RV sites near Haines City, Florida provide convenient access to central Florida attractions while offering a range of camping experiences. The region sits on sandy soil at an elevation of around 150 feet above sea level, with terrain that can become challenging during Florida's frequent rainfall. Most campgrounds in this area remain open year-round, with winter months (November through April) experiencing the highest occupancy rates.
What to do
Explore Old Town Kissimmee: Located near Encore Tropical Palms, this entertainment district offers weekly events. "There they have bike nights on Thursday evenings. Friday and Saturday evenings have old car shows and cruises. Old Town style shops and music," notes Rob C.
Enjoy water activities: Many campgrounds feature lake access or pools. At Encore Lake Magic, "I had a beautiful lake view and pool close by everyday," writes Jeanne W. Lake Tohopekaliga, near several campgrounds, offers bass fishing opportunities.
Visit theme parks: Campgrounds serve as affordable bases for attraction visits. "This is a great campground if you want to visit Orlando/Kissimee attractions without paying an arm and a leg," explains Christy C. about Tropical Palms. Most parks are 30-45 minutes from major attractions.
Watch wildlife: Several campgrounds have resident wildlife. At Thousand Trails Orlando, one camper noted, "Sometimes the cows from next door get loose and come visit. Sometimes there are alligators underneath RVs."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort stands out for generous camping spots. "The sites are awesome and very clean. They each come with a turf pad which the pup loved," shares Phil. The resort features concrete pads with turf extensions.
Swimming options: Multiple pools are common at larger resorts. "Two nice pools (the back one is quiet) with bars, yummy drinks and good food," reports Amanda W. about Camp Margaritaville.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight well-maintained bathhouses. At Central Park RV Resort, visitors appreciate the general cleanliness despite challenges. "The park had a lot of permanent residents living here but it wasn't ran down really bad like other parks," notes Mark P.
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate designated play areas. "Kids played for four hours straight and went back for more after dinner!" says Janel P. about Camp Margaritaville's splash pad and playground facilities.
What you should know
Site conditions vary widely: After rain, drainage becomes problematic at many parks. At Encore Sherwood Forest, a visitor observed, "all the sites are on grass. Seems to be a draining problem as the water stands for several days. My site is still mucky after 3 days of sunshine."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Ponderosa RV Park, one camper reported, "we are located where the freeway is unfortunately very close which makes it hard to sleep with the amount of traffic all through the night."
Reservation challenges: During peak season, site mix-ups can occur. "I was assigned to a site that was already occupied. I went back to the office and they seemed confused about the occupied site," shared one Sherwood Forest visitor.
Site types: Concrete pads are preferable but limited. Many parks offer a mix of concrete, gravel, and grass sites with varying quality. "The sites all have full hook up, but we had a premium site and it was on a patch of dirt/grass...I would recommend any of the few concrete sites if you can get one."
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated play areas: Cypress Campground & RV Park offers kid-friendly amenities. "The pool was just what we needed, the put-put was a fun activity," shares Rachel C., who visited for a Legoland trip.
Check activity calendars: Seasonal events enhance family stays. "They have a ton of activities for kids and adults at the resort. The tiki bar was great Saturday night with a really great live band," notes Phil about Camp Margaritaville.
Consider biking options: Some parks offer safe riding spaces. At Tropical Palms, "Kids love the ability to ride their Bikes around the campground and love the pool," according to Jeremy G.
Book sites away from facilities: For families needing quiet evenings, avoid entertainment areas. "We were in 392, which is right behind the dog run and the amenities area. We don't own a dog and we were awakened by a few dog barks and a lot of owners playing with their dogs."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Sun Outdoors Orlando ChampionsGate, layout affects experience. "When we pull through I realized very quickly it wasn't so 'Elite'. The sites are VERY close to one another, the slabs have a crazy arc to them," reports one RVer.
Hookup placement: Pay attention to utility locations. At Cypress Campground, a camper noted, "other than the water connection being a little far there were no other negatives."
Cell service quality: Coverage varies by carrier. "There isn't great cell service. The park is further from a tower and there are so many RVers in the area that don't count towards the population, it becomes a bandwidth issue."
Shopping convenience: Many parks offer easy access to necessities. "Walmart right nextdoor, and close to many restaurants, shopping and Legoland," notes a Cypress Campground visitor, making supply runs simple.