RV camping near Cape Coral, Florida offers access to warm Gulf Coast weather year-round with an average of 271 sunny days annually. The area maintains mild winter temperatures between 65-75°F from December through February, making it popular with seasonal campers. Hurricane recovery continues at several locations following recent storm damage.
What to do
Explore nearby beaches: Fort Myers Beach is only 4 miles from Encore Gulf Air, providing convenient access to Gulf Coast swimming and sunbathing. "Love that it's close to the beach, just needs Moore trees," notes one camper about Gulf Air.
Visit Sanibel Island: Located about 20 minutes from mainland camping areas, Sanibel offers pristine beaches and wildlife viewing. A camper at Pine Island KOA Holiday shared that while the campground itself was "more of a trailer park than a campground," its strategic location makes it convenient for visiting nearby attractions.
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse wildlife including birds, alligators, and rabbits. A camper at Encore Harbor Lakes observed these animals during their stay, adding natural interest to the camping experience.
What campers like
Social atmosphere: Many parks foster community interactions due to their layout. At Fort Myers Beach RV Resort, a camper noted the upside of tight quarters: "But it's easy to make friends here, that's for sure!"
Pool facilities: Swimming pools are popular gathering spots at many area campgrounds. A visitor to Cypress Woods RV Resort highlighted its "2 clubhouses with 2 pools" among the "amazing amenities" during their month-long stay.
Convenient location: Cape Coral area campgrounds serve as good bases for exploring multiple destinations. One camper appreciated that "Fort Myers, Sanibel, Cape Coral are all just 15 to 20 minutes drive" from their campground, making day trips easy.
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Many parks place RVs close together to maximize capacity. One camper at Fort Myers Beach RV Resort described sites as "crazy tight" and noted they "couldn't even put our awning all the way out for fear it would hit the next trailer."
Mixed-use parks: Several campgrounds combine vacation sites with permanent residences. At Encore Gulf View, a visitor observed "some of the sites are very nice and well kept and others look like they have very long term residents who don't clean up after themselves very well."
Hurricane recovery: Some facilities continue rebuilding after storm damage. A visitor to Gulf View noted, "To be fair, they are still recovering from hurricane Ian," explaining some maintenance issues they encountered.
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Resort-style pools provide recreation for children. A visitor to Harbor Lakes mentioned "The pool was really big and beautiful," giving families a place to relax and play.
Shuffleboard activities: This traditional Florida recreation is available at some parks. A camper at Fort Myers Beach RV Resort noted "they have shuffleboard available which was fun" as an activity option during their stay.
Laundry planning: Some facilities use card systems requiring minimum purchases. One camper reported having to "pay $5 just to get the card and then the minimum you can purchase is $10 so you better need to do a lot of laundry to get your $15 dollars worth."
Tips from RVers
Winter reservation timing: Booking well in advance is necessary for winter stays. A visitor to NOFO GROVES Getaway characterized it as a "very peaceful place to camp" during their extended March-to-October stay, highlighting its popularity.
Road noise awareness: Highway proximity affects some parks. A camper at Harbor Lakes appreciated that "Even though its close to the highway, the setup eliminates most nosies to give you a restful nights sleep."
Big rig accommodations: Limited options exist for larger RVs. NOFO GROVES Getaway offers just two sites for larger vehicles with fifty-amp service, while several other parks advertise big-rig friendly sites but may have tight access roads.
