Little Manatee River State Park Campground
First time lil campers
Took the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
307 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Auburndale, Florida range from established RV resorts to state parks with more natural settings. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort provides modern amenities including full hookups, pools, and planned activities, while nearby Lake Louisa State Park offers a more traditional outdoor experience with tent camping, RV sites, and cabin options. Most campgrounds in this central Florida region sit within easy driving distance of Orlando's attractions, with several positioned along lakes and waterways. The landscape features a mix of pine forests, rolling hills, and freshwater lakes that create diverse camping environments for visitors seeking memorable outdoor stays near Auburndale.
Weather conditions significantly impact camping experiences in this region, with summer months bringing high temperatures, humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winter provides milder temperatures that many campers prefer, typically ranging from 50-75°F. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during the busy winter season when northern visitors seek warmer weather. Facilities vary widely from primitive sites with minimal amenities to full-service RV resorts with 50-amp hookups and sewer connections. As one camper noted about Lake Louisa State Park, "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."
The camping experience in the Auburndale area often centers around water activities on the region's many lakes. Several campgrounds provide direct lake access for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Public lands like Withlacoochee State Forest offer more secluded camping experiences with hiking trails and river access. Mixed-use campgrounds dominate the landscape, with most offering both tent and RV sites. Many locations feature varying levels of privacy between sites, from open layouts to more secluded spots. According to visitor feedback, the area's campgrounds are generally well-maintained with clean facilities. One reviewer shared that at Lake Louisa State Park, "The sites are nicely setup with lots of privacy. There are a few sites with both 50 amp electric and sewer service." Proximity to Orlando's attractions while maintaining natural settings makes this region particularly appealing to campers seeking convenience without sacrificing outdoor experiences.
"Family and I spent the Labor Day weekend at Camp Magaritaville Auburndale, FL. Camp ground was at capacity but it didn’t feel crowded. Very clean and modern."
"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"
from $64 - $99999 / 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"Situated right off of rout 27, a very busy 3 lane state road and not too far from Disney Parks is Lake Louisa State Park."
"Secluded campground in natural Florida. Hookup sites were well kept and at the end of the park so there was no thru traffic. To get to the hookup sites it Is an 8-10 minute drive from park entrance."
from $24 - $120 / 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"We went along the outside rim in site Mako 7. The sites are large enough and have most have full hook ups. Not many trees for shade, but it is in Florida so that is to be expected."
"D section is old-school, Florida State Park-like camping. You have that romantic, southern charm and foliage. "
from $85 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to Campground and Sites. Sites are flat and easy access. Campground has long term sites. Great pool and Store."
"About 20 minutes from Disney and there are several stores and restaurants nearby."
"We came to Florida to escape NY in 2020, chose from a map! While here, we made good friends with other snowbirds and travelers. There is a nice pool, small playground and 2 laundry facilities."
"First we had a late arrival, and they had left us all the documents ready for us by the entrance."












Took the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
Lots of amenities with plenty to do, water park was nice, ice cream shop, marina, and skeet range were cool. Staff was inconsistent - some allowed the kids to have fun but others break out the measuring stick to deny activities. Head scratching at times but will probably go back.
Great lil place. Nice private bathrooms, mini splits in these and in tent, comfortable for family of 5. Fun turf play area near main office. Shark tooth sifting, trail hike, but the bank river fishing was tough. Owner/manager was a jack of all trades, very helpful and did it all.
Great little spot. Seemed to rain every 5 minutes where they had to shut everything down but had good contingency plans. Golf carts galore with some sites a little more rowdy than the next, but plenty of room. Kids loved the pools and crafts, adults loved the tiki bars and live music.
Canopy 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.
The 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!
A very nice campground northwest of Orlando in Apopka. It's near a small airport that only has small planes flying in and out. It's relatively quiet here with access to the major theme parks from the nearby expressway. The staff here are very nice and friendly. I've stayed here on and off for approximately 1 month this summer and plan on coming back here again for the winter.
Good clean site.
Nice 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.
Camping near Auburndale, Florida centers around freshwater recreation with fishing, boating, and wildlife observation as primary activities. Many campgrounds in this central Florida region feature flat terrain with sandy soil that typically drains well after rain. The area's camping season peaks from November through April when temperatures remain mild and humidity levels drop considerably.
Observe wildlife along lake shores: At Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground, visitors can explore trails that run alongside the water. "Quiet and gorgeous; as every site has a view of the water, and trees/nature is abundant. Hike along the water on trails, off road biking, and up close viewing of the beautiful ranch animals (steer and goats)," shares patty.
Practice target shooting: Saddle Creek Park offers shooting range facilities near its camping areas. One camper noted, "It is nice that there is a gun range here and lots of ponds to fish in," making it a dual-purpose destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Join scheduled activities: At Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale, organized events run throughout the week. "They had a lot of activities for the kids during spring break," mentions shannon S., while another visitor commented, "The Tiki Bar was fun and the DJ was good. The DJ was also the activity director Friday evening."
Access biking trails: Paved and unpaved trails connect to several campgrounds. "There's an eagle preserve by the lake and the Auburndale bike trail (29 miles!) just outside of the entrance," mentions a camper about the extensive biking options available.
Large pool complexes: Many Auburndale area campgrounds feature elaborate swimming areas beyond basic pools. A camper at Cypress Campground & RV Park appreciated "Great amenities and a beautiful pool!" This campground sits just 3 miles from Legoland, making it convenient for families.
Privacy between campsites: Lake Louisa State Park Campground offers more secluded camping experiences. "Having stayed at Lake Louisa State Park serval times we've enjoyed very spacious sites with beautiful views and an exceptionally clean property," says Jackie B.
Kid-friendly facilities: Splash zones and playgrounds make family camping more enjoyable. A visitor noted, "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."
On-site entertainment: Farmers markets and scheduled performances enhance the camping experience. "They even have a big farmers market on Sundays with tons of vendors," shares a visitor about the weekly event at Camp Margaritaville.
Shade availability varies: The newer resorts typically lack mature trees. One camper noted about Camp Margaritaville, "The trees are small so no shade yet," highlighting a common issue at recently developed facilities.
Site dimensions matter for larger RVs: Getting larger rigs into spots requires planning. A camper at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground shared their experience: "There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot. There is plenty of room between your rv and your neighbor next to you but not a lot of room across from your spot."
Fire restrictions apply at some parks: Not all campgrounds permit open fires. One visitor mentioned, "Only disappointment was that I did not realize there were no fire rings/pits/gills, so we had a couple of 'interesting' meals in our camper that were intended for campfire cooking."
Seasonal population changes: Winter brings an influx of long-term visitors. A camper observed, "Mostly consisted of older resident (snow birds), who were all very nice," noting the demographic shift that occurs during peak season.
Playground access: Colt Creek State Park Campground offers accessible play areas for children of all abilities. "These tent sites had water and electric as well. There are 2 of these sites available and both are easily accessed from handicap parking close by," notes Jeanene A.
Animal interactions: Children enjoy seeing wildlife and farm animals. "The owner allows you to pet the goats (great for little kids) and may even offer a joy ride on a side by side!" shares Nestor A. about Wilderness Shores Ranch.
Pool features: Look for campgrounds with kid-specific water features. "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," according to a visitor describing amenities.
Transportation options: At larger resorts, getting around can be challenging. A camper advised, "Rent a golf cart if you don't have one. Transportation was OK and the Tavern was very nice," for those staying at sprawling properties.
Site surfaces vary: Concrete pad conditions differ between parks. A camper at Cypress Campground noted, "Site is level, but concrete pads are older and cracked," highlighting the importance of checking site conditions.
Water and electric connections: The placement of hookups can be challenging at some sites. One RVer mentioned, "We stayed at site #57 and other than the water connection being a little far there were no other negatives."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Wifi is unlike other KOAs for some reason and a bit of a pain. I could not get it hooked up to my RV system," reported a camper at Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday.
Dump station locations: Not all sites offer full hookups. At Colt Creek State Park, a visitor appreciated the "Nice dump and wash area at gate to campground," making departure day more convenient even without sewer connections at individual sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the RV parks located in Auburndale, FL?
Auburndale offers several RV park options in convenient locations. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale is a modern, resort-style facility in the heart of Auburndale with spacious sites and excellent amenities. For travelers passing through, Love's RV Hookup-Auburndale FL 228 offers convenient overnight RV parking right off I-4 northwest of Lakeland. The area also has several other RV accommodations within a short driving distance, providing easy access to Central Florida attractions.
What campground options are available in Auburndale for non-RV campers?
Non-RV campers seeking options near Auburndale should consider several nearby state parks and recreation areas. Lake Louisa State Park Campground offers traditional tent camping with scenic views, located just off Route 27 and not far from Auburndale. For a more primitive experience, Saddle Creek Park and Campground near Lakeland provides basic tent sites with water access. These options provide natural settings while still being reasonably close to Auburndale's amenities and attractions.
Are there paved RV sites or parks with blacktopping in Auburndale, FL?
Yes, paved RV sites are available in the Auburndale area. 21 Palms RV Resort features blacktopped sites and is conveniently located just off the I-4 corridor. This resort offers pull-through and back-in sites with modern infrastructure. Additionally, Orlando/Kissimmee KOA has well-maintained paved sites, accessible from the Florida Turnpike and relatively close to Auburndale. These parks provide stable, level foundations ideal for larger RVs and fifth wheels, making setup easier and keeping your rig cleaner during your stay.
Keep Exploring