Taking your RV on a snowy trek can be difficult, so we’re heading south this winter. If you’re looking to avoid icy roads and below freezing temps, load up the camper and aim for warmer weather. Florida is the perfect reprieve from long winters with its sunny skies and tropical climate. Lucky for us, it’s also filled with natural wonders, sprawling wildlife reserves, and first-class vacation necessities. To help you start spreading your snowbird wings, we put together a list of the ten the best places to camp in Florida.
Riverside RV Resort
Arcadia
Relax Florida-style with shuffleboard, bocce ball and mini golf at this luxurious RV resort near the Gulf of Mexico. The riverside oasis has beautiful watery views, but it’s known for the long list of outdoor amenities and activities available year-round. Aside from the games, the resort also has fishing, swimming, boat docks and a hot tub for splish-splashing with the family any time of year.
Compass RV Resort
St. Augustine
Soak up the Sunshine State at this beachside campground. The spacious resort pool and short drive to the ocean promise plenty of swimming for the family. When you’re ready to dry off, hit the historic sites and exceptional restaurants of St. Augustine, Florida’s oldest city. From 450-year-old Spanish forts to award-winning pizzas, you can spend hours stopping in shops and joining tours through the city.
Florida Caverns State Park
Marianna
Florida isn’t just known for its sandy beaches; the state’s northwest section is home to a deep underground spectacle. Tour the cool caverns and maneuver between the stalactites and stalagmites in deep caves beneath the state. The park offers biking, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and swimming. But, the caverns remain the most famous, mystifying part of the trip.
Periwinkle Park & Campground
Sanibel Island
Just a 10-minute walk to sandy beaches, this island park is perfect for those wishing to relax among the Florida wildlife. Stay and enjoy the beaches, or paddle, bike, and walk with local wildlife at the nearby “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society. You can even stop by the National Shell Museum to touch live mollusks and learn about the shells you spot on the beach.
Jolly Roger RV Resort
Marathon
In the heart of the Florida Keys, this island resort has amenities for the four-legged family members with their on-site Bark Park. The human guests aren’t forgotten, with a large campground pool and world-famous Grassy Key fishing. Next door, swim with dolphins at the famous Dolphin Research Center. The resort is most well-known for its iconic sunsets over the clear blue waters of the Florida Keys.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Orlando
No trip to Florida would be truly complete without a visit to Disney World. After enjoying the rides, stuffing your face with giant mouse-shaped pretzels and snapping a pic with Mickey, there’s shopping to do at Downtown Disney. If you’re looking to spend a day relaxing at the campground, Fort Wilderness offers archery, horseback riding and canoeing for the whole family. You can even relax in the hot tub while the kids swirl down the corkscrew waterslide into the camp pool. There’s no shortage of things to fill the time at this central Florida wilderness resort, easily one of the best places to camp in Florida.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Dunnellon
Any time of year, the waters of Rainbow Springs sits at a comfortable 72 degrees. This campground southwest of Gainesville centered around the beautiful blue springs has been visited by humans for more than 10,000 years. Tube rentals are available at the campground for the two-hour float through the springs. Canoe and kayak rentals are available nearby, or you can hop in and swim the springs with just your swim trunks and your snorkel mask. With a variety of sizable campsites complete with electrical hookups, it’s no wonder this is one of the highest-rated campgrounds in Florida.
Gulf Waters RV Resort
Fort Meyers
Indulge in a juicy burger, or a glass of wine, at the resort tiki bar or get moving with a family game of pickleball at the Florida campground. The ideal location provides easy access to the public beach, family-friendly fishing charters and a variety of local restaurants in the Fort Meyers area. Gulf Waters Resort, one of the best campgrounds in Florida, will have you making an annual trip.
Fort Pickens Campground
Pensacola Beach
This barrier island campsite sits on Florida’s panhandle, near the Alabama border. Enjoy the salty sea breeze on Santa Rosa Island and travel to the mainland to visit historic sites in Florida and Alabama. Camp among the live oak trees along the sparkling blue water, jump in the surf and observe wild Florida all without leaving your island paradise. The nearby Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse provide a glimpse into historic Florida.
Miami Everglades RV Resort
Miami
The Everglades, Florida’s famous natural wonder, spans nearly 8,000 square miles of swamp. The RV resort is located 10 miles from the sprawling park for those interested in communing with nature. It also sits 30 miles south of Miami Beach and South Beach Art Deco District for those looking to spend some time experiencing south Florida’s art, food, culture and nightlife. Travel north to Zoo Miami or stay at the campground to enjoy mini golf, horseshoes and pickleball. There’s a long list of calendar events and an activity for everyone in the year-round warmth of south Florida
Our friendly staff is here to help prepare for your road trip to the Sunshine State! Stop by Northgate RV Center for current camper maintenance or to upgrade to a brand-new RV. We’ll help you find exactly what your family needs to visit the ten best places to camp in Florida.
