Silver Springs State Park Campground maintains spacious private sites surrounded by old-growth forest approximately 25 miles southwest of Fruitland Park. Campers can access full hookup options including 50-amp service and water connections at most sites. The campground sits at around 40 feet elevation with a subtropical climate that supports diverse wildlife including alligators and wild turkeys throughout the seasons.
What to do
Glass-bottom boat tours: Silver Springs State Park offers guided tours where visitors can observe the underwater ecosystem. "The glass bottom boat tour is an absolute must, we had such a wonderful time and the boat captain had lots of interesting information. We have a 4 year old and a 10 year old and they both really enjoyed the boat tour also," notes Carlos R.
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple campgrounds offer water craft rentals for exploring natural waterways. A visitor at Wekiwa Springs State Park mentioned, "The boats & kayaks are free for campers. You just have to sign one out at the office." Lake Waldena Resort provides similar amenities with Cynthia K. reporting, "The boats & kayaks are free for campers. You just have to sign one out at the office."
Swimming in natural waters: Mutual Mine Campground offers a unique swimming experience in a former mine pond. Jennifer T. described it as "peaceful and serene" adding that "the watering hole helped us stay cool and the camp host was very informative and friendly."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Silver Springs State Park offers well-separated camping areas. Jody O. shared, "Two days before travel were able to get 2 nights in a pull thru site w full hook up. Large sites with ample separation from your neighbors. I am a native Floridian and this is the real deal."
Clean facilities: Lake Louisa State Park maintains modern amenities for glamping in Fruitland Park vicinity. Cyndi B. remarked, "The bath house was very clean and modern, with spacious shower stalls and plenty of hot water. Just up the road from Citrus Showcase if you are looking for oranges and other goodies."
Quiet atmosphere: Lake Waldena Resort provides a calm environment for luxury camping near Fruitland Park. "This is a quiet little park that sits around a lake with some woods," Ben F. commented, adding "Everyone is really friendly. If you decide to stay here, check out Harry's Seafood bar and grille."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during winter months. According to Charlie M. at Silver Springs: "It was quite a relief to be able to secure reservations for both the beginning and end of my trip. My first night was relaxing and fortunately I slept reasonably well before starting out before dawn."
Weekend crowds: Wekiwa Springs State Park experiences high visitor numbers during weekends. Hannah S. advises, "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity."
Weather considerations: Subtropical conditions affect camping comfort throughout the year. Jesse D. from Mutual Mine Campground recommends: "Clean campground. Most sites are on top of each other. I recommend getting site 13 if possible. Road noise is a bit of an issue."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort offers structured activities beyond typical glamping amenities near Fruitland Park. Darcy S. notes, "We really love camping here. The campground is well laid out and the campers really get into the Disney spirit with decorations."
Age-appropriate adventures: Several campgrounds provide activities suitable for various age groups. At Silver Springs, Teresa R. observed: "Let me start by saying park is very clean and well maintained. Sites are big with gravel, fire pits, grill dining tabels and did I say clean."
Transportation logistics: Many campgrounds require internal transportation between amenities. Samantha O. explains, "Buses run very frequently and never had an issue getting a bus to the amenities. We took the bus to the marina area for dinner at the buffet, to watch the fireworks/ light show."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Lake Louisa State Park has specific sites offering more amenities. One reviewer mentioned, "Reserve America does not note which ones have sewer too but when I did some more research I found one review that mentioned that site #'s 16,18,20, 30, 32,33, 34 (ADA), 35,36 (ADA), 37,38,39, & 40 are the sites that have sewer too."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have limited maneuverability for larger rigs. Samantha O. described her experience: "There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot. There is plenty of room between your rv and your neighbor next to you but not a lot of room across from your spot."
Hookup quality: Electrical service varies between campgrounds offering glamping near Fruitland Park. Jody O. advised that at Silver Springs State Park they were "able to get 2 nights in a pull thru site w full hook up" noting that "this is a quiet park w a lot of nature. Good for a slow-paced break."