Dispersed camping near Alva, Florida centers around the Caloosahatchee River corridor, providing opportunities for nature immersion in southwest Florida's subtropical ecosystem. The area features elevation changes of less than 30 feet across its entirety, creating accessible terrain for campers. Average winter temperatures range from 50-75°F while summer brings 75-95°F readings with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through September.
What to do
Kayaking on the Estero River: Launch directly from Koreshan State Park Campground where most sites provide easy water access. "The Estero River empties into the back bay...a short distance to the Gulf of Mexico through New Pass, Big Hickory Pall or Big Carlos Pass...all of which are stunning," notes a visitor who adds that "manatee make their rounds (especially in cooler months)."
Fishing from dedicated piers: W.P. Franklin N offers extensive fishing opportunities along its waterfront locations. A reviewer mentions the campground has a "huge fishing pier" making it "a great choice" for anglers, while another notes seeing "fish jumping" regularly from their site.
Mountain biking nearby: Caloosahatchee Regional Park maintains dedicated mountain biking trails accessible from the campground. According to a visitor, the park offers "really good mtb biking trails (as far as mtb biking is in S. Florida)" making it a rare opportunity for cyclists in this region.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Ortona South Campground provides well-spaced waterfront sites along the Caloosahatchee River. A camper notes, "It has nice separation in between your spot and your neighbor" and mentions the "relaxing" experience of "watching the boats come and go in the Locks."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer excellent wildlife spotting. At Ortona South, visitors report seeing "alligators, osprey, quail, egrets, otters and other wildlife" frequently. Another reviewer calls it a "birders paradise" mentioning they have "resident gators" as well.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: W.P. Franklin N receives consistent praise for cleanliness. Campers describe the grounds as "impeccably clean" with "manicured grassy areas" and mention that even the "charcoal grill ridiculously spotless...along with the fire pit...spaciously situated on clean, raked pea gravel."
What you should know
Advanced reservations essential: Camping sites near Alva, Florida require planning ahead, particularly in winter. A reviewer of W.P. Franklin N advises to "book way ahead with this one, we only got one day," while another mentions the challenge of securing reservations at Ortona South, describing getting spots as "the Ortona shuffle."
Cart access only at some locations: Certain campgrounds like Caloosahatchee Regional Park require carrying equipment from parking areas. A camper notes, "You do have to carry all your gear to the campsites, but they have carts near the checkin office" and another mentioned that "none of the sites are far from the parking lot."
Traffic noise varies by location: Some campgrounds experience road noise. At Koreshan State Park, a visitor noted "some road noise" while a W.P. Franklin N camper described it as "noisy" with "air traffic from RSW is nonstop, road traffic from Rt 78 and/or Rt 80 seemed nonstop."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Caloosahatchee Regional Park offers playground facilities making it suitable for families with children. A reviewer mentioned, "Usually there are kids playing in the playground area, so very family friendly," highlighting the community atmosphere.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds provide swimming access for family enjoyment. Seminole Campground features a "heated pool" which families appreciate during cooler months, and a visitor noted the campground has "a nature walk, pool, playground, and plenty of weekend activities for the family to participate in."
Safety considerations: Parents should be aware of wildlife presence near water. At Ortona South, campers report seeing alligators regularly, with one noting that Telegraph Creek is "full of fish and Alligators" - requiring appropriate supervision for children near waterways.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing considerations: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. At W.P. Franklin N, a reviewer with a 35-foot class motorhome noted there was "plenty of space" with "room to spare" while another mentioned the "long, level concrete parking pad, angled for back-in" design.
Limited privacy at some locations: RVers seeking seclusion should choose locations carefully. A W.P. Franklin N camper noted there's "absolutely no privacy...at all" as "palm trees are lovely but offer no barrier between neighbors," making it less ideal for those wanting isolation.
Hookup variations: Water and electric connections are standard but sewer hookups are limited. A camper at W.P. Franklin N mentioned sites have "water hookups/electric at every site" but "no sewer at the sites" with a "dump station near the exit" instead, requiring planning for longer stays.
