Seasonal flooding affects several Englewood area campgrounds, particularly in low-lying areas from June through September. Tent campers often contend with standing water after heavy rains while RV sites typically drain faster. Winter temperatures average 50-75°F with minimal rainfall, making November through April the optimal camping season for visitors with pets.
What to do
Biking the Legacy Trail: Access this paved trail directly from Oscar Scherer State Park Campground. "The Legacy trail built on an old railway doesn't offer much contour as it is pretty much a strait shot but runs from Sarasota to Venice and from Venice you can take the Venetian Waterway even further. Soon the Legacy Trail will go all the way to downtown Sarasota," notes a reviewer from Oscar Scherer State Park Campground.
Kayaking the Myakka River: Launch directly from Camp Venice Retreat's riverside sites. "Easy river access. Paddle the Myakka River in both directions. Plenty of wildlife - and gaters!. No worries, they'll leave you alone if you don't bother them," according to a visitor at Camp Venice Retreat.
Wildlife viewing: Observe Florida's native species at Myakka River State Park. "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!"
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Flying A Campground in Myakka State Forest offers exceptional space between sites. "All the sites are quite large and well separated from neighboring sites. With the right mix of campers, you could have a super peaceful night in the forest without having to bushwhack your way in," explains a camper at Flying A Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite being nestled in natural settings, many Englewood campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouses. "Bathrooms were very clean! There were sinks for dish washing as well," reports a visitor at Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Proximity to beaches: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Englewood provide easy beach access. "Close to everything, multiple beaches 20 minutes away, great shopping and restaurants are close by," notes a guest at Myakka River Motorcoach Resort. Venice beaches are particularly popular for their shark tooth hunting opportunities.
What you should know
Gator safety: Alligators are common throughout the Englewood area. "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 camper at Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Bug preparation: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be intense, especially during warm months. "WHATEVER YOU DO BRING BUG PROTECTION! I brought sawyers bug lotion and 2 thermacell bug repellents and in 24 hours got 2 bug bites! Fire ants too are a big thing," advises a visitor at Cayo Costa State Park Campground.
Site selection at Flying A: Choose carefully among the limited sites. "Out of all the sites, 3 had the most privacy and had great views of the forest. If we decide to go again, we will definitely stay at this site. The other sites seemed a little bare and less private."
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs: Kids can enjoy educational opportunities at several pet friendly Englewood campgrounds. "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."
Water hookup locations: Some sites require longer hoses than standard. "The site was nice and private with a little leveling needed. The electric hookup is in its normal spot, but be aware that the water is in the woods on the opposite side (one pedestal feeding two sites). Make sure to bring a longer hose, or park closer to the water than electric."
Wildlife management: Secure food properly as raccoons and other animals may visit camp. "There were armadillos foraging behind the site at night, and a very brave raccoon that didn't seem to care I was shining my flashlight at him or telling him to get leave. We had to keep our dog inside after sunset to avoid issues with these site visitors."
Tips from RVers
Resort options vs. state parks: Encore Harbor Lakes offers resort amenities but tighter spacing. "The resort was mixed in with full timers and mobile homes. The rvs were shoved in between these homes and permanent spots. Some houses looked fairly junky. The pool was really big and beautiful, the hot tub nice, and the showers very clean."
Gate codes: Check operating hours and after-hours procedures. "Note, gate closed at dusk, call ahead to get the gate code or there is a mile plus hike to find some one with the code. Don't ask me why I know that."
Water management: Low-lying sites can flood during rainy seasons. "They wedged us into a spot between two permanent trailers which was disappointing, especially since there were open spots available." When booking dog friendly campgrounds near Englewood, ask specifically about site drainage history during your planned visit dates.
