RV campgrounds near Hawthorne, Florida concentrate in the central and northern portions of the region, offering varied amenities within a 30-mile radius. The area maintains average temperatures between 68-90°F during peak camping season from October through April. Local campgrounds range from basic RV lots to resort-style properties with amenities like swimming pools, fishing access, and community gathering spaces.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: At Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins, fishing costs $35 per day, with additional options nearby. "Jewel Lake, just NW, has a very good boat launch," notes a reviewer who recommends several lakes in the area for kayaking and canoeing.
Golf courses: Grand Lake RV & Golf Resort features an 18-hole course with on-site equipment. "There is a full 18 course golf course and putting green. There are also onsite golf cart rentals and a golf pro shop," shares a camper who visited during spring break.
Local dining: Several distinctive local restaurants serve the area between campgrounds. A visitor at Trails End recommends, "Hog Wild Burgers & Shakes for a couple of scoops of great ice cream, Nanna's Country Cafe for biscuits & gravy or True Grits, well, for grits, what else?!"
What Campers Like
Swimming pools: Sun Retreats Ocala Orange Lake and Golf Resort maintains clean pool facilities year-round. According to a reviewer, "This is a beautiful large RV and golf resort. The grounds were clean and well maintained... Nice laundry facilities available."
Lakefront access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access, including Old Florida RV Resort which borders Orange Lake. "This RV resort...sits right on Orange Lake. One of its great assets is the quick and EZ access you'll have to this formidable fresh water lake that is very decent in size and is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and boating," describes a visitor.
Community atmosphere: Smaller parks often foster more interaction between campers. At Citra Royal Palm RV Park, guests appreciate the "Great group of people with positive energy and diversity of both people and rigs. Long term, tents, tiny homes, skoolies, and traditional travelers all in one place. Free coffee in the clubhouse in the morning."
What You Should Know
Security considerations: Parks vary widely in security measures across the area. A reviewer at Gainesville RV Park noted its "well-fortified sliding gate that only guests will be able to access with a respective key code (provided upon check-in)."
Wi-Fi quality: Internet access varies significantly between locations. While some parks offer basic connectivity, others provide higher-speed options. At Santa Fe Palms, campers get "high-speed fiber optic WiFi," while a visitor at Trails End described the service as "just OK."
Renovation status: Many parks in the region are upgrading facilities. At Cooper Lake RV Community, visitors observed "new owners so renovations and upgrades are at the top of their list," highlighting ongoing improvements to amenities throughout the Hawthorne area campgrounds.
Tips for Camping with Families
Pool activities: Ocala North RV Park features a renovated swimming area popular with children. A guest mentioned, "New heated saline pool opened last February," and another noted, "Super clean and functional!"
Game options: Some RV parks feature recreational facilities beyond swimming. Compass RV Park provides "lots of things for kids to do at the campground (pool, playground, cornhole, ping pong table, fishing pond, etc)," according to a recent visitor.
Pet facilities: Many campgrounds accommodate family pets with dedicated areas. Ocala North has "a new, larger dog park," while Santa Fe Palms features "a spacious doggie park in the NW corner of Santa Fe to take your pooch for a stroll."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Park layouts vary widely throughout the Hawthorne area. A visitor at Ocala North appreciated their "huge park in horse country FL" with well-maintained spaces, while others noted the varying privacy levels at different campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations: Local campgrounds fill quickly during winter months. A camper at Cooper Lake RV Community observed it's "awesome for snowbirds, out-of-state workers, and long-term campers," noting its location "close to St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Ocala."
Hookup reliability: Electrical capacity differs between parks and sometimes between sites. One camper at Citra Royal Palm RV Park mentioned, "We shared power with the guy next to us and the breaker blew," highlighting the importance of confirming electrical specifications before booking.