RV parks near Interlachen, Florida offer camping options within the North Central Florida region, approximately 26 miles east of Gainesville and 45 miles southwest of St. Augustine. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September and mild winters with occasional overnight freezes. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with Verizon typically providing better coverage than other carriers in this rural area.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 7 miles west of Interlachen at Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins where visitors can enjoy "fishing ($35 per day)" with access to a small pond with its own pontoon boat. The campground is surrounded by several small lakes, with Lake Ida and Mirror Lake recommended for water activities.
Historic sites: 45 minute drive to St. Augustine from Cooper Lake RV Community where you can explore the oldest city in America. "Close to St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Ocala," notes a reviewer, making it an ideal base for day trips to historic sites.
Golf courses: 30 minutes south at Sun Retreats Ocala Orange Lake and Golf Resort which features "a full 18 course golf course and putting green. There are also onsite golf cart rentals and a golf pro shop." The property offers various recreational options for golf enthusiasts of all skill levels.
What campers like
Shade coverage: At Cooper Lake RV Community, the "abundance of shade" from ancient oaks is highly appreciated during hot Florida summers. A reviewer mentions this as "one of the best highlights of Cooper Lake RV Community," providing relief from the intense Florida sun.
Water access: The Camp Blanding RV Park offers lakefront camping with "sites right on the lake so the kids had a great time playing in the water." Another camper notes, "Our site was right on the lake so the kids had a great time playing in the water for something to do."
Pet-friendly accommodations: Most RV parks welcome pets, with Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort offering "direct access to St. Johns River with an amazing boat launch" where pets can enjoy shoreline walks. The resort plans to expand with "40 more tree-lined RV slots in the near future."
What you should know
Seasonal occupancy fluctuations: Winter months (November-March) bring higher occupancy rates. At Cooper Lake RV Community, seasonal rates vary from "$45-$55/daily; $250-$300/weekly; and $650-$700/monthly."
Internet connectivity challenges: Most parks have unreliable WiFi. At Sun Outdoors St. Augustine, a guest reported "the cell service (for both T-Mobile and Verizon) didn't work very well, and the Wi-Fi is iffy at best."
Limited tent camping options: The region primarily caters to RVs. At Encore Bulow RV, tent campers are "isolated in a place directly in front (near those white picket fences), where you will be separated from the RV community" with "ZERO ground coverage."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: Compass RV Park offers "Lots of things for kids to do at the campground (pool, playground, cornhole, ping pong table, fishing pond, etc)," making it a family-friendly option despite being 45 minutes from Interlachen.
Check for playground equipment: Many parks have limited dedicated children's areas. One visitor to Camp Blanding RV Park mentioned "The area had two sets of swings nearby and a dock," providing simple entertainment options for younger campers.
Plan for heat management: During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. Consider parks with water access or pools. "We camped here in the fall and the kids had a great time," noted a Camp Blanding visitor, suggesting that shoulder seasons might be more comfortable for families.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions matter: At Cooper Lake RV Community, sites feature "concrete or pebble-strewn pads" with varying sizes. Sites are arranged as "pull-through and back-in RV slots complete with full hook-ups (50 amp electric at every site along with water and sewage)."
Electric reliability concerns: Some parks have electrical challenges. A reviewer at Citra Royal Palm RV Park noted "we shared power with the guy next to us and the breaker blew," suggesting asking about dedicated electrical service when booking.
Proximity to necessities: When camping near Interlachen, plan for supplies. "Should you need just about anything while out this way camping, the small town of Interlachen should have you covered with a pharmacy, Ace Hardware, post office, Circle K gas station, CVS, Family Dollar store or groceries at Hitchcock's Market," according to a Trails End Outdoors visitor.