294 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Highland City, Florida range from state parks to private RV resorts, with several options within a 30-mile radius. Camping near Highland City spans tent sites and RV hookups at Saddle Creek Park and Campground in nearby Lakeland, cabin accommodations and RV sites at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Auburndale, and tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals at Hillsborough River State Park Campground. Most campgrounds in the region feature water access, with many situated near lakes or along the Withlacoochee River system.
Central Florida's subtropical climate affects camping conditions year-round, with summer months (June through September) bringing high humidity, temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winter months offer milder temperatures between 50-75°F, making December through March the peak camping season when reservations are strongly recommended. Many campgrounds in the Highland City area remain open year-round, though seasonal flooding can affect site availability, particularly at Saddle Creek Park. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums are prevalent near water, especially during warmer months. As one camper noted, "We were a short walk to the water which kept camp cool during the day but pretty buggy at night. We used repellent but were still eaten alive by mosquitoes."
Campers consistently rate water proximity as a key feature when selecting campsites in the Highland City region. Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities, with Lake Tohopekaliga and the Withlacoochee River system being popular destinations. Sites with shade are highly valued due to Florida's intense sun, particularly during summer months. The terrain throughout the region is relatively flat, making most campgrounds accessible for all camping styles. Highway noise can be an issue at some locations, particularly those near Interstate 75. A reviewer of one nearby campground mentioned, "The biggest drawback about this location is its proximity to I-75. You're really close and you can (and will) hear the traffic noise all night long." Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting encounters with armadillos, turtles, ospreys, and occasionally alligators near water bodies.
"What it lacks in shade it makes up for with 2 nice pools, one geared toward kids with a fountain and very fun twisty slide, music, TV’s etc & the other is on the lake by a tow-ski place that’s fun"
"Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff."
from $67 - $99999 / night
Check Availability"Then exit 7 to Highway 301 north about 10 miles to the campground. The way in which the state park and campground are set up is easy too."
"This was my first time at a campground in Florida! I was surrounded by beautiful wildlife (alligators, birds, and even a wild boar). The hiking trails were perfect for a beginner or a regular hiker."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"If you’re looking for an authentic “Old Florida” experience surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this campground is truly something special."
"Hike along the water on trails, off road biking, and up close viewing of the beautiful ranch animals ( steer and goats )."
from $40 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Thrift and bait shop nearby."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Camping is first come first serve but gives you access to the park after hours. Camp sites are bit close to one another but overall amazing experience."
"Very pretty and wooded for Florida. Great to bike around and see everything. Neat to see gators. Will definitely go back."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"I love coming here even if I never step foot inside the theme parks. There plenty to do here. You can rent golf carts or bring your own. I love just driving around on the golf carts."
"Big park so lots of walking if you don’t have the cart (or you can bring your own and/or bikes). Our grandsons loved the golf cart!"
from $56 - $201 / night
Check Availability"Okay, so I didn’t do a ton of research, but I have driven around here before so I decided to get one of the primitive sites and do a little gear testing. 5+ per person/night -Bundles of firewood available"
"Colt Creek State Park is one of the newer parks in the Florida State Park System. We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
"For Florida this is a great campsite especially for me because it's so close overall a great place for any activity"
from $22 / night
Check Availability"Located just south of Lakeland this park offers multiple amenities for group gatherings including a large firepit and stage area."
"Large dispersed camping area with good views of the airshow, included access to the ground display area, and great facilities considering how large the event is."
GuideCanopy Oaks is an enormous RV park with plenty of amenities and spacious lots. They offer trails, a dog park, a pool, several sporting resources, a small store, a small restaurant, and a tiki bar. My experience was great, but it was relatively empty given how many sites they have.
ScoutThe host Nor treated me like trash. He mandates you leave a lock off of your hitch so he can move your Rv around as needed. Mind you I was going to be paying for a reserved spot on the property paying a monthly rate. When I inquired more about their policy to see if they damaged my Rv while moving it would it be covered by them for the repairs of damages. My reservation was then automatically canceled for no reason and Nor only gave me a partial refund for my booking. He is very rude and unprofessional. There are also other reviews in the neighbor app stating damages happened while moving someone's rv and he refused to take accountability or finance the repairs for that customer. Hints the reason I was wanting clarification on the matter. Instead of providing it he decided to cancel my reservation and tried to beat me out of my deposit. Dont bring your RV here for storage it is a huge risk!
ScoutGood clean site.
GuideNice state park. Plenty of lakes, but also plenty of gators at this time; hatching season. Wide open space, great roads. Not all sites have sewer hookups, it’s worth finding out which one before booking, if it is important for you. Even glamping tents and cabins are available, cabins are right next to the lake. Swimming area at Lake Louisa has a playground with swings and even a beach/swimming area, but that seems awfully dangerous, given the noises the gators make about 30 feet away. Unfortunately there is not a lot of things to do near the state park if one wants to do anything outside of camping, at least not a lot I could find, maybe you are better at that. Apparently it is very popular with bikers and triathletes, I have seen at least 10 today, using the great roads.
LegendIf you're planning a visit to Walt Disney World or any of Orlando's major attractions and prefer staying in your own RV over an expensive hotel room, Sun Outdoors Orlando Champions Gate continues to be one of the more convenient options in the area. Since my original visit, the resort has matured nicely, with its modern facilities, clean grounds and resort-style atmosphere making it an appealing basecamp for exploring Central Florida. And make no mistake about it, while this is very much an RV resort – not a nature campground – this spot succeeds by delivering comfort, convenience and easy access to everything the Orlando area has to offer.
While my review from a few years ago provides a ton of detail, I thought I would follow up that review with a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Beautifully renovated facilities that still feel modern and well-maintained; (2) Outstanding heated swimming pool, clubhouse and spotless comfort stations remain the centerpiece of the resort; (3) Full-hookup RV sites with concrete pads make setup quick and easy; (4) Exceptional location just minutes from Walt Disney World, ChampionsGate with countless dining, shopping and entertainment options; and (5) Everyday conveniences like Publix, Aldi, CVS and numerous restaurants remain close enough that you can leave the RV parked and run errands with ease.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The campground still feels more like an RV resort than a traditional campground, with relatively little mature landscaping or natural privacy; (2) Larger fifth wheels and motorhomes may find some sites a bit tighter than expected; (3) Tent campers will likely find the experience less appealing due to the predominance of paved surfaces and surrounding RVs; (4) Depending on your site's location, nearby road traffic can occasionally detract from the otherwise relaxing atmosphere; and (5) If you're seeking a true Florida nature experience, you'll need to venture beyond the campground to nearby lakes, conservation areas or state parks.
Happy Camping!
GuideI know, I know, it’s not real camping. But I love it just the same. I love coming here even if I never step foot inside the theme parks. There plenty to do here. You can rent golf carts or bring your own. I love just driving around on the golf carts. They have campfires and trivia. Outside movies. The Trails End to get food at.
Horse stables. Halloween time is the best time to come. I love looking at everyone’s decorations.
ScoutIt has a lot of activities to do with the family. Only thing I don’t like is the restrooms. Had a bad experience. Someone was recording one of my family member in the shower. The other person was standing on a seat and recording when someone goes and shower. Disney couldn’t do anything by the time we notice the person left running from the bathroom units. Did not see a face but just a hand and a iPhone with a flashlight on. Be careful. Don’t go alone to the restrooms. Bathrooms are supposed to be lock at night and need a key card to open , but Disney always have it open. If it was locked Disney could had know who enter the restroom when the incident happened.
ScoutBooked about a week ahead, at that time tgere were 147 sites available. It shows you what is available to pick from. I picked one in the low 400's...I think it was 405, because one on each side was empty. Fast forward to the day before I get an email about virtual check in. However it states I am in the mid 100's....so I call and inquire. At the time of the call there were 109 sites vacant. The girl proceeds to tell me if you dont pay a$50 lock fee. They can move me at their discretion. So I got moved....additionally, got here an hour early and had to pay$25 early check in. 109 empty spots and the pool is like a carnival cruise pool....SLAMMED! Only 2 small comfort stations. No shade to be found. We are here now, and this may well get updated for a vetter rating...or worse, who knows. But it seems like a resort that will nickel and dime you to death. And moving someone who booked, and paid in full is some shady shit...
LegendVery pretty and clean campground. Bathhouse was clean as well. Loved riding our bikes and walking the trails.
Campgrounds near Highland City, Florida vary from state park locations to RV resorts with diverse amenities. The region sits at a relatively flat elevation of 115-130 feet above sea level, with the Green Swamp to the north and the Lake Wales Ridge to the east. Most camping spots remain accessible year-round, though extreme weather events can cause temporary closures during hurricane season from June through November.
Water sports at Camp Margaritaville: Located in Auburndale, campers can enjoy water activities at two pools including a splash pad area. "We love this Margaritaville location! The staff is always friendly, they've got a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," writes Danielle M. of Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale.
Mountain biking trails: The trails at Alafia River State Park offer technical challenges for all skill levels. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," says Jennifer T.
Wildlife viewing: Colt Creek State Park provides opportunities to observe Florida wildlife in their natural habitat. "This park is beautiful, quiet, alive with wild life, we saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," notes Barbara A. of Colt Creek State Park Campground.
Accessibility to attractions: Many campers appreciate the proximity to Florida's theme parks. "We had a BLAST at this camping retreat 3 miles from Legoland! The owners/employees were very nice and accommodating," shares Rachel C. about Cypress Campground & RV Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank highly with campers in the area. "The bathrooms are well kept and clean. The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do," writes Rebecca A. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Spacious sites: Campers value the room to spread out at certain campgrounds. "The sites are awesome and very clean. They each come with a turf pad which the pup loved," Phil notes about Camp Margaritaville. Another camper at Hillsborough River State Park Campground mentions, "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping."
Mosquito preparation: Bug protection is essential, particularly in warmer months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Seasonal activities: Winter months bring special programming at many campgrounds. "Winter season activities, movies, game night. Near restaurants and Legoland, not far from Disney or either coast," mentions MaryAnn D. about her stay at Cypress Campground.
Fire restrictions: Policies vary significantly between campgrounds. "No Camp fires, No boats, at $20 a day $140 a week is too expensive to camp," notes Scott T. about Saddle Creek Park. Meanwhile, Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground allows fires with designated areas.
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. "The pool, arcade, sing along and trading post: the pool is a nice size pool with a small water slide. There is a splash area in the back for small kids," describes Samantha O. about Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Wildlife education: Many parks offer opportunities for children to learn about local ecosystems. "The long and windy ride in gives you a trip back to some real Florida. The campground is well maintained and has large, level sites," explains Joe R. about Colt Creek State Park.
Pool crowding awareness: During peak seasons, shared facilities can become congested. "The only negative was that the pool area seemed a little small for the number of people there. Very crowded," reports Shannon S. about Camp Margaritaville during spring break.
Site selection: Choose sites based on your priorities for shade, accessibility, and noise levels. "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," shares Corey C. about their stay at Camp Margaritaville.
Laundry facilities: Several campgrounds offer laundry options with varying quality. "Bathrooms, laundry facilities are plentiful and very clean. Have to pay for wifi," reports Deb K. about Cypress Campground.
WiFi quality: Internet connectivity varies significantly between locations. "Awesome place. Great for kids and pets. Wifi was amazing. Staff was super friendly. Huge lots with tons of stuff to do," notes Erik P. about their experience at Camp Margaritaville.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Highland City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Highland City, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 294 campgrounds and RV parks near Highland City, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Highland City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highland City, FL is Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Highland City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Highland City, FL.
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