Hardee Lakes Park offers tent campsites with water access positioned directly on the lake. The park spans former phosphate mining land that was reclaimed 20 years ago and transformed into four fishing lakes surrounded by mature trees. Located 5 miles from Bowling Green, Florida, the park maintains dirt roads that are regularly sprayed with water to control dust during dry periods.
What to do
Fossil hunting on Peace River: About 30 miles from Bowling Green at Peace River Campground, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth and other fossils. "Peace River is full of fossils from all different time periods. The campground is located right off of the river so you can bring your own canoe or kayak," notes Kasey K. The camp store sells all the necessary fossil hunting gear.
Stargazing at dark sky sites: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers Florida's only certified dark sky viewing area. "The night sky was absolutely breathtaking. This is the place to stargaze. Many here taking pictures with their telescopes," reports Lauren W. The park enforces minimal lighting rules, with outdoor fixtures using red bulbs to preserve night visibility.
Wildlife viewing trails: Explore hiking paths that showcase Florida's diverse ecosystems. "Lots of very nice trails around the lakes and surrounding woods. The trails are wide and hard backed," says Jim W. about Hardee Lakes Park. Trail difficulty ranges from beginner-friendly paths to more challenging routes through prairie and wetland habitats.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground earns praise for its secluded camping spots. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shade trees. Each site has a firepit," notes Stephanie G. The park's layout preserves natural vegetation between sites, creating a genuine "old Florida" atmosphere.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Like all state parks the bathrooms were spotless and rivaled those of a Marriott," Perry J. observes about Myakka River State Park. Most public campgrounds in the region offer hot showers, and some include laundry facilities that operate with quarters.
Horse-friendly accommodations: For equestrian camping near Bowling Green, Florida, several parks offer dedicated facilities. "Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!" says Donna H. about Alafia River State Park Campground. Horse owners should bring their own feed and water buckets.
What you should know
Distance from services: Many parks in this region are remote. "There are no stores or restaurants nearby, so pack well," advises Roxxy G. about Kissimmee Prairie Preserve. At Hardee Lakes Park, "Nearest major grocery store is Walmart about 15 minutes away," according to Mack Daddy Van L.
Seasonal pest considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in warmer months. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents. However, sites are not shaded at all and because of the quarry and stagnant water the mosquitoes were RIDICULOUS!" warns AJ G. about Alafia River State Park Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during winter months. "In-Season campsites are often difficult to find," notes Perry J. about popular parks in the region. Some primitive camping areas operate on first-come, first-served basis.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children particularly enjoy seeing animals in their natural habitat. At Little Manatee River State Park Campground, families can explore "lots of beautiful nature trails, kayaking, biking & bird watching," says Barbara A. The park's varied ecosystems support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities. "Cow camp is only open Oct-May," notes Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park, referring to the living history demonstration. These programs typically occur on weekends and holidays during peak season.
Swimming alternatives: Few natural water bodies in the region permit swimming due to alligator presence. "The pool, bathroom/showers and store are in the main campground," explains Angie S. about facilities at Peace River Campground that provide safe water recreation options for families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose campgrounds that match your rig size. "There are 3 separate and distinct campgrounds at Myakka River State Park. Old Prairie Campground and Big Flats Campground are the oldest. These sites were not necessarily built for large RVs although you can get into some of them with an RV up to 30 feet. Palmetto Ridge Campground is the newest and will accommodate RVs of any size and has sewer hookups," advises Dale G.
Hookup variations: Confirm available utilities when booking. "Only 30amp hook up and no sewer, but there is a dump station," Corey K. notes about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Many state parks offer electric and water hookups but lack sewer connections at individual sites.
Low clearance awareness: Watch for overhanging branches in older campgrounds. "Be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in," warns Denise at Lake Kissimmee State Park. This is especially important for taller RVs entering wooded sites.
Traveler
