Best Campgrounds near Bonita Springs, FL

The southwestern Florida landscape surrounding Bonita Springs features a mix of developed RV resorts and state park campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Koreshan State Park in nearby Estero provides 54 sites with water and electric hookups, historical buildings, and access to the Estero River for paddling. Sanctuary RV Resort, located directly in Bonita Springs, offers 185 sites with full hookups for both tents and RVs. Collier-Seminole State Park, approximately 25 miles south, sits on the edge of the Everglades ecosystem with over 100 sites nestled among mangroves. Most campgrounds in the region cater primarily to RV campers, though tent camping options exist at several state parks and primitive sites.

Reservations become essential during winter months when seasonal visitors flock to the region between December and March. As one camper noted, "It's hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park." Summer brings intense heat, humidity, and daily afternoon thunderstorms from June through October. Mosquitoes present a year-round challenge but are particularly aggressive in mangrove areas. According to a local camper, "The mosquitoes are a bit much, which makes it hard to sit outside at night." Wildlife awareness is necessary throughout the region, with alligators common in freshwater areas and bears occasionally spotted in more remote locations near the Everglades.

Water-based recreation dominates the camping experience near Bonita Springs. The Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail offers 190 miles of marked routes with primitive island campsites accessible only by boat. Several campgrounds provide boat ramps or kayak launches with direct access to rivers, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico. Road noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail). A frequent visitor to Koreshan State Park mentioned, "It's quite peaceful until you get a motorcycle racing up and down the highway at 2am." Birding opportunities abound throughout the region, especially at Army Corps of Engineers sites like Ortona South, described by one visitor as "a birders paradise" with resident alligators and excellent stargazing.

Best Camping Sites Near Bonita Springs, Florida (123)

    1. Koreshan State Park Campground

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

    $26 / night

    "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."

    "Koreshan, as its referred to by locals…is a little gem neatly tucked away between U.S. 41, Corkscrew Rd. and the Estero River."

    2. Crystal Lake RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Bonita Springs, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 348-0017

    "It is a clean, safe community with everything you would want for activities plus close to Naplesand plenty of beaches."

    "Close to many restaurants, grocery and beaches!"

    3. Dancing Dolphins

    5 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    12 miles
    +1 (847) 452-4909

    $75 - $100 / night

    "Parking was easy on brick pavers and was right next to the sandy beach. We could walk for miles in both directions. Loved it and will come back."

    "Best part you can just walk straight on down to the beach. The owner is wonderful- friendly with great communication. Yes there is recovery surrounding us, but who cares!!!"

    4. Periwinkle Park

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

    $50 - $62 / night

    "Good location. However, be mindful of your location. There is an area right next to the sewage treatment facility and it stinks bad when the wind is wrong. It was wrong most of my weekend."

    "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. Woodsmoke Camping Resort

    2 Reviews
    Estero, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 267-3456

    6. Bonita Lake RV Resort

    1 Review
    Bonita Springs, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (239) 992-2481

    7. Calusa Cove RV & Mobile Home Park

    1 Review
    Estero, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 357-7098

    8. Encore Fort Myers Beach

    6 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Super close to the beach and so much to do! Lots of attractions, shops, and restaurants!"

    "Fort Myers, Sanibel, Cape Coral are all just 15 to 20 minutes drive. It has a very nice smaller pool that is a great meeting place every afternoon."

    9. Sanctuary RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Bonita Springs, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 495-4700

    $78 - $120 / night

    10. Lake San Marino RV Resort, A Sun RV Resort

    1 Review
    Bonita Springs, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 597-4202

    "Clean facilities , friendly campers and close to Many restaurants grocery stores, activities and beach."

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Recent Reviews near Bonita Springs, FL

344 Reviews of 123 Bonita Springs Campgrounds


  • Anthony B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Naples/Marco Island KOA Holiday

    Nice park but drainage issues

    We stayed here last weekend, and while the park is nice enough, there are severe drainage issues. We live in Florida and fully understand rainy season, but there’s no excuse to wake up to 4 inches of water FLOWING through your site. Site L18 is not recommended.

  • bailey J.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Caloosahatchee Regional Park

    Our Stay

    We’ve stayed here twice now and absolutely loved it. The first time we stayed in Site 5, I believe, and something to note is that it is directly next to one of the ground volunteers’ RV site. It’s very close and does offer very limited privacy. However, he was incredibly nice and offered us firewood and a few other things that we forgot. This site was also incredibly close to the bathroom, which is a must for me. It was an amazing experience! Our second visit, we stayed on site 24. This site backs up directly to 25 and is right behind the bathrooms/showers. This site was also perfect for us despite the limited privacy. However, inconsiderate campers would walk directly through the back of our site to get to the bathrooms. Either way, these things were not dealbreakers. The grounds have incredible trails, mile-long trails to walk along the Caloosahatchee River, with beautiful sight-seeing. This is now our go-to campground!!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Periwinkle Park

    Very nice campground on Sanibel Island

    Nice campground with very flat campsites made setting up our small trailer a breeze. 

    Very cost effective way to enjoy the island.

    Sites were a bit snug but were plenty for us.

    Bathrooms were probably the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground.  They were cleaned daily and it showed.

    Laundry facilities were very nice as well.

    Periwinkle park is located fairly close to most anything you'd like to do on Sanibel.  It was only a few minute bike ride down to the beach and to many other attractions.

    Great place, would definitely stay again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2025

    Panther Camp — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Great spot to disconnect. Primitive. Free.

    I have hammock camped twice at this location. There is no cost to stay, no reservations needed. You can fill out a permit from the website. However I have never been asked for it. The trail in can be muddy depending on the time of year. 5 miles from the entrance on the Blue trail, it is a tree grove with a picnic table and firepit. Large and maintained by the FTA, space for 10+ tents and hammocks. There is a water hole in the back of the camp which can be filtered. However a gator generally lives there. Better to pack your water in. Strong cell signal due to cell towers at the rest stop.

  • E
    May. 19, 2025

    Bear Island Campground — Big Cypress National Preserve

    Very isolated location.

    This location is at the end of a 41 mile dirt road. We stayed on the loop that contains sites 1 through 12. There is no privacy between sites, except #4. The sites are large and you shouldn’t feel crowded. The area was well maintained and the vault toilet was clean. There is some great fishing in the canal alongside the road.

  • j
    May. 12, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Nice place.

    Grounds are nice, and staff are great. I’d suggest avoiding site 37 until it’s renovated. Big tree in the middle, and soft sugar sand is hard to level. Also, just know there are paths in the back where you want to keep eyes open. Saw rattlesnakes.

  • Mary jo R.
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Basic Accomodations

    The trees and shrubs appear burned out from controlled burn or brush fire. The dead branches are still there. Sites have stones and sand. Not alot of grass or tree coverage. The park offers hiking trails and close by access for launching kayaks. This park also has a walking tour of the Korshean Settlement which was interesting. Every time we have been here there has been a burn ban so no campfires allowed. Sites are small but will work for a tent or smaller camper. Ours is 32’ and it is really tight for the site. Staff is super friendly. Sites fill up quickly especially on the weekend.

  • c
    Apr. 14, 2025

    Ortona South

    Nice and peaceful

    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. Large sites, very large sites. Clean restrooms, nice staff, basically like we always find at COE.

  • Eric R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 17, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Tight camp spaces.

    Roads are narrow back by the campground site if you're in a big rig. Sites are also a little overgrown with shrubbery. The restrooms were clean. Some road noise. This campground has some history to it, which is pretty cool.


Guide to Bonita Springs

Camping near Bonita Springs, Florida centers around water-based experiences with both freshwater and saltwater options within short drives. Most campgrounds in this region have elevation levels at or below 10 feet above sea level, making them susceptible to flooding during heavy rain events. Winter months from December through February offer mild temperatures with daytime highs in the mid-70s, while humidity levels frequently reach 80% or higher during summer camping.

What to do

Kayaking the Estero River: Koreshan State Park Campground offers direct river access with on-site kayak rentals. "The big draw…the Estero River. Though built up on the north side with a trailer park…parts of the Estero feel remote and jungle-like," shares one Koreshan State Park visitor.

Explore historic settlements: The Koreshan settlement offers educational opportunities about Florida's unique history. "The park also has a walking tour of the Korshean Settlement which was interesting," notes a camper, while another mentioned, "The buildings are pretty interesting, as is the beliefs these unusual folks held."

Beach activities: Fort Myers Beach is accessible within 4 miles of some campgrounds. One camper at Encore Fort Myers Beach reports it's "Super close to the beach and so much to do! Lots of attractions, shops, and restaurants!"

Shell hunting on Sanibel: Periwinkle Park provides budget-friendly access to world-class shell hunting. "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."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate natural buffers between camping spots. At Koreshan State Park, "There is plenty of scrub between you and your neighbor…you may hear them, but you won't see them."

Clean facilities: Campground bathrooms receive high marks from visitors. A camper at Periwinkle Park noted, "Bathrooms were probably the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground. They were cleaned daily and it showed."

Bird watching opportunities: Dancing Dolphins and other campgrounds offer unique wildlife viewing. Periwinkle Park "serves as an exotic bird refuge. So much to like." Another visitor added, "Birds are amazing. If you are around at feeding time, you can often see parrots riding around in a gold cart!"

Beach proximity: Several campgrounds offer walking or biking distance to beaches. "The campsite is less than a mile from the beach, easily walkable and even easier to bike," notes one Periwinkle Park visitor.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Florida campgrounds fill quickly during winter months. A visitor to Bonita Lake RV Resort notes they "don't make visitors sign in," but most parks have strict reservation policies.

Wildlife awareness: Alligators frequent local waterways. "There are gators that populate the river…but if you don't mess with them…they won't mess with you," advises a Koreshan State Park visitor.

Site conditions vary widely: Some sites present challenges for larger RVs. One camper warned about Koreshan: "I'd suggest avoiding site 37 until it's renovated. Big tree in the middle, and soft sugar sand is hard to level."

Road noise affects some campgrounds: Highway proximity creates noise issues in certain areas. A visitor noted about Koreshan State Park: "The only real negative for tent campers…is the traffic noise from U.S. 41. It's not obnoxious, but you do hear it."

Tips for camping with families

Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Several parks offer activities specifically for children. "We love to hike the trails and the kids really like the playground at this campground," notes a visitor to Koreshan State Park.

Consider beach-accessible options: Crystal Lake RV Resort offers "close to many restaurants, grocery and beaches!" making it convenient for families needing supplies or entertainment options.

Watch for wildlife with children: Snake sightings occur in some areas. One camper at Koreshan State Park warned, "Also, just know there are paths in the back where you want to keep eyes open. Saw rattlesnakes."

Look for educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. Koreshan State Park "has some history to it, which is pretty cool," and offers guided tours of historic buildings suitable for school-age children.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Sugar sand at some campgrounds creates leveling difficulties. "Sites have stones and sand. Not alot of grass or tree coverage," notes a Koreshan State Park visitor about site conditions.

Size restrictions apply: Several campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. One camper at Sanctuary RV Resort appreciated "the ability to pull through a site was awesome," but many parks have limited space.

Road access considerations: Narrow campground roads create maneuvering challenges. "Roads are narrow back by the campground site if you're in a big rig," cautions a visitor to Koreshan State Park.

Seasonal planning affects availability: During winter months, many parks fill with long-term residents. One Crystal Lake visitor noted it's "Incredibly clean amenities and friendly resort if you are lucky enough to get in. Mostly a snow bird community but overall very nice a community."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bonita Springs, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bonita Springs, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Bonita Springs, FL and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bonita Springs, FL?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bonita Springs, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Bonita Springs, FL.