Tag: hiking trails

5 Things to Do In and Around Clermont, Florida

Quick – name five fun facts about Clermont, Florida! OK, we’ll do it for you – it is nicknamed the “Choice of Champions” as many Olympic athletes train here; it is named after a French town which was the birthplace of the town’s founder; it is home to the Citrus Tower, an iconic Florida landmark; it’s located less than 20 miles from Orlando; and unlike the majority of Florida’s terrain, Clermont is hilly making it great for challenging bike rides! Here’s a bonus fun fact – it is home to three fabulous glamping locations – Thousand Trails Orlando, Encore Clerbrook RV & Golf Resort and Encore Lake Magic! So, make a rezzie and come explore this interesting little city in Central Florida and check out these five things we found to do here. 

Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando
Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando

1. The Presidents Hall of Fame: Long before the Magic Kingdom was the big draw in the Orlando area, the Presidents Hall of Fame drew tourists in. This interesting attraction features life-sized wax figures of all the US Presidents in a setting designed to mimic the White House. In addition to the presidents, there is also campaign memorabilia, lots of history facts and even a mini replica of Mount Rushmore. For details, visit https://www.thehistorycenter.org/the-presidents-hall-of-fame/. 

2. The Citrus Tower: Another attraction that pre-dates the theme parks in Central Florida is the Citrus Tower, a 226-foot-tall tower with an observation deck with panoramic views that was built in 1956 to provide visitors a birds-eye view of the vast citrus fields below. Check out citrustower.com for more information.  

Villa at Encore Clerbrook RV & Golf Resort
Villa at Encore Clerbrook RV & Golf Resort

3. Lake Louisa State Park: If you’re here for the outdoor adventure, then you’ll love Lake Louisa State Park which offers three lakes for water fun including fishing, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding; seven miles of paved bike trails; plus another 20 miles of unpaved trails for hiking, walking and wildlife viewing which can include deer, bobcats, and raccoons while birders can enjoy the chance to glimpse bald eagles, ospreys, sandhill cranes and wild turkeys.  

Vacation Cottage at Encore Lake Magic
Vacation Cottage at Encore Lake Magic

4. Libation Look-sees: There are breweries to visit here as well as the Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. Billed as Florida’s largest winery, Lakeridge (lakeridgewinery.com) is open daily for guided tours and tastings and offers “Weekends at the Winery” with live music, food and wines by the glass at their outdoor bar. For a brewery vibe, check out Suncreek Brewery, located in the historic downtown area of Clermont, which in addition to their craft brews, has three restaurants and a merch store! 

Manatees in Crystal River, FL
Manatees in Crystal River, FL

5. Nearby of Note: Of course, Clermont is less than 30 miles from Orlando, so all the fun of the theme parks is a short distance away. Options for small town charm include Winter Garden, with its historic downtown and access to the West Orange Trail, a 22-mile, paved multi-use trail; or Mt. Dora, which is home to the Sydonie Mansion, a national historic landmark built in 1883. For a bit of a longer drive, consider heading west to Crystal River, known as Florida’s “Manatee Capital”, which is about 65 miles away.  

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5 Things to Do in Mesa, AZ

If you’re headed to Mesa, Arizona in the next month or so, you know there is no reason to shy away from the weather. In fact, if you’re planning a glamping trip with a stay at one of our fabulous glamping resorts, Viewpoint RV & Golf Resort or Monte Vista RV Resort, plan to spend as much time in the sun as you can. Of course, there are interesting indoor activities too. Here is a little roundup of what you can do if you’re doing a winter glamping getaway to the area. 

Glamping cottage at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort
Glamping cottage at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort

1. Usery Mountain Regional Park: To borrow a phrase from the film, Step Brothers, Usery Mountain Regional Park has “so much room for activities.” At over 3600 acres of desert lands, you can find just about any outdoor activity you might desire here from archery and biking to stargazing and picnicking. Hiking trails include the moderate and very popular Wind Cave Trail; the easy Merkle Trail, which can accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and other mobility equipment; and the moderate Pass Mountain trail which leads to the mountain’s summit. There are also roughly 29 miles of mountain biking trails ranging from easy to difficult; a 5-star archery range; plenty of picnic tables, a model airplane flying site, an outdoor fitness area and plenty of activities led by the park ranger staff.  

2. Fresh Foodie Trail: With all the fresh air and activity, you’ll want to eat good so why not try something unique? The Fresh Foodie Trail is a 52-mile trail that includes local farms, wineries, farmers markets, and eateries featuring some of the best of the local offerings from wines, produce and baked good to artisan olive oils. For details on the interesting way to explore the area, head to visitmesa.com/restaurants/fresh-foodie. 

Landscape view of The Apache Trail
The Apache Trail

3. The Apache Trail: How about a 65-mile round trip drive that traces the path of the Native Americans as well as early settlers to the area. The Trail includes miles and miles of desert wilderness with the rugged Superstition Mountains towering over. You can stop and visit a reconstructed ghost town (Goldfield), stop at the historic Tortilla Flat, a stagecoach stop complete with the Superstition Saloon or check out Lost Dutchman State Park to learn about the legendary lost gold mine.   

Pool at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort
Pool at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort

4. Taliesin West: As both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, not to mention an architectural masterpiece by the world-renowned Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West also served as Wright’s beloved winter home and studio. Built in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, the home was designed to incorporate local materials like desert rock and sand to stand in harmony with the landscape. There are several ways to explore this magnificent tribute to FLW from self-guided tours to hikes. To see what strikes your fancy, visit franklloydwright.org.  

5. Wild Horses: If you want to see something unique, visit the Tonto National Forest to see if you can catch a glimpse of the Salt River wild horses that roam the area and are said to be descendants of the horses brought here by Spanish settlers in the 16th and 17th century. The horses tend to gather near the water in the forest and prime viewing spots include the Blue Point and Coon Bluff Recreation areas. Go to visitmesa.com for more information and tips on how to view these magnificent creatures.  

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