Family owned and run since 1971, Dora Canal Court offers cottage rentals in a tranquil, waterfront community on the scenic Dora Canal in Tavares, Florida. Our newly remodeled and fully furnished cottages offer a comfortable, low-maintenance retreat between adventures.
With direct boat access to the Harris Chain of Lakes, you can easily explore waterfront restaurants, golf courses, live entertainment, and unique boutiques in Tavares and Mount Dora. Our area’s distinct natural beauty offers numerous outdoor activities, including fishing tournaments, freshwater springs, paddleboarding & kayaking, wildlife preserves, scenic boat tours, and even wild manatees.
Dora Canal Court is ideally situated for discovering the best of Central Florida. We’re located between the sunny beaches of both Florida coasts, the lively senior events of The Villages, and the world-famous theme parks of Orlando.
Instantly check availability using the search tool below.
Select a cottage below for photos, rates, availability, and reservations.
Check out our campsite in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
Crofty Bear is a privately-owned empty RV lot with full hook-ups for your RV or camper. Located in Outdoor Resorts at Gatlinburg, it directly borders the pristine natural beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This secluded, resort-style campground provides several amenities , such as a pool, playground, miniature golf, laundromat, and basketball courts. Having modern comforts while nestled within serene countryside makes Crofty Bear the perfect base for adventures around the Great Smoky Mountains.
Enjoy nearby caverns, hiking, Dollywood, moonshine tasting, delicious food, synchronous fireflies, locally made wine, apple farms, and more!
You can view details and make reservations for Crofty Bear on Hipcamp, Vrbo, Airbnb, Booking.com, and The Dyrt.
If you have any questions, contact us using the menu below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us know if you have any other questions!
Can I dock and charge my boat?
Yes, we have several boat slips directly on the Dora Canal, which provides guests direct boat access to the entire Harris Chain of Lakes. We’ve recently upgraded some amenities tailored for our boating and fishing guests.
These includee installing several boat slips, a boat charging station, rebuilding the seawall, and adding a fish cleaning station.
To park boats on our boat slips, just launch your boat down the street at Summerall Park.
How close is downtown Tavares?
We are less than half a mile from downtown Tavares, known as “America’s Seaplane City.” Guests can enjoy the nearby waterfront restaurants, seaplane base, live entertainment, unique boutiques, and more. Despite being near the city center, our property is tucked away within the natural beauty of the Dora Canal.
Are pets allowed?
We love animals! However, to keep our rentals in top condition, we only allow certain pre-approved pets in one designated cottage — Cottage 34: Coconut Cottage.
If you’d like to bring your pet along, please reach out to us for pre-approval before finalizing your reservation.
Do I have to be 55+ to rent a cottage?
No, you do not have to be 55+ years old to book any of our rental cottages.
We are a 55+ community for our residential mobile home tenants, but that age restriction does not apply to our rental cottages.
This unique “mixed-use” setup ensures our guests have a more tranquil and relaxing environment than a standard hotel or vacation rental.
What's the history of Dora Canal Court?
Dora Canal Court has been family owned and run since 1971. As part of the Tavares community for over 50 years, we are proud to be the third-generation to own and operate carrying forward a family legacy that began with my grandparents. After they developed dementia, we made a commitment to “rebuild from below the ground up” to preserve the community atmosphere they built.
Since then, we have completely reimagined the guest experience, including:
– Fully Renovated Cottages: All 8 vacation rentals have been stripped to the studs and refurnished with modern comforts.
– Enhanced Waterfront Amenities: We’ve added dedicated boat slips and facilities specifically tailored to boaters and fishers.
– New Community Spaces: Guests now enjoy our brand-new community clubhouse and outdoor lounge area, which was designed to create the same relaxing, friendly environment our grandparents envisioned over 50 years ago.
What events are happening nearby?
For a complete list of local events, visit the Discover Lake County, FL website, which is operated by the Lake County Office of Tourism.
Meditation in the Garden Series
Free outdoor meditation classes include guided group meditation on the lawn or quiet, self-guided reflection in a peaceful garden space of your choosing. every other WED morning during the comfortable months of MAR, APR, SEP, and OCT
Clermont Art & Jazz Festival
Join the City of Clermont for the first-ever Clermont Art & Jazz Fest, a dynamic two-day celebration of world-class jazz, visual art, and creative energy as we launch an exciting new tradition for our community.
Beyond the stage, attendees can stroll through a vibrant marketplace featuring local and regional artists showcasing and selling original artwork. Discover one-of-a-kind pieces, meet the creators, and take home something special while enjoying live jazz throughout the park. Guests can also explore a variety of food vendors, specialty exhibitors, and music-focused vendors that round out the festival experience with flavor, creativity, and atmosphere.
Leesburg Earth Day
Free family event to celebrate Earth Day with the Blood Mobile Bus; Antique Car Show; sale of plants, baked goods & jewelry; raffle and an auction. Community Medical Care Center tours will be available, as well as live music.
Horizon League Gold Championship
Collegiate Golf event at Mission Resort + Club
Howey Artisan Market
Discover the charm of the Howey Artisan Market, your local destination for all things handmade and homemade. Nestled on the beautiful grounds of Mission Resort + Club, our open-air market brings together talented local makers, bakers, and more.
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Celebration
Join Tai Chi Clermont as we celebrate our 11th year hosting this global movement. Millions around the world practice Tai Chi in unison across time zones, cultivating harmony, wellness, and peace—and this year with Clermont’s Earth Day celebration.
Classical Music on the Farm
A family-friendly FREE concert featuring the Nova Classica string quartet in a 40-minute concert at Far Reach Ranch. Blueberry picking starts at 9 a.m.
Meditation in the Garden Series
Free outdoor meditation classes include guided group meditation on the lawn or quiet, self-guided reflection in a peaceful garden space of your choosing. every other WED morning during the comfortable months of MAR, APR, SEP, and OCT
Lake County Farmers Market
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to shop locally and support our amazing vendors. See you there!
Eustis First Friday
Each month, the City of Eustis hosts a family-friendly street party, featuring a variety of food, vendors and live music. Join us from 6 - 9 p.m. on each First Friday of the month.
Tom Selinske US Masters Tournament
The2026 Tim Selinske United States Masters Disc Golf Championships is a premier PDGA Major event dedicated to athletes aged 40 and older. Named in honor of the late Tim Selinske (#2026), a Hall of Famer and co-founder of Innova Disc Golf, the tournament is celebrated for balancing high-level competition with the friendly, community-focused spirit Selinske was known for.
Discover Leesburg
Join us every 2nd Friday evening of the month on Towne Square in Downtown Leesburg for an evening of entertainment, shopping, mouth-watering treats, and community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!
Mount Dora’s Art in the Alley
Join us every 2nd Friday at 6 PM for an exciting evening featuring incredible local artists on Royellou Lane in historic downtown Mount Dora! This family-friendly event promises a delightful experience with a variety of activities.
Howey Founders Day
Howey Founder's Day is an annual celebration in the town of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, held to honor the town's history and its founder, William John Howey. The town celebrated its Centennial Founder's Day with major events in May 2025, including a large festival, parade, and mansion tours.
Guitars & Cars
Guitars(Big Al's Lake County Musicians Swapmeet) Buy-Sell-Trade Tons of great gear and deals Central Florida Blues Lovers' Jam at noon Cars Car Cruise, Vendors, Showing in multiple categories for a variety of prizes. $6 to show your car.
NCAA DIII Men's Golf Championships
Collegiate Golf event at Mission Resort + Club