Lake Louisa State Park Campground offers luxury camping experiences near Orlando with options beyond the typical tent setup. The park's 20 miles of hiking trails wind through oak hammocks and pine forests, connecting multiple lakes with abundant wildlife viewing. Convenience remains a hallmark of this destination, with sites available for reservation through Florida's centralized booking system.
What to do
Kayaking on multiple lakes: Lake Louisa State Park Campground provides access to several bodies of water including Dixie Lake and Hammond Lake. One visitor notes, "We were easily able to roll our Kayaks to Dixie lake from our campsite," making water activities accessible without vehicle transport between locations. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals for those without personal equipment.
Hiking through rolling terrain: The park features unusually hilly terrain for central Florida. "This state park has lots to offer - great trails for hiking and biking, boat launches, fishing, or just relaxing," reports one camper. Trail systems connect various lakes and offer different difficulty levels suitable for day hikes.
Swimming in a heated pool: Orlando/Kissimmee KOA maintains a heated swimming pool and sauna area for guests year-round. "The campground is very clean and tidy. All are extremely friendly and helpful," says a reviewer who appreciated the well-maintained facilities during their four-day stay.
Biking through the parks: The paved roadways at Thousand Trails Orlando provide extensive biking opportunities. A visitor observed, "The park is about 2.63 miles all the way around the outer loop," offering substantial on-property riding without needing to venture onto public roads.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Campers frequently mention the quality of camping spots at Hillsborough River State Park Campground. "Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night," reports a satisfied visitor who appreciated the well-drained grounds even during Florida's typical heavy rains.
Clean facilities: Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground maintains high standards for its amenities. One camper noted, "We are boondockers so we tend to stay away from very peoplely places... That said it was very comfortable everything was clean and super convenient. There was 30 amp as well as 50 amp water there's a dump station clean bathrooms nice showers even dedicated dishwashing sinks."
Private settings: Many sites offer good separation between camping spots. A Lake Louisa visitor mentioned, "Having stayed at Lake Louisa State Park several times we've enjoyed very spacious sites with beautiful views and an exceptionally clean property." This privacy enhances the natural camping experience while maintaining access to amenities.
Proximity to attractions: Glamping near Killarney provides the perfect balance of nature and access to Orlando's famous theme parks. "Close to central florida attractions, however out in bfe. Love this park, hidden gem," writes one Lake Louisa camper, highlighting the convenient yet removed setting.
What you should know
Early arrival needed for day use: Several state parks fill to capacity quickly, especially on weekends. A Wekiwa Springs visitor warns, "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity." This applies even if you have camping reservations but plan to use swimming areas.
Weather considerations: Florida's climate creates specific camping challenges. At Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, campers note practical concerns: "Overall the park is beautiful and I like how the have the vegetation isolating the sites. The park is very busy though but if you going to Disney World makes sense to hang here."
Insect preparation: Florida's natural areas come with abundant insect life. A Hillsborough River camper warns, "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog." This is especially important during summer months and near water features.
Site selection matters: At Lake Louisa, experienced campers recommend researching specific sites: "Only a couple of sites offer a water view due to the foliage and the trees," and "Reserve America does not note which ones have sewer too but when I did some more research I found one review that mentioned that site #'s 16,18,20, 30, 32,33, 34 (ADA), 35,36 (ADA), 37,38,39, & 40 are the sites that have sewer too."
Tips for camping with families
Diverse activity options: Camp Wewa offers extensive youth-focused amenities. "Basically, whatever you can conjure up for a summer camping experience for kid campers this place has in spades. There's a (nearly Olympic-size) swimming pool, vertical climbing walls, free-standing cabins and plenty of trails," notes one visitor, making it suitable for families seeking structured recreation.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural settings provide educational experiences observing Florida's unique ecosystem. One Lake Louisa camper shared, "On one such hike, we were able to spot a bobcat in pursuit of dinner, which was a delight to see firsthand."
Accessibility features: Some parks offer specialized accessibility accommodations. A Wekiwa Springs camper recounted their experience: "Once we got there, Jane, one of the park rangers informed us about the ramp for wheelchairs, and a lift into the water! She was so helpful."
Transportation considerations: At Disney's Fort Wilderness, strategic transportation planning enhances the family experience. "Rent a golf cart if you don't have one. Transportation was OK," suggests one visitor, while another advises, "Buses run very frequently and never had an issue getting a bus to the amenities."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: The layout of some glamping areas in Killarney present maneuvering difficulties. At Disney's Fort Wilderness, an RVer observed, "My only problem with wilderness camping. 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."
Seasonal considerations: The wet season affects site conditions at some parks. At Sherwood Forest RV Resort, a camper reported, "Recently there's been a lot of rain and rigs of all sizes are up to their rims in muck. Seems to be a draining problem as the water stands for several days. My site is still mucky after 3 days of sunshine."
Utility reliability varies: Water and electrical connections differ between campgrounds. "The water turns off a lot and so does the electric from time to time," notes one Sherwood Forest visitor, suggesting backup plans may be necessary during peak usage periods.
