RV campgrounds near Clarcona, Florida provide access to Central Florida attractions while offering varied camping environments within 30 miles of the location. The area features a subtropical climate with average summer temperatures reaching the mid-90s and winter lows rarely dropping below 40°F. Many parks report challenges with drainage during Florida's rainy season between June and September when afternoon thunderstorms are common.
What to do
Natural springs exploration: Several campgrounds offer direct access to springs and rivers. At Wekiva Falls RV Resort, campers can rent canoes or kayaks to explore the Wekiva River. "Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the Wekiva River," notes reviewer Tonia B., who adds that there are "small caves there for anyone who free dives or snorkels."
Biking opportunities: The West Orange Trail provides extensive paved paths accessible from various campgrounds. Winter Garden RV Resort is positioned close to this popular route. One camper explains, "Our favorite activity is biking to the trail head for the West Orange rails to trail which is located downtown @ 3 miles from campground. This rail to trail is 22 miles long and can be extended another 9 miles if you link to South Lake Trail."
Wildlife viewing: The campgrounds provide opportunities to observe native Florida wildlife. At Thousand Trails Orlando, the natural setting attracts various species. "This park is in Clermont, FL... Sometimes the cows from next door get loose and come visit. Sometimes there are alligators underneath RVs," reports Laura H., who also mentions seeing "Sand Hill Cranes" and "Tortoises" throughout the property.
What campers like
Community activities: Many RV parks organize regular events for guests. Campers at Encore Tropical Palms appreciate the social atmosphere. "Very clean park. Numerous bath houses. Very nice laundromat. Key card needed to access so feel safe. Also guarded gate. Pet friendly, even with dog bathing station with soap!" reports Sharon H.
Spacious lakefront sites: Properties with water access tend to receive higher ratings. At Encore Lake Magic, visitors enjoy the natural setting. "We chose this area because it was out in the woods, felt like real camping not some concrete slab city. It was very enjoyable," notes one reviewer, while another mentions, "I had a beautiful lake view and pool close by everyday."
Convenience to small towns: The proximity to historic downtown areas is a selling point for many campers. Winter Garden RV Resort provides easy access to local shopping. "This campground provides a good location to downtown Wintergarden with its charming downtown with cute shops and restaurants," reports one reviewer, who also mentions Winter Garden Village is "a great big outdoor mall with big name stores and specialty stores (easy 5 mile bike ride on sidewalks and multi-use trails)."
What you should know
Infrastructure challenges: Many parks experience utility issues during peak seasons. At Winter Garden RV Resort, electrical capacity can be problematic. "We kept tripping the 30A breaker with AC on and a hot plate or microwave. But in the end price seemed reasonable for what it was. They did have a note saying electric lines were being improved and power may intermittently go out," reports Craig F.
Seasonal flooding: The Florida climate creates drainage issues at several campgrounds. At Encore Sherwood Forest, site conditions deteriorate after rain. "Except for the few concrete pads up front, all the sites are on grass. While you can't blame the park for the weather, recently there's been a lot of rain and rigs of all sizes are up to their rims in muck," notes Geoff Y.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects the camping experience at several parks. At Ponderosa RV Park, traffic noise is notable. "We are located where the freeway is unfortunately very close which makes it hard to sleep with the amount of traffic all through the night," warns Stephanie, adding that "the designated spots are very small."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Access to swimming options varies widely between parks. Lost Lake RV Resort offers standard amenities for children. "While there's not a ton of amenities to pick and choose from, this location does come with BBQ, laundry room, pool and vending machines," notes Stuart K.
Kid-friendly transportation: Some parks offer rental options for getting around extensive properties. At Tropical Palms, "They have golf cart rental, thought that was pretty cool," mentions one reviewer, who also lists the family amenities: "Kids play room and play area" and "Mini Golf."
School-year considerations: Many activities are seasonal or reduced during certain times. At Winter Garden RV Resort, one family noted, "Everything is shut down because of COVID, no playground access, no group campfires, no activities, and only 1 of the 2 pools are open with limited hours and capacity."
Tips from RVers
Extended stay options: Many parks offer monthly rates for snowbirds. At Encore Southern Palms, the reservation structure accommodates various schedules. "You can pay weekly, biweekly, or monthly," explains one reviewer, though another adds that the campground is "divided into 3 parts" with varying amenity access.
Site selection strategy: Choosing the right location within large parks is crucial. At Thousand Trails Orlando, Laura H. explains the park's layout: "They have many sections. A- Lots of pull throughs, B- Giant Field where the kids play, D- Jungle, Secluded, Private, also with snakes but a lot more shade, E/F/G- Normal RV Park in the grass, some shade in some parts."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the area. Laura H. notes at Thousand Trails Orlando, "There isn't great cell service. The park is further from a tower and there are so many RVers in the area that don't count towards the population, it becomes a bandwidth issue."
