Cabin accommodations near Highland City, Florida range from rustic to luxurious with most situated within a 30-mile radius. The central Florida location offers mild winter temperatures in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit, making it a popular destination for snowbirds from December through March. Most cabins in this area sit on flat terrain with sandy soil, typical of central Florida's phosphate mining region.
What to do
Water activities at multiple lakes: Hardee Lakes Park cabins provide access to four separate lakes for fishing and paddling. According to one visitor, "This is reclaimed land from an old phosphate mine...There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes."
Mountain biking at Alafia River: Alafia River State Park Campground offers some of Florida's most challenging mountain bike trails built on former phosphate mining land. A reviewer notes, "I was probably the only hiker at this park and there were a ton of mountain bikers. I loved that they had a ton of different trails to choose from, some just hiking or biking, and some mixed ones."
Wildlife viewing on walking paths: Hillsborough River State Park Campground features boardwalk trails through cypress wetlands with abundant wildlife. "We walked a few and were rewarded with peaceful treks. On one such hike, we were able to spot a bobcat in pursuit of dinner, which was a delight to see firsthand," shares one camper.
Rapids viewing: The Hillsborough River features Florida's only Class II rapids, accessible from cabin areas. A reviewer mentions, "Everything is kept up, and several short trails to see the only class 2 rapids in Florida. Pretty wild."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale maintains high cleanliness standards throughout their property. "The sites are awesome and very clean. They each come with a turf pad which the pup loved," reports one visitor.
Family-friendly activities: Lake Louisa State Park Campground provides numerous recreational options within walking distance from cabins. "This is a great location to get away from everything, without going far. It has nice, spread out spots, and plenty of activities if you are outdoorsy," one camper shares.
Good WiFi service: Many cabin renters appreciate reliable connectivity at Camp Margaritaville. One reviewer stated, "Awesome place. Great for kids and pets. Wifi was amazing. Staff was super friendly. Huge lots with tons of stuff to do."
Privacy between sites: Hardee Lakes Park offers more secluded cabin options. "This is a nice quiet park. Camp sites are nice and clean, with beautiful lake views," notes a visitor who appreciated the separation between accommodations.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin rentals require advance booking, especially during winter months. A Lake Louisa visitor advises, "We stayed at site #43 which has water/elec. hookup, dump station near by. All of the sites seemed level, most are quite private with a fair amount of trees/foliage in between sites."
Bug preparation: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and other wooded cabin areas can have intense insect activity during warmer months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns one camper at Hillsborough River.
Transportation considerations: Several cabin areas are expansive, requiring additional transportation. "Who doesn't love this place!!! From the second you get there it's an experience. From the bot ride to Magic Kingdom to all the great activities they have. All I can say is Rent a golf cart, it's worth it!!!" suggests a Disney Fort Wilderness visitor.
Noise levels vary: Some cabin areas maintain quieter atmospheres than others. A reviewer at Central Park RV Resort observed, "The park had alot of permanent residents living here but it wasn't ran down really bad like other parks. Good power. Good water pressure."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple pool options: Thousand Trails Orlando cabin rentals include access to multiple swimming facilities. "They have 2 Pools, 1 Hot Tub, Mini Golf, Tennis Courts, Pickle Ball Courts, Shuffle Board, Club House, Mail Room, Camp Store, A small Lake with Kayak rental," lists one frequent visitor.
Entertainment packages: Many cabin sites offer scheduled activities for children. A Camp Margaritaville visitor explains, "We had a great time. The camp sites and the whole resort area is very clean and safe. I felt comfortable with my kid running around on her scooter. They had a lot of activities for the kids during spring break."
Wildlife education opportunities: Cabins at Hillsborough River provide chances for wildlife encounters. "We were serenaded by the cackle of wild turkey, the squeals of wild pig, the yip and yap of coyotes, hoots from resident owls and the occasional shrill from the bobcat," describes one camper about the nighttime sounds.
Playground access: Many Highland City area cabin rentals include play areas nearby. "Kids played for four hours straight and went back for more after dinner! Thanks for the great experience once again!" shares a Camp Margaritaville visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday cabin areas share parking with RV sites that can be tight for large vehicles. "We have. 45' with tow. These spots are tight and small and people tend to park everywhere they can. Leaves pulling in and out difficult," notes one RVer.
Extended stay considerations: Many cabin rental facilities accommodate longer stays with additional amenities. "This resort is impeccable with newly updated bath houses, laundry facilities, 2 pools, playground, camp store, mail room, pickle ball and tennis courts, new basketball court and dock to launch kayaks," reports a Thousand Trails Orlando visitor.
Utility reliability: Most cabin rentals near Highland City offer dependable utilities. A Central Park RV Resort camper shares, "Good power. Good water pressure. Sewer location was very far away. Traffic drove very fast through the park. They do propane refills for only 2.50 a gallon."
