Clermont and South Lake County offer a distinctive mix of rolling hills, lakes, neighborhoods, and outdoor recreation in Central Florida. From Clermont’s established communities and waterfront properties to the growing areas of Minneola, Groveland, Montverde, and Mascotte, South Lake offers a variety of places to call home.
Whether you’re looking for a newer home, a well-established neighborhood, lakefront property, acreage, or convenient access to Orlando, the area offers options for a wide range of lifestyles.
South Lake generally refers to the southern portion of Lake County, including Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, Montverde, and Mascotte, along with surrounding communities throughout the area.
The first thing most people notice about Clermont is something they weren’t expecting in Florida: hills. Real ones. Clermont sits along Florida’s ridge, surrounded by lakes, and that landscape has helped make the area especially popular with runners, cyclists and triathletes. The South Lake Trail runs right through the lakefront, and Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola is one of those places that really feels like the center of the community.
But Clermont also has an older story. The Florida Citrus Tower still stands above town as a reminder of the miles of citrus groves that once surrounded it. Built in 1956, it was one of Florida’s early roadside attractions. Today, Clermont looks very different from the little citrus town it once was—but the lakes, hills and pieces of that history are still very much part of its personality.
I’ve watched Clermont change enormously over the years, and I think understanding both the old Clermont and the new one is important when you’re deciding where you want to live.
Clermont and South Lake County offer plenty of options for getting outdoors and staying active. Waterfront Park sits along Lake Minneola and connects with the South Lake Trail, part of the larger regional trail network. Lake Hiawatha Preserve encompasses 220 acres and includes walking areas, dog parks, a playground, picnic facilities and the Champions Pointe Disc Golf Course. The area is also known for the Clermont Chain of Lakes, along with boating, fishing and other water recreation.
Clermont is also home to the Orlando Health National Training Center, with fitness, aquatics and athletic facilities, while the City of Clermont operates numerous additional parks and recreation facilities throughout the area.
If schools are important to your decision, I can point you toward independent resources where you can research current school assignments, programs and other information directly. Because school boundaries and assignments can change, I always recommend confirming information with the appropriate school district.
South Lake County offers a wide range of communities, and each area has its own character. Explore current homes for sale throughout Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, Montverde, Mascotte, and the surrounding communities.
