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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


Big, shaded sites at Turkey Lake Park
Big, shaded sites at Turkey Lake 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:

~$25/night; https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Directory/Bill-Frederick-Park-At-Turkey-Lake/Make-a-Reservation-in-Bill-Frederick-Park/Bill-Frederick-RV-Map



Orlando Area Campgrounds with Waterfront Camping


Trimble Park Campground, Mt. Dora

Orange County Park


Sunsets and campfires at Trimble Park
Sunsets and campfires at Trimble 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


Manatee Hammock fishing pier
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


Sunset over the beach
Endless beachside vibes at Gamble Rogers 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.


Rocket launches over sunset beach
Rocket launch views are literally out of this world over the beach at Gamble Rogers



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


Rocket launch views from Kars Park
Rocket launch views from Kars Park

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