Clermont's trails: the 5.2-mile paved Clermont/Minneola Trail on Lake Minneola, the South Lake Trail to the West Orange Trail, ARC woods loops and trailheads.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Distances, amenities and hours come from the City of Clermont’s trails page and its facility listings, linked below. Park problems: Public Services, 352-394-7177.
Clermont is built for trail users. The city earned the state’s Trail Town designation in 2018 from the Florida Greenways and Trails System, is certified as a Runner-Friendly and Bicycle-Friendly Community, and sits at the halfway point of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail. The city counts 7.28 miles of trail inside its limits, most of it paved and along the south shore of Lake Minneola.
Trails at a glance
- Clermont/Minneola Trail: 5.2 paved miles from West Beach along Lake Minneola into Minneola
- South Lake Trail: Clermont’s link in the Coast-to-Coast Trail, east to the West Orange Trail
- ARC walking trails: a half-mile sandy loop and a 1-mile grassy loop, sunrise to sunset
- Start here: 8th Street Trailhead, restrooms and pavilion, by downtown
Clermont/Minneola Trail
The Clermont/Minneola Trail is a 5.2-mile paved trail that starts at West Beach and runs along Lake Minneola through Clermont and Minneola, reaching the Lake-Sumter State College and UCF campus. It is open to jogging, biking, skating, hiking and strolling, and it connects to the West Orange Trail.
Along the way:
- West Beach, 1215 Lake Minneola Drive: restrooms, fishing pier, playground, picnic area and beach
- Waterfront Park, 100 3rd St.: the festival lawn, Champions Splash Park and the boat ramp next door
- Victory Pointe, 938 Victory Way: a 10-acre park with its own trails, built around a stormwater system that cleans water flowing into Lake Minneola
- 8th Street Trailhead: the downtown stop (below)
South Lake Trail and the Coast-to-Coast Trail
Clermont’s South Lake Trail is the city’s stretch of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail. The city lists restrooms, shade, benches, information kiosks, wayfinding signs, water fountains and showers along it. Points of interest include the National Training Center, South Lake Hospital, the Special Olympics Florida campus by way of the Hancock Extension Trail, Lake-Sumter State College and Cooper Memorial Library.
Eastbound, the trail crosses into Orange County and becomes the West Orange Trail, which runs into Winter Garden, about 8 miles east of Clermont. FDOT is extending the South Lake Trail west through Groveland; see road construction and closures.
Arts and Recreation Center walking trails
The ARC walking trails, 3700 S. U.S. Highway 27, are two unpaved loops:
- North trail: a naturally shaded, sandy half-mile trail through a small patch of woods
- South trail: a 1-mile grassy loop around a larger wooded area
Both are open sunrise to sunset daily.
Shorter walks
- Palatlakaha Park, 1250 12th St.: a fitness trail, a fishing pier and nature walk, and an 800-foot boardwalk through wetland
- Lake Hiawatha Preserve, 450 12th St.: a 220-acre passive park, open sunrise to sunset, with dog parks and the Champions Pointe Disc Golf Course
Trailheads and parking
| Start | Where | What’s there |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Street Trailhead | Eighth Street and Minneola Avenue | Picnic area, covered bell tower pavilion, restrooms; next to historic downtown |
| West Beach | 1215 Lake Minneola Drive | Restrooms, fishing pier, playground |
| Waterfront Park | 100 3rd St. | Festival lawn, splash pad |
| Arts and Recreation Center | 3700 S. U.S. Highway 27 | Walking trails |
Downtown has more than 1,000 free public parking spaces, the city says; its downtown parking map (PDF) shows the lots closest to the trail.
Rules and tips
- City parks are open from dawn to dusk under the city code.
- Dogs must be leashed off their owner’s property; see dog-friendly Clermont.
- The trail is shared by walkers, runners, skaters and cyclists. Races start at Waterfront Park and Victory Pointe on many weekend mornings; the city’s special events list (PDF) and our things to do page show what is coming.
The master plan
The city’s trails page describes two master plan pieces: the Legacy Loop Trail, linking the South Lake Trail into the downtown core through Victory Pointe, and the Meet Us in the Middle Plaza, a trailhead marking the midpoint of the Coast-to-Coast Trail.
Related: parks and trails in Clermont and free things to do in Clermont.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the trail around Lake Minneola in Clermont?
The paved Clermont/Minneola Trail runs 5.2 miles from West Beach along Lake Minneola through Clermont and Minneola, and connects to the West Orange Trail. The city counts 7.28 miles of trail inside the city limits.
Where do I park for the Clermont trail?
The 8th Street Trailhead at Eighth Street and Minneola Avenue has a picnic area, a covered bell tower pavilion and restrooms, next to downtown’s free public parking. West Beach, 1215 Lake Minneola Drive, also has restrooms.
Is the Clermont trail paved?
Yes. The Clermont/Minneola Trail is paved and open to joggers, cyclists, skaters, hikers and walkers. The two walking trails at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center are sandy and grassy.
Can you bike from Clermont to Winter Garden?
Yes. The Clermont/Minneola Trail and South Lake Trail connect to the West Orange Trail at the Orange County line, which continues east into Winter Garden, about 8 miles from Clermont.
Why is Clermont called a Trail Town?
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Greenways and Trails System designated Clermont a Trail Town in 2018. The city also sits at the halfway point of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail.
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