W.P. Franklin North campground sits on a boomerang-shaped island in the Caloosahatchee River waterway system near Alva, Florida. Most campsites offer direct waterfront access with level concrete pads and water/electric hookups. The campground functions as part of the Army Corps of Engineers lock system along the Okeechobee Waterway, offering unique opportunities to observe boat traffic navigating through the locks while camping.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Ortona South campground provides excellent opportunities to spot diverse Florida wildlife. "Nature abounds in and near the park. Alligators, osprey, quail, egrets, otters and other wildlife are frequently seen here," notes reviewer Paula C. at Ortona South.
Kayaking access: Launch directly from most waterfront sites for paddling adventures. "For kayakers the launch ramp is good and some sites on the inland side have good slope and shallow water to launch from directly," mentions Sue D. about the river access.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing areas accommodate anglers with pets. "Sites 22-30 and 8 boat slips are on the South end with a large parking area, boat launch, picnic area, and bath house," notes a reviewer about the facilities at W.P. Franklin North.
Historical exploration: Visit Koreshan State Park to learn about a unique Florida settlement. "The park is only 135 acres, and a large percentage is taken by the small historic city built there at the turn of the 1900's. The buildings are pretty interesting, as is the beliefs these unusual folks held," explains Dave V. about Koreshan State Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Ortona South offers generous camping spaces with good separation. "Great COE campground. Spacious sites, with level cement pads. Best sites are 21 to 26 back up to small canal with a lock. Fun to watch boats navigate thru," writes janet H. about Ortona South.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain high cleanliness standards. "The bathrooms were clean. It was nice walking on the fishing pier. We got to see a dolphin out in the water swimming around. Our site was a great size," shares Lorilee S. about her experience at W.P. Franklin North.
Lock system viewing: Watch boats navigate through the engineering marvel. "It's a quiet campground with the Okeechobee waterway flowing right next to it. It's located at the Loch and Dam so we have watched several boats," writes connie K. about the unique feature of these waterway campgrounds.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment. "Unlike the name would lead you to believe, the Seminole Campground and RV park in North Fort Myers, isn't actually a campground at all -- it's just an RV park," explains Stephanie Z. about Seminole Campground, clarifying its true nature.
What you should know
Site availability: Reserve well in advance for waterfront locations. "Book way ahead with this one, we only got one day. But it was glorious. It is a ACOE park and very reasonable especially if you have an access pass for the National Parks $15," advises Mary H.
After-hours access: Some campgrounds have restricted gate hours. "Gate closes 7 to 7. You have to get out, unlock a hard to read padlock, open gate, drive thru and then close. Hard to do in the dark," warns janet H. about access limitations.
Limited privacy: Many campgrounds feature open layouts with minimal screening between sites. "Absolutely no privacy…at all. Palm trees are lovely but offer no barrier between neighbors," notes Dave V. about Koreshan State Park Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect camping comfort. "Stayed here at the beginning of August 2020. Lots of bugs on that muggy night," reports one reviewer about summer conditions at Ortona South.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some area campgrounds offer play facilities for children. "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 Sarah C. about Koreshan State Park.
Water safety awareness: With most sites near water, family supervision is essential. "This campground is similar to Ortona South since they are both locks on the same river. At this campground though, just about all the sites are waterfront and you are closer to the water," explains Denise about W.P. Franklin North.
Wildlife education opportunities: Turn animal sightings into learning experiences. "We got to see a dolphin out in the water swimming around," mentions one reviewer, highlighting opportunities for children to observe aquatic wildlife.
Pet-friendly trails: Many campgrounds accommodate families traveling with pets. "Great place to walk around or ride your bikes around," notes Lorilee S. about the pet-friendly pathways available.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose the right location based on your specific needs. "We stayed at the other end of the Locks and we wanted to try this side. It was so cool seeing the cows and the Eagle's nest," shares Lorilee S. about Ortona South, highlighting the different experiences available at various sections of the waterway campgrounds.
Hookup limitations: Be prepared for the available utilities at each campground. "This park has very clean shower/bathroom/laundry facilities. The park is very well kept with outstanding managers. The spots available are equipped with electric and water only," explains Scott M. about Grandmas Grove RV Park.
Maneuvering challenges: Some sites require careful navigation. "Bring your driving skills to this campground! With oak, palm, and pine trees all over the place you will surely need to maneuver around and in between them to get into your site," warns Ryan P. about navigating Seminole Campground.
Long-term options: Several campgrounds accommodate extended stays for pet-friendly camping near Alva, Florida. "Well maintained RV resort with great amenities, activities and residents. Passing though Fort Myers or buying a perfect home for your RV, this should be the place," recommends Glenn F. about Cypress Trail RV Resort.
