Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Myers, FL

Pine Island is a small fishing community. The island has no beaches. They are about 30 minutes from the closest beach in Cape Coral, and about 45 minutes from Fort Myers Beach in Fort Myers. There are many marinas to launch a boat. The island is 17 miles long. They have bike paths.

This is a beautiful Class A only resort.  100 sites on the Myakka River with Amazon 

 sunsets.  Sites are typically 70’ x 50’ . Large roads easy access.  

Extremely active community in season, a peaceful retreat in the off season.  

Sites are individually owned, some with Casitas, some with outdoor kitchens etc.  Great Wi-Fi, individual cat 5 cable to each site.  Boardwalk along the river, fishing pier, kayak launch.  They have 5 pickleball courts.  Large heated resort pool with attached lap pool. Two large dog parks.  

Water aerobics in season.  Small gym.  Yoga, on spite massages and facials in season.  Extremely active social calendar,  open to everyone.   Beautifully  remodeled clubhouse, with a large subset deck overlooking the river.   Close to everything, multiple beaches 20 minutes away,  great shopping and restaurants are close by.  Extremely friendly owners, they treat renters like members of their family.  We travel in a Newmar Ventana.

If you are looking for a park right in Fort Myers, but with an open feel, this is the place. Though there are some year round mobile homes, all the RV spots on the lake are beautiful.

Nice place for a short term stay. Extra charges for WiFi took away 1 star for me. Dog friendly and small dog park available to let your fur baby run free.

This campground is located in Fort Myers right on the beach. There are sites right on the sand however, it is near impossible to get one. The sites are side by side and very tight. You will get to know your neighbors well. The office is located across the street which is a little inconvenient. The plus of this campground is definitely the view and direct beach access. We still had a great time even though we were on row 2 or 3. It is a little costly here if you are used to paying state or national campground rates then that could be a turn off. May give it another try during the off-season since I am a resident.

Unlike the name would lead you to believe, the Seminole Campground and RV park in North Fort Myers, isn't actually a campground at all -- it's just an RV park.

Located just off of I-75 and Hwy 78 (Bayshore) the location of the park is a short drive (in FL terms) to anywhere in the Ft Myers area. There is a Publix not far away, and a new restaurant called the Boat House near the Civic Center.

The "campground" is convenient to Lee County Civic Center and Echo (a global agricultural non profit learning center). 

RV sits are 55$ a day including hookups. The campground has a pool, bath house, and a community area. 

There are trash receptacles onsite and a recycling bin at each site. Each site also has a picnic table and grill.

There are a lot of RVs at the campground that look like they're there to stay awhile. The campground has more the feel of a mobile home park than it does a campground.

The pros on this RV park are that it is only 4 miles from the beach and very convenient to shopping. 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. The people really make this place tolerable as they are so nice. The front bathroom has just been redone and is very nice. The back one is OK. Laundry facility is nice however, they use the card system so you have 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. The real downside to this park is that the sites are SO tight. Crazy tight. And the other issue is that there are a lot of seasonal sites mixed in that are not well kept with old cars and junk scattered around. Too bad they can't get some pride in this place to make it better.

We had an exceptionally unpleasant experience due to the pet policy being misrepresented. We paid in advance, their policy, for the entire month of February. We had to sign a document stating the payment was not refundable. Before signing, we read through the policies that affected renters, like the pet policy and did not see anything out of line with other RV parks. We set up our exercise pens for the dogs, like we've done at every RV park for the last 30 years. We were informed that exercise pens violated their policy. We had not seen that and asked that it be shown to us. They showed a construction policy that stated owners were not allowed to build a fence on their property. We had not built anything on their property, but they maintained that an exercise pen was a fence and had to be taken down. Our dogs are quiet and love to bask in the warm sun. It felt like a cruel expectation for them to have to stay in our RV 24/7 for a full month. They suggested that we could tie our dogs out on the lawn, but they are escape artists and we could not risk them getting away. We again stated that we were not in any way violating their policy. They were very indifferent. We could not put our pets through being confined to and RV, so we immediately left. They refused to refund our money, offer a stay at another date or even offer any kindness at all. This is truly the worst experience and poorest treatment that we've ever had at an RV resort.

WP Franklin Campground, Alva, Florida. Army Corp of Engineers Lock

WP Franklin Campground is located fairly close to Fort Myers, FL (west on Rt.80) so you are within 45 minutes to the Gulf Coast beaches (during off-season) and much, much longer during winter months. However, if you enjoy paddling or boating…you are there! Short distance hiking is closeby, as well as MTB trails.

I will begin with the positives…

•Wonderfully nice hosts

•Impeccably clean grounds, sites, docks, restrooms

•Manicured grassy areas

•On its own boomerang-shaped river island

•Boater's/Fisherman's paradise

•Charcoal grill ridiculously spotless…along with the fire pit…spaciously situated on clean, raked pea gravel

•Covered picnic table

•Long, level concrete parking pad, angled for back-in

•Water hookups/Electric at every site

•7/8 of all sites are on the river

•Mature, quiet crowd

•Several boat camper docks with electric/water

•Relatively close to Gulf Coast beaches, shopping and nightlife

•Regional park nearby offers trails (but was affected by hurricane Irma)

•Regional mountain bike trails nearby

•Water is ten feet from your site…slide your paddle craft in and go…or back your power craft down a ramp in the center of the campground

•Multiple docks, shoreline and locks to fish from

The not so positives for tent campers…

•Absolutely no privacy…at all. Palm trees are lovely but offer no barrier between neighbors

•Small campground…no trails…just surrounding water

•Literally on top of your neighbor

•No need for a nightlight. All night Streetlights penetrate tent walls/fly

•Noisy! Air traffic from RSW is nonstop, road traffic from Rt 78 and/or Rt 80 seemed nonstop (and technically it's not season yet), yappy lap dogs

•Expensive for no amenities at $30 a night

•Tent is 4ft. from campground roadway…sounds/feels like vehicles are in the tent with you as they pass

•Staying at site 27, overflow parking is ten feet away…more noise

•Prepare for mosquitos and chiggers (not bad, but just bring your repellent)

I continue to try local Campgrounds in SW Florida…so this is an attempt to see what my state has to offer. I ordinarily seek out the solitude of faraway mountain states and more rustic/primitive/backcountry camping options. This was akin to sleeping in my backyard…correction…my yard is far quieter and less busy…offering more privacy

For the RV/Camper set…this must be popular and enjoyable, even though I wasn't contented. If you are an RV/Camper…and bring your toys…using this as a base camp to launch activities…there are plenty of areas nearby to explore and enjoy the wild…on land and water!

This is purely personal, based on what I like and dislike when I desire to visit campgrounds. I will not return, but only because I am not an RV/Camper type of person.. Plenty of reviewers give this Campground five stars, so take my comments for what they're worth. Regardless, bring your earplugs, noise cancelling headphones or heavily insulated RV/camper…or revel in the noise.

Tomorrow is another day and another Campground!

It is a well laid out Florida State Park campground In a mangrove swamp, making the mosquitoes horrible. There is access to a channel that you can rent a kayak or “Go Cat” to go all the way to the gulf, or use your own boat. The go cats are very cool and the guide you out in groups for around $150.

This place is special.  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.  The campground closed for several months in summer 2021 to eradicated the rodents.  It worked!  We did not see or hear one rodent when we stayed for three nights in November 2021.  If campers / visitors will keep a clean camp site and not leave food and garbage out, the rodents should stay under control.

  No problem with bugs in the dry season, but you still need some bug spray at dawn and dusk.

We're beyond excited for the grand opening of Palm Breeze Luxury RV Resort and have already booked our stay for 2025! The amazing amenities, combined with the family-friendly and pet-friendly atmosphere, make it the perfect getaway for everyone. The reservations team was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the new management company is doing a fantastic job. We can't wait to experience everything this resort has to offer!

What a beautiful park. The lake was so beautiful. The cat walk trail was nice and maintained well. Loved the walking dredge history. The staff was really nice.

We camp Koreshan because it is literally less than 10 minutes from our house. We can set up camp and stay throughput the week even if the kids have school. 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. A ramp for putting in your kayaks or SUPs as well as kayak rental. Locations to fish the river. You are a 20 minute drive to the beach from here. Very centrally located to shopping and farmers markets. Koreshan has a farmers market there at the park I believe on Sundays. The campsites have a fire pit and wood is sold at the entrance. It is a historic site of the early settlers of the area from the late 1800’s so there are historical buildings on site to tour. It is a pet friendly campground. The only reason I give this campground 4* rather than 5 is because of the road noise from Hwy 41 that it is off. It’s quite peaceful until you get a motorcycle racing up and down the highway at 2am. They do have specific sites if you wish to camp in hammocks. If you google the campground you should be able to find out which sites those are.

RANGER REVIEW: GREGORY ZULU 35 BACKPACK AT PICAYUNE STRAND STATE FOREST-HORSESHOE CAMPGROUND

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Florida offers very diverse camping opportunities throughout the state. Not many states can offer year-round camping along lakes, rivers, oceans, swamps, undulating terrain to pancake flat, grasslands, sugar sand to elevated chickee huts. Camping in Florida is not for the faint of heart, but for the adventurous...much like any state. However, in Florida, you may encounter crawling or slithering reptiles and spinning spiders in various shapes and sizes, non-venomous and otherwise...gators or saltwater crocs...otters, manatee or sharks...wild hog, bear, bobcat or relocated panther.  In the fairly young Picayune Strand State Forest many of these reside. Most are shy and elusive, rarely to be seen...but they are present. Many wrongly assume the voracious and plentiful mosquito is the state bird...not so much...but come prepared with repellant any time of year.

Almost comically, Picayune Strand State Forest (https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Picayune-Strand-State-Forest) was the location where the 1950's phrase has its origination..."If you believe that, I've got some swamp land in Florida to sell you." Land developers laid flat the land southeast of the city of Naples, put a grid of sandy roads in and flew prospective buyers in helicopters above the land during the dry winter months to sell them on the dream of cheap prime SW Florida real estate. Problem is...this land is all part of the Everglade watershed and is under a few feet of water every year from June through November, once the rainy season begins June 1. Some bought, but very few built...so to return the sheet flow back to its original state...the State began purchasing land back through eminent domain from the mid-1980's until a remaining parcel was purchased in the mid-1990's when the Picayune Strand State Forest was named. The man-made pump-regulated canals are being blocked to allow the natural sheet flow to reclaim much of this area.

Unilike many State Forests, while you can hike and bicycle the roads and trails throughout Picayune Strand, you cannot camp wherever you like. Horseshoe Campground https://floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com/camping/horseshoe-primitive-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FLFS&parkId=1120199 is located on the north end of the State Forest, which travels on the south side of Alligator Alley (Interstate 75) as it turns and slices across the Everglades to Miami.

Horseshoe Campground is a small parcel of high ground carved out of the swamp scrub. The grounds are well-maintained and clean. I found Ranger Reid, in the Ranger office, to be very friendly and helpful. He even offered a highlight that a panther, the night before my arrival, was chasing some deer about 300 yards west of the campgrounds.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

⦁ No potable water (bring all the water you need)

⦁ No Electricity (None, zero, zilch...plenty of sunshine for solar chargers though)

⦁ No Showers (I'd also advise against swimming in any water nearby)

⦁ No waste recepticles (Carry out what you bring in)

⦁ No Internet offered (Adequate cell service is available)

⦁ Open fires permitted in designated camping areas, in fire rings, unless posted

⦁ Two portable pit latrines enclosed within wood fence enclosures

⦁ Prepare for mosquitos year round

⦁ Don't forget your sunscreen

Reservations can be made through Reserve America's website. Or you can chose to utilize one of the six (6) walk-up sites. Actually, I liked the added feature of the two tarp poles (or hammock poles) on the non-reservable walk-up sites. Between mid-November and April, it does not rain often, so its of no real advantage...unless you utilize a hammock. But from mid-May to mid-November, you are likely to experience some heavy downpours each afternoon...so sturdy tarp poles would be appreciated.

Each site is grass covered, has one fire ring and one picnic table.

Can't beat the pricing...$10 a night.

True to its name, Horseshoe Campground offers paddocks for the horses and ample room for horse trailers. The Equestrian Group Camping area also has picnic tables, some grills and a pavilion. Horses must be picked up after in the campground, just like dogs.

I saw one pop-up camper during my stay. I imagine you could back in a larger RV, but there is no gravel or concrete pad...and the grass is on a sugar sand base. So plan accordingly.

Several trails leave the campground from the northwest corner. Adequately marked and all are sandy. If you choose to ride a bicycle on the trails or gravel roads, you'll want the largest tires possible to have both comfort and control. You can drive to other trails, such as the3.2 mile Sabal Palm trail...though during the height of the rainy season, the back road there will likely be impassable.

Wildlife abounds and birding is huge during winter migratory months. You are also likely to see the nesting pair of bald eagles, gopher tortoise, wood stork, eastern indigo snake, red cockaded woodpecker, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, kites, and a myriad of wading birds.

Numerous activities are nearby, whether you want to take in an Airboat Everglade tour, Shark Valley National Park, kayaking, canoeing throughout the Big Cypress Basin. Gulf Coast beaches are an hour away...either in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs or Fort Myers Beach.

Bike racers convene on Picayune Strand every May for the 50 mile Tour de Picayune https://tourdepicayune.org/.

PRODUCT REVIEW: NEW GREGORY ZULU 35 BACKPACK

Gregory Mountain Products have really stepped up their game in recent years! Not that they’ve been a slouch...Gregory Packs have long been synonymous with easing heavy loads, durability and comfort. Here's a look at Gregory's New Zulu 35 backpack https://www.gregorypacks.com/packs-bags/day-packs/zulu-35-1115ZUL35.html?dwvar\_1115ZUL35\_color=Fiery%20Red&cgidmaster=packs-day-packs#start=1 As a TheDyrt.com review Ranger, I have opportunity to review gear at no cost or substantially discounted pricing, as was the case with Gregory's New Zulu 35.

PROS:

•Featherweight 

•Breathable/Airflow

•Comfortable 

CONS:

•Very limited pole loop and bungee

First and foremost, Gregory's Zulu 35 prolific use of breathable cutouts in the hip-belt and shoulder strap padding, coupled with the large holed mesh liners elevate airflow to new levels. The taut mesh back panel creates ample space between the pack body and the wearer’s back resulting in more airflow. Greater airflow, greater comfort. A thinner aluminum loop outlined the back panel for pack support and stability.

The Hip Belt: All hip-belts are not created equal. The Zulu 35 is a huge departure from previous Gregory models. The 3D Comfort Cradle was created to eliminate hotspots. Absent is the lower lumbar padding, thick hip bone padding and swivel...present is the FreeFloat ventilated suspension system. Hip-belt bellow pockets are cavernous in comparison to former Gregory models...8” zippers offer plenty of room for current smartphones, even when housed in protective cases. The pocket bellows 1.5” at the top and 2” at the bottom...and is nearly 11” from front to rear. Both pockets are coated nylon packcloth in contrast Gregory’s former generation Baltoro with one waterproof pocket and first generation Paragon packs that offered one of the pockets in a light breathable fabric. Note: Cram too many hard edged or lumpy items in those pockets and you may feel them through the ‘foam cutout’ areas.

Shoulder Straps: They may not be thinner, but they feel thinner... amply comfortable. Adjustment for size is a snap...well, actually more of a pull. Slide a hand down and separate the hook-n-loop and adjust to your desired height (marked in 1” increments). The chest strap slides along 9” integrated piping making the perfect placement simple. At 6'0," and with my torso length, I felt I was at the very top end of the adjustment.The logo’d QuickStow eyewear band and elastic keeper strap adorns the left shoulder strap simplifying sunglass storage. The right chest strap incorporates a hydration hose retention hook...but the coolest is the chest strap buckle now has an integrated high shrill whistle! How cool is that?! Buckle coloration has changed too. Male end is a dark gray, female end a light gray.

Pack Body: The main body is a lightweight coated, nylon pack cloth shell with lightweight stretch fabric ambidextrous 8”x 6” deep waterbottle/storage sleeves and a 12” x 7” deep breathable stretch fabric exterior rear stash pocket with adjustable top buckle. Two compression straps on each side help keep the load stable. The Zulu 35 offers one large compartment with a top load cinch opening and a U shaped 40” zipper allows easy access to entire main pack contents. Absent is an unnecessary bottom zipper. The top load offers a 34” circumference so no worries about restrictions. The main body interior supplies a protective hydration sleeve along with both a Gregory hydration pack specific SpeedClip snap hook and also a nylon loop for other brands. Trekking/ski pole or ice axe loop (adjustable!) and cinch bungee are intended to keep items secure. (*I found the combo for attaching my poles to be rather ineffective, as the bungee, even cinched tightly, did not prevent my poles from swinging metronome style at the top, which you can see from my pics).  All pack zippers include molded Comfort Grip nylon loops for easy pulling.

Pack Hood: The hood has one outer and one inner zippered pocket. The outer pocket will hold ample ancillary items, whereas the inner pocket is intended as a dedicated “labeled” Rain Cover storage pocket. But stuffing the Rain Cover into the main body stretch stuff pocket or water bottle/storage sleeve frees up an additional zippered pocket. Two small web lash loops on the outside of the hood are nice for securing solar panels or carabiners for hanging your Tentlab Deuce shovel.

**Final Thoughts: ** Born a skeptic, things are rarely as advertised but the New Gregory Zulu 35 is the real deal. Until now, I loved my overly padded hip belts, shoulder straps and back panels of yesterday’s packs...but the Zulu 35’s comfort level was astounding, catching me totally off guard. Granted, I was only hauling 30lbs, but it was ‘out of sight-out of mind.’ The purposefully engineered breathable mesh and cut-outs worked...in blazing sun and 89 degrees, I was comfortable. I usually haul heavy loads (55-65lbs) for long treks...but I was able to pack enough in the Zulu 35 for four days worth and still had room. Apart from the ineffective bungee cinch/adjustable loop for poles...it is nearly perfect! In the future, I’ll just stick my trekking poles (upside down) in the side pocket and cinch ‘em down with the side compression straps with my tent poles. Problem solved.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**Stats: **

Size: Gregory Zulu 35 (Med/Lg)

Capacity: 35 liters/2136 cu in

Pack Weight: 2.89

Recommended Maximum carry weight: 35 lbs

Reviewer: 6’0/185, 21” torso 

Price Point:  $169.95