Campgrounds near Goldenrod, Florida offer diverse options beyond established facilities, with several primitive camping areas catering to tent campers seeking a more rustic experience. The region sits at relatively low elevations averaging 60-80 feet above sea level, creating a subtropical environment with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Night temperatures during winter camping season typically range from the mid-40s to low 60s, making it a popular time for overnight stays.
What to do
Paddle natural waterways: At Wekiva Falls RV Resort, visitors can explore the Wekiva River by renting canoes or kayaks for $20. "You can rent a canoe or kayak and explore the Wekiva River," notes one camper, while another adds, "There are also some small caves there for anyone who free dives or snorkels."
Wildlife viewing: Moss Park Campground provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities with minimal effort. "We had deer walking through our site each day at dusk. There were also giant sandhill cranes around," reports one camper. Another visitor mentions their wake-up call comes "courtesy of feisty Sandhill Cranes calling back and forth."
Swimming in springs: Natural springs offer refreshing alternatives to conventional swimming pools. "The springs are one of my favorite day getaways! There are beautiful walking trails, beautiful and refreshing cool springs," states a reviewer about Wekiva Falls. At Blue Spring State Park, timing matters: "You can only access the spring head and get into the clearer water before 11:00am and after 5pm. It is well worth it to go early."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Blue Spring State Park Campground receives praise for its secluded camping atmosphere. "While this is a fairly large campground, the substantial amount of vegetation, along with the flow of how the campground is organized, the individual campsites give off a vibe of privacy, intimacy and solitude," explains one visitor. Another notes, "Sites are well maintained. They are close, but there is a lot of vegetation in between."
Diverse lodging options: For those wanting more than tent camping, alternatives exist. "We ended up here on a trip to Orlando because we just needed a bit of 'nature.' We were so pleased with our site larger size, well maintained, geared towards RVs but good for tent camping as well," says a camper about Wekiwa Springs State Park. Another reports, "Really nice campground with all the amenities, showers, water, and power hookups for rv's, or in my case to charge my phone and camera."
Clean facilities: Magnolia Park Campground maintains high standards according to visitors. "Very nice campground. Clean and easy to get around," mentions one review. Another camper appreciates that "sites are paved, with a good amount of privacy." At Moss Park, one visitor noted, "Park and facilities were super clean. Nearby trash facilities checked and cleaned multiple times a day during our stay."
What you should know
Campground popularity: Many parks reach capacity, especially during peak seasons and weekends. "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity," warns a Wekiwa Springs visitor. Another adds, "The park offers hiking, biking, day swimming, a food grill, a canoe/kayak launch and rental, plus tons of wildlife! However, a weekday is best to visit the spring and river. On the weekend there were tons of people in the park."
Noise considerations: Urban proximity means sound can be an issue at some campgrounds. "The only drawback I found from the campsite/campground area was the noise. There are train tracks near the state park, so hearing trains throughout the night (especially at 3am) was not what I'm looking for when I get out into nature," reports a Blue Spring State Park visitor. At Lake Monroe Park, "You could hear road noise and train noise. I probably would find it too loud for a tent, was not a problem in the camper."
Water quality: Natural springs have distinctive characteristics. "The springs swimming area water has a smell of sulfur, stay up wind," advises a reviewer about Wekiva Falls. At Blue Spring State Park, visitors appreciate the clear water but note seasonal restrictions: "During the winter you may not be able to swim because of the manatees."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Mills Park offers excellent recreation areas for children. "There is a huge park with a great playground, which the kids love," shares one visitor. Another adds, "The park provided plenty of daytime entertainment for our kids; awesome playground, fishing, volleyball, etc."
Disney proximity options: For families mixing theme parks and camping, location matters. "Wekiwa was an amazing place to camp and spend our weekend. The campground was quiet and the restrooms fairly clean," notes one camper. "It's about 30 minutes to Disney. The sites are great and it's nestled between lakes. Amazing wildlife too!" reports a Moss Park visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Organized events enhance family camping experiences. At Disney's Fort Wilderness, "The sing along was fun. Chip and dale walk around to everyone. They ask that you don't leave your spot and they will come to you and really they do. They stopped at every spot to take pictures."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Little Big Econ State Forest primitive sites require preparation. "I definitely wouldn't recommend getting there at night to set up, but otherwise it's fairly easy to get around," warns one camper. For larger rigs at Wekiwa Springs, "My only problem with wilderness camping. 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 variations: Services differ between campgrounds. At Magnolia Park, "For 23 bucks a night you get an electrical hookup which was great for my chevy volt. There's water at your site, a metal fire pit, showers and bathrooms nearby with outlets." Another visitor noted, "Sites are paved but ours wasn't completely level and we had to max out our Anderson leveling blocks to get it right."
Dump station access: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. "Water and electric but trash is upon exit along with dump station," mentions a Blue Spring State Park camper. At Magnolia Park, another reports, "Great prices! $118 for a week. Water and electricity at each site. Convenient dump station."
