Fill A Bag With Navel Oranges Straight Off The Tree At This Florida Citrus Grove
A goat standing on top of a giant tortoise is not what most people expect at an orange grove. Yet that is exactly the kind of scene waiting at this Florida citrus stop.
The grove lets you pick fruit straight off the trees during harvest season. Then it hands you a seat on a lifted monster truck that rumbles past the rows and out to see zebras, buffalo, and a camel named Joe.
I like how the whole thing feels like a roadside attraction from another era. Admission to the grounds is free, and you only pay for the extras that catch your eye.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to get outside during the cooler months. So the real question is simple: will you leave with more oranges or more photos?
An Orange Grove That Refuses To Stay Quiet
Most citrus groves sell fruit and call it a day. Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, Florida, sells fruit and then throws in a monster truck, a petting zoo, and capybaras.
The property sits in the rolling countryside of Lake County, about a short drive west of the Orlando theme park corridor. It feels a world away from those crowds, though, with open land, citrus rows, and an old-timey country store.
Think of it as a working grove with a playful streak. You can come for the oranges and leave having fed a pony, panned for crystals, and posed with a fake shark.
Entry to the grounds is free, which is rare for anything this close to Orlando. You pay only for the activities you choose, like animal feed buckets, the truck safari, or a capybara visit.
That setup makes it easy to tailor a visit to your budget. A quick stop for fresh juice works just as well as a full afternoon of animals and adventure.
Families, groups of friends, and even motorcycle clubs have made it a destination. It welcomes leashed pets too, so the family dog doesn’t have to sit this one out.
Navels Within Arm’s Reach
Here’s the headline act: you can grab ripe citrus straight from the branch. The U-pick groves open during the harvest season, which in Florida means the cooler winter and early spring months.
Navel oranges are the star for many pickers. Their easy peel and sweet flavor make them the kind of fruit you eat before you even reach the car.
Picking your own changes how you think about breakfast. Suddenly that glass of juice has a backstory, and you were part of it.
Timing matters, though, because nature sets the schedule. During one unusually cold winter, U-pick was paused even though it was technically in season.
That’s why a quick check before driving out is smart. Call ahead or look at the grove’s updates so you know which trees are ready.
Bring comfortable shoes for walking the rows. A hat and sunscreen help too, since even winter sun in Central Florida can be surprisingly strong.
Kids tend to love the hunt for the perfect orange. Let them pick a few, and watch them guard those oranges like trophies all the way home.
Climb Aboard The Monster Truck Safari
A lifted school bus on enormous tires is not a normal way to tour a farm. At this grove, it’s the most popular ride on the property.
The monster truck safari lasts about 45 minutes. It rumbles past the orchards and out into pastures where the larger animals live.
Along the way, guides make several stops and share stories about the animals, the trucks, and the oranges. Many of them mix facts with a healthy dose of humor, which keeps both kids and grown-ups engaged.
Bumpy is part of the charm. The ride bounces through the Florida backwoods in a way that feels delightfully ridiculous.
Accessibility is a nice surprise here. The truck is wheelchair accessible, so you don’t have to scramble up giant steps to join the fun.
Keep an eye out for Big Foot during the trip. You’ll also spot fake lions, tigers, and giraffes posed for laughs among the real animals.
Save some of your feed bucket for this ride. A few stops let you feed animals from the truck, which turns a scenic tour into a hands-on adventure.
Joe The Camel And His Neighbors
Meet Joe, the camel with a personality bigger than his hump. He’s the one animal on the safari you get close enough to feed by hand.
Plenty of families call him the highlight of the whole trip. His silly antics make the stop feel like a little comedy show in the middle of a pasture.
Joe has company out there. Zebras graze across the fields, along with buffalo and deer that wander the property.
Spotting zebras in a Florida orange grove is a fun mental twist. One minute you’re passing citrus trees, and the next you’re watching stripes move through the grass.
Babies show up on the property too. Guides often point them out, and passengers can’t help but react with a chorus of happy sighs.
Some of the animals here are rescues, which adds a sweet layer to the experience. Feeding them feels less like a gimmick and more like being part of their care.
Bring a camera with a decent zoom for the pasture stops. The animals don’t always come close, so patience pays off with better photos.
Feed Buckets And Fearless Goats
Goats know exactly what a feed bucket means. The moment you arrive with one, expect a small crowd of hopeful faces at the fence.
Buckets of veggies come in different sizes at the front of the property. A smart move is buying the big bucket and splitting it into smaller ones for everyone in the group.
The front pens hold goats, ponies, donkeys, a pig, and a huge tortoise. The ponies and donkeys come right up, yet they stay calm and polite about it.
The tortoise is slower to join the party. It does have a soft spot for lettuce, so keep a leaf or two handy.
And yes, there’s a goat that likes to stand on that tortoise. It’s the kind of moment that makes everyone grab a phone at once.
Another pen toward the back holds a llama, a very large pig, more goats, and other farm animals. Wander back there before your bucket runs empty.
Handwashing stations sit nearby for cleanup. That matters when little hands have just been covered in carrot bits and goat kisses.
Ron And Rhonda Steal The Show
Capybaras are basically the most relaxed animals on Earth. At this Florida grove, two of them, Ron and Rhonda, have plenty of fans.
The capybara meet and greet is a separate paid experience with scheduled time slots. Many families say it’s worth every bit of the extra stop.
Getting up close to a capybara isn’t something most people do on a weekend. Their calm, chill energy makes the visit feel soothing rather than hectic.
Staff members run these sessions and earn real praise for their kindness. They have gone out of their way to help guests who needed a quicker, quieter visit.
Kids often make a point of saying hello to the capybaras every single trip. It becomes a little ritual, like checking on old friends.
Since slots are scheduled, book your time early in your visit. That way you can plan the safari and lunch around it.
Other animals offer closer encounters for an added fee as well. Kangaroos, peacocks, and lemurs live on the grounds, and one visit even included a kangaroo carrying a joey in her pouch.
Creamsicle Slushies Worth The Detour
Fresh orange juice is the obvious order at a citrus grove. The real crowd favorite, though, is the orange creamsicle slushy.
It blends citrus tang with a creamy, dreamy finish. On a warm Clermont afternoon, it’s the kind of treat that disappears fast.
Pineapple whip is the other big draw. That cool, fruity soft serve pairs nicely with a stroll past the animal pens.
Hungry for something heartier? Food trucks set up on the property, and lunch options include barbecue from Food for the Soul.
Prices stay friendly for a day out near Orlando. A family can eat and snack without feeling like they emptied their wallets at a theme park counter.
Picnic tables are scattered around the grounds. Grab one in the shade, spread out your food, and enjoy a lazy break between activities.
Here’s a strategy tip: save dessert for last. A creamsicle slushy after the bumpy truck ride feels like a well-earned reward, especially when the sun is high.
Shelves Packed With Jams And Honey
Walking out empty-handed from the country store takes serious willpower. The shelves are lined with jams, jellies, local honey, and salsa.
Fresh produce shows up too, and peaches have made it into plenty of shopping bags. Citrus, of course, is always the main event.
Honey fans will want to linger here. It’s the kind of souvenir that keeps reminding you of the trip every morning at breakfast.
There are actually two gift shops on the grounds. One sits in the front, and another waits in the back area near the activities.
That second shop is handy if you forgot something earlier. It’s also a good spot to cool off for a few minutes.
Exotic jerky and other snacks round out the offerings. Grab a few for the drive home, because that ride back always feels longer than expected.
The old-timey look of the store is part of the fun. It feels like the roadside shops Florida travelers once stopped at on long family road trips, minus the dusty postcards.
Crystals, Coin Rides, And A Playground
Little treasure hunters get their own corner of the property. Gem mining lets you buy a bag of dirt and sift it for crystals at a sluice.
Kids love seeing shiny stones pop out of the muck. It’s simple, satisfying, and gives them something to show off at school.
The mining area sits in the sun, so plan accordingly. A hat or a quick break afterward keeps the fun from turning into a sweaty slog.
Behind the concession area, a playground offers old-fashioned climbing and sliding. Many parents use it as the perfect final stop before heading out.
A shaded play spot holds coin-operated ride-on toys. They cost about a dollar or less, which makes them a cheap thrill for tiny riders.
On rainy days, the indoor play area becomes a lifesaver. It’s surprisingly cute and keeps kids busy if the weather cancels outdoor plans.
Picnic tables sit nearby throughout the property. That means parents can rest their feet while the kids burn off the last of their slushy sugar rush.
Photo Ops Around Every Corner
Beware of sharks. That’s a joke, of course, but the fake shark photo spot here gets plenty of laughs.
Quirky props and staged scenes are scattered throughout the grounds. A selfie stick or a willing photographer will earn its keep.
The holidays bring extra sparkle to the property. Seasonal decorations make it an especially popular backdrop for family pictures.
Fall adds its own flair with a pumpkin patch. Families have found it a cheerful place for autumn portraits when other patches were booked solid.
The grounds are thoughtfully designed and kept clean. That attention to detail makes even casual snapshots look polished.
Beyond photo props, the property doubles as an event venue. Weddings, graduation parties, and school events take advantage of its open, rustic setting.
So who fits in here? Pretty much everyone, from toddlers and grandparents to groups of friends looking for an offbeat outing.
The laid-back vibe keeps anyone from feeling rushed. You can wander, linger, and take as many pictures as your phone can handle.
Smart Moves Before You Drive Out
Getting here is easy from most of Central Florida. You’ll find Showcase of Citrus at 15051 Frank Jarrell Rd, Clermont, Florida 34714, a short drive off US-27.
The grounds open daily, though hours can change with the season. Check before driving out, especially during hurricane season from June through November.
Arrive and head to check-in first if you want the truck ride. You can buy tickets at the counter when space allows, but busy weekends may call for reservations.
Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer. Weekends can bring longer lines and more waiting, so plan for extra time.
Shade is your best friend here. You may stand in the sun before boarding the truck, so an umbrella or hat makes a big difference.
Wear light, quick-dry clothing in warmer months. Comfortable shoes help too, since there’s plenty of walking between pens, shops, and groves.
Restrooms and handwashing stations are on site. The restrooms look rustic from outside, but they’re real flushing bathrooms, which is a welcome surprise.
Old Florida Fun That Still Holds Up
Free entry, fresh oranges, and a camel who loves attention. That combination is hard to beat anywhere in Florida.
Showcase of Citrus delivers a taste of the roadside attractions that once defined road trips here. It does that without the high prices and long waits of the big parks nearby.
Families keep coming back for good reasons. The monster truck, the capybaras, and the creamsicle slushies give each trip a fresh highlight.
Winter is the sweet spot for a visit. The weather feels kinder, and the groves are ready for picking when the season cooperates.
Bring a bag for those navels, but don’t stop there. Grab a feed bucket, snag a safari seat, and leave room for a pineapple whip.
If you have extra time, Clermont makes a nice base for exploring the rolling hills of Lake County. The famous Citrus Tower in town offers another fun nod to the area’s orange-growing past.
Either way, plan a full afternoon. You’ll likely head home sticky, sunburned around the edges, and already planning your next run for oranges.
