Near Englewood, Florida, camping options extend beyond state parks to include riverside retreats and beachfront sites. The area sits at an average elevation of just 10 feet above sea level, typical for this coastal region of southwest Florida. Most campsites require a 1-2 night minimum stay, with peak season running November through April when temperatures typically range from 60-80°F.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: The Myakka River offers natural habitat viewing with rental options. "We stayed at site 6 for two nights in early February. The park is beautiful and has a great selection of trails. We saw (from a distance) a bald eagle's nest, as well as two juvenile eagles fighting in flight - both from the trails," notes a camper at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Beach activities: Turtle Beach provides direct beach access for swimming and shelling. "The best part of this campground would be the private access to the beach just steps away from any of the sites. Also, the option of taking the free trolley that picks up at the campground and takes you to downtown Siesta Key is unbeatable," reports a visitor at Turtle Beach Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide best opportunities for spotting local animals. "We arrived at the gate! After hearing of the wilderness preserve we decided to go ahead and get the permit. You drive about a mile down the road from the main state park entrance to find the wilderness preserve entrance which is code protected. After driving back to the parking area, we realized we had the 600 acres to ourselves. We then hiked to the deep hole. There we saw tons of alligators birds and wildlife!" shares a camper from Myakka River State Park.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Some campgrounds offer more private spaces despite being in populated areas. "It is located between Nokomis and Osprey, an urbanized area of Sarasota county, however when you enter the park, it feels like you are miles from civilization. The Legacy trail runs through the park. There is also kayak and canoe rentals," explains a camper at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Waterfront campsites: Several locations offer sites with direct water views or access. "Right on the river. Boat ramp awesome roomy sites. Bathrooms were clean. Nice pool. Definitely will be back," says a visitor to Camp Venice Retreat.
Natural settings: Primitive camping options provide more nature immersion. "Nice but small primitive state forest campground. Only 10 sites and one is for the camp host. About half the sites are back-in and can hold small RVs. The rest are tent only although the parking space is large enough to put a van-sized RV in sideways. All the sites are quite large and well separated from neighboring sites," explains a camper at Flying A Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most of the best places to camp near Englewood require advance booking, especially in winter. "Cayo Costa can book out as much as 6 months in advance. Plan your trip accordingly," advises a camper at Cayo Costa State Park.
Wildlife concerns: Take precautions with food storage regardless of season. "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please," warns a Myakka River State Park camper.
Site variations: Campgrounds often have mix of tent, RV, and cabin sites with varying privacy levels. "The sites along the river are super nice and should be on everyone's list to try to snag. Nice pool, laundry and bathrooms. Very quiet. Snook Haven restaurant next door is flat out awesome with twice daily entertainment at noon and 5pm most days," shares a Camp Venice Retreat visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation choices. "What I love about this property is the beautiful oak trees that shade most sites. Surrounded by pines, palms and a beautiful lake that enters the Gulf of Mexico. Amenities include minigolf, putting and driving range, horse shoes, tennis, basketball, badminton, ping pong, pool, large swimming pool, volleyball, kayaking and more," explains a visitor to Encore Royal Coachman.
Kid-friendly beaches: Several beaches near Englewood offer shallow waters for safer swimming. "The beach is at the end of the campsite, easy walk. Restaurants across the street if you feel like dining out. Trolley takes you to town and an easy bike ride," shares a Turtle Beach Campground visitor.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. "Bautiful campground. Super nice people. Ranger led programs take place nightly. We actually got to see a Florida panther on one of the trails as well as a friendly family of scrub Jay's! Our 6 yo son loved that we felt safe enough that he could ride his bike around the camp ground to play with the other campers," notes an Oscar Scherer visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research specific site dimensions before booking. "The Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers. The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic," advises a Myakka River State Park camper.
Setup challenges: Many sites require proper leveling equipment. "It's a small drive from where I live. The campsite is clean and lots of trees and a beautiful river to explore. You can launch you kayak or canoe right from your spot," shares a Camp Venice Retreat visitor.
Utility connections: Note that water hookup locations may vary from standard positions. "The sites are very close together but neighbors are super friendly. Very clean," reports a visitor to Encore Royal Coachman.
