250 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Bowling Green, Florida range from developed RV parks with full hookups to cabin-oriented properties within easy driving distance of regional attractions. Pioneer Creek RV Resort in Bowling Green and Hardee Lakes Park, located 5 miles northwest of town, offer both tent and RV sites, with cabin accommodations available at several properties. Peace River Campground and Thousand Trails Peace River provide water-oriented experiences about 15 miles south, where visitors can access multiple accommodation types including glamping and yurt options alongside traditional camping.
Seasonal considerations affect camping in central Florida, with hurricane season potentially impacting availability. "The park like so many others in the area took quite a beating from Ian during the hurricane season," noted one visitor about Pioneer Creek RV Resort. Summer brings intense heat and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through September, while winter months (November-March) offer mild temperatures but increased demand for reservations. Many campgrounds in the region operate year-round but require advance booking during winter when snowbirds migrate south. Flooding can temporarily close certain campgrounds, particularly those situated near waterways like Peace River or Hardee Lakes.
Hardee Lakes Park receives consistent praise for its reclaimed land setting. "This is reclaimed land from an old phosphate mine. The mine was closed 20 years ago and the land was reclaimed and turned into a beautified park and campground. The trees have had time to mature," explained one camper. The park features four lakes with well-maintained trails and hard-packed surfaces suitable for various activities. Peace River areas provide opportunities for water recreation, with several reviews highlighting kayaking, fishing, and river access as key attractions. Pioneer Creek RV Resort earns high ratings for its amenities and maintenance despite its proximity to Highway 27. Most campgrounds near Bowling Green offer full hookups for RVs, while primitive campsites are less common near Bowling Green proper. Visitors seeking more rustic experiences often travel to nearby state parks like Highlands Hammock or Myakka River.
"A nice campground in south-central Florida. Campsites are close together but enough room to park trailer and tow vehicle. Most sites have some shade trees. Beware of low grassy areas after a rain."
"Camping next to the river with our adult kids and the grandkids, good bicycle paths walking trails, canoeing fishing and actually quite in the evenings on the eastern side of the grounds, everything is"
"There is a picnic table and fire ring at each site and there is a toilet nearby. For showers you have to drive to the regular campground and use theirs. You can purchase firewood in the park as well."
"There are many short loop trails that take you through many ecosystems, giant trees at sizes few have seen before, lots of wildlife to."
from $18 - $22 / night
Check Availability"There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes. Like all parks some site are better than others, none are bad. We had the end site on the lake that was very private."
"I was excited to discover all these primitive wites with water are right on the lake."
from $25 - $28 / night
Check Availability"I was staying across the Street at 1000 trails, and I thought I would come over here and look at the old locomotive and the log cabin, etc."
"This location is at one of the most unpredictable water level spots along the Peace River - this is not the wide deep Peace River you will find further south, but it is a very popular location for the"
from $15 - $23 / night
Check Availability"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
"For Florida this is a great campsite especially for me because it's so close overall a great place for any activity"
from $22 / night
Check Availability"All the activities like shuffleboard and such surround the activity center. Located pretty much in the center of the park."
from $85 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Very close to Walmart! I even had a package delivered here!"
"ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. it has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area."
"This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night."
from $16 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Then exit 7 to Highway 301 north about 10 miles to the campground. The way in which the state park and campground are set up is easy too."
"This was my first time at a campground in Florida! I was surrounded by beautiful wildlife (alligators, birds, and even a wild boar). The hiking trails were perfect for a beginner or a regular hiker."
from $24 / night
Check Availability
TravelerActive duty, retirees, disabled vets and some others are eligible. PX and commissary near the security gate. Campground check-in quick and efficient. Pick your site from what's available. $26/night with full hook-ups. Right on the Gulf, beautiful beach. Beach bar cafe adjacent to campground.
TravelerIf you’re looking for an authentic “Old Florida” experience surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this campground is truly something special. My husband and I brought our two grandchildren and daughter-in-law here for a family camping trip, and it exceeded every expectation we had.
The property is absolutely stunning — over 500 acres of peaceful scenery filled with lakes, wildlife, and beautiful open spaces. We spent time exploring on a four-wheeler and were amazed by everything we saw, from alligators and countless birds to longhorn steers, goats, and ducks roaming the grounds. It felt like stepping into a hidden slice of natural Florida paradise.
One of our favorite areas was the shaded grove of majestic oak trees with oversized swings where the children played and “hung out”. It created such a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere that made the entire trip feel magical.
The campground itself was extremely well maintained. The restrooms and showers were plentiful, spotless, and clearly cared for with attention to detail. It’s also exciting to see how much love and vision is being poured into the property. During our stay, they appeared to be expanding with what looks like a beautiful waterfront wedding venue complete with a gazebo and bridge — absolutely picturesque.
This was one of the most memorable family trips we’ve had in a long time. The combination of natural beauty, peaceful surroundings, wildlife, and thoughtful amenities made for an unforgettable experience. We are already looking forward to returning.
RangerMy friends and I stayed here on May 26th and 27th, and the campground was pretty empty, which is honestly a shame because it’s such a beautiful place. It feels like you’re right in the middle of an untouched natural oasis. The campsites are separated by large plants, which gives you a really private and cozy feeling. The bathrooms and showers were clean and well maintained. The host was also very kind and helpful. I’d definitely recommend staying here.
GuideAmazing park, clean, and easy access to the river for fossil hunting. Great family camping adventure. This is a great hidden gem!
ScoutVery disappointed I had a good stay a couple months ago with my camper I am homeless. Now I’m being told my camper that I paid thousands of dollars for to buy maintain and insurance each month is being considered a tent. I’m not sure who’s Cheerios I went to the bathroom in. Clearly someone’s and you shouldn’t be comparing eg Simmons which is in the same county same county site to make bookings is different because of their size. So this size comparison has me up set and quite uncomfortable I feel smaller now than I ever did before. To think was one of my favorite campgrounds since I started this journey so I don’t have to live on the streets. This is what I get for being homeless and disabled also voicing this to the park. More discrimination. This is my last stay here. I feel more homeless than I did earlier today
GuideGorgeous grounds, well maintained facilities, great campsites with tiki huts, two bars, two huge pools, and lots of activities for all ages! We spent 4 days here and wished we had less things planned so that we could better take advantage of all they offered. We will be back!
GuideLarge dispersed camping area with good views of the airshow, included access to the ground display area, and great facilities considering how large the event is. I will certainly be back with the family.
ScoutThis campground converted to a resort but still have plenty of camper amenities.
GuideCampground in & amongst trees & scrub brush. Easy RV back-in parking. Also, tent sites. Clean laundry & bathroom facilities, including hot showers. Dump station & potable water available. Ranger led walks & swamp buggy rides. Awesome isolation, so hit the grocery before you camp here. Dark zone is great for telescopes. The road in is a little bit washboard, so just slow down & allow extra time. 2 week maximum stay. Rangers helpful & friendly.
Camping sites near Bowling Green, Florida provide access to diverse ecosystems from reclaimed phosphate mines to cypress-lined riverbanks. The area sits in central Florida's Hardee County at approximately 115 feet above sea level, with the Peace River valley creating distinct recreational opportunities. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with natural springs maintaining a consistent 68-72°F temperature year-round.
Fossil hunting along Peace River: At Peace River Campground, visitors can search for prehistoric remnants. "We found LOTS and the camp store sells all the gear you need," shared Dan X., while Jennifer L. mentioned, "I found a ton of shark teeth."
Mountain biking on reclaimed terrain: Alafia River State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems on former mining land. "I loved that they had a ton of different trails to choose from, some just hiking or biking, and some mixed ones. Really well kept," wrote Elizabeth G. Another visitor noted, "The MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here."
Tubing in crystal springs: Kelly Rock Springs Campground provides refreshing water activities on hot days. "The small Springs river that goes through the park is very relaxing and great for tubing. The waters are usually about 67-70 degrees so it can be cold in the fall," explained Ilena R. Another camper added, "You can bring your own tube for tubing or rent one outside of park at end of road."
Uncrowded lake access: Hardee Lakes Park offers peaceful waterfront camping away from crowds. "Stayed at a non-electric site right on the lake. Fire pit is great and camp hosts even recommended a local small biz that will bring you firewood," noted Joshua W. Earl B. described it as a "Beautiful spot" during their stay.
Well-maintained facilities: Peace River Oaks stands out for its modern amenities. "This place is brand new and very clean. All of the sites are spacious with large cement pads," according to Brad P. He added, "This isn't the ordinary crunched in resort camping."
Historic exploration options: Highlands Hammock State Park Campground gives visitors access to Florida's oldest state park. "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," shared Larry M. Meredith C. noted the variety of activities: "From hiking to boating, fishing to a great restaurant onsite this is a great campground!"
Seasonal wildlife activity: Alligators become more visible during spring and summer months. At Peace River Campground, Leslie M. observed, "The Peace River is full of alligators in the spring/summer time. They didn't bother us but they also didn't seem too afraid of us either."
Site selection strategies: Some campgrounds implement unique reservation systems. Laura H. explained at Thousand Trails Peace River: "Every day about 1pm you go sign up for the lottery system to shuffle your RV to a sewer site if you're lucky enough to get it. They failed to tell us you have to show up daily."
Terrain considerations: Many campsites are on sandy soil or former mining areas. "This is reclaimed land from an old phosphate mine. The mine was closed 20 years ago and the land was reclaimed and turned into a beautified park and campground," Jim W. reported about Hardee Lakes Park.
Spacious sites for groups: Pioneer Park accommodates larger family gatherings. "We opt for a primitive site by the water for a couple nights and couldn't have been happier. We had a solid picnic table and fire ring and a very large site," Jan M. shared.
Kid-friendly water activities: Kelly Rock Springs Campground provides safe swimming areas. "Such a great place for families to camp!! The campground is nice and has bathrooms and showers, plus being able to go to the springs is so much fun and beautiful!!" ReBeCcA F. enthused.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Pioneer Creek RV Resort offers nature encounters for young visitors. "The park is quiet at night even though it's close to 27," noted Robert M., who added, "The price was very reasonable, I believe it was $270 for seven nights. Full hookup."
Electrical considerations: Monitor power supply during peak usage times. Thomas E. cautioned about Peace River RV Resort: "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."
Accessibility challenges: Some parks have unpaved access roads. Sherry P. from Thousand Trails Peace River advised, "There are a few paved roads but others are not. It had just rained a lot due to Hurricane Eta and there are huge potholes. So go slow!!!!"
Extended-stay services: Little Charlie Creek RV Park accommodates longer visits with practical amenities. "The campsite was nice. The dog park was nice. The pool was nice... Very close to Walmart! I even had a package delivered here!" reported heather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bowling Green, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bowling Green, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 250 campgrounds and RV parks near Bowling Green, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bowling Green, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bowling Green, FL is Thousand Trails Peace River with a 4.1-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bowling Green, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Bowling Green, FL.
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