Fellsmere camping areas offer diverse outdoor experiences at elevations generally below 30 feet above sea level. The subtropical climate creates warm camping conditions year-round, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and high humidity levels. Winter camping provides more comfortable temperatures averaging 60-75°F during the day, making December through March the most popular season for visitors seeking yurt camping and other overnight options.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Kilpatrick Hammock Campground in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, visitors encounter abundant wildlife in natural settings. "The air was so clean that we felt like we were on oxygen! The animals just weren't afraid of humans. Our 6 teenagers were so excited to stand face-to-face, only a few feet from gentle deer, bunnies, and turkeys. We even saw some lazy baby alligators sunning on the Military Trail," reports one visitor.
Stargazing sessions: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers Florida's only designated dark sky site with minimal light pollution. "This is the place to stargaze. Many here taking pictures with their telescopes. We've been here four times, and definitely return," notes a camper. The park maintains special outdoor lighting rules to protect the night sky experience.
Rodeo entertainment: Westgate River Ranch Resort hosts weekly rodeos that provide genuine cowboy entertainment. "We went to the rodeo on Saturday night, did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull... and there was still more we could have done but ran out of time," explains one guest. The rodeo features professional riders, bull riding competitions, and audience participation opportunities.
Hiking trail exploration: Multiple trail systems wind through the prairie landscapes. "The Prairie Loop Trail took much longer than we anticipated, and the wind pushing us back was insane, but it was gorgeous and we had a lot of fun," mentions a visitor. Trails range from short boardwalks to extensive day hikes across diverse ecosystems.
Paddling opportunities: Phipps Park Campground provides direct water access for kayaking and paddleboarding. "Great biking, easy access to boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Close to beaches and shopping so there's something for everybody to do," says a camper. The water access points accommodate various watercraft sizes.
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Lake Kissimmee State Park offers notable site separation. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit. Bathrooms were clean," comments one camper. Another visitor adds, "This lovely state park in Central Florida gives campers the true feel of 'old Florida!' Campsites are private, separated by lots of flora."
Clean facilities: Vero Beach Kamp maintains well-kept amenities. "Wooded campground recently changed management. Clean bathhouse. Nice sites. Full hookup. Easy on/off US 1," notes one reviewer. Multiple campers specifically mention facility cleanliness as a highlight of their stays.
Waterfront camping opportunities: Many campers appreciate sites with water views. "We stayed in site 347. It's costly but it's worth it," says a visitor to River Ranch RV Resort. Another guest adds, "We stayed on a waterfront site at River Ranch RV Resort and it was perfect! We were able to fish right off the dock at our site, there was a fit pit and grill, as well as seating outside."
Diverse accommodation options: The region offers various camping styles including traditional tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, glamping tents, and yurt camping near Fellsmere, Florida. "The campground was packed!" notes one visitor, highlighting the popularity of some locations during peak seasons.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Florida campgrounds fill quickly during winter months. "We were only able to get an overnight reservation. Park was nice. Would have liked to stay longer," reports a Phipps Park camper. Planning 6-11 months ahead is often necessary, especially for weekend stays between December and March.
Bring supplies: Remote locations require advance preparation. "Be sure to fuel up and have plenty of groceries," advises a Kissimmee Prairie visitor. Many campgrounds are located 15-30 minutes from the nearest stores or services.
Mosquito protection: Insects can be prevalent, especially near water. "Have to watch out for the mosquitoes so bring a lot of bug spray," warns a River Ranch RV Resort visitor. Evening activities often require insect repellent throughout most of the year.
Road conditions: Some preserves have unpaved access roads. "Expect a long travel to this remote site. It's a couple miles of reasonably decent dirt roads to get there, after several miles of remote highways," notes a Kissimmee Prairie camper. Road conditions may change seasonally.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park," mentions a visitor to Lake Kissimmee State Park. Some locations offer WiFi only in central areas.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Road Runner Travel Resort offers numerous organized activities. "Such a beautiful park with communal fire places, swimming pool, shuffleboard, pickle ball courts, and karaoke nights," shares one visitor. Another adds, "There are adult activities - Bingo, karaoke, jam sessions, trivia night, pickleball, tennis, shuffleboard, Pentaque, cornhole, basketball, crafts (for adults), and more."
Animal encounters: Many children enjoy the wildlife viewing opportunities. "We took our two grandchildren, and they had a lot of fun! The lake is huge and has lots of fish in it. There are deer everywhere and you can feed them," says a Lake Kissimmee visitor. Supervised wildlife observation opportunities exist throughout the region.
Swimming pools: Many private campgrounds maintain pools for family use. "The family pool had crystal clear water. Place is very clean and staff were not only friendly but really helpful," notes an Okeechobee KOA visitor. Pool availability varies by season.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning experiences. "The park becomes our host as 50 or more FTA members gather for an annual work week to get our section of the trail in shape for the winter Florida hiking season," explains a visitor describing volunteer opportunities at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Water and electric hookups are standard, but sewer connections vary. "Sites are decent size. Lots of sites with shade. Close to Indian River and the beach. Close to restaurants and groceries. On the highway, but traffic noise is minimal," reports a Vero Beach Kamp visitor regarding site amenities.
Tree clearance: Some campgrounds have low-hanging branches. "If you have a tall rv low hanging branches in the camp area might be an issue," warns a Lake Kissimmee State Park visitor. Checking site reviews for specific RV size limitations helps avoid surprises.
Seasonal planning: Many locations have distinct seasonal differences. "We discovered this place on a vacation trip to see a friend on Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce FL. We are now camping here seasonally in a 35 ft Class A RV," shares a Road Runner Travel Resort visitor. Reservation windows open 11 months in advance at many popular parks.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "Most of the spots are full timers and 50% work. The middle of the campground closer to the pool seems to be for shorter term guests," notes a visitor describing the layout at Road Runner Travel Resort, highlighting how site assignments often differ for short versus long-term stays.
