Auburndale, Florida features a network of lakes and freshwater systems amid Central Florida's relatively flat terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 165 feet. The subtropical climate creates year-round camping conditions with summer temperatures regularly reaching 90°F while winter evenings can drop to the 50s. Campgrounds in this region typically offer water and electric hookups with varying levels of shade protection.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 4 miles from Auburndale's center, Saddle Creek Park offers multiple fishing piers and pond access. "We saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," notes Barbara A. about wildlife viewing at nearby Colt Creek State Park.
Biking trails: 29 mile route connects multiple recreation areas around Auburndale. According to Shannon S., Camp Margaritaville provides "a lot of activities for the kids during spring break," though she mentions "the pool area seemed a little small for the number of people there."
Ranch experiences: At Wilderness Shores Ranch, campers can interact with livestock. "Longhorns every where, goats, horse, cows. There's little tours they do on their side by sides. The property is huge and plenty of roaming area," writes Lisa M. about this unusual camping opportunity.
Waterslides and splash pads: Several campgrounds feature water recreation beyond standard pools. "Amazing Pool and amenities. Large pull through sites with paver patios, turf, and landscaping. Great activities for the kids," notes Scott B. about Camp Margaritaville's recreation options.
What campers like
Full hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Auburndale provide electric, water and sewer connections. At Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, Phil found "the sites are awesome and very clean. They each come with a turf pad which the pup loved. They have plenty of activities for kids and adults at the resort."
Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. At Hillsborough River State Park, Lorilee S. found "our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night. Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus!"
Entertainment options: Local campgrounds often feature scheduled activities. "We really love camping here. The campground is well laid out and the campers really get into the Disney spirit with decorations. The bath houses are immaculate," says Darcy S. about Disney's Fort Wilderness.
Wildlife observation: The area's natural setting attracts diverse animals. Jake H. notes at Hillsborough River State Park that "the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," while Nestor A. appreciates Wilderness Shores for being a "great privately owned campsite for those wanting to get away from crowds and overly-popular sites."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Auburndale fill quickly during winter months. At Lake Louisa State Park, visitor Cyndi B. found "all of the sites seemed level, most are quite private with a fair amount of trees/foliage in between sites, have a sizable picnic table and nice fire ring with grate."
Fire restrictions: Policies vary significantly between campgrounds. According to Joe R., "No ground fires allowed but portable grills, fire pits allowed" at Saddle Creek Park, while many other parks permit fires in established rings.
Limited shade: Many campgrounds feature newer plantings without mature canopy. Nell D. noted at Camp Margaritaville: "Hosts take you to your spot and help you back in if needed. All the perks- pools, recreation, concrete pads, paved roads. The trees are small so no shade yet."
Site spacing considerations: Some parks have tighter configurations. Corey C. mentioned at Camp Margaritaville: "We were in 392, which is right behind the dog run and the amenities area... They blast music through speakers from 8am to 10pm. Some nights the music went on until after 11pm."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Camp Margaritaville, Janel P. shared that "Kids played for four hours straight and went back for more after dinner! Thanks for the great experience once again!"
Pool monitoring: During peak seasons, pool capacity can be limited. At Cypress Campground, Rachel C. found "the pool was just what we needed, the put-put was a fun activity, the bathrooms were clean and adequate, the campsites were not huge but just fine."
Wildlife encounters: Many children enjoy supervised animal observations. Nestor A. discovered that Wilderness Shores "has cattle and goats and the owner allows you to pet the goats (great for little kids) and may even offer a joy ride on a side by side!"
Bathroom proximity: For families with young children, selecting sites near facilities helps. Amanda W. appreciated that Camp Margaritaville has "2 basketball courts & a couple of small dog runs. There's an eagle preserve by the lake and the Auburndale bike trail (29 miles!) just outside of the entrance."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choosing locations away from high-traffic areas improves experience. Tami B. noted about Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday: "These spots are tight and small and people tend to park everywhere they can. Leaves pulling in and out difficult. However it is a super nice place and good location."
Utility connection placement: Some sites have unusual hookup positions. According to Lilian, who stayed at Cypress Campground, "We stayed at site #57 and other than the water connection being a little far there were no other negatives."
Level site availability: Most campgrounds provide reasonably level areas. Joe R. appreciated that Lake Louisa State Park features "long and windy ride in gives you a trip back to some real Florida. The campground is well maintained and has large, level sites."
Pet amenities: For pet-friendly camping near Auburndale, Florida, designated areas exist at most parks. Erik P. found Camp Margaritaville "awesome place. Great for kids and pets. Wifi was amazing. Staff was super friendly. Huge lots with tons of stuff to do."
