Bowling Green, Florida offers a variety of camping experiences within a short drive of town. Located in central Florida's Hardee County at an elevation of 115 feet, the area features flat terrain with scattered lakes and ponds throughout the landscape. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-75°F, making it popular for snowbirds seeking warmer conditions during northern winters.
What to do
Shark tooth hunting: At Thousand Trails Peace River, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth along the riverbanks. "I found a ton of shark teeth," reports Jennifer L., who recommends getting wire mesh baskets from the office to aid in your search.
Bike trail access: Camp Margaritaville provides convenient access to the Auburndale bike trail. "There's an eagle preserve by the lake and the Auburndale bike trail (29 miles!) just outside of the entrance," notes Amanda W., who appreciates the recreational options beyond the resort itself.
Antique shopping: Explore nearby towns for vintage treasures. "Very close to beaches, Anna Marie Island, Sarasota, and Tampa," mentions Jean M. from Winter Quarters Manatee RV. Robert M. from Toby's RV Resort adds, "Close to Arcadia where one can easily spend the day between the murals on many buildings to downtown where there are a ton of collectable and antique shops."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between RVs. "The sites are beautiful, most are shaded. Laid back but close enough to many various activities (within 30 min drive)," says Carl M. about Peace River, while Amanda W. describes Camp Margaritaville as having "huge lots with tons of stuff to do."
Swimming options: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort offers extensive water facilities. "They've got a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," explains Danielle M., who occasionally splurges on this higher-end camping experience.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of rv parks near Bowling Green. "The park is clean, it's the midsized Thousand Trails Park in Florida," notes Laura H., while Garry S. states that Toby's RV Resort is "well kept up" despite being easy to miss from the highway.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Some camping areas experience drainage issues during rainy seasons. Laura H. warns about Peace River RV Resort: "Many large rigs were parked in the flood plane which encompasses a large section of the park... We have seen Class As sink, so if you have a heavy diesel pusher, make sure you find a spot safe for your RV."
Site selection systems: Several parks use lottery or reservation systems rather than first-come, first-served. Daniel B. explains, "Lots are not first come first served they do a lottery no matter what time you arrive, first it was at noon, then moved to 1, then to 2."
Varied cell service: Connectivity can be inconsistent throughout the region. While some parks offer WiFi, Laura H. notes that at Peace River, cell reception is "minimal, it is put in the country for Florida, And the neighboring town is small. So there is signal but bandwidth is low."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Winter Quarters Manatee RV offers family-oriented amenities. "Winter Quarters Manatee is a beautiful resort with a lot of activities and amenities (which include 2 heated pools and a spa)," states Jean M., making it suitable for families with children.
Budget-friendly options: Cypress Campground provides affordable camping near attractions. "We had a BLAST at this camping retreat 3 miles from Legoland!" shares Rachel C., who adds, "The pool was just what we needed, the put-put was a fun activity, the bathrooms were clean and adequate."
Seasonal programming: Many campgrounds offer special activities during holiday periods. Amanda W. mentions Camp Margaritaville "had a lot of activities for the kids during spring break," though she notes that "the pool area seemed a little small for the number of people there. Very crowded."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Encore Toby's RV Resort has narrow roads but manageable access. Garry S. mentions, "Roads are narrow but it is manageable, neighbors are friendly and the staff is available, nice, and eager to help." For levelness, Sara H. notes that at Lake Magic, "with some skillful angling didn't need to work at leveling."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. At Winter Quarters Manatee, Millie D. warns, "The noise of the interstate is non-stop, and traffic in this area is really congested." However, at Toby's RV, Garry S. mentions, "It's near a major highway but we didn't hear anything."
Full hookup availability: Pioneer Creek RV Resort in Bowling Green provides reliable utility connections. Robert M. appreciates that "this is all the standard amenities you find a campground" and notes the reasonable pricing: "The price was very reasonable, I believe it was $270 for seven nights. Full hookup."
