Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lake Placid, FL

This is the largest KOA in the country...It's a Great campground for families, although I didn't go with one...There is an adult only pool, and a family pool. The Shanty, a bar is right by the adult pool, with entertainment in season and mostly on weekends. I've been there many times in the past, with my TT and my Coach...The sites are mostly large enough for Big rigs...There are upgrades to deluxe sites with brick patios, barbeques, fire pits and chairs. It's a very busy place on the holidays...If you want quiet those days, I don't suggest you go there...There is also a Golf Course, Golf Cart Rental, A nice updated store, A fenced in Dog park...

Tons to do on property including little stores, bbq restaurant, pizza, ice cream etc. Horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing. BUT, my only complaint is the noise level of the area. Lots of boat noise, gas golf carts (big property) & it just happened that my neighbors loved their gas blowers & pressure washing lol. Lots of great sites to choose from. Nice staff. Pet friendly.

Being from the area I am prepared for the weather. If you aren’t familiar with central Florida summers, which is about 11 1/2 months of the year it’s hot, humid, and loaded with bugs. We also have great wildlife. Use caution around them, especially near the water with small pets.

We actually got a spot at RRRVR (river ranch RV resort) which is on the backside by the smoke house restaurant. It was lot 196 and it was FANTASTIC! River ranch has so much to do. Rodeos, food, putt putt, petting zoo- and tons more. A great family venue. Will definitely be back.

If you love camping, wildlife, and stargazing but still want the convenience of amenities (i.e electricity, running water, bathroom, shower) then this is the place for you.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is part of IDA International Dark-Sky Places. The park has little light pollution and also a stargazing pad where you can also camp on.

The campgrounds aren't large but the campsites are good for tents and RVs. The one site we stayed at had water and electric hook-ups and a firepit. We were close to very clean restroom area that also had showers, washer and dryer. They do have primitive campsites for the more rustic individuals. The campgrounds are about 45 minutes from town, but the ranger station sells ice for $2.50 and firewood purchase is by honor system. We also saw other campers with their dogs so pet-friendly as well.

Lots of hiking trails and so much wildlife. We saw deer grazing near our campsite!

Make sure to bring lots of mosquito repellent, especially in the summer months. Otherwise you'll get bit...a lot! But it is Florida after all.

We're beyond excited for the grand opening of Palm Breeze Luxury RV Resort and have already booked our stay for 2025! The amazing amenities, combined with the family-friendly and pet-friendly atmosphere, make it the perfect getaway for everyone. The reservations team was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the new management company is doing a fantastic job. We can't wait to experience everything this resort has to offer!

Great little spot in Kelly Park with access to Rock Springs

Unfortunately the springs were closed due to COVID, but Wekiwa Springs is down the road so we were able to check that out!

No pets allowed either which is another downside

Well-kept and maintained, friendly staff, and nice restrooms.

Not a lot of space between campsites - you won’t get that “primitive” camping feel, but the site is a decent size

So much potential. Pool, food, games, billiards, pizza, a store, golf cart rentals, big spaces, dog-friendly, premium spaces with beautiful pads and fire pits, brick fire pits or even grills. Lots of space and 3 free wireless devices for your stay.

Cabanas at the pool are stupid expensive, ($350 a day as of this writing). They sat empty for our entire 11 day stay. In our talks with other campers, no one has ever seen one in use except as a consolation to an upset camper. So technically never rented.

Lots of rules; some good and some bad. However, seemingly none are actually enforced. This leads to dogs off-leash running around (their camp site and yours). No clear paths to get across the back sides of the park, which leads to campers routinely cutting through your site to get from point A to point B.

The first 5 days of our stay were quiet. After that, the park started filling up and you could see the place slip into free-form mode.

The Wi-Fi was great when it worked, and you were almost always connected. BUT, dozens of times a day the internet just froze. Devices would bounce on and off the WiFi dozens of times in minutes, prompting you to confirm terms of service every-single-time. It got old and we bailed on the WiFi by day 4. Although there was a 24/7 support number for the WiFi, it was worthless. The hosting company (AccessParks) really couldn’t have cared less if the WiFi ever worked and it showed, but only after two waits on hold for 1.5+ hours each time.

The views were beautiful, and the golf carts are in great shape and well maintained. Water pressure was wonderful, and the sewer hookups on all available sewer sites were very well maintained and at the correct height for any camper, they are flush with the concrete pad on every site.

The pizza at the shop was very good, and the little store has some great gems. But the Tiki bar has ridiculously weird limited hours, and neither the food nor the bar are anywhere near the pool and game areas. No restaurant choices in the park for sit down dining.

The soda machines on the premises are supposed to be connected, allowing for credit card or Android Pay, Samsung Pay and Apple Pay options. Similarly, the laundry facilities are setup for digital payments. BUT, and it’s a big but, even the machines seem to suffer from the internet oddities of this location. Most work once in a while, but really just spin the little orb and time-out before saying something went wrong, try again later. So even the on-prem machines can’t connect to the internet….hmmm.

The dog parks are nice, but not policed at all. Lots of un-cleaned dog poop that we ended up picking up. People parking in them for hours using them as their own fenced yard.

This facility has so much that could go right, but just needs some more interaction from management to make it great.

We would come back, but hope that these things could be addressed.

Westgate River Ranch Resort is an awesome destination with camping, skeet shooting range, rodeo, petting zoo, mini golf, swamp buggy rides, swimming, dining, lodge and much more. We were there several years ago and had a blast. The camping area is wooded with hookups. They recently renovated the whole place and I can't imagine it being better than it was. The boys loved the rodeo that was held on the weekend. They even got to participate in chasing the calf to win a prize. Would love to come back and visit again since I am a cowgirl at heart!

The place is gorgeous and if you want shade or sun it offers both. Quiet, relaxing, good trails that lead over to Hickory Hammock campground. Audrey is a excellent camp host.

They keep it very clean and is very helpful in showing you the campsites. It is right off the main road so no dirt road to get there though you have some road noise but you can get back away from most of it.  Lots of wildlife in the woods, nothing bothered the campsite.

There are bathrooms but no showers. They are a ways away from the campground. Its still shocking you can camp in Florida like this for free. Hope we can keep it this way for a long time.

Expect a long travel to this remote site.   It’s a couple miles of reasonably decent dirt roads to get there, after several miles of remote highways. The only designated dark sky site in Florida.   It does not disappoint for night sky viewing.   If you’re camping here, please be courteous and keep your outdoor lights to a minimum.  The night sky’s are just breathtaking.   Check www.spotthestation.nasa.gov to see if you’ll get a glimpse of the space station while your there.   Hiking/biking trails are plentiful.   Be aware that there’s a LOT of loose sand.   So even on a mountain bike you’ll have to walk now and then.   Great birding.  Crested cara cara are frequent as are flocks of turkey strolling through the campsites.   Be sure to head out the road you came in back to the first turn and take the trail to the left (as you’re leaving).   There’s a gator hole just 1/4 mile down the trail.  Nature trail is a nice hammock view.  No pets on that particular trail.   

There are 2 camp loops only the first camp loop has a bath house, which is very nice.   The equestrian camp has porta potties.  Many of those folks drive over to the bathhouse.  Even the bathhouse has outdoor red lights.

You can get a RV site through Westgate which is more of a field or through River Ranch RV Resort which has full hook-ups. We stayed on a waterfront site at River Ranch RV Resort and it was perfect! We were able to fish right off the dock at our site, there was a fit pit and grill, as well as seating outside (each site could be configured differently). At Westgate River Ranch (walking distance from our site but still got a golf cart) we went to the rodeo on Saturday night, did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull... and there was still more we could have done but ran out of time since we still wanted to relax some 🙃 If you're looking for a great site with tons of activities available River Ranch RV Resort is the place for you!

We stayed in West Gate River Ranch for 2 nights over a weekend. The campsites are very well kept but note that they are not full hookups as they don't have sewer systems. We had to use the bathrooms and they were very clean.  This campground is unique because you are camping in a resort not a typical campground. The resort has many amenities for the family. They have a pool, air-boat rides, a rodeo (Saturdays only), petting zoo, and a fun area for kids with zip lines and other activities. Most activities are at a cost. We did the air boat ride and it was a fun experience. The restaurant is ok, is not great but it has good pulled pork. Due to COVID the place was empty which made it quiet but I bet in another time it can get crowded and loud.  Great weekend camping and great campsite for families with small kids. Bring your bikes as everything is a bit of a walk from the campground.

This location is at one of the most unpredictable water level spots along the Peace River  - this is not the wide deep Peace River you will find further south, but it is a very popular location for the locals and fossil hunters! water levels here controlled by rainfall and can range from 4 inches to 6 feet  easily. I believe this is the most beautiful stretch of the river - from here to Brownville.

  Located on the corner of U.S. Highway 17& S.R. 64 it is an easy and quick stop for an unplanned overnight for RV travelers - Over 30 ft rigs - sights are laid out like a parking lot with no trees and there are pull through sites. Under 30 ft rigs there is a wooded area available. Electric is available,  a dump station and pay per use showers ($2.00). The road noise can be pretty loud the closer to the road you are till after dark.

Tent camping is much better! Primitive dispersed and under the trees. Watch for snakes in heavy cover areas and if it has been raining avoid low areas. there is a place to get water but I chose not to drink it.... No Hammocks, 2 pets per campsite 10 ft max leash at all times. No swimming anywhere in park (yes there are gators). Simple boat ramp good for canoes and kayaks if river is up. If water very high you may see some john boats and skiffs being launched

Bathrooms are onsite but last I saw they were charging for showers.

There are many building that can be rented for special events. For Pioneer Park building rentals, please call 863-473-5076.

The Cracker Trail Museum and Wildlife Refuge are 2 locations on site that you can visit for an additional fee of $2-5 each The phone number for the Museum is 863-473-5076. The phone number for the Wildlife Refuge is 863-473-4892.

The residents of this campground do the best they can in their limited capacity. Owners are not concerned with camper safety evidenced by dogs running unleashed. They allowed a vicious dog to stay and they dog ended up breaking loose and attacking me. More than a month latter I’m still going to a wound doctor. Their washers and dryers stay broken down. We had to wring an entire load of laundry by hand. Their office is only open a half day a few days a week and is run by a resident then. Talk about false advertisement!!! There are too many nice campgrounds around here that do care about their campers to stay at this one. Please be advised.

This place was really pretty and a fun experience. We did primitive suv camping with our pups and met a lot of other nice people and dogs. The site was very close to the road but the sites were decently spread out.