Lake Wales, Florida offers diverse camping options within the subtropical central Florida climate zone, typically experiencing warm, humid summers and mild winters with average high temperatures of 80-95°F from May through October. The region sits at a modest elevation of 150-200 feet above sea level, higher than many parts of Florida, creating a landscape of rolling hills and numerous lakes that provide habitats for diverse wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground, campers can spot abundant wildlife throughout the year. "Animals are abundant - wild turkeys, eagles, bobcats, AND the Florida Panther! While sitting in our screen gazebo, I was awed by the passing of a male panther about 25 yards from our campsite. Wild turkeys visited us daily," shares Barbara J.
Hiking trails: The park offers numerous trails for all skill levels with plenty of shade. "Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation," notes Stephanie G. from Lake Kissimmee State Park. These trails wind through native Florida habitats and provide excellent bird watching opportunities.
Water activities: Lake Rosalie Campground provides access to fishing and boating. "We fished off the dock, which was a lot of fun," says April F. The campground's location on the lake makes it ideal for anglers and water enthusiasts who want easy shore access without needing their own watercraft.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between camping spaces. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit," reports Stephanie G. about Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Oak Hammock Resort maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "Clean well kept park. Beautiful landscape mixed with outdoor activities. Pond in addition to lake. Full hookups, laundry, game room, outdoor ping pong, trails, lakeside dock, fishing dock on pond and wifi," describes John R.
Year-round availability: The subtropical climate makes most campgrounds accessible throughout the year. "We stayed middle of July for 4 days. Only saw 3 other campers the whole time. Park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming," reports Corey K. from Lake Kissimmee State Park, highlighting the benefit of off-season camping to avoid crowds.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Some parks have limited connectivity. "Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park. Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away," warns Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Bathroom quality varies: Facilities range from basic to well-maintained. "Bath house is very clean and at night the lights are on timers," notes Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park, while other campgrounds might offer more rustic facilities.
Seasonal considerations: Rainbow RV Resort caters primarily to older seasonal visitors. "This is a 55 and older resort so we didn't see any kids around. Frostproof is a small town so shopping is a bit of a ways off," explains Deborah. This creates a quieter environment ideal for visitors seeking a tranquil setting.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers family-friendly activities beyond the parks. "We really love camping here. The campground is well laid out and the campers really get into the Disney spirit with decorations. There is bus service throughout the campground with bus and boat service to the Parks," shares Darcy S.
Pool activities: During hot months, pools provide essential relief for families. "We had a BLAST at this camping retreat 3 miles from Legoland! The pool was just what we needed, the put-put was a fun activity," says Rachel C. about Cypress Campground & RV Park.
Special events: Seasonal activities create memorable experiences. "The first year we went to this campground back in 2021. It was our first experience at being a snowbird and we had a great time," reports a Cypress Campground visitor, highlighting the winter season events that make for a family-friendly atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: When booking an RV site, consider specific site features and layout. "We stayed in site 19 for one night in early February. This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy," notes Denise about Lake Kissimmee State Park. "Two things to watch out for - be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in."
Seasonal pricing benefits: Summer visitors can find better rates at upscale resorts. "Awesome summer prices that are super competitive for everything you're getting!" notes Bobby M. about Resort at Canopy Oaks, making this pet-friendly camping near Lake Wales, Florida more affordable during traditional off-season months.
Full hookup availability: Many RV parks offer complete utilities. "The sites are very spacious! Plenty of things to do. Pizza restaurant, ice cream shop, coffee shop, store for some essentials, salon, spa, pool table, ping pong table, pickle ball, basketball, shuffleboard, tiki bar, pool and spa with waterfall," says Lorilee S. about Resort at Canopy Oaks, highlighting amenities that complement the pet-friendly camping environment.