Best Campgrounds near Lake Mary, FL

Located so close to the St. Johns River that if you were any closer to it, you’d be swimming in it! For those anglers that are looking for no frills accommodations – whether those be from the confines of your own RV or 5th Wheel… or in the event that you need to rent a place for the night – then Bass World Lodge & Marina has you covered by offering up one of the 4-5 RV slots it has or by renting you one of its basic cabin rentals (up to 10 people can be accommodated). Fishing is coveted in these parts that will place you on the northernmost tip of Lake George in the very itty bitty enclave of Georgetown, which if you want to discover what Old Florida looks like, then just stop on by here for a spell.

Given the weather conditions in this part of Central Florida, you can check-in to Bass World Lodge & Marina year-round and within minutes of getting set up, you’ll easily have access to the St. Johns in no time by leveraging one of 2 boathouses that sit adjacent to the property here. If you’ve got angling on your mind, you’ll have no problems casting for big- and small-mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, pickerel, bluegill, lake trout, landlocked salmon, yellow perch, bluegill, panfish, northern pike and even American eel. While on the lake, you can enjoy all sorts of watersports like waterskiing, tubing, paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, canoeing, boating and even gator hunting (permit required).

Amenities include: 2 individual boat houses, fish cleaning stations complete with running water, boat slips for rent, non-ethanol fuel, FHU’s offering water, sewage & electric, bait & tackle, community grills, makeshift car rim fire pits, fish cleaning stations, lakefront seats & benches, fishing pier, boat docking, boat rentals, scattered card tables, assorted dock seating and on-site market with souvenirs, cold beverages, beer, ice, snacks and all the fishing gear you can swing your fishing pole at. There’s even a guide you can hire here to show you around the nearby fishing holes.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While brackish, somewhat darker-than-usual waters makes for just mediocre (at best) swimming accommodations, you’re in luck if coming here as nearby, there are gorgeous springs like Silver Springs, Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs, which all 3 will offer crystal-clear snorkeling and swimming options unlike you’ve ever experienced; (2) Because Georgetown is tiny, there’s barely any restaurant options, although we were able to find nearby a few really good spots like Idle Awhile for Cajun Fried Pickles & Blackened Haddock chased down by Rum Runners, Fatboy’s Saloon for Peel & Eat Shrimp, Hawg Burners with iced Tall Boys and Renegades on the River serving up Gator Tail and the best Shepherd’s Pie on the St. Johns – all within reach of a proper Tiki Bar where the Mai Tais pour freely; (3) This RV outpost on the St. Johns River has been up and running by the same family for 3 decades, so when it comes to knowledge of where to cast your line or how to get to a secluded area and away from the crowds, you can ask any one of the family here for some spartan tips and recommendations; (4) IMHO the best RV spots are those closest to the inside loop (#6 and #7), while if you are wanting to rent a cabin, I actually rate those a bit further away from the main office / riverfront, where it is quietest (#3 - #5); and (5) If you’ve come without a boat to get on the water, no worries, Bass World Lodge & Marina has you covered by offering up Pontoon and Bass Boat rentals, which at $175 - $315 per day is incredibly affordable.

Happy Camping!

Located just 45 minutes SW of the Magical Kingdom conveniently resting just a stone’s throw from I4, LeLynn RV Resort is a spacious, pet-friendly property that is definitely more geared for the RV driving or 5th wheel toting crowd. Surrounded by lakes in every direction – Little Lake Agnes sits directly west of the property, with its bigger sister Lake Agnes just further northwest, Lake Tennessee to the southwest, Lake Juliana to the south and Lake Mattie to the southeast, while Lake Helene can be found to the north and a smaller unnamed lake due east a smidge.  If you were surrounded by any more water, you'd be starring opposite Kevin Costner in 'Waterworld!'

While LeLynn RV Resort will accommodate you for about as long as you’d like, this place impressed upon me more of a layover than an actual destination. The community that we discovered here was incredibly friendly and inviting, but nearly everyone we met was enroute to some other, better place in the great Sunshine state ... and quite a few folks look like they have no business moving from this place any time soon. This RV depot somewhat lives up to its name as a resort as it does offer an inground pool that is lake facing (again, not that challenging to do here in Central Florida) along with decent (not excellent) restrooms & shower facilities, laundry-O-mat, boat ramp, metered LP gas, dump station, shuffleboard and horseshoes along with WiFi and cable TV options. If you desire kayaking, canoeing or fishing, you need only access the nearest lake of your choosing. There’s 220 sites with FHU’s offering 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) IMHO the best sites are those that are lakefront on the property’s northwestern most perimeter; (2) While the parking accommodations are concrete pads that will provide a nice level plain for the stay along with a solid accompanying patio, there’s virtually no trees and hence shade anywhere on the property, so while that might not matter for a single night, if staying longer, you’ll likely want to bring your own shade with you; (3) Should you need to load up on supplies while on your trip, just due south of LeLynn RV Resort is a Publix that will cater to all of your grocery needs; and (4) While you’ll feel like you’re out in the boondocks in these parts (and trust me, you are), there’s a number of great little eateries like The Back Porch, Frescos Southern Kitchen, Purple Pit Stop, Polk City BBQ Co., Savage Tacos and Old Man Frank’s to choose from.

Happy Camping!