Best Campgrounds near Captiva, FL

Camping options near Captiva, Florida include several sites that work well for different types of campers. Cayo Costa State Park Campground sits on an island that you can only reach by boat, with simple sites near sandy beaches and walking paths. The park has basic bathrooms and tables for meals, but not much else for those who like minimal setups. Along the Caloosahatchee River, WP Franklin Campground has bigger sites with electricity for RVs. Many people come here to fish or just enjoy looking at the river. Families might prefer Seminole State Park Campground because it has a playground and hiking trails nearby. You should book your spot early, particularly from November to April when the weather is nicer and sites fill up fast. Summer gets pretty hot and muggy around Captiva, and mosquitoes can be bad, so bring bug spray if you camp then. Some grounds have water and electric hookups but no sewer, which is something to plan for. When you're not at your campsite, the beaches around Captiva are good for swimming. The area has camping that works for both tent and RV campers. Just make sure to look up any closures before you go. Captiva's different camping areas attract both families and people traveling alone.

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Best Camping Sites Near Captiva, Florida (103)

    1. Cayo Costa State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Boca Grande, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 964-0375

    $22 / night

    "Best beach oriented camping in Florida.  The shelling is amazing and you truly feel like you have traveled back in time.  We have camped there in a tent site three times in the last year.  "

    "Cayo Costa is absolutely the best place for getting away from everything civilized!."

    2. Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA

    11 Reviews
    St. James City, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 283-2415

    "Surrounded by water. Paradise"

    "Grocery store nearby, which is really convenient. Good cell service and ok wifi. Have to drive to beach but so worth it! Super beaches and amazing water."

    3. Periwinkle Park

    10 Reviews
    Sanibel, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 472-1433

    $50 - $62 / night

    "Good location. However, be mindful of your location. There is an area right next to the sewage treatment facility and it stinks bad when the wind is wrong. It was wrong most of my weekend."

    "We were running close to the cut off for check in due to traffic. We called and the clerk waited for us to get there. We made it just under the wire."

    4. Koreshan State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Estero, FL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 992-0311

    $26 / night

    "It’s hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park. This campground has short trails to hike through beautiful bamboo forests."

    "Koreshan, as its referred to by locals…is a little gem neatly tucked away between U.S. 41, Corkscrew Rd. and the Estero River."

    5. Encore Fort Myers Beach

    6 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Super close to the beach and so much to do! Lots of attractions, shops, and restaurants!"

    "Fort Myers, Sanibel, Cape Coral are all just 15 to 20 minutes drive. It has a very nice smaller pool that is a great meeting place every afternoon."

    6. Dancing Dolphins

    5 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    17 miles
    +1 (847) 452-4909

    $75 - $100 / night

    "Parking was easy on brick pavers and was right next to the sandy beach. We could walk for miles in both directions. Loved it and will come back."

    "Best part you can just walk straight on down to the beach. The owner is wonderful- friendly with great communication. Yes there is recovery surrounding us, but who cares!!!"

    7. San Carlos RV Resort & Marina

    3 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 466-3133

    "It's proximity to the beaches and location on the water makes it a great place to stay. Location has all the amenities you need to make for a fun time"

    "we had a paved site on the river we took the paddle boards over to the restaurant on the opposite side short walk over the bridge to town and the beach. Dogs allowed, shuffle board small pool."

    8. Tropical Waters RV Park

    1 Review
    Bokeelia, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 283-4456

    $60 / night

    "They have bike paths."

    9. Fort Myers / Pine Island KOA Holiday

    1 Review
    St. James City, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    10. Encore Gulf Air

    2 Reviews
    Fort Myers Beach, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Love that it's close to the beach, just needs Moore trees."

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Recent Reviews near Captiva, FL

291 Reviews of 103 Captiva Campgrounds


  • Anthony B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Naples/Marco Island KOA Holiday

    Nice park but drainage issues

    We stayed here last weekend, and while the park is nice enough, there are severe drainage issues. We live in Florida and fully understand rainy season, but there’s no excuse to wake up to 4 inches of water FLOWING through your site. Site L18 is not recommended.

  • bailey J.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Caloosahatchee Regional Park

    Our Stay

    We’ve stayed here twice now and absolutely loved it. The first time we stayed in Site 5, I believe, and something to note is that it is directly next to one of the ground volunteers’ RV site. It’s very close and does offer very limited privacy. However, he was incredibly nice and offered us firewood and a few other things that we forgot. This site was also incredibly close to the bathroom, which is a must for me. It was an amazing experience! Our second visit, we stayed on site 24. This site backs up directly to 25 and is right behind the bathrooms/showers. This site was also perfect for us despite the limited privacy. However, inconsiderate campers would walk directly through the back of our site to get to the bathrooms. Either way, these things were not dealbreakers. The grounds have incredible trails, mile-long trails to walk along the Caloosahatchee River, with beautiful sight-seeing. This is now our go-to campground!!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Periwinkle Park

    Very nice campground on Sanibel Island

    Nice campground with very flat campsites made setting up our small trailer a breeze. 

    Very cost effective way to enjoy the island.

    Sites were a bit snug but were plenty for us.

    Bathrooms were probably the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground.  They were cleaned daily and it showed.

    Laundry facilities were very nice as well.

    Periwinkle park is located fairly close to most anything you'd like to do on Sanibel.  It was only a few minute bike ride down to the beach and to many other attractions.

    Great place, would definitely stay again.

  • j
    May. 12, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Nice place.

    Grounds are nice, and staff are great. I’d suggest avoiding site 37 until it’s renovated. Big tree in the middle, and soft sugar sand is hard to level. Also, just know there are paths in the back where you want to keep eyes open. Saw rattlesnakes.

  • Mary jo R.
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Basic Accomodations

    The trees and shrubs appear burned out from controlled burn or brush fire. The dead branches are still there. Sites have stones and sand. Not alot of grass or tree coverage. The park offers hiking trails and close by access for launching kayaks. This park also has a walking tour of the Korshean Settlement which was interesting. Every time we have been here there has been a burn ban so no campfires allowed. Sites are small but will work for a tent or smaller camper. Ours is 32’ and it is really tight for the site. Staff is super friendly. Sites fill up quickly especially on the weekend.

  • Eric R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 17, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Tight camp spaces.

    Roads are narrow back by the campground site if you're in a big rig. Sites are also a little overgrown with shrubbery. The restrooms were clean. Some road noise. This campground has some history to it, which is pretty cool.

  • Teala S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2025

    Horseshoe Primitive Campground in Picayune Strand State Forest

    Lucky find

    A perfect primitive spot with a great location. Kind campground host and spacious spots. It is very open and you will see a lot of your neighbors, but that isn’t too much of a worry as many folks are here for hunting. It’s quiet in the evenings and makes for a great sunset spot.

  • Marji E.
    Mar. 9, 2025

    Encore Harbor Lakes

    Emergency overnight stay

    We wanted to use our generator for camping to test it out, but it would not start. Had to have a RV park nearby and called, and booked a site within 10 minutes. Very pleased with the accommodations. Pool was great, neighbors were friendly and very helpful. Park was clean and orderly. Definitely would stay here again.

  • B
    Feb. 16, 2025

    Naples/Marco Island KOA Holiday

    Lovely campground

    Excellent staff, communication outstanding regarding activities, park issues, events etc. Sites are nice and well manicured. Pool excellent, very nice laundry facilities and camp store.


Guide to Captiva

Camping near Captiva, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the Beaches: Many campgrounds are close to stunning beaches. For example, Oscar Scherer State Park Campground is just a short drive from several beaches, making it easy to enjoy the sun and surf.
  • Hiking and Biking: Trails abound in the area. Campers at Myakka River State Park rave about the well-shaded campsites and easy access to walking and biking trails. One visitor noted, "The campsites are well-shaded and have easy access to walking & biking trails."
  • Wildlife Watching: If you love nature, you’ll find plenty of wildlife. At Collier–Seminole State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "There is a lot of wildlife to see: Lots of birds, alligators, deer, wild turkeys."

What campers like

What you should know

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A camper at Collier–Seminole State Park Campground warned, "The mosquitoes were so aggressive we got tons of bites."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. For instance, W.P. Franklin N does not have sewer hookups, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Ortona South mentioned, "Sites in this campground are in high demand."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. Koreshan State Park Campground has a playground and canoe rentals, making it a great spot for families.
  • Plan for Outdoor Fun: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family at Peace River Campground enjoyed the "private sites on the water" and found plenty of nature to explore.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Gulf Beach Campground loved the "nice laundry, great bathrooms," and mentioned the importance of having food options nearby.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA noted, "The lot was a tight squeeze, so if you’re not an experienced driver, you may want to request a different lot selection."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. Campers at W.P. Franklin N appreciated the "clean and flush toilets" and electric hookups.
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Peace River Campground mentioned, "There are trails which are used by ATVs, and up until 10 PM, it’s noisy."

Camping around Captiva, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Captiva, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Captiva, FL is Cayo Costa State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 21 reviews.