15 Best Orlando Area Campgrounds To Bring Your RV or Travel Trailer
Updated: 1 day ago
Crackling fires, smells of meat cooking on the Davy Crockett smoker, and cold beverages in hand pretty much sums the trifecta of a perfect evening camping in Central Florida. Mosquitos, no-seeums, and sweltering temperatures aren't really the perfect trifecta, but they're also present much of the year here in Florida. Enter: travel trailer life.
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Floridians in the know left tent camping behind years ago, opting in for mid-pandemic purchases of rolling homes you can park in the woods. Ah, yes the travel trailer. It has air conditioning, a pooper, a shower, and if you're fancy like me it also has a fireplace, two lazyboys, a kitchen island, a bedroom closet, and sleeps six comfortably. But who's bragging?
When the weather gets hot, we go camping. Let's be honest - we go glamping. We go to watch Netflix with the woods or the beach out our window while ordering Domino's pizza. No joke. Or heck, we just park the camper and go out to eat and use it like a hotel room. It's our home away from home to do with what we will!
But, when the weather is good, we pull out all the stops - the afore-mentioned smoker, the dogs and mallows on sticks, the whole shebang.
Either way, in or out, camping is a lot of work and a lot of stuff, so we like to keep it close to home for the travel part of travel trailer life. Anything within an hour (or so) is fair game, and I've rounded up my favorite Orlando area campgrounds within a short drive of Orlando to satisfy all your camping cravings. Beach? Yep. Woods? Got it. Springs? You betcha. Near the parks? Totally. Let's dive in.
Closest Campground to the Parks
Bill Frederick Turkey Lake Park, Orlando
City Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
20 minutes
Park Perks:
Smack in the middle of civilization, you can easily reach the parks within minutes. They don't allow open flames or grilling, but the park does offer great amenities like a playground, frisbee golf courses, a pool, and miles of trails. Some sites even offer full hookups. SeaWorld, Disney Springs, Universal and more are a short hop away.
How to Book:
Orlando Area Campgrounds with Waterfront Camping
Trimble Park Campground, Mt. Dora
Orange County Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
35-40 minutes
Park Perks:
Trimble Park offers camping in a serene lakefront setting. Almost all of the sites have water views and are perfectly situated for beautiful sunset shots from your included grill area. Some sites have swing benches to while away the hours.
The park, although small, also offers lakefront trails and a boat launch. It is nearby to many restaurants and shops in cutesy Mt. Dora.
How to Book:
~$18/night; Book online at https://www.orangecountyfl.net/CultureParks/CampingEnvironmentalEducation.aspx#.ZAjX5z3MJD9
Manatee Hammock Campground, Titusville
Brevard County Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
50 minutes
Park Perks:
Many sites have views of the Intracoastal Waterway, meaning stellar views of any SpaceX launches coming out of the Kennedy Space Center. There's also a canoe/kayak/boat launch and a swimming pool onsite. This area is great for kayaking! You can take a tour if you don't have your own gear.
The fishing pier provides nice sunset and morning stroll opportunities too!
Within a few minutes drive is the Warbird Air Museum (used to be called Valiant Air Museum) worth an hour or so of your time if you're into aircraft. There's plenty of waterfront eateries and ma and pa pizza places within 10-20 minutes drive of camp.
How to Book:
~$30/night; Book online at
https://registration.brevardfl.gov/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/splash.html#tickets
Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach
State Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
1 hr 11 min
Park Perks:
This game-changer of a park will be your new favorite campground. With two loops - one on the riverside and one on the beachside - campers get access to a world-class beach and stunning water views. Myriads of seafood joints dot the coastline nearby, so there is no need to pack too much food for this trip.
How to Book:
~$42/night; Book online at
https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
KARS Park, Merritt Island
Private park, must have a membership
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
57 minutes
Park Perks:
I would be remiss if I didn't mention this ultra-exclusive park for government and NASA employees. Learn a little about it at the link below, but basically with it's recreation areas, playground and endless waterfront views looking straight at the shuttle launch bays at Kennedy Space Center, you simply cannot beat this site - if you can get in. ;-)
How to Book:
Call for additional details
https://nasaexchange.ksc.nasa.gov/KARSParkInformation/AboutKARS
Orlando Area Campgrounds for Forests and Wildlife
Moss Park, Orlando
Orange County Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
30 minutes
Park Perks:
Towering trees create a dense forest cover for the campground, snugly located near Lake Nona in Orlando's southeast corridor. Deer commonly forage around the campsites in the mornings and early evenings and giant herons nip and peck at the kiddos if you get too close for photo ops. Enjoy the tranquility just minutes from Downtown Orlando.
How to Book:
~$23/night; Book online at
https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Lake Griffin State Park, Fruitland Park/Leesburg
State Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
1 hr
Park Perks:
Wooded and close to home, this is a nice park primarily because it offers a serene camp setting while still being close to dining, shopping, and other general conveniences for the weekend camper. Some sites have full hookups.
How to Book:
~$34/night; Book online at
https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Lake Monroe, DeBary
Volusia County Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
20 minutes
Park Perks:
This little known gem of a park is super close to the Central Florida Zoo, Sanford's awesome eateries like the Hollerbach German restaurant, and also boasts some great trails for walkers, bikers and a boat launch too. At $16 a night it's a steal and so close to home. The sites are wooded and secluded enough to feel like you've gone a lot further from Orlando.
How to Book:
~$16/night; Call the office listed in the below link. https://www.volusia.org/services/community-services/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks-and-trails/park-facilities-and-locations/ecological-nature-parks/lake-monroe-park.stml
Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach
State Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
1 hr 10 min
Park Perks:
Close to the beach and all the offerings of Ormond Beach including The Casements (Rockefeller's winter residence) and a Publix bar...(wha!?) this is a great spot all year round. Tomoka Outpost at the park offers up ice cream, cold beers and kayak rentals too, right there on the river. Sites are wooded, but a short drive or long walk will take you to several waterfront areas within the park as well.
How to Book:
~$38/night; Book online at
https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Orlando Area Campgrounds Near a Natural Spring
Blue Springs State Park, Orange City
State Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
41 minutes
Park Perks:
In the winter months the manatees float towards the spring head for its warmth in the dozens to sometimes even hundreds. When the manatees are not present you can float and swim in the ever-cool waters, or take a kayak or paddleboard tour, all accessible by a short path from the campground. Blue Springs Pizza is a great old timey pizza joint by the entrance to the park. Blue Springs also offers picnic areas, a large playground, and a boardwalk trail.
How to Book:
~$38/night; Book online at
https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Kelly Park (Rock Springs), Apopka
Orange County Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
35 minutes
Park Perks:
Seemingly impossible to book, this campground is always full due to it's proximity to one of Central Florida's most beautiful natural swimming pools at Rock Springs. Pack a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the crystal clear waters before walking back to your campsite.
How to Book:
~$18/night; Book online at
https://www.orangecountyfl.net/CultureParks/CampingEnvironmentalEducation.aspx#.ZAjohT3MJD9
Wekiwa (Wekiva) Springs Park, Apopka
State Park
Distance from Downtown Orlando:
22 minutes
Park Perks:
You can't get much closer to Orlando than this. Straight up I-4 from downtown, you can easily camp here and make it home to drop your kid off at school the next morning without breaking a sweat. Hint, hint: weekday camping! Camp life at its best - bring your work from home setup and just enjoy a little fresh air 20 minutes from the house.
There's plenty to eat in the area so you won't go hungry and of course (given the name) there is a spring to swim in as well as a boardwalk trail.
How to Book:
~$42/night; Book online at
https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Check Out These Other Campgrounds About 2 Hours Away Too!
Long Point Park, Sebastian Inlet
Brevard County Park
Book online at https://registration.brevardfl.gov/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/splash.html#tickets
Waterfront sites are the name of the game here. The park is set on its own little island near Sebastian Inlet and offers a launching point for all sorts of water activities. Pro tip: go for Easter weekend - they host a wonderful children's egg hunt on Scout Island every year!
Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine
State Park
Book online at https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Minutes from St. Augustine's cutesty downtown area, this is a wonderful place to camp for all things Florida. You have access to the park's own beach, access directly to the weekend farmer's market at the ampitheater, access to shows and events (also at the neighboring ampitheater), and the sites are spacious and wooded. Pretty much a win for the whole family!
Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon
State Park
Book online at https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx
Old Florida - quiet, tranquil. With free admission to the spectacular neighboring Rainbow Springs, this park is a great weekend away for the family. Prepare to cookout as there is very little nearby. In the morning, go to Dunnellon's Breakfast Station diner for their cinnamon swirl pancakes. Just trust me.
