Lake Wales and the surrounding region near Babson Park, Florida sits at an elevation of 115-250 feet, making it one of the higher points in the generally flat Florida landscape. Most camping sites near Babson Park experience a humid subtropical climate with temperatures ranging from 50-90°F depending on season. The region's unique ridge geography creates microclimates that support diverse ecosystems not commonly found in other parts of Florida.
What to do
Wildlife viewing trails: Lake Kissimmee State Park offers extensive hiking opportunities with diverse wildlife sightings. "We stayed in site 19 for one night in early February. This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy," notes a camper at Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground.
Tubing in natural springs: Rock Springs at Kelly Park provides refreshing water recreation opportunities about an hour northwest of Babson Park. "Enjoyed floating down the spring and riding our bikes around the park! The bathrooms were clean. The campsites were nice and spacious for our tent," shares a visitor at Kelly Rock Springs Campground.
Air boat tours: The waterways surrounding Babson Park offer numerous air boat tour opportunities. "We did the air boat ride and it was a fun experience. The restaurant is ok, is not great but it has good pulled pork," reports a camper from Westgate River Ranch Resort.
Horseback riding: Several outfitters near Babson Park offer guided trail rides through natural Florida landscapes. These trails often pass through oak hammocks and alongside lakes.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the Babson Park area provide good site separation. "This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy. The park itself didn't inspire us on our drive through, so we just relaxed in our site here," shares a visitor at Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain good amenities. "We been here for a few weeks now and love it! Awesome summer prices that are super competitive for everything you're getting!" notes a camper at Resort at Canopy Oaks.
Family activities: Resorts provide organized recreation for all ages. "Fun tubing and playing in the springs and picnicking," reports a camper at Kelly Rock Springs Campground.
Diverse wildlife: The natural areas around Babson Park support abundant animal sightings. "Animals are abundant - wild turkeys, eagles, bobcats, AND the Florida Panther!" reports a visitor to Highlands Hammock State Park Campground.
What you should know
Summer heat considerations: Florida's intense summer temperatures require preparation. "Since it's a newer resort and the trees are new there is absolutely no shade! It can get extremely hot that you will definitely need to take advantage of the pool," notes a visitor at Resort at Canopy Oaks.
Varying cell service: Connectivity can be unreliable in some camping areas. "Be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in, and be aware that we had no cell service (this actually made us cancel another stay we had planned since we needed cell service for remote work)," warns a camper at Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Fishing regulations: Several lakes in the region have specific catch-and-release zones. "We fished off the dock, which was a lot of fun," shares a camper at Lake Rosalie Campground.
Distance to amenities: Many campgrounds require driving for supplies. "Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away," advises a Lake Kissimmee State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities timing: Plan spring visits for younger children. "We stayed here in November 2019 for 2 days. Although the weather is unpredictable in Florida we had the best fall weather and we were able to enjoy the springs," notes a visitor to Kelly Rock Springs Campground.
Entertainment options: Several resorts offer planned activities. "We came out for a quick getaway as this is only about an hour from home. The place was dead, but still amazing. Everything was open, and we had most of the resort to ourselves. The staff was great. Pool was fun. Food and drinks reasonable. They have lots of activities, and the kids really enjoyed the scavenger hunt," shares a camper at Resort at Canopy Oaks.
Educational opportunities: Many parks provide ranger-led programs. "It was our first trip in our new RV but have been tent camping there before. On this trip we were treated to a night time tram ride because the 26 species of fireflies were out for a 2 week period," shares a visitor at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Weekend planning: Public parks can become crowded on weekends. "I was here during the winter so the park was quiet, I've heard it can be very busy in the summer," notes a Kelly Rock Springs visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some parks have challenging access roads. "The sites are big, with tree cover and provide fire rings. Rock Springs is in Kelly Park so you can walk there. We did an 8 mile paddle down to Wekiva Island, which was really relaxing," reports an RV camper at Kelly Rock Springs Campground.
Power limitations: Not all sites provide full hookups. "Only 30amp hook up and no sewer, but there is a dump station. The spots are pretty level and the pads are crushed shells," notes a Lake Kissimmee State Park camper.
Alternative accommodations: For those seeking more amenities, several resorts offer rental options. "Clean well kept park. Beautiful landscape mixed with outdoor activities. Pond in addition to lake. Bountiful with wildlife. Full hookups, laundry, game room, outdoor ping pong, trails, lakeside dock, fishing dock on pond and wifi," shares a visitor at Oak Hammock Resort.
Site reservations: Book well ahead during winter months when sites fill quickly. "We were on the inside of the loop on #4. Since the pandemic spots at most state park have been few and far between so we have become way less particular and simply take what we can get at most parks," notes a Lake Kissimmee State Park camper.
