Turkey Burn Ultra

Staged within the diverse ecosystems of Lake Louisa State Park, the Turkey Burn Ultra presents a distinct Central Florida trail profile shaped by the Lake Wales Ridge and the edge of the Green Swamp. The route navigates a varied multi-surface loop that alternates roughly 75% singletrack with connecting stretches of shell rock roads, grassy paths, and occasional paved segments. Because the park spans transitional habitats, you encounter everything from shaded pine flatwoods and cypress creek edges to exposed, sunlit meadows bordering the park's interior lakes.

While Florida is rarely associated with climbing, Clermont is renowned for its undulating terrain. The 50K event yields roughly 700 feet of total elevation gain over its distance. The primary physical hurdle is not steep technical vertical, but rather the cumulative fatigue caused by rolling, loose sand hills. Pushing through soft footing requires constant lower-leg stabilization and can sap your momentum quickly. Mixed with hard-packed wooded dirt, exposed root systems, and open expanses where midday sun reflects off white sand, the course demands disciplined pacing and deliberate foot placement throughout.

Lake Louisa State Park is situated directly off U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont, roughly 35 miles west of Orlando. If you are flying to the event, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary gateway, sitting about a 45-minute drive away via Florida's Turnpike and State Road 50. For lodging, standard hotels and motels are concentrated just a few miles north along the US-27 and SR-50 corridors in central Clermont. Alternatively, the state park itself features modern cabins and developed campsites near the start line, though these should be booked months in advance given Thanksgiving weekend holiday demand.

Late November typically brings favorable running conditions to Central Florida, with crisp mornings dipping into the 50s and afternoon highs generally settling in the low to mid-70s Fahrenheit. Relative humidity is much lower than during the summer months, though full sun exposure on the open sand sections can still feel warm. Plan to arrive early on race morning at the main park entrance on US-27, as standard Florida State Parks vehicle entry procedures apply. Park staff and race signage will direct you to designated staging areas near the campground fields.