Located in central Florida, Bartow sits at around 125 feet above sea level in a region characterized by pine flatwoods and freshwater marshes. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 50°F. Campgrounds near Bartow offer opportunities for primitive camping to full-amenity glamping with seasonal considerations affecting the experience year-round.
What to do
Shark tooth hunting: Peace River provides a unique opportunity for fossil hunting along riverbanks. "We ended up enjoying a party at the pool and the bathrooms were nice," mentioned one camper at Thousand Trails Peace River, where many visitors seek prehistoric shark teeth. "The highlight of this park was collecting shark and sting ray teeth along the river. You can get wire mesh baskets in the office to aid in your search."
Biking trails: State parks around Bartow feature extensive biking options. Lake Kissimmee State Park offers "long biking/trails" according to a camper. Lake Louisa State Park Campground has "totally awesome park roads for biking, trails for mountain biking and hiking, and equestrian trails. Be sure to carry a map, I got a little lost hiking because not all the trails were well marked."
Wildlife viewing: The region's preserves offer excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. At Lake Kissimmee State Park, "There are deer everywhere even among the campsites. Some tours available close by for airboats." Another camper at Upper Hillsborough Preserve noted it's "Beautiful, Clean, Quiet... with hiking trails" where you can spot diverse Florida wildlife.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many parks offer well-separated camping spots. At Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground, "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit." Another reviewer mentioned, "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: Campgrounds maintain high standards for bathhouses and common areas. "The bath house was very clean and modern, with spacious shower stalls and plenty of hot water," noted a visitor to Lake Louisa. Hillsborough River State Park received praise as "very nice! The bathrooms are well kept and clean. The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals!"
Family activities: Parks offer amenities beyond just camping. "We did go one day and the park is nice. It's sand and has poop bags. But no water for drinking so take your own," mentioned a visitor about the dog park at Thousand Trails Orlando. Another noted, "They have many sections... Mini Golf, Tennis Courts, Pickle Ball Courts, Shuffle Board, Club House, Mail Room, Camp Store, A small Lake with Kayak rental."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Florida's climate affects camping conditions significantly. "The park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming. Dog friendly, they provide poop bags by the dumpsters. Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park." For yurt camping near Bartow, Florida, be aware that "we went during Spring Break... we were there four nights. We took our two grandchildren, and they had a lot of fun!"
Bug preparations: Insect protection is essential, especially in warmer months. At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, one camper warned, "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog." Another mentioned, "The mosquitoes were ridiculous in June. We practically had to anchor our toddler to the picnic table so he wasn't carried away by them."
Water levels: Some areas experience seasonal flooding. "Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night," noted a Hillsborough River camper. At Peace River Oaks, a visitor observed, "This place is brand new and very clean. The owners/operators are extremely friendly and helpful. They have glamping tents that are very cool."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Swimming options provide relief from heat. "Very Friendly staff. Several activities possible for children eg pool, skating jumping etc," mentioned a camper at Orlando/Kissimmee KOA. "Had rental bikes and a pool. Bathrooms were nice and clean."
Camping near attractions: Strategic locations can maximize family activities. "This was the perfect location for our touristy vacation! Most shopping and restaurants are within a 5-10 minute drive. And all the tourist attractions are within 30 minutes: Walt Disney World 15 minutes, Universal Studios 23 minutes, SeaWorld 17 minutes."
Yurt options: For families seeking glamping experiences near Bartow, several parks offer comfortable alternatives to traditional camping. Peace River Oaks provides "glamping tents that are very cool. This isn't the ordinary crunched in resort camping." These structured yurt accommodations offer climate control while maintaining an outdoor experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Finding the right spot matters for larger rigs. "Our site was 1709. We were walking distance to the pool, arcade, trading post, and campfire/sing along. There were about 20 rv/camping spots in our loop," noted a camper at Disney's Fort Wilderness. "My only problem with wilderness camping. There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot."
Hook-up variations: Research utility options before arrival. "Parts of these trails can be filled with water (large puddles)," warned a visitor to Upper Hillsborough Preserve. For luxury yurt camping in the Bartow area, plan for varying amenity levels. "Nice and quiet, i use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays. The drive is very rough due to teenagers mudding out there."
