Skip to Content

11 Best Campgrounds in Florida for Families

| Updated May 31, 2023

Whether you’re RVing to the Sunshine State for the theme parks, the beach, or its natural wonders, here are the best campgrounds in Florida for families.

Florida's year-round ideal weather means the state is packed with options for outdoor activities. This makes Florida a perfect destination for a family trip in your RV.

It would be a shame to not take advantage of what Florida’s campgrounds have to offer.

Best Campgrounds Based on Desired Activities

This list narrows down which campgrounds would suit your family best based on what aspect personally draws you to Florida. These options are the best campgrounds in Florida for families due to their amenities and fun features that make anyone feel like a kid, including me.

For The Theme Park-Bound

The Tree of Life in the Animal Kingdom Park, Disney World, Florida
The Tree of Life in the Animal Kingdom Park, Disney World, Florida

Let’s be honest. When most people think of Florida, a certain city with certain theme parks come to mind. These are the campgrounds ideal for those hitting the parks in Orlando.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

For the Disney fans among us (and who isn’t?), this campground is the perfect companion to your Disney World experience. Just like Disney, this option is one of the more expensive on this list, but there are plenty of family-friendly amenities that make the cost worth paying.

You can catch transportation to the park from here.

Plus, there’s plenty to do on the campgrounds that will fill your whole day while taking a day off from the rides. Some of these include pools, horseback riding, archery, canoeing, and hiking.

The campsite is so big they even rent out golf carts and provide buses so you can get around without tiring yourself out.

And no Disney experience is complete without an appearance from the iconic characters. There are campfire singalongs with Chip and Dale, where you can roast marshmallows and stargaze. It's definitely a great place for the entire family.

Orlando/Kissimmee KOA

If you’re visiting the Disney parks but don’t necessarily need the whole Disney bells and whistles experience, this campground is a good choice. It's only a 15-minute drive away for easy access to the parks. It's also a bit more affordable.

The RV sites themselves are luxurious, with their own picnic tables, BBQs, and wooden swings. The amenities for kids are top-notch as well, featuring a castle-themed playground, jump pillow, and even a carousel.

And after a long day at the parks, there’s a heated swimming pool for everyone to use and relax.

This location is convenient for more reasons than one. You are close to everything Orlando has to offer, including Universal, SeaWorld and Medieval Times. Plus it's only a short drive to a great Florida state park, Makinson Island Park.

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake

If your family prefers a campground with activities tied to nature, this 183-acre park is the Orlando option for you. The amenities include nature trails, fishing, and canoe rentals, along with other fun outdoor activities such as disc golf and volleyball.

For The Beach Lovers

11 Best Campgrounds in Florida for Families 1
For The Beach Lovers

Especially if you’re traveling from a landlocked state, Florida's gorgeous beaches can’t be missed. Here are the best campgrounds in Florida for families walking distance from the ocean.

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park

Located a short walk from the beach, this popular campground won’t leave you disappointed for lack of water activities. Snorkeling, fishing, boating, surfing, and swimming will give you all the fun in the sun you and your family can handle.

And if you ever need a break from the sand, there is a museum on site of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet’s camp, and even a butterfly garden.

Fort Pickens at Pensacola Beach

Fort Pickens is located on the secluded, crystal blue water of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This is one of the best campgrounds in Florida for families who want to enjoy beautiful beaches on the gulf coast.

The location can’t be beat either. This site is close to the fun beach town, as well as the National Naval Aviation Museum where the Blue Angels flight team practices their stunts. Just be sure to check their website ahead of time for their practice schedule.

For Fans of Wildlife

 paddle with manatees
Paddle with manatees!

If you’re an animal lover, there are some campgrounds that offer great wildlife viewing. Your family has the chance to spot some of Florida’s robust diversity of wildlife.

Colt Creek State Park

Colt Creek is very much a nature reserve kind of campground with 5000 acres of native Central Florida habitat. Families will be rewarded with the chance to spot bald eagles, alligators, birds, otters, and butterflies.

Also, their nature activities include fishing on their dock and ranger-guided hikes.

Periwinkle Campground

For those who can’t choose between the beach and the wildlife, Periwinkle is the perfect marriage. It’s only a ten-minute walk to the beautiful white sand beaches on Sanibel Island.

A pond on the campground features plenty of water birds. You can even spot monkeys and watch a bird show staged by volunteers.

The location is also very convenient, with restaurants and shops in town close enough for a bike ride.

West Palm Beach / Lion Country Safari KOA

Located near Palm Beach in Loxahatchee, this campground is next door to a drive-thru safari and adventure park. 

When not at the safari gazing at 1,000 animals, the campground itself has a playground, pool, and other outdoor activities.

Blue Spring State Park

Only an hour north of Orlando, visit this campground if you’re traveling to Florida in winter. Why? You can paddle with manatees! Otherwise, snorkel and swim to your heart’s content.

For Water Park People

C.B. Smith Park

What better way to cool off in that Florida heat than a campground featuring its own water park? Enjoy the lazy river, water slides, and water playgrounds. Then check out the restaurants and shops nearby.

Other fun activities include mini-golf and fishing. 

For Families With Older Kids

The Great Outdoors RV Nature & Golf Resort

The Great Outdoors is a campground that is more like a resort. It has its own golf course, tennis courts, and restaurants. It’s also conveniently located to the Kennedy Space Center, a place that can’t be missed.

So there you have it, many great options for campgrounds no matter what your family enjoys. Do you have any recommendations for family-friendly Florida campgrounds? Let us know in the comments.

What About the Florida Keys?

Do you want to hit Key West, the Everglades National Park, and all the other great things the Keys have to offer? Well, we have just the thing for you. Jennifer and I love traveling to the Keys, so we've created a complete 7-Day RV Adventure Guide: Florida Keys. This downloadable guide includes a suggested itinerary and a list of the best RV parks along the way.

We also have a 7-Day RV Adventure Guide to Florida's Atlantic Coast and Florida's Gulf Coast. If you're interested in all three, you should check out our Florida RV Travel Guide Bundle. Or get all of our travel guides for one great price…

Mike Wendland

Published on 2021-07-25

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

3 Responses to “11 Best Campgrounds in Florida for Families”

January 23, 2022at11:49 am, 23 Famous & Historical Landmarks In Florida | RV Lifestyle said:

[…] 11 Best Campgrounds in Florida for Families […]

Reply

July 25, 2021at10:46 pm, Jane Healy said:

I just want to mention that we have camped several times at the beautiful Manatee Springs State Park, up in the Emerald Cost of Florida, and it is one of our *favorite* campgrounds in North America! Beautiful sandy campsites, tons of wildlife, surprising privacy, and access to a truly extraordinary natural spring for swimming and scuba diving, plus it’s dog friendly. We’ve seen manatees here in March and had a hoot owl jamboree over our heads on a July camping trip. It’s really a lovely, lovely campground. There are some neat trails (but look out for ticks!) and there is rafting, etc. on the nearby Suwanee River. The cute town of Chiefland is about a 10 min drive away.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top
9 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share
Pin9
Email