15 Best Orlando Area Campgrounds To Bring Your RV or Travel Trailer
Updated: 4 days 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