Best Campgrounds near Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale offers primarily developed campgrounds rather than dispersed camping options, with several parks providing full hookups for RVs and designated tent sites. Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground and Easterlin Park Campground provide established camping facilities within a short drive of downtown, while Yacht Haven Park & Marina combines RV sites with boat access along the waterways. The urban setting means most camping options feature amenities like electric hookups, water, showers, and dump stations rather than primitive backcountry sites. Paradise Island RV Resort and Markham Park Campground support both tent and RV camping with varying levels of site privacy and shade.

The subtropical climate creates year-round camping conditions, though humidity and heat make winter months (November through April) the most comfortable for outdoor activities. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, with many reporting high occupancy, especially during winter months when seasonal visitors arrive. Security features prominently at many locations, with several parks implementing gated access in the evenings. A camper at Easterlin Park noted: "Security gate closed 6pm and assessable with code that was provided at check-in. Security codes required for bathhouse entry."

Urban camping characterizes the Fort Lauderdale experience, with many campgrounds situated near major roads, railways, and flight paths. Despite their proximity to transportation corridors, several parks maintain natural settings. Easterlin Park receives praise for its wooded environment, with one visitor describing it as "like a little forest in the city." Noise remains a consistent concern in reviews, with campers mentioning trains, traffic, and sirens as potential disruptions. Yacht Haven Park & Marina offers waterfront sites where visitors can watch boats pass by on the river, though some note the tight parking and roads. Many campgrounds provide convenient access to regional attractions, with Paradise Island RV Resort described as "extremely convenient to all of the Fort Lauderdale area" according to a long-term visitor.

Best Camping Sites Near Fort Lauderdale, Florida (50)

    1. Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Hollywood, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-8811

    $35 - $57 / night

    "Stayed here over a holiday weekend and enjoyed it, roads getting in the RV park are good but watch out for branches with big units outside the park to the north."

    "The park is big with a paved walking path around the park.  On the west side of the park there's a lot of big mature trees that give a lot shade and are just nice looking. "

    2. Davie / Fort Lauderdale KOA

    18 Reviews
    Davie, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 473-0231

    "This KOA was close to family and friends. Stayed for five nights. It was clean and I felt safe. Staff were very helpful getting backed in and set up."

    "It's located near many attractions and shopping. Beautiful sunset viewing across the street at Vista View Park and easy highway access. You're going to love your stay at this KOA!"

    3. Easterlin Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-5190

    $45 - $50 / night

    "I have been here a few times mainly to use the trails for disc golf. This park is a true escape from the hustle and bustle of South Florida life."

    "Great place to pull over on your way to the Florida Keys or Miami for an overnight stay. Showers, charcoal grills and a small kids playground are the highlights of this park."

    4. Yacht Haven Park & Marina

    6 Reviews
    Hollywood, FL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 583-2322

    $110 - $300 / night

    "If you camp on the canal, chances are you will be right next to some amazing yachts! 7 minutes to Ft Lauderdale Beach and 7 minutes the other way to Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood!"

    "The grounds and views of all the surrounding yachts are simply spectacular. Everything here is setup for convenience and comfort."

    5. Markham Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Weston, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-8868

    "For south florida, its about as good as it gets. Also has a nice observatory on saturday nights to visit."

    "It has plenty of picnic tables, a path to the lake, and woods to explore via trails. There are some pretty interesting pieces of history leftover behind the camping field."

    6. Paradise Island RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 485-1150

    "We spent 14 months here sheltering from Covid, and it was extremely convenient to all of the Fort Lauderdale area. We never had a single issue during our stay."

    "Near grocery store, and everything! Full hookup sites, spots are big and concrete roads, amenities like restrooms and showers are cleans, the pool is nice! Great time! Recommend"

    7. C.B. Smith Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Miramar, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-5170

    "A lot of trails to walk in the middle of the nature. Mini golf. Water park wasn't open on March."

    "We stayed in the back behind the lake and it was very quiet/family friendly. The lake/dock area is beautiful, and there’s a massive playground across from the campground in the main park."

    8. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park - Youth Group Camping

    3 Reviews
    Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 564-4521

    "This park is located in a beautiful area of Fort Lauderdale, however, it closes at 7pm. So make sure to get there before the front gates close!"

    "The kayaking trail in the lake is short but nice for a quick paddle. Lots of turtles and fish visible in the water. I wouldn’t travel far to visit, but come here often as it’s close to home."

    9. Quiet Waters Park

    5 Reviews
    Deerfield Beach, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 357-5100

    "We brought our kayaks and played around. Had a lot of space to walk our dogs. It was really a great time!"

    "Good location in the middle of urban area, cabins to rent. We’ve used for daycamp without overnight, but you can do that if you want"

    10. Aztec RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Coconut Creek, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (954) 975-6411

    $50 - $120 / night

    "If your looking for the ultimate location, keep looking. My wife’s mom lives right around the corner otherwise we may not have even considered Aztec."

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Recent Reviews near Fort Lauderdale, FL

188 Reviews of 50 Fort Lauderdale Campgrounds


  • Amanda W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    West Palm Beach-Lion Country Safari KOA

    Pros & cons

    The campground is pretty tight & the sites aren’t very attractive but being next to the safari is awesome! You can hear the lions loud & clear!! The staff was nice. Close to groceries and gas stations.

  • Jenny E.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!

    The water tested positive for fecal indicator e coli on August 1st & they failed to notify campers until 48 hours later!!! My kids brushed their teeth with that water!! 🤮 I had been visiting for 3 years & it’s only gotten worse. What a waste on renovations. And I’ve only heard complaints about the staff on site. They should invest on better property management & some activities for the campers. This place honestly sucks considering it’s Miami!!

  • Tom M.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Encore Miami Everglades

    Terrible

    Our stay at Encore Miami Campground was unfortunately impacted by a serious and unannounced issue. We were only informed upon arrival that the campground's well water contained fecal matter and was a potential source of E. coli. This failure to provide a safety warning ahead of time was irresponsible. It meant we had to hook up to a contaminated water source, which then required us to undertake a costly and time-consuming process of disinfecting our motorhome's water system after we left. This experience was both a health concern and a major inconvenience.

  • Darren F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground

    Great Park

    Clean park friendly staff. Great amenities. There are not many downsides two that I want to discuss. The campground does sit next to a train track i believe its a commuter line so there is an early train 4am which is startling. Other downside is park closes at 8, you can still enter through the exit gate until midnight and then have to call security to get in/out.

  • Luis V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Markham Park Campground

    A Great Stay at Markham Park!

    I stayed at Markham Park on July 28 and had a wonderful experience. The campground is well-maintained, peaceful, and offers plenty of space between sites, giving a nice sense of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, with lots of shaded areas, clean facilities, and easy access to nature trails, bike paths, and water activities.

    What I loved most was how much there is to do right on site—whether you enjoy kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, or just relaxing by your campsite, this park has it all. The staff was friendly and helpful, and check-in was quick and easy.

    Overall, Markham Park is a perfect spot for a quick getaway or a longer camping trip. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • L
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Grice's RV Park

    Very noisy campground no facilities

    Not worth staying here very close to very noisy road . No facilities. No pool. WiFi very weak. No park nearby

  • K
    Apr. 9, 2025

    Grice's RV Park

    KOA Hollywood Florida

    Very kind employees Always wanting to assist

  • Teala S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 11, 2025

    Markham Park Campground

    Great for RVs

    We are tent campers and feel a bit out of place around all the RVS. sewage and electrical connection available at sites, as well as water. The bathrooms are decent enough and locked with a door code. A bit crowded but close enough to civilization that it makes a great alternative to a hotel, although the price isn’t much difference $50/night). Lots to do in the park itself as well.


Guide to Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale camping options sit within a subtropical climate zone that averages 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. The area receives around 60 inches of rainfall per year, creating lush vegetation throughout the camping areas. Most campsites remain accessible year-round due to average winter temperatures in the 70s, though summer camping can be challenging with humidity levels often exceeding 80%.

What to do

Outdoor recreation at Markham Park: This expansive park offers multiple activities beyond camping, including mountain biking, fishing, and a shooting range. "The park is beautiful, with lots of shaded areas, clean facilities, and easy access to nature trails, bike paths, and water activities," notes a visitor at Markham Park Campground.

Water activities at T.Y. Park: Visitors can enjoy water recreation at the park's lake and splash areas. "There's a water park for the kids, volleyball, many gazebos with grilling areas and more. The park is located close to restaurants and other shopping stores," according to a camper at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park Campground.

Urban exploration with easy access: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the greater Fort Lauderdale region. "The resort is very well maintained, peaceful, and offers plenty of space between sites, giving a nice sense of privacy. The park itself is beautiful, with lots of shaded areas, clean facilities, and easy access to nature trails," reports a visitor to Markham Park.

What campers like

Clean, modern facilities: Campers consistently mention the quality of amenities at Fort Lauderdale campgrounds. "All paved or concrete. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Staff was great from the office to the park. Busy walking path nearby so lots to see going on. Was very surprised to have very fast wifi," notes a visitor at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park.

Urban forest settings: Several campgrounds maintain natural environments despite their urban locations. "It's like a little forest in the city," reports an Easterlin Park camper. Another visitor adds: "Full services, great cell service, huge disc golf course, massive kids play area, nice pond with ducks and swans, lots of trails and bike paths."

Water views: Camping near water remains popular in this region. "The sites were level concrete pads, bathrooms air conditioned and clean as were the showers. Park is beautiful and they have events happening," mentions a visitor at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, while a C.B. Smith Park Campground camper notes: "The sunsets over the water are spectacular. Even though I'm a local, you never get tired of watching them."

What you should know

Security features: Many Fort Lauderdale campgrounds implement security measures. "The RV park is located in the back of the county park, so there is plenty to do... Very well lit at night with security," reports a Topeekeegee Yugnee visitor, while another mentions: "Great security all day and night. Quiet and peaceful."

Noise considerations: Urban sounds impact most camping options. "The train tracks behind it and highway is not far so it's kinda loud at times," notes a Topeekeegee Yugnee Park camper. At Davie/Fort Lauderdale KOA, a visitor notes, "It's a typical KOA - tightly crammed and sites very close together. On the plus side, very friendly and helpful staff at check in."

Seasonal popularity: Winter brings increased demand for camping sites. "This place gets really crowded during winter season," reports a KOA visitor. The favorable winter climate attracts many seasonal campers, making advance reservations essential from November through April.

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation options: Multiple parks offer water features for children. At C.B. Smith Park, "there's a massive playground across from the campground in the main park," according to a camper who stayed for five months. Another visitor to Topeekeegee Yugnee Park mentions, "TY has been around forever. It has easy access to I-95 and is mostly good for locals to bring children for a day of fun in the sun!"

Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds provide unique learning experiences. "Quiet Waters Park features a variety of natural settings to explore. "It was a great time went fishing had fires and explored nature the park office has everything," notes a camper. The park's location allows for urban convenience while maintaining natural elements.

Structured activities: Many parks offer organized events. "The park is very well kept bathrooms were clean park very clean," reports a visitor to Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, who adds, "There was a onsite police staying in the very first spot." Another C.B. Smith visitor mentions discovering "a Renaissance Festival" during their stay.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: RVers recommend researching specific sites before booking. At Yacht Haven Park & Marina, a visitor notes: "Very tight parking and roads. The best part about the park is backing your RV up to the docks on the river and seeing all the boats go by at night."

Electrical needs: Full hookups are available at most Fort Lauderdale campgrounds. "Had good power, good water pressure and cable but didn't use it. All paved or concrete," reports a Topeekeegee Yugnee Park visitor. At the KOA, an RVer states: "Great for a night or two if you are in the area, close to major roads, shopping, etc."

Advance planning for large rigs: RVers with larger vehicles should research access limitations. "Roads getting in the RV park are good but watch out for branches with big units outside the park to the north," cautions a Topeekeegee Yugnee visitor. Many parks require careful navigation due to tight turns and limited space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping available in Fort Lauderdale?

Free camping options in Fort Lauderdale are extremely limited. Some RVers occasionally use the Walmart — Coral Springs Supercenter for overnight parking, but this should be considered only for brief stays and with manager permission. Most established campgrounds in the area charge fees, with C.B. Smith Park Campground offering relatively affordable rates for a public facility. For budget-conscious campers, looking slightly outside Fort Lauderdale to county parks may provide more economical options, though free dispersed camping is virtually non-existent in this densely developed urban area.

Can you camp on the beach in Fort Lauderdale?

Beach camping is not permitted on Fort Lauderdale's public beaches. The city strictly enforces no overnight camping or sleeping on its beaches, with regular police patrols. For water-adjacent camping, John Prince Park Campground offers lakefront sites about 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale with power and water hookups. Another option is Yacht Haven Park & Marina, which provides waterfront camping with boat access. Those determined to experience coastal camping should look into Broward County's organized camping events or consider driving to state parks in neighboring counties that occasionally permit beach camping under specific conditions and with proper permits.

What are the best campgrounds in Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale offers several quality camping options. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park provides a beautiful urban oasis with youth group camping facilities, though note it closes at 7pm so plan your arrival accordingly. For RVers, Paradise Island RV Resort offers a convenient city location with friendly staff, though it's primarily occupied by long-term residents. Those seeking more amenities might consider nearby options like Topeekeegee Yugnee Park or C.B. Smith Park, though they lack the natural ambiance of more remote campgrounds. The Fort Lauderdale area balances urban convenience with varying degrees of nature immersion depending on your camping style.