Natural Sites

Lake Apopka

Lake Apopka was once the second largest lake in Florida and one of the top spots in the world for freshwater sport fishing. At one time there were at least 21 fish camps on the shore of the lake. The water was so clear that it was said that a fisherman could look in the water and pick out the fish he wanted to catch. Massive drainage of wetlands for agriculture decreased the size of Lake Apopka and waste discharges from local municipalities, industry, and nutrient laden runoff from farms turned the lake pea green with algae and doomed the sport fishing industry. Due to legislation enacted in 1996, the St. John’s River Water Management District has embarked on a 25 to 50 year, $185 million project to restore the lake to a Class III water body. Currently boating, fishing and canoeing are popular on Lake Apopka as restoration efforts continue.

Lake County Blueways

Lake Apopka North Shore

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s North Shore Restoration Area is composed of 20,068 acres on the northern shore of Lake Apopka. Most of the Restoration Area is composed of former muck farms, which were once either marsh or lake bottom.

More than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails cross the area. Visitors can also experience the wildlife via the Wildlife Drive along the eastern end (generally open Friday through Sunday and Federal holidays). Multiple observation towers can be accessed in the Clay Island area. Trailheads include Clay Island, North Shore, Magnolia Park and the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead.

Scenic Vistas

One of the most amazing things about the Green Mountain Scenic Byway are the vistas, nature’s décor! At the north end of the byway and just minutes from Orlando, Sugarloaf Mountain boasts some of the best views of the Lake Apopka region. Yes, there is a mountain in Florida! Sugarloaf Mountain is the highest point in peninsular Florida at 312 feet above sea level, and the stunning views are worth the trip.

The byway continues through a lowland hammock known originally as Compton’s Hammock. The hammock has also become known as the Cabbage Patch, after a notorious roadhouse of that name that was located among the cabbage palms in the hammock back in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Large oaks, maples and sweet gums line the road, and rare Needle Palms, hapidophyllum hystrix, are found along the right-of-way.

Endangered Species

If you look hard you can see many different varieties, Clasping Warea (Warea amplexifolia) and Scrub Pigeon-Wing (Clitoria fragrans), are just a few of the endangered plant species you can find along the Byway.

Both plants are U.S. and Florida State listed endangered on the Ferndale Ridge, part of the Lake Wales Ridge within the corridor.  Pigeon-wings have been found in Orange County but have not been found in Lake since 1910.  These plants are threatened by the loss of habitat.  Photo of the Warea courtesy of Ed Gonzalez, Ferndale.  Photo of the Pigeon-wings courtesy of Ramona Phipps, Oakland.

The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT)

The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This 2000-mile, self-guided highway trail is a collection of 489 birding sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent birding or bird education opportunities. The GFBT is designed to conserve and enhance Florida’s bird habitat by promoting birding activities, conservation education and economic opportunity.

More info: floridabirdingtrail.com

Some Segments of the GFBT near Green Mountain Scenic Byway include:
Lake Apopka North Shore

Ferndale Preserve

The 192-acre Ferndale Preserve is located on the western shore of Lake Apopka. It offers equestrian, multi-purpose, and hiking trails, all with amazing views of Lake Apopka as well as a playground and informational kiosk.  The preserve, once an orange grove is being restored to a longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem. There are many plant and animal species to be observed, even some endangered tree species. Lake County’s Park Rangers lead regularly scheduled nature hikes along with bird and butterfly surveys. The preserve has plans for a fishing pier, kayak/canoe launch, observation tower, a scenic pavilion, and a boardwalk through the wet deciduous woodland.

Ferndale Preserve
19220 County Rd 455,
Clermont, FL 34715

West Orange Trail

The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile world-class rail-trail, which travels through the communities of Oakland, Winter Garden and Apopka just minutes from Orlando.  It also connects with the South Lake Trail heading west.  Some things to see on the trail are a xeriscape/butterfly garden about a mile east of the Oakland Outpost, the Winter Garden Historical Museum and beautiful views of Lake Apopka. The trail also provides access to Clarcona Horseman’s Park, with an equestrian staging area for their visit. The West Orange trail is a significant segment of the nearly-completed Lake Apopka Loop trail and will also be a component of the 250 mile Coast to Coast Trail that will connect St Petersburg to Titusville.

West Orange Trail

The South Lake Trail

The 12.6-mile South Lake Trail connects to the 22-mile West Orange Trail at the Killarney Station Trailhead, which is located on the Byway in Oakland. The trail then connects to the 6.1-mile Hancock Trail. The South Lake Trail is a segment of the Coast to Coast Trail.  South Lake and Hancock Trails are also part of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail.  These trails provide access to the Cooper Memorial Library, the Minneola Athletic Complex, Minneola Trailhead Park, as well as parks in Clermont including Waterfront Park and the Lake Hiawatha Preserve.

South Lake Trail Map