Every year as February rolls around, I start getting calls from people who waited too long to book a hotel room in Mount Dora for the Arts Festival — and honestly, I’m glad they call me instead. The Mount Dora Arts Festival draws somewhere north of 200,000 visitors into a small downtown grid over one weekend, and every room within twenty miles fills up fast. An RV rental for the Mount Dora Arts Festival isn’t a backup plan — for a lot of folks, it’s the smarter first move.
RV Rental for Mount Dora Arts Festival in Tavares, FL
I’m based right here in Tavares — about ten minutes west of Mount Dora on US-441 — so this event is practically in my backyard. I deliver rigs to campgrounds and private properties throughout Lake County for this festival every February, and I know exactly what the logistics look like on the ground. If you’re flying into Orlando Sanford International (SFB) or driving up from the Orlando metro on US-441 or SR-46, I can help you figure out where to park, how to get in and out of the festival, and which campground setups actually work for this time of year. Reach out at Fireside RV Rental Tavares or call me directly at 407-394-2658.
Why an RV Makes Sense for the Mount Dora Arts Festival
Downtown Mount Dora is genuinely charming — Victorian storefronts, brick streets, the waterfront on Lake Dora — but it is a small town, and the Arts Festival turns it into one of the most congested square miles in Central Florida for that weekend. Hotel rates in Mount Dora, Tavares, Eustis, and even Leesburg spike hard in early February. When you’re parked at a campground five or ten miles out, you can ride a bike in, park once and walk, or drive in early before the crowds hit. You’re not fighting for a parking spot in a packed lot at 11am wishing you’d left earlier.
February in Central Florida is also about as good as it gets weather-wise. Nights dip into the low 50s around Lake County — cool enough to sleep well — and days run in the mid-70s with low humidity. It’s one of the few months I actually tell people to request a unit without worrying too much about the Florida heat. That said, I always make sure rigs going out in February have working heat for the evenings. If you want to know what’s included in any specific unit, just contact me — inclusions vary and I’d rather tell you directly than have you guess.
Where I Send Arts Festival Renters in Lake County
I deliver to campgrounds across this part of Central Florida, and a few spots consistently work well for the Mount Dora Arts Festival weekend. Here’s what I tell people when they ask:
- Lake Griffin State Park (Fruitland Park) — About 15 miles north of Mount Dora on US-27/441. It’s a Florida State Park so hookup sites book up early, but the setting on the Harris Chain of Lakes is hard to beat and the drive into town on US-441 is straightforward. Book this one months out for a February festival weekend.
- Lake Louisa State Park (Clermont) — Roughly 25 miles south on SR-19 and US-27. A longer drive but Clermont gets more RV traffic during festival season, and if Griffin is full this is a solid fallback with good full-hookup sites.
- Trimble Park (Orange County, Mount Plymouth area) — Closest option to downtown Mount Dora, but sites here are limited and fill fast. Worth calling ahead. The drive into town is short and quiet.
- Alexander Springs or Salt Springs Recreation Area (Ocala National Forest) — If you want to make a longer trip of it and spend a few nights in the forest before or after the festival, these are beautiful. SR-19 north from Mount Dora takes you right into the forest. Not a quick run to town, but perfect if the festival is part of a bigger Central Florida camping trip.
- Clermont KOA Holiday — Good full-service option with consistent hookups, closer to the Florida Turnpike if you’re coming from the south or heading to Walt Disney World area after the festival.
Check our RV delivery page for details on how I get a rig to you — whether that’s a campground, a private property, or another arrangement. I cover all of Lake County and the surrounding area without question.
Getting Into the Festival — What I Tell Every First-Timer
The first thing I tell anyone renting for the Arts Festival is: get there early Saturday morning or plan to park and walk a real distance. By 10am, US-441 through downtown Mount Dora is stop-and-go, and the side street parking near Donnelly Park goes fast. The festival footprint runs along Donnelly Street and spills through the historic district — it’s walkable once you’re in, but getting in is the trick.
If you’re staying at Lake Griffin State Park, you’re coming in from the north on US-441, which actually puts you ahead of most of the southbound traffic from the Orlando suburbs. That’s not something any travel blog is going to tell you — it’s just what I’ve noticed from years of driving this corridor in February. If you’re coming from Clermont or Kissimmee, factor in SR-50 to US-27 north to SR-19 into Mount Dora, or hop on the Florida Turnpike to SR-429 to SR-46 west — either way, give yourself time.
Booking Your RV Rental for February
The Mount Dora Arts Festival typically falls on the first full weekend of February — but check the official festival calendar for confirmed dates each year before you book. I say this because I’ve had people call me the week before assuming the date is always the same, only to find out it shifted. Lock in your campground reservation and your RV rental at the same time, because both go fast once January hits.
For a February festival weekend, I’d recommend reaching out to me in November or early December at the latest. That’s not a sales pitch — it’s just the reality of how RV rental availability works in Central Florida during one of the busiest festival months of the year. Camper rental for a Lake County arts festival is in real demand, and I can only put so many rigs on the road at once.
Browse the fleet and available units at Fireside RV Rental Tavares, then get in touch so we can match the right rig to your campground site and group size.
RV Delivery for the Mount Dora Arts Festival — How It Works
A lot of people coming in from out of town — especially those flying into MCO or SFB — don’t want to tow anything. That’s exactly what RV delivery for the Mount Dora festival solves. I bring the rig to your campground, get it set up and leveled, walk you through everything, and pick it up when you’re done. You don’t touch a hitch. You just show up, unpack, and walk to the festival.
I cover all of Lake County — Tavares, Mount Dora, Eustis, Leesburg, and beyond — plus surrounding areas in Orange, Marion, Sumter, and Polk counties. For full delivery details and service area specifics, see my RV delivery page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there RV camping in downtown Mount Dora during the Arts Festival?
Not on the festival grounds itself — downtown Mount Dora doesn’t have an RV camping area. You’ll stay at one of the nearby campgrounds (Lake Griffin State Park, Trimble Park, and others listed above) and drive or ride in. That’s standard for this event and it works fine. Plan your arrival time and parking strategy in advance.
How far in advance should I book an RV rental for the Mount Dora Arts Festival?
I’d say November or December for a February event. The festival draws a huge crowd and Lake County campgrounds fill fast. The earlier you lock in both the campground site and the RV rental, the better your options.
What size RV works best for this area?
It depends on the campground. Some sites — especially at Trimble Park — run shorter, so I match a smaller trailer or mid-size unit to those. When I know which campground you’re at, I can tell you what fits and what doesn’t. That’s a question worth asking me before you book, not after.
What’s the weather like in Mount Dora in early February?
Typically mid-70s during the day and low-to-mid 50s at night. February is one of the nicest months in Central Florida — low humidity, comfortable daytime temps, and generally dry. It’s not unheard of to get a cold front push through and drop overnight temps closer to the mid-40s, which is why I make sure heat is functional on every rig going out this time of year.
Do you deliver to campgrounds outside Lake County for this event?
Yes. If you’re camping in Wekiwa Springs State Park down in Orange County, or heading up toward Silver Springs in Marion County before or after the festival, I can work with that. Contact me with your campground and dates and we’ll sort out delivery logistics.
Ready to Book Your RV Rental for the Mount Dora Arts Festival?
Don’t wait until January to figure out where you’re sleeping during one of the biggest arts weekends in Florida. I’m local, I deliver, and I know this area. Let’s get you set up right.
📞 407-394-2658
📧 [email protected]
🌐 tavares.firesidervrental.com
