Guides · Clermont, Florida
Clermont in Winter: Hills, Lakes & Training Season
Clermont was settled in 1884, incorporated, disbanded, and reincorporated—and outlived the crop that built it. What remains is the hilliest ground in peninsular Florida, spring-fed lakes, and an athlete-fueled economy that makes winter the busiest season.
Clermont's History: From Citrus Boom to Hill Town
Clermont's founding dates to 1884, when the Clermont Improvement Company, managed by A.F. Wrotnowski, named the settlement for his French hometown. The town incorporated on 9 June 1891, disbanded on 25 May 1895, and came back as a city on 28 December 1916. For the first half of the twentieth century, orange groves drove everything. The Florida Citrus Tower, built in 1956, stood as a monument to that economy—one of the state's earliest roadside landmarks, raised to celebrate an industry that would collapse within decades. Repeated freezes and suburban development finished what the cold started. The hills were always the real asset; the citrus was just what grew on them.
Lake Minneola in Winter: Quiet Lakeside Activities
Waterfront Park sits on Lake Minneola with swimming access, fishing piers, and a playground—none of which close for winter. The chill keeps the crowds down, which is the point. The park also hosts Pig on the Pond, the biggest event in south Lake County, drawing more than 20,000 people over three days. Run by Project Scholars, the 2026 edition was the 27th. It's a winter anchor, not a summer afterthought.
Why Winter Is Peak Training Season in Clermont
Clermont adopted the slogan "Choice of Champions" in 2014, and it's earned, not aspirational. The National Training Center opened in 2001 and turned this former citrus town into a destination for endurance athletes escaping northern winters. Winter is peak season: cyclists, triathletes, and runners come to train on hills that don't exist anywhere else in the region. You don't have to be an athlete to benefit—the same roads and trails that draw pros are open to anyone with decent shoes.
Where to Eat in Clermont: Breakfast to Dinner Options
After a morning on the hills, the dining strip along Hwy 27 and Hwy 50 delivers without requiring a second drive. The cluster includes IHOP at 2589 S Hwy 27, Keke's Breakfast Cafe at 2435 S Hwy 27, and Pepe's Cantina Clermont at 794 W Minneola Ave. For dinner, Outback Steakhouse at 1625 E Hwy 50, Texas Roadhouse at 2457 S Hwy 27, and Miller's Ale House at 1555 S Grand Hwy are all within a few minutes of each other. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store sits at 1520 E Hwy 50 for the travelers' standby. These are chain restaurants, but they're concentrated, reliable, and positioned exactly where you'll be after a hike or a lake session.
| Restaurant | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| IHOP | 4.7 |
| Keke's Breakfast Cafe | 4.7 |
| Pepe's Cantina Clermont | 4.7 |
| Miller's Ale House | 4.6 |
| Outback Steakhouse | 4.6 |
| Texas Roadhouse | 4.5 |
| Carrabba's Italian Grill | 4.5 |
| Olive Garden Italian Restaurant | 4.4 |
| Culver's | 4.4 |
| Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | 4.2 |
| Ruby Tuesday | 4.2 |
| Denny's Restaurant | 4.0 |
| Steak 'n Shake | 3.8 |
A Day Trip Over the Ridge: Mount Dora, Dade City, and Beyond
Clermont works as a base, not a destination-only stop. Mount Dora is 21 miles away and hosts the Mount Dora Arts Festival and the Mount Dora Craft Fair. Dade City, 35 miles south, runs the Kumquat Festival—a winter event celebrating a fruit that, unlike citrus, still has a local industry. Altamonte Springs is 25 miles out for Red Hot & Boom, and Sanford's Porchfest is 36 miles away. The hills make the drives scenic; the festivals make them worthwhile.
The Numbers of a Winter Haven
The census data shows a town with a permanent core and a light seasonal overlay. Population sits at 44,984 with a median age of 42.4. Of 18,718 housing units, only 558 are held for seasonal or recreational use—about 3 percent. Vacant units number 1,800. Median household income is $79,789, median home value is $368,600, and median gross rent is $1,774. The unemployment rate is 5.9 percent. A third of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These are not boomtown numbers; they're stability numbers. The citrus is gone, but the town built on it didn't leave.
Common questions
- What is there to do in Clermont in winter?
- Hit Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola for swimming, fishing, and the playground, or explore Lake Louisa State Park. The hills are steepest in peninsular Florida, so bring legs. Restaurants like Pepe's Cantina and Keke's Breakfast Cafe stay open year-round.
- Is the Florida Citrus Tower still worth seeing?
- Yes, the 1956 tower still stands, but the groves it celebrated are mostly gone. It's a roadside landmark that outlived its industry—worth a look for the view and the irony, not for citrus.
- What's the best place to eat in Clermont?
- Top-rated options include IHOP (4.7 stars, 7616 reviews) and Pepe's Cantina (4.7, 4978). Keke's Breakfast Cafe also scores 4.7. For steak, Outback Steakhouse (4.6) or Texas Roadhouse (4.5) are solid. All are in Clermont.
- Are there any big events in Clermont during winter?
- Pig on the Pond runs three days at Waterfront Park, drawing over 20,000 people—it's the biggest event in south Lake County. The 2026 edition was the 27th. It's run by Project Scholars, a non-profit.
- How hilly is Clermont really?
- It's the steepest ground in peninsular Florida, with hills from old citrus groves that freezes killed. The climbs are real—bring a bike or good shoes. The National Training Center, established 2001, made it the 'Choice of Champions' in 2014.
- What's the weather like in Clermont in winter?
- Winter is mild, but freezes historically wiped out the citrus. Expect cool mornings and pleasant afternoons—good for hiking at Lake Louisa State Park or strolling Waterfront Park. Pack layers, not shorts only.
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