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 20
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 20
Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead
20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34715
Meeting Place for Trip 44
20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34715
Meeting Place for Trip 44
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 Trip 10
4500 Dallas Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32833.
The actual entrance is located at: https://goo.gl/maps/a7LNonHEP729WuWt5
Meeting Place for Trip 10
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 67 and 68
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 67 and 68
Ocala National Forest
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767
Meeting Place for Trip 39
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
24511 Co Rd 42, Paisley, FL 32767
Meeting Place for Trip 39
Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR) Park Wildlife Conservation Area
4800 Univ. Ave.
Leesburg, FL 34748
Meeting Place for Trip 56
4800 Univ. Ave.
Leesburg, FL 34748
Meeting Place for Trip 56
Pine Meadows Conservation Area
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Rd, Eustis, FL 32726
Meeting Place for Trip 29
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Rd, Eustis, FL 32726
Meeting Place for Trip 29
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.
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.
T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Broadmoor Marsh
3200 T. M. Goodwin Rd., Fellsmere, 32948
Meeting Place for Trip 5
3200 T. M. Goodwin Rd., Fellsmere, 32948
Meeting Place for Trip 5
Trimble Park
5802 Trimble Park Rd, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Meeting Place for Trip 17
5802 Trimble Park Rd, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Meeting Place for Trip 17
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area
3365 Taylor Creek Road Christmas, FL 32709
Meeting Place for Trip 12
3365 Taylor Creek Road Christmas, FL 32709
Meeting Place for Trip 12
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
Meeting Place for many trips and site of Friday and Saturday keynotes
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
Meeting Place for many trips and site of Friday and Saturday keynotes
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.
321 S Lake Cortez Drive, Apopka, FL, 32703.
(407) 880-7861
Estimated 23 minutes to McDonald Canal, 16 miles.
Close to Wekiwa Springs State Park.
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.
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.
Close to Wekiwa Springs State Park.
The festival was only able to secure 12 rooms on a group rate (with reservations cancellable 24 hours in advance). Call 407-880-7861 or book online from their website entering the dates needed using group code NSB under "Special Rates" https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mcoakhx-hampton-suites-orlando-apopka/
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).
Youth Camp Cabins
The North Shore Birding Festival has booked the Wekiwa Springs State Park Youth Camp for Thursday, December 1st through Monday, December 5th.
The North Shore Birding Festival has booked the Wekiwa Springs State Park Youth Camp for Thursday, December 1st through Monday, December 5th.
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.
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).