Best Glamping near Alva, FL

Glamping enthusiasts visiting southwestern Florida discover refined accommodations at Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA and Peace River Campground, both within driving distance of Alva. Fort Myers-Pine Island offers upscale canvas glamping units with electricity and climate control, while Peace River Campground features yurt accommodations alongside traditional sites. "Grounds are nice, and staff are great," notes one visitor, highlighting the well-maintained facilities that elevate the camping experience. Both locations provide comfortable beds with linens, private firepits, picnic tables, and proximity to water recreation opportunities. Glamping sites at these resort-style destinations balance natural surroundings with modern conveniences, including hot showers, clean restrooms, and trash service.

The Estero River runs adjacent to several glamping properties, providing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. Paddlers regularly spot manatees and dolphins while exploring the waterways that eventually connect to the Gulf of Mexico. A recent visitor mentioned, "We loved walking around the historic settlement and hiking the trails with our dogs." Glamping guests can explore nearby Koreshan State Historic Site with preserved buildings from the early 1900s settlement, offering a glimpse into Florida's unique cultural history. The Sunday farmers market at the settlement draws both locals and visitors. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate frequent sightings of gopher tortoises, armadillos, and various bird species. Winter months (October-April) represent peak season, making advance reservations essential for securing premium yurt rentals and glamping accommodations.

Best Glamping Sites Near Alva, Florida (9)

    1. Koreshan State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Estero, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 992-0311

    $26 / night

    "We can set up camp and stay throughput the week even if the kids have school. It’s hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park."

    "The campground located inside the historical state park has a total of 54 sites, 39 are RV or tent, 3 only RV, and 12 Tent only."

    2. Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA

    11 Reviews
    St. James City, FL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 283-2415

    "Located in Jasper, TN. This is a place to visit! Fair rates ($35/night) and great views. Friendly staff. Upkeep on bathrooms and showers. Very pleased with my stay here!"

    "The map may show that it's close to Sanibel and Ft Meyers but it is not really by car. This place grows on you. Pine island has no beaches but does have a lot of fishing spots and great restaurants."

    3. Peace River Campground

    25 Reviews
    Arcadia, FL
    38 miles
    Website

    $16 - $80 / night

    "This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night."

    "ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. it has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area."

    4. Periwinkle Park

    10 Reviews
    Sanibel, FL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 472-1433

    $50 - $62 / night

    "It is driving f distance from most of the local tourist sites we stayed for a week and never ran out of things to do."

    "We were running close to the cut off for check in due to traffic. We called and the clerk waited for us to get there. We made it just under the wire."

    5. Cayo Costa State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Boca Grande, FL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 964-0375

    $22 / night

    "Best beach oriented camping in Florida.  The shelling is amazing and you truly feel like you have traveled back in time.  We have camped there in a tent site three times in the last year.  "

    "We were 1 min from the beach with easy access to bathrooms and running water. Some of us also slept on the beach which was quite a treat. Great fishing as well."

    6. San Carlos RV Resort & Marina

    3 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 466-3133

    "Campground staff very nice campsites are great concrete slab with table. Some campsites are tricky to get into we have a 34 foot fifth wheel. Could use a little more shade"

    "It's proximity to the beaches and location on the water makes it a great place to stay. Location has all the amenities you need to make for a fun time"

    7. Horseshoe Primitive Campground in Picayune Strand State Forest

    8 Reviews
    Naples, FL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 348-7557

    "Not many states can offer year-round camping along lakes, rivers, oceans, swamps, undulating terrain to pancake flat, grasslands, sugar sand to elevated chickee huts."

    "We stayed in a campervan and upon arrival saw 4 campsites packed together a d the entire field was open which had many other campsites. We drove into camp site 20 instead of our reserved site 2."

    8. Endless Summer RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Naples, FL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 643-1511

    "Beautiful area all around but nothing fancy. Its a short drive to downtown Naples and Naples Pier/Beach which I highly recommend. Great friendly staff and campers."

    "Nice folks and staff."

    9. Brighton RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Palmdale, FL
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 467-0474

    "Friendly environment, secluded nice little spot for fishing. Highly recommend."

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Glamping Reviews near Alva, FL

114 Reviews of 9 Alva Campgrounds


  • Stacey M.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Our favorite place close to home

    We camp Koreshan because it is literally less than 10 minutes from our house. We can set up camp and stay throughput the week even if the kids have school. It’s hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park. This campground has short trails to hike through beautiful bamboo forests. A ramp for putting in your kayaks or SUPs as well as kayak rental. Locations to fish the river. You are a 20 minute drive to the beach from here. Very centrally located to shopping and farmers markets. Koreshan has a farmers market there at the park I believe on Sundays. The campsites have a fire pit and wood is sold at the entrance. It is a historic site of the early settlers of the area from the late 1800’s so there are historical buildings on site to tour. It is a pet friendly campground. The only reason I give this campground 4* rather than 5 is because of the road noise from Hwy 41 that it is off. It’s quite peaceful until you get a motorcycle racing up and down the highway at 2am. They do have specific sites if you wish to camp in hammocks. If you google the campground you should be able to find out which sites those are.

  • Hannah V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2018

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Nice Camping for the Area

    The campground located inside the historical state park has a total of 54 sites, 39 are RV or tent, 3 only RV, and 12 Tent only. There is a bath house on the inside loop of the sites, it has hot showers and flush toilets. Each site has electrical hookup, with picnic tables, fire pit, and utility pole. Each site has good foliage and privacy from other sites. The park has water fountains and water faucets for portable water. Each site has a gravel drive and sandy/grassy area for tents, no tent pads. It is also pet friendly. Two sites I have stayed at are 020 and 009, both are large sites with lots of privacy from neighbors. From October-April it is fairly busy, and availability is scarce, so planning a head is usually necessary to get the site you want. It is $26 a night with a $6.70 nonrefundable reservation fee, reservation is on the park website.

    This state park is part of a Historical Settlement of a religious group that built this particular settlement in 1893, there are lots of buildings still preserved and available for you to walk through. A couple short and nice trails, some along the Estero river. Kayaking and fishing are also permitted.

  • D
    Mar. 3, 2021

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    We are spoiled by other Fl state parks

    We stayed at Koreshan in site 38 for one night. It is definitely not as nice as other FL state parks we’ve been spoiled by... Sites are ok, a little smaller than we’ve had at other campgrounds and there’s some vegetation between sites. The trails aren’t very exciting at the park, although we did walk through the settlement later in the day (when no one else was around) and we got to see a gopher tortoise nesting. Our neighbors were the loudest we’d had at any park (watching an action movie outside), but the campground was quiet after quiet hours. Again - we have been spoiled by other FL state park campgrounds. Ok place to stay, but if you have a choice for another state park, I’d probably recommend staying elsewhere.

  • Megan K.
    Sep. 16, 2018

    Periwinkle Park

    Sanibel Island on a Budget

    Sanibel Island is a great vacation spot full of vacation homes, white sand beaches, and world-class shell hunting. This is the only campsite available on the entire island, and as a result it is a bit pricier than most camp sites, but it is far and away the most economical way to see the island. It is driving f distance from most of the local tourist sites we stayed for a week and never ran out of things to do.

    The campground is less than a mile from the beach, easily walkable and even easier to bike. The campsite is designed to acomódate RV camping and long term mobile home set ups, however there are some lots available for tents as well. Due to the RV and location in city limits there are no campfires allowed, but grills are allowed and the site has very well kept and clean shower/bathroom facilities.

  • J
    Jan. 28, 2022

    Cayo Costa State Park Campground

    Beach camping paradise

    This place is special.  Best beach oriented camping in Florida.  The shelling is amazing and you truly feel like you have traveled back in time.  We have camped there in a tent site three times in the last year.  The campground closed for several months in summer 2021 to eradicated the rodents.  It worked!  We did not see or hear one rodent when we stayed for three nights in November 2021.  If campers / visitors will keep a clean camp site and not leave food and garbage out, the rodents should stay under control.

      No problem with bugs in the dry season, but you still need some bug spray at dawn and dusk.

  • Nora  M.
    Jan. 24, 2017

    Cayo Costa State Park Campground

    Trip to Paradise

    A group of us went down for the weekend in September. There were very few people camping and we had the tent section all to ourselves. We were 1 min from the beach with easy access to bathrooms and running water. Some of us also slept on the beach which was quite a treat. Great fishing as well. There were miles of trails and it was easy to get to and from the island. Even when we took a wrong turn getting back to the ferry, the ferry man waited for us and picked us up on a golf cart. The only thing was that the sea was a little "dirty" that time of year, but it was after a big storm.

  • Lauren W.
    Dec. 28, 2021

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Tight

    Site 3. Nicely treed with shade. Beautiful breeze and gorgeous days here. The Historic site is so interesting. Great staff to explain the history about the site. Loved walking around it. Trails were great, and biking. Site however, is very difficult to back in to. Extremely narrow with trees on both sides that are in need of major trimming. Scratched our rig on both sides! Our fire pit is UNDER our rv! Lots to see and do here.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Cayo Costa State Park Campground

    Want your own island...well...here it is!

    Though Cayo Costa State Park is located in SW Florida...a bustling madhouse of northerners from Oct through May...you can still find peace and quiet.

    Most folks prefer to pay the $45 to take the ferry across the waterway between Pine Island and Cayo Costa...but I say save a few bucks...brave the power boaters, stuff your gear in dry bags, cram them into the kayak and paddle to/from the island. (The only downside is you have to leave your kayaks up on storage racks at the Cayo Costa Ranger Station).

    Take the time to plan your paddle around, between and through the barrier islands to Cayo Costa. There is some big water, that might put your panties in a bunch if you aren't use to it. With all the skirting, figure about 5 water miles...give or take. We left Pineland Marina (overnight parking was $8 for your vehicle)...paddled across to Black Key, down through Orange Pass, around Coon Key, pass between the southern point of Useppa island and Terrassee Island and stop for lunch on Cabbage Key...at none other than Cabbage Key Restaurant (where Jimmy Buffet wrote/sang of "cheeseburger in paradise"...for real!). We are talking Old Florida here. Then weave your way north a couple mles to the Cayo Costa State Park Ranger Station/Camp Store. You'll get a rickshaw type hauler to pull all your gear the nearly one mile to the other west side of the island where the tent sites and primitive cabins are.

    Remember, if you do take the ferry...know the times of arrival and departure...or you'll be staying another day.

    If you paddle...know the upcoming forecast. If weather turns poorly...you'll be nervously paddling back singing the Gilligan's Island theme song.

    Caveat: This is SW Florida...we are talking below the tropics line folks. It's hot. If you rent one of the primitive cabins (do so long in advance...) there is no electricity, so there is no AC, fans or what-have-you. If you are in a tent...its hot...suck it up and love it! Being SW Florida...on the Gulf...sand and all...you get skeeters and no-see-ums or chiggers. If there is no wind off the Gulf, sometimes you'll get small biting flies. I only add this, so you come prepared. Sawyer Permithrin Clothing spray works great...I spray it on my clothes and tent.

    Also know, that from June through October, it'll ordinarily rain for a short duration in the afternoon. Nothing to worry about and it cools things down (just kidding...it cranks up the humidity). You'll be in your swimsuit anyways...

    It seems as though you are marooned on your own little island. You'll enjoy a myriad of water birds (herons, egrets, diver ducks, anhinga, spoonbills, pelicans, sea gulls) along with osprey, bald eagles, kingfisher and kites. The beach is awesome...and sunsets like you've never enjoyed before! Stargazing is to die for...no ambient light to wash out the blackness of the night sky.

    Swim, shell, explore, fish (get a free shoreline fishing license first..ya, I know...if its free why bother...but it is the law)...it doesn't get much better than this.

  • Kasey K.
    Jul. 13, 2018

    Peace River Campground

    What an Adventure!!

    This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night. Orif you forgot something there is a grocery store near by as well. It is conveniently located next to the canoe rental place as well. You can spend the day paddeling down the river, fishing or sifting through the sediment looking for fossils from all different time periods. The campground is located right off of the river so you can bring your own canoe or kayak. Pets are welcome but beware of alligators especially during mating season there are plenty to be seen at any time. We camped twice in the primitive area. This area is all sand dunes first come first serve perfect for atvs and golf carts with lots of trails. If you are camping in this area I’d suggest wet wipes, toilet paper and sanitizer, there are outhouses but they haven’t been upkept well the two times we visited. There are bathrooms in the rv area by the office as well. These are the best I’ve seen yet, each toilet has its own door that locks behind it, the showers have their own separate lockable rooms as well, these get cleaned every morning. There are laundry facilities, a pool, a petting zoo, and a restaurant that opens on the weekends. You can buy simple camping equipment, snacks, firewood and ice at the office, they are very helpful. Overall this is a fun campground, plenty to do for all ages.


Guide to Alva

Camping near Alva, Florida offers diverse experiences from wilderness camping in the Everglades watershed to full-service campgrounds along coastal waterways. Located in southwestern Florida, Alva experiences subtropical conditions with hot, humid summers where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F and mild winters with daytime temperatures typically in the 70s. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, with accessibility affected by seasonal flooding in some primitive areas from June through November.

What to do

Fossil hunting along Peace River: Peace River Campground provides access to one of Florida's best fossil hunting spots. "This park seems to flood and have limited sewer sites but is a great place to find Shark teeth and other fossils. I once had to abandon my Tilapia as the alligator appeared to want it more than me!" notes a camper. The camp store sells equipment needed for fossil searches.

Historic exploration: At Koreshan State Park Campground, visitors can explore a unique slice of Florida history. "This campground has some history to it, which is pretty cool," explains one reviewer. The park features preserved buildings from an early 1900s settlement and hosts a Sunday farmers market mentioned by several campers.

Island adventures: Cayo Costa State Park Campground offers a remote camping experience accessible only by ferry or private boat. "A trolley takes you the 1/2 from the docks to the gulf side of the island where the campground is. The sites are very spacious with fire pits, picnic table and at some sites a place to hang a hammock," shares one visitor. The park features 9 miles of pristine beach with excellent shelling opportunities.

What campers like

Primitive yurt camping: While limited in the immediate Alva area, yurt camping options near Peace River Campground offer an elevated camping experience. "ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. It has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area," notes a camper about the facilities.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Periwinkle Park on Sanibel Island hosts an aviary that delights campers. "Birds are amazing. If you are around at feeding time, you can often see parrots riding around in a gold cart!" shares one visitor. Many campgrounds in the region offer opportunities to spot native wildlife including gopher tortoises, manatees, and various bird species.

Affordable beach access: When seeking yurt camping near Alva, Florida, many visitors appreciate Periwinkle Park's proximity to beaches. "Nice campground with very flat campsites made setting up our small trailer a breeze. Very cost effective way to enjoy the island," writes one reviewer. Sites typically range from $35-60 per night, significantly less than nearby resorts.

What you should know

Seasonal insect considerations: Bug protection is essential for comfortable camping experiences. A Cayo Costa visitor advises, "WHATEVER YOU DO BRING BUG PROTECTION! I brought sawyers bug lotion and 2 thermacell bug repellents and in 24 hours got 2 bug bites! Fire ants too are a big thing." No-see-ums and mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.

Remote amenities limitations: When planning yurt camping near Alva, Florida, understand facility limitations. Horseshoe Primitive Campground in Picayune Strand State Forest reminds visitors of the basics: "No potable water (bring all the water you need), no electricity, no showers, and no waste receptacles (carry out what you bring in)."

Campground reservations: Book well in advance, especially during winter months. "Peace River is the place to go in SWFL if you have toys! Trails, mud holes, beaches. My small kid particularly like the 'raccoon restaurant' hill which is the dump but fun to ride over," notes a Peace River camper, highlighting its popularity with ATV enthusiasts.

Tips for camping with families

Biking opportunities: Many campgrounds offer child-friendly biking trails. "We love to hike the trails and the kids really like the playground at this campground. The historic area is really neat too and they have a farmers market on Sundays," shares a Koreshan State Park visitor. Bring bikes or inquire about rentals for exploring these flat, accessible trail systems.

Water recreation planning: Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA provides water access for family activities. "Campground had great amenities. Clean showers and bathrooms. Club house with ping pong. Very empty during this time of year. Bugs were at their peak. No complaints, easy contact less check in and check out!" reports a satisfied camper. Most water recreation is safest in morning hours before afternoon storms typically develop.

Educational opportunities: Many area campgrounds incorporate educational components. "Cayo Costa can book out as much as 6 months in advance. Plan your trip accordingly," advises one visitor about the popular state park that offers ranger-led programs about local ecology and history, making it an excellent choice for families seeking yurt camping experiences near Alva, Florida.

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: At San Carlos RV Resort & Marina, location matters. "We had a paved site on the river we took the paddle boards over to the restaurant on the opposite side short walk over the bridge to town and the beach. Dogs allowed, shuffle board small pool," shares one RVer. Request water-facing sites when making reservations for optimal experiences.

Navigating tight spaces: Larger rigs require careful planning at some campgrounds. "Roads are narrow back by the campground site if you're in a big rig. Sites are also a little overgrown with shrubbery," cautions a Koreshan State Park camper. Many campgrounds recommend maximum lengths of 35 feet, though some can accommodate larger rigs with advance notice.

Utility considerations: During peak usage times, electrical systems can be stressed. "30amp breaker overheated and tripped 3 times during our 7 night stay," reports a Brighton RV Resort visitor. Consider bringing a voltage regulator to protect sensitive electronics during summer months when air conditioner usage is highest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Alva, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Alva, FL is Koreshan State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Alva, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 glamping camping locations near Alva, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.