11 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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
"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
"If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61."
"Fun turf play area near main office. Shark tooth sifting, trail hike, but the bank river fishing was tough. Owner/manager was a jack of all trades, very helpful and did it all."
from $85 - $95 / night
"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
"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"
Available next weekend
from $22 / night
"All the activities like shuffleboard and such surround the activity center. Located pretty much in the center of the park."
"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
"What it lacks in shade it makes up for with 2 nice pools, one geared toward kids with a fountain and very fun twisty slide, music, TV’s etc & the other is on the lake by a tow-ski place that’s fun"
"Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff."
from $67 - $99999 / night
ScoutHaven't been camping here. Based on the photos, it looks like it is a beautiful place. Looks like somewhere to have a fun, crazy, spontaneous camp experience. I prefer natural nature. Cutting the trails, fire wood, catching dinner, fighting mosquitoes without harsh chemicals. Preserving the world. Maybe make a reservation. Leave the dogs with a sitter and not have a care in the world.
ScoutShowers and bathrooms are closed
ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
GuideNice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!
ScoutZephyrhills colony has new Management. It's like a breath of fresh air.A weight is lifted from our shoulders of constant harassment and being hawked at on a daily basis. The parking pads are beautiful.The construction crew did an excellent job and the yellow stripes on the roads are amazing.We are so thankful for this improvement in our park that we can be proud and happy at once and for all. I thank God for answered prayer personally.Now I can breathe now.I can live amen
ScoutThe campsites are nice! They’re close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldn’t do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we weren’t occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
ScoutEverything went pretty well except for one hiccup. Our first night staying there our bathroom drain got backed up with sewage that came back up from the drain which caused a terrible smell of The shower then also clogged and had to shower in puddle of water that got gross from our feet being all dirty because of the mud. I had mistakingly booked the stay without adding the hot tub.. so when we mentioned the issue to Dan(main guy in charge) we asked about the hot tub for the second day since it says it needs to be booked for a 2 night minimum. He said it would be taken care of.. so in our minds of a server and bartender and having worked in the service industry for a long time, we figured that the hot tub would be taken care of for us, considering that it's simply a$30 charge. So l then later get a text message from him asking if the card that I had on file was Ok to charge for the hot tub, and I asked if there would be any sort of compensation for the bathroom situation, he said being charged for one night instead of 2 was the compensation.. which made no sense to me since we only were getting it for one night. To top it off the hot tub was not even hot.. Was def not very impressed by that.
TravelerIf you like peace and quietness this is a place for you. I’m sure it is busier during the winter months. Plenty of shade with a new pool. You can rent canoes, play putt putt or paddle along the Peace river. If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61. It overlooks the pasture with plenty of shade. Lot 60 and 59 also have total coverage and will be one of my next next choices. Plenty of space between your neighbors even make it better
ScoutGreat place just know this campground has no shower house etc it’s just a nice quiet place with a beautiful sunset! Starlink works great
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 252 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 25 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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