RV camping options near Bartow, Florida, include sites with varying amenities and accessibility throughout the year. The central Florida location provides mild winters making it a popular destination for snowbirds from November through March. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity and afternoon thunderstorms common from June through September.
What to do
Biking trails nearby: Just outside the entrance of Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale, campers can access a 29-mile bike trail. "There's a eagle preserve by the lake and the Auburndale bike trail (29 miles!) just outside of the entrance," notes Amanda W.
Shark tooth hunting: The Peace River offers unique fossil hunting opportunities with specialized equipment available for visitors. "We came here as tent campers. It was a last minute location switch. It was almost exclusively RVs when we were there... We ended up enjoying a party at the pool and the bathrooms were nice," explains Andrea D. about her experience at Peace River.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks provide opportunities to observe Florida wildlife in natural settings. "There are plenty of deer to watch throughout the day," says Jeremy G. about Tropical Palms Resort and Campground, where wildlife observation is possible despite the convenient location near attractions.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Certain RV parks near Bartow provide larger camping areas compared to standard sites. "The sites are awesome and very clean. They each come with a turf pad which the pup loved," writes Phil about Camp Margaritaville, highlighting the pet-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: Pool facilities vary widely at rv parks in the Bartow area, with quality and crowding being important considerations. "They've got a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," reports Danielle M. from Camp Margaritaville, though not all campgrounds offer similar quality.
Onsite entertainment: Sherwood Forest RV Resort provides immediate access to local attractions. "The location is great, very close to the theme parks in the area and grocery, convenience stores and restaurants nearby," states John G., though noting some rules enforcement issues.
What you should know
Site quality varies: Concrete pads age differently depending on maintenance schedules. "Site has dirt & mud & is uneven. No free WIFI you have to buy it with a credit card no cable either," warns Jeannine D. about Winter Quarters Manatee.
Traffic noise considerations: Highway proximity impacts some camping experiences in the region. "There are constant tour helicopters flying back and forth on a regular basis during the day (some noise)," mentions John G. about Sherwood Forest RV Resort, while others note interstate noise at certain locations.
Weather impacts: Florida rainfall can significantly affect camping conditions, particularly at sites without proper drainage. "While you can't blame the park for the weather, recently there's been a lot of rain and rigs of all sizes are up to their rims in muck. Seems to be a draining problem as the water stands for several days," explains Geoff Y. about staying at Sherwood Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Forest Lake Village RV Resort provides access to outdoor recreation beyond the campground. "We visited a few of the state parks in the area and Zephyrhills has a nice city park in town for walking and enjoying the many birds around the water," suggests Mary H.
Pool timing: Swimming facilities can become crowded during peak seasons. "The only negative was that the pool area seemed a little small for the number of people there. Very crowded," notes Shannon S. about Camp Margaritaville during spring break.
Playground access: Some facilities maintain closures or limited access to children's areas. "The playground looked fun but was closed due to Covid," Rachel C. mentioned during her stay at Cypress Campground & RV Park, demonstrating how policy changes can affect family camping experiences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Cypress Campground & RV Park, location within the park can significantly impact experience. "Our site was shady, mostly level, gravel with just enough space for our toad(F150)," reports Joe S., highlighting the importance of considering vehicle size when booking.
Electric quality monitoring: Power fluctuations can occur during peak usage times. "Watch the electricity during high usage the voltage drop, ours droped to 108v for a couple hours, i choose to run the gen during that time," advises Thomas E. about Peace River, suggesting backup power options during high-occupancy periods.
Water challenges: Connection placement and quality vary significantly between parks. "My site is still mucky after 3 days of sunshine... I would come back here again but only to a spot with a concrete pad," recommends Geoff Y. after experiencing drainage issues at Sherwood Forest following rainstorms.