9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites around Englewood, Florida range from coastal island experiences to inland forest settings. Primitive tent camping options include Myakka State Forest Primitive Campsites, located directly in Englewood, and Myakka River State Park primitive sites, situated approximately 25 miles north. Cayo Costa State Park Campground offers tent camping on a barrier island accessible only by boat or ferry, providing a remote beach camping experience west of Pine Island.
Most primitive tent areas require advance planning due to limited amenities. Myakka State Forest features walk-in tent sites with minimal facilities, while Cayo Costa requires campers to transport all gear via ferry or private boat. At Cayo Costa, a tram transports campers and their equipment from the dock to the gulf-side camping area. According to reviews, "You can hike around the peninsula of Oak Hill and explore, look for fossils and sharks teeth at the waters edge." Many tent campgrounds have fire rings and picnic tables, but not all permit campfires year-round. Tent campers should bring insect repellent as no-see-ums and mosquitoes are prevalent, especially on Cayo Costa Island.
The tent camping experience in this region offers unique coastal and inland environments. Caloosahatchee Regional Park provides walk-in tent sites with cart assistance to transport gear from parking areas to campsites. A visitor noted that it has "great paths to manicured campsites. All have fire ring, bbq, and picnic table." Primitive sites at Myakka River State Park require a 2.5 to 14-mile hike from trailheads, offering genuine backcountry camping with minimal crowds. The walk-in tent locations throughout the region provide opportunities for wildlife observation, including alligators, birds, and occasionally panthers in more remote areas. Most tent camping areas are within reasonable distance of water features, whether coastal beaches, rivers, or inland waterways, making them popular for paddling, fishing, and fossil hunting.
"Cayo Costa is absolutely the best place for getting away from everything civilized!."
"Cayo Costa is truly getting away from everything. Primitive camping only, and reachable only by ferry (must reserve ahead) or private boat."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"I stayed in the primitive grounds so it was about a 5 mile hike in with a pack. We set up camp and could not wait for the sun to go down for stargazing."
"Myakka River Stste Park is 10 miles outside of Sarasota Florida, but feels very far removed from the city."
from $45 - $165 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $9 / night
Check Availability"Primitive Camping for groups only unless booking private concierge camping service. There are bathrooms but no showers, there is an outdoors kitchen and a screened pavilion."
from $5 - $45 / night
Check Availability"No, you can't drive to your site, but really good carts are available to help you with the load, so no RV,s at the campground."
"Great paths to manicured campsites. All have fire ring, bbq, and picnic table. Primitive showers available; restrooms available. WiFi works good; but there’s miles of trails to walk."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and port-o-lets available."
"When you get to the outpost you put your gear in the trailer and they drive it to the campsite for you. They drive you in a bus with the canoes and from there you paddle down to your campsite."
"There’s definitely some noise from the busy road even halfway back to the pool. Spots are level and cement, very clean but tight."
"wonderful clean sites. very level cement pads. garbage pick up at site. two pools. had a great stay."
"Lively rivers and trails to explore for kids."
from $20 - $25 / night
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ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
GuideNice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!
Scoutwonderful clean sites. very level cement pads. garbage pick up at site. two pools. had a great stay.
GuideTook the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
Scoutthis place is nice they have their own private island can go fishing over there with no license nice Pier to walk across take your dog there and enjoy on the river
TravelerThe bathrooms are rather hot at any time of the day, but they are clean. One of the showers doesn’t work but there is no sign posted. 30 sites for 1 bathroom/ bathhouse so showering at night may take longer than usual. The campground isn’t too shady, but the Day Use Rec Area is nice and has a small play ground. However, if you’re looking to cool off in the lake, think again. It’s very warm water and there is a caution sign about green blue algae being possibly present in the waters. Lots of squirrels and ants
TravelerSome bathrooms are better than others, but they are useable and spacious nonetheless. The spaces are large and most have some shade. The water hookup is a bit far so you definitely need about 30ft+ for some. They have a lake, playgrounds, and easy trails. I’ve seen lots of wildlife here too!
RangerMy friends and I stayed here on May 26th and 27th, and the campground was pretty empty, which is honestly a shame because it’s such a beautiful place. It feels like you’re right in the middle of an untouched natural oasis. The campsites are separated by large plants, which gives you a really private and cozy feeling. The bathrooms and showers were clean and well maintained. The host was also very kind and helpful. I’d definitely recommend staying here.
RangerThis campground is absolutely beautiful. We only stayed for one night, which honestly felt way too short in such an amazing setting. The campsites right by the water are super peaceful and perfect for relaxing. The showers and bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. The two hosts were incredibly friendly and helpful, which made us feel welcome right away. I can highly recommend this campground to anyone looking for a relaxing stay.
Tent camping near Englewood, Florida offers a diverse camping experience with sites ranging from riverside locations to primitive wilderness areas. Florida's subtropical climate makes fall through spring the most comfortable seasons for camping, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F with high humidity. Water access defines many campsites in this coastal region, providing opportunities for paddling, fossil hunting, and wildlife viewing.
Beach exploration: At Cayo Costa State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy miles of shoreline with limited crowds. "You have miles of beach with very few people and the nighttime skies are truly cosmic. The island also rents bicycles and I highly recommend doing so. There is a series of trails that run through the wooded sections of the island to explore," notes David I.
Fossil hunting: Searching for shark teeth is popular at many campsites in the region. At Oak Hill Campground, "Make sure you get a shovel and sleuth to find some shark teeth. We found over 100 just at the campsite alone," reports Deven R.
Backcountry hiking: For wilderness experiences, Myakka River State Park offers remote hiking trails. "Took 5 days to go backpacking in Myakka State Park, which is an awesome park!! The hike there alternated landscapes- prairies, swamps, foresty- so during certain areas it was very bleak and boring, but that's apart of it!" shares Alacyn B.
Wildlife observation: The area provides opportunities to spot native Florida species. "This park is epic, at the entrance are there is a huge bouldering rock as well which is fun. Outside of the beauty and trails there are Florida's wildest animals. Panthers, hogs and alligators," writes Jennifer T. about Myakka's primitive grounds.
Island isolation: Cayo Costa State Park provides a true remote experience. "Want to avoid the crowds and have a heavenly beach camping experience? Cayo Costa is absolutely the best place for getting away from everything civilized! They offer primitive camping only, bring your tent and good stakes as the wind is steady there," recommends Jeanene A.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies are frequently mentioned in reviews. "Can you say dark... make sure you bring flashlights and headlamps because this place is DARK at night!" advises Jeanene A. about Cayo Costa.
Water access: Many campsites are situated near waterways for easy paddling access. At Caloosahatchee Regional Park, "Plenty of carts to move your gear and none of the sites are far from the parking lot. I would definitely recommend this place. Biking, fishing, hiking and camping, nothing better. If you're looking for fish and have a kayak, Telegraph creek is 3 miles away and full of fish and Alligators," reports Paul W.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds have clean facilities. "The campsites are CLEAN. The bathrooms are brand new," mentions Tatiana M. about her Cayo Costa experience.
Transportation logistics: Several campgrounds require special transportation arrangements. At The Bohemian Hideaway, visitors "fished all day right from our site and took advantage of the extra rentals they had, kayaks and outdoor movie," according to Jess.
Gear transportation challenges: Many sites require carrying or carting equipment. At Caloosahatchee Regional Park, "No, you can't drive to your site, but really good carts are available to help you with the load, so no RV's at the campground," explains Robert P.
Bug protection essential: Insects are a significant consideration year-round. "Insects are a serious issue, even in the fall and winter. Hope for a breeze to deter the no-see-ums. I used DEET spray and a thermacell and a permethrin-treated tent and still left with dozens of bites, and that was in November," warns Jennifer L. about Cayo Costa.
Rodent concerns: Wildlife management affects camping comfort. "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. 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," shares Jim about Cayo Costa.
Accessible camping options: Caloosahatchee Regional Park offers family-friendly sites with convenient amenities. "Great paths to manicured campsites. All have fire ring, bbq, and picnic table. Primitive showers available; restrooms available. WiFi works good; but there's miles of trails to walk. Caretakers are friendly," notes Kenna D.
Group camping opportunities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to larger groups. "Private Group, Boy & Girl Scouts and Youth and Church groups camping permitted with proper reservations," explains Jeanene A. about Crowley Museum and Nature Center.
Site selection for privacy: Choosing the right campsite affects your experience. "We've stayed here twice now and absolutely loved it. The first time we stayed in Site 5, I believe, and something to note is that it is directly next to one of the ground volunteers' RV site. It's very close and does offer very limited privacy," explains Bailey J. about Caloosahatchee Regional Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many campgrounds offer educational experiences. "On the property you will enjoy goats, cracker horses, cracker cattle, pigs and other farm animals. Along with camping you can arrange a living history tour at an additional fee," notes Jeanene A. about Crowley Museum.
Premium RV site options: Upriver RV Resort provides developed sites for those seeking more amenities. "We've stayed at Upriver a couple of times, always in the big pull through premium spots at the front. There's definitely some noise from the busy road even halfway back to the pool. Spots are level and cement, very clean but tight," shares Karen C.
Activities beyond camping: Many RV parks offer additional recreation options. "Great Campground, Super Sites and all Premium Sites, 2 swimming pools, Tennis Courts, Bocce Ball, Shuffle Board, Pickle Ball, Corn Hole, Horse Shoes very nice place to winter but must have reservations," describes Herbert M. about Upriver RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Englewood, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Englewood, FL is Cayo Costa State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Englewood, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Englewood, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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