Free things to do in Clermont: 22 city parks, a splash pad, lakefront trails, the Historic Village, library story times, dog parks and free city events.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Sources: the City of Clermont’s parks, trails, recreation, historic downtown and events pages, the Lake County Library System and Clermont Main Street. City Hall: 352-394-4081.
A lot of Clermont costs nothing. The city runs 22 parks and the Historic Village, all with free admission, and the lakefront along Lake Minneola links most of the best of them by a paved trail. Add the library, the Sunday farmers market and a run of free city events, and there is something free to do every weekend.
Top free picks
- Champions Splash Park, Waterfront Park
- Clermont/Minneola Trail, 5.2 paved miles along Lake Minneola
- Clermont Historic Village, weekends 1 to 4 p.m.
- Library & Me Storytime, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.
- Lake Hiawatha Preserve, dog parks and disc golf
Outdoors
- Walk or bike the lakefront. The paved Clermont/Minneola Trail runs 5.2 miles from West Beach along Lake Minneola into Minneola and joins the West Orange Trail. Start at the 8th Street Trailhead, which has restrooms. Distances and loops: walking and biking trails.
- Watch the sunset over Lake Minneola from Waterfront Park or Victory Pointe; the city says Lake Minneola’s sunsets “will take your breath away.”
- Cool off at the splash pad. Champions Splash Park, 100 3rd St., is free; in fall 2026 it is open weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 22.
- Fish from a pier. West Beach, 1215 Lake Minneola Drive, and Palatlakaha Park, 1250 12th St., both have fishing piers. Palatlakaha also has an 800-foot boardwalk through wetland.
- Walk the woods. Two trails at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center, 3700 S. U.S. Highway 27: a shaded, sandy half-mile loop and a 1-mile grassy loop, sunrise to sunset.
- Throw a disc. Champions Pointe Disc Golf Course is at Lake Hiawatha Preserve, 450 12th St., which also has two dog parks, a playground and a pavilion.
- Play pickleball or tennis. The city says courts at Lake Felter Park and Kehlor Recreation Park are open daily and lined for both, first come, first served.
History and culture
- Clermont Historic Village, West Avenue at Osceola Street: the Townsend House (around 1895), the Kern House (around 1885), the 1925-era depot, the original 1914 Cooper Memorial Library and a World War II museum in a Quonset hut. Open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; no charge for tours. Groups: 352-242-7734.
- Historic downtown. Walking the blocks around Montrose and Eighth streets costs nothing, and parking is free; the city provides more than 1,000 public spaces. See a guide to historic downtown Clermont.
- The National Register sites, the Clermont Woman’s Club and the Suggs VFW Post, are on our history and landmarks page.
The library
Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive:
- Library & Me Storytime, ages 2 to 4, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; no registration
- Weekly Kids Crafts kits on Tuesdays, while they last
- Adult programs on its events calendar, including game days and a crafters’ group
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: 352-536-2275.
Free events
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Scaremont: Halloween on the Trail, free trick-or-treating and costume contest | Waterfront Park |
| Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027 | Enchanted Forest of Trees, 100-plus lighted trees | Victory Pointe |
| Sat. Nov. 28, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Shop Small Saturday, free gift at check-in | 756 W. Montrose St. |
| Sat. Dec. 5, 2026, 10 a.m. | Clermont Christmas Parade | Downtown, from Waterfront Park |
| Sat. March 13, 2027, 9 a.m. | Pups in the Park, free | Lake Hiawatha Preserve |
| Sat. April 24, 2027 | Earth Day and Lake Cleanup, free | Lake Hiawatha Park |
Every Sunday, the Downtown Clermont Farmers Market is free to browse at 752 W. Montrose St. from 9 a.m. And Main Street’s monthly Wine Stroll is ticketed for tasting, but “strolling is always free.”
On the farm
- Southern Hill Farms, 16651 Schofield Road, charges no admission for its seasonal u-pick; you pay only for what you pick.
Related: kids’ activities, parks and trails and things to do this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Are Clermont city parks free?
Yes. The City of Clermont maintains 22 parks and the Clermont Historic Village, and says all parks have free admission.
Is the Clermont Historic Village free?
Yes. The Historic Village at West Avenue and Osceola Street is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and the city says there is no charge for tours.
What free events does Clermont hold?
The city’s free events include Scaremont at Waterfront Park on Oct. 27, 2026, Pups in the Park at Lake Hiawatha Preserve on March 13, 2027, and the Earth Day festival and lake cleanup on April 24, 2027.
Where can I play pickleball for free in Clermont?
The city says courts at Lake Felter Park and Kehlor Recreation Park are open daily, lined for pickleball and tennis, first come, first served.
Is the Clermont splash pad free?
Yes. Champions Splash Park at Waterfront Park is free. In fall 2026 it is open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Nov. 22.
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