Best Cabin Camping near Lake Helen, FL

Why contemplate leaving the creature comforts of home when you can just haul everything that you love most to a place that provides all of the concrete paved, easy-to-access amenities that you likely have at home in the first place? If you find yourself in this dilemma, no worries, Orlando/ Kissimmee KOA has all of your manufactured outdoor camping needs covered … and what’s perhaps most interesting is that you won’t even have to drive out of the concrete jungle to encounter this experience, in fact, it’s right off a major 4-lane highway (HWY 192).

So, if you are dreaming of escaping your domesticated life for the thrills of an outdoor camping adventure that will have you appreciating the best of what nature has to offer, then just be forewarned, this is not that place. But if you are simply looking for a change of scenery and want to be near all of the action and attractions here in Central Florida’s ‘Magic City’ and want a different experience than paying overpriced rates at Tiki-hut themed entertainment hotels and relish the idea of dusting off your RV or unpacking your tent in a pseudo nature environment complete with all the astro turf your dog can poop on within a confined, fenced-in setting, then this KOA (and let’s be frank, ANY KOA) has you covered.

As far as amenities go, it’s a KOA, so there’s going to be more amenities here than you can shake a stick at. These include: heated in-ground medium-sized pool complete with tiled patio, lounge chaise chairs, tables with umbrellas and regular chairs, water-rinsing station, as well as a jacuzzi / spa, propane refilling station, bike rentals, 134’ max length slots, WiFi, pavilion, Kamp K9, firewood for sale, 24 hour laundr-O-mat, picnic tables, community fire pits, on-site market, recreation office, life-size Jenga, designated trash areas, fitness center, playground, dog wash, public bus service, basketball court, EV chargers, jump pad, taxi service back-in and pull-through perfectly paved, level concrete RV sites with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage). There’s even RV sites that are dubbed ‘Deluxe,’ which are larger and come with a paved connected patio.

No RV? And REALLY don’t want to have an experience that is different than living at home? Even here at this KOA, that’s not a problem, where the proprietors will easily rent you a deluxe cabin, if there is one available. These 1BR or 2BR A/C cooled Deluxe Cabins sleep 4, 6 or 8 people and come with bunk bed set, futon / sofa sleeper and a queen-sized bed along with a private bath and shower, TV with cable offering over 20 channels, some with EV chargers, patio w/ charcoal or gas BBQ grill and fire pit, front porch with patio furniture and chairs, refrigerator, fresh linens, paw pen for the pups and a partial or full kitchen. They even have rustic cabins that are cheaper and don’t come with all the thrills for those that want some degree of ‘roughing’ it, so this means no kitchen and no bathroom or showers, although there is full bed, bunk bed, TV, mini-refrigerator, A/C patio furniture, brick fire pit with cooking grate.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) To continue with the simple, easy-to-access, manufactured experience theme here, for those that grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal for the kiddos, who are grumbling about making every meal, head on over to any one of these nearby drive-thru windows or curb-side meal offerings: McDonald’s, Panda Express, Applebee’s, Steak ‘n Shake and Wendy’s; (2) If you want to heighten that suburban culinary experience you all have been craving though, I really do rate the silverware-free dining experience that is Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, which is literally just down the road and is actually a lot of fun for the kiddos and adults alike; (3) Should you find yourself in need of anything that you either forgot or may have run out of, then fear not, there’s a Sam’s Club that is in walking distance from this KOA and further south that definitely requires a drive, there’s a Walmart Supercenter; (4) I’ve noticed that this place has SIGNIFICANT discounts if you simply plan in advance – so for example, during the months of March OR April (it’s January now), they’re offering a whopping 25% discount; and (5) If you are looking for a slice of nature’s paradise, then I highly recommend driving a bit north to Wekiwa Springs, where you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most amazing springs in all of Florida where the water is 72 degrees year round.

Happy Camping!

If you’ve landed on this review hopefully its because of a primary decision to visit one of the greatest beach communities in all of Florida – New Smyrna Beach. This super-slim archipelago boasts some of the most perfect white sugar sand beaches anywhere – plus, the best part is that this beach is a proper ‘drive-on’ beach, so whatever you would normally have to haul in a cart or wheeled by trolley to the beach, you can simply keep in the trunk or bed of your SUV / car / truck. And if you are here, hopefully you have planned to be here for some time – or, upon seeing how simply amazing New Smyrna Beach is, have decided that you need a place to stay ... but unfortunately, you and a couple thousand other people have come to the same conclusion. So what do you do? 

Well, you look for simple and affordable accommodations nearby, and that’s what will attract you to Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park, which is conveniently located only 15 minutes drive or so from beachside bliss. While this is definitely an RV-laden outpost, the vibe here is quite contagious, with its main office greeting you immediately upon arrival, where just past this wooden log cabin structure pure hedonism awaits with vibrant bouncing beach balls popping up and down in this overgrown campside Florida shaped-pool bursting with loud southern country music (yee-haw!) and nearly everyone en towe brandishing a coozie with some cheap domestic beer and endless “hey y’all’s” and smiles to boot at the ‘Tiki Hut’ (warning – there’s nothing here that resembles a ’Tiki Hut’ apart from the drinks they pour, although even here, no umbrellas!). This place feels like Spring Break for the adults toting 2-3 kids with them as they dwell in their mobile manufactured temporary housing. 

With all the proper hook-ups being provided (30 / 50 amp electric, sewer, water), this oversized RV menagerie feels like it’s been carved out of a forest of tall needle-pine trees sheltering its residents from the sweltering heat of NE Florida. The family-friendly restrooms and shower facilities are fairly clean and there’s picnic tables and BBQ grills sporadically littered all over the place. Sugar Mill Ruins also rents out very affordable cabins (12 x 20) with twin bunk beds and fold-out futon (nice) complete with mini-fridge, table, chairs, microwave and even a porch with deck chairs. There’s more than 200 sites to choose from complete with a playground for the kiddos, game room with 2 billiards tables, plus 3 acres of lake fishing along with a cool pavilion with games and events (this is the main building that you’ll first encounter). 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While not exactly a destination, Sugar Mill Ruins is so dang convenient to some of the best beach experiences you might ever encounter, depending upon your leaning, leave early and spend as much time as you can at New Smyrna Beach; (2) If you’re looking for a different place to soak some suds, I highly recommend Norwood’s Treehouse Bar, which has fantastic cocktails and local live music; and (3) For simply sublime food, check out Outriggers Tiki Bar& Grille, which has a pretty gracious happy hour where you can spot manatees and dolphins while biting down on some of the freshest catch in Florida, but with outstanding accoutrement, like key lime coconut beurre blanc and sticky bamboo rice or pineapple and peppadew rhum butter infused fish entrees. 

Happy Camping!

Located in north central Florida just south of Florida’s agricultural heartland in Palatka, you’ll spot 333 Fish Camp if you are driving slow enough on Highway 17 heading north out of Crescent City, but only if you have your eyes peeled looking for the place. Apart from an oversized relatively new roadside sign that somehow sits back from view, an entirely thick shrubbery and tree line and 30 degree downgrading, albeit well-paved lane block this waterfront oasis from passing-by view. 

The best part about 333 Fish Camp? If you’re an angler or simply want to be out on the water, then this place is a perfect spot as it offers easy-to-maneuver and immediate access to Crescent Lake along with the St. Johns River, which through its many intracoastal waterways, will grant you access to the Atlantic Ocean if you so choose. As for the layout of the place itself, 333 offers up Deluxe Waterfront RV Sites (adjacent to marina and pool, but with direct views of Lake Crescent) and Premium RV Sites (offer both back-in and pull-thru sites and are located further up the hill and further away from the lake, but still offer great views, just a slightly longer walk to the water). All sites offer dedicated BBQ grill, fire pit and 50 amp hookups, except the Premium, which offer 30 and 50 amp. In addition to these 2 types of RV accommodations, 333 offers up (6) Efficiency Cottages, (1) Vacation Home and even a couple Waterfront Tiny Homes (all are perfect for 2 Adults / 2 Children, save the Vacation Homes, which are larger and may accommodate more people), which I thought were particularly amazing. All of these alternative modern housing rentals feature kitchenettes, private restrooms and showers, refrigerators (with freezer), coffee machines, TV’s, A/C and screened in porches. 

Amenities: Pet-Friendly, General Store (fishing apparel, bait, tackle, rods & reels, lures, baits, basic groceries, sodas, beer, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.), Full Marina (w/ 3 dedicated slots), Lakeview Wooden Dock (w/ pristine, elevated views of Lake Crescent, along with a jumbo TV for watching your favorite game), Hillside Heated Pool (complete with lounge chairs, gazebos and even views of Lake Crescent), River House (offering TV, seating, office space, WiFi, meeting space, kitchen / bar area, bathroom, shower facilities and even a laundr-O-mat), Fishing Pier (there’s even a standing prize for anyone who catches the largest fish on the pier!), Boat Fuel Station, Boat Ramp, Charcoal Grills & Fire Pits, Efficiency Cottages, RV & Trailer Storage and Complimentary Hi-Speed WiFi. 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a beginner fisherman like me, I highly recommend booking a pro fishing guide and Cole Hewitt is the on-sight angling ombudsman who will not only educate you on how to fish, but he knows Lake Crescent like the back of his hand, so you’ll benefit from also knowing WHERE to catch bass; (2) While we always go camping with our kayaks and canoes entowe, if you forgot yours or simply want to try out a true angling kayak, then you’re in luck as 333 offer up a handful of rentals, and even if they are fully-booked up, you can head back into town where there’s plenty of spots that will rent you some watercraft; and (3) When you get tired of trying to figure out what’s next for dinner or simply want to try out the local fare, I highly recommend the fun and vibrant 3 Bananas, which basically serves up some fairly decent glorified American bar food, of which I highly recommend the grilled, blackened Mahi Mahi as well as their buffalo wings – but don’t forget to order the fried banana cheesecake– it’s out of this world! 

Happy Camping!

Located due north of Crescent Lake here in Putnam County within north central Florida and just off Highway 17, you’ll come across a very well-appointed RV gated community that sits atop a rolling hill with tons of tall needle pines, palms and ancient oaks shrouding this unassuming hidden oasis in both privacy as well as shuddering it from the nearby highway traffic. In fact, if you’re driving too fast, you might just miss this little hidden gem … but something tells me, that’s not really a concern for the good folks here at Cherry Blossom, who were completely booked up when we stopped by one sunny afternoon in January. 

As for the layout of this place, it’s quite simple. To begin with, the moment you turn onto Cherry Blossom’s main entrance, you will be greeted by perfectly paved roads that feature on the right, the main office building, where you’ll check in, along with this RV resort's beautiful in-ground heated swimming pool as well as main restrooms and shower facilities (which are as immaculate as they come!), indoor and outside laundry facilities behind and to the side of the building. On the left, there’s a newly planted pickleball court, open air gazebo with freshly poured concrete (although you’ll have to bring your own chairs, table and BBQ), 2 sets of cornhole, which is all fenced in, providing for a nice doggie park environ. You’ll also discover a full-on propane service area before arriving to the key-guarded lift gates that provide a huge plus-up in security for this RV haven, which is located right on a fairly busy highway. 

Once inside the compound, there’s a simple long and narrow loop to follow that is dissected in the middle, so after passing by the administration office, keep heading towards the right and you’ll circumnavigate the entire place. At the top of the loop, you can turn right, which is essentially a short lane with a dozen or so RV slots on the left and a half dozen cabin lodges on the right. While most of the slots on the periphery of the loop and the lane are fairly well-shaded and offer very good (not great) privacy, those slots located on the interior of the loop are fairly open with scant brush, save a few isolated palms or oaks, so needless to say, you and your camp will be in complete view of the entire campground. My personal recommendation, if you have the opportunity to do so (note below, there is no reserving specific sites, which seems absolutely Proletarian to me!), is to pick one of the RV slots that is located on the lane at the top of the loop – these are deluxe sites, have more space as well as greater privacy. 

Prices for Standard RV slots are$55 ($350 / wk and $575 / mo), whereas the Deluxe RV sites are$60 ($400 / wk and $675 / mo), with the only difference being Standard has grass & gravel w/ cement patio, whereas the Deluxe features asphalt pads and in addition to picnic table and BBQ, offers up a fire ring. Me thinks for $5 more, it’s a deal go Deluxe and drop anchor on a solid patch of land, plus, who doesn’t love a fire ring?! All slots come with 30 / 50 amp, metered electric and complimentary cable TV& WiFi. Don’t have an RV? Not a problem, Cherry Blossom will rent you one of their 1BR/ 1BA lodges for $1,050 by the month (but read the fine print: no pets, no smoking, no kids and only 2 adults (so no fun!).

Amenities: Back-In and Pull-Through RV Sites w/ Full Hook-Ups (30 / 50 electric, water & sewage), Doggie Park, Corn Hole, Pickleball Courts, Heated In-Ground Swimming Pool w/ Patio & Chaise Lounge Chairs, Indoor & Outside Laundr-O-Mat, On-Site Market, Club House with Foosball, Billiards Tables, Game Room and Exercise Room, Playground, Propane Fueling Station, Turtle-Gazing(there’s 3 beautiful tortoises named Browser, Crush and Rafael who guard Cherry Blossom RV Resort day and night!), Designated Trash & Recycling Bins 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you book at Cherry Blossom, they won’t guarantee you a specific site – you will only know exactly where you are staying when you arrive and are assigned a specific spot. My HUGE recommendation would be to arrive as early as you can so that you can understand what spots will become available that day, have yourself a little tour of the place and then go back to office and let them know which spot(s) you prefer; (2) You should note that the fee you’ll be paying for the night covers 2 people only and after this, a $2.50 per day or $30 per month fee charge is incurred; (3) There are no cancellation refunds here – once booked, you are immediately charged and that money is gone forever; but if you do need to cancel or postpone, you are offered a camping credit - major bummer IMHO!; and (4) When you get tired of trying to figure out what that next meal is and want to sample some local fare, just head due south to Crescent City, where there’s a few decent restaurants to choose from like 3 Bananas, Crescent City Diner and Palmeras. 

Happy Camping!

Cabin 5 stars- Immaculately clean with comfortable furniture, bright spacious living room, t.v. in living room and bedroom, bathroom and bedroom a little tight but adequate, tub/shower combo, loft area easily accessible with stairs, no porch-but paved driveway, picnic table and grill, linens provided but towels and pillows were on the thin side *Campground 5 stars- Family friendly atmosphere, clean, quiet, sunny, well maintained landscaping *Amenities 5 stars- Clean and spacious rec center with lots of scheduled activities for adults and children-Bingo, hot food/snacks available for purchase Outdoor amenities (pool, putt-putt, shuffle board, pickle ball, playground, etc.) looked nice but we didn’t utilize them on this visit *Staff 5 stars- Efficient and very responsive

Depending upon what type of camping you are looking for, Princess Preserve offers up just about every outdoor possibility that one could think of – from hike-in group camping and family-style tent compound in an open range and river-front tent pitching at its best to 5 star cabin / cottage rentals. IMHO the cabins that are for rent here at Princess Place Preserve are, without a doubt, some of the very best waterfront cabins you will ever find here in the entire state of Florida. Not that I have been everywhere, mind you, but I have been to an awful lot of campgrounds in the ‘Sunshine State’ and I have yet to find better. 

Princess Place Preserve offers an endless array of live and ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish Moss every which way you look, featuring not just 1 single campground to choose from, but rather 6 individual, completely distinctive campgrounds – each one completely different and incredibly unique from one another. The individual campgrounds within Princess Place Preserve include: Group Campground, Hill Campground, The Cottages, Pellicer Campground (also referred to as Dock Sites), Equestrian Campground and Moody Campground. For this particular review, I will be focused on the The Cottages. 

What makes these cabins outstanding? Here are the top 5 reasons: (1) There are only 3 cabins to choose from, making them quite the exclusive offering for those that don’t want to pitch a tent for the night in arguably one of the most beautiful slices of nature in northern Florida; (2) Each of these cabins sit waterfront overlooking the delectable Princess Place Preserve marshes and just beyond, the expansive Pellicer River, which ultimately feeds into the Matanzas River – it’s a ‘frackish’ water wonderland at your door step! And if you have a kayak or canoe, you’re also in luck, as all 3 of these cabins have their very own river access point for easy launching; (3) From the moment you rock up to these ‘cabins’ you will be shocked to realize that these are more outfitted like fairly newly constructed houses, complete with A/C, WiFi, satellite dish, backyard screened-in porches complete with 4 wooden rocking chairs and inside you’ll discover that all of the comforts of home have been provided with each cottage offering 2 bedrooms (each with a queen bed), 2 ensuite bathrooms, separate living room (with an additional sleeper sofa) and dining room (dining table and 6 chairs) along with a fully-functioning kitchen and all of the typical items you would expect to find: dishes, glassware, silver, utensils, pots and pans, etc.; (4) At $125 per night (plus applicable taxes as well as refundable security deposit), the price is simply outstanding, considering the fact that the cabins are basically new, waterfront and places you smack dab in some of the most opulent natural settings in the state of Florida; and (5) Perhaps my most favorite thing about these cabins is that if you still want to pitch a tent outside (some of us are just die-hard campers afterall!), there’s plenty of space to do that, as well as the outdoor amenities, which include a picnic table, stand-up grill and fire ring (just like every other camping option here at Princess Place Preserve) – the huge difference here of course, is that in just a few steps, you can leave mother nature at any moment, cook up a meal like you were at home, recline in a comfy sofa, watch TV or surf the internet and enjoy a hot shower if you would like to. 

As far as Princess Place Preserve itself is concerned, there are more than 1,500 square acres to explore that will offer the best of both surf (well, actually, 3 conjoining rivers) and turf (which is simply fantastic marsh). On the surf front, you’ll have the trifecta of salt marshes from the Matanzas River, slow-moving currents of the Moody Creek and abundant fishing of the Pellicer Creek to contend with – all three of which make for perfect kayak, canoe and paddle board exploration (just be on the watch for alligators!). Back on land, there’s plenty of hiking trails that provide a bevy of well-cleared fully-functioning foot paths … while on the other hand, you will discover trails that are in dire need of some decent pruning as well as those, due to recent rainfall, will be either flooded or too muddy to trudge through. 

The name Princess Preserve comes from the widow Angela Cutting who remarried a Russian prince and assumed the title of princess (although there was no coronation). The entire park is managed by Flagler County Parks & Recreation, which I have to say, apart from the bathroom / shower facilities, have done an amazing job at not just preserving this amazing nature destination, but the county is in overdrive in its restoration efforts of the place, as you will see with the main lodge and nearby buildings and horse stable that have recently received a very nice refurbishment. 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are interested in booking one of these 3 cottages, you will want to book WAY AHEAD OF TIME, so plan with plenty of advance timing in mind; (2) These cottages come with linens and towels, microwave, refrigerator, but note that there are no dishwashers; (3) Interested in taking advantage of the historic tours that are offered here? Just a short walk from your cabin you will meet up at the Lodge (just past the Stables) where tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so upon arriving here, be sure to ask a Park Ranger for first availability; (4) If you are a biker, like I am, you will definitely want to bring your bicycles here, where all of the main roads and even most of the trails are simply perfect for riding on and the expansive nature of Princess Place Preserve will give you miles and miles to explore without biking on the same trail twice!; and (5) With a full kitchen at your disposal, I can’t imagine why you would want to go out to eat, but if you do, I highly suggest 386 over in Hammock Beach, where they have Wine Down Wednesday (offering 50% off bottles of wine of which I recommend the Bertani Amarone from Veneto), where you can order an expertly cut Tomahawk Ribeye Steak or the Mexican Triggerfish to wash it all down with. 

Happy Camping!