pavilion - estimated 30 minutes without traffic, with tolls, 23.4 miles
A boutique inn and B&B on the southern shore of Lake Apopka with 5 rooms.
(407) 614-8219 or email: info@oaklandmanorhouse.com.
Camping
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.
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).