Camping in central Florida near Altoona offers a mix of lakeside and forest environments with elevations ranging from 70-100 feet above sea level. The area features natural springs, hardwood hammocks, and pine forests that create diverse camping opportunities. RV sites near Altoona, Florida typically range from full hookup options to more rustic settings with water and electric only.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Harris: Fish for bass, crappie, and catfish at sites like Hide-A-Way Harbor RV Park. "Beautiful waterside sights, perfect place to bring the boat too. The lake it's connected to a handful of other lakes where you could boat to a different town everyday," notes Keith R.
Natural springs exploration: Visit nearby Alexander Springs, just 20 minutes from Fiddlers Green RV Ranch. "We were so close to springs for where you can go swimming, kayaking, hiking, biking and snorkeling. Less than 10mins from shopping but in a beautiful country setting," according to Dian D.
Horseback riding: The Ocala National Forest trails connect directly to some campgrounds. "The trailhead for Ocala National Forest horse is just down a dead end road," reports a visitor to Fiddlers Green RV Ranch.
What campers like
Lake activities: Hide-A-Way Harbor RV Park offers direct lake access with boat slips. "Watching the sunsets from the dock was almost the best part of the day!" says Linda H. The park provides convenient water access for boating and fishing.
Heated pools: Many campgrounds in the area feature heated swimming pools for year-round use. At Encore Clerbrook, "There are so many amenities and even a full golf course!" according to Derick B.
Community feel: Long-term visitors create a welcoming atmosphere at many parks. "The people in the park are so nice. The heated pool and hot tub are wonderful though could use some more water in it at times," notes Kurtess R. about Southern Palms RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal occupancy patterns: Winter months (October through April) see significantly higher occupancy. "Off season it is very easy to get a spot," notes a reviewer at Fisherman's Cove Golf and RV Resort. Summer stays offer more availability and quieter surroundings.
Water quality varies: Some springs and water features have sulfur content. "The only bad part was the water smelled like sulfur. Kids still had a blast," mentions Christy C. about Wekiva Falls RV Resort's swimming area.
Age restrictions: Several parks are age-restricted communities. Olde Mill Stream RV Park is "Mostly 6 month snowbirds, some permanent residents, and a small number of monthly vacationers," according to Ian D., who notes it's a "Great 55+" community.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly water features: Wekiva Falls RV Resort offers a spring-fed swimming area with slides. "The main attraction was the swimming pool / spring in the center. Concrete borders surrounded it and there was a grassy hill to sun on or chairs to relax in too," shares Christy C.
Consider proximity to attractions: Winter Garden Village offers shopping within biking distance of some campgrounds. "Also close biking (and driving distance) is Winter Garden Village - a great big outdoor mall with big name stores and specialty stores (easy 5 mile bike ride on sidewalks and multi-use trails)," notes a visitor.
Check playground availability: Some parks offer playground facilities, though availability may vary seasonally. "They have a Recreation building with pingpong, games and DirectTv," mentions a visitor to Fiddlers Green RV Ranch.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Winter Garden, "Tight sites, older infrastructure" are noted by Ian R., who adds "As others have said, we walked to downtown Winter Garden and love the small town."
Power considerations: Be aware of electrical limitations. "We kept tripping the 30A breaker with AC on and a hot plate or microwave," reports Craig F. about Winter Garden RV Resort.
Backing assistance: Some parks provide help with parking. At Southern Palms RV Resort, "One thing that separates them for the other campgrounds is the unique style they have of getting you to your spot. You follow a person to your spot and they then stretch a rope for you to back along," explains Robert M.
Off-season advantages: Summer months offer more space and availability. At Fisherman's Cove, "The summer in Tavares is the off-season for tourists and snow-birds, so our stay was incredibly quiet," according to Luis F.