Lake Wales camping areas combine central Florida's inland lakes with oak hammock terrain at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level. The region features numerous bodies of water including Lake Kissimmee and Lake Rosalie, creating ideal conditions for water-based recreation and wildlife viewing. Winter months bring mild temperatures between 50-75°F while summer camping means preparing for afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity.
What to do
Wildlife observation tower climbing: Lake Kissimmee State Park provides an observation tower where campers can scan for wildlife. "Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation," notes Stephanie G., who particularly enjoyed this feature during her visit.
Fishing from private docks: Lake Rosalie Campground offers fishing opportunities right from the property. According to April F., "We fished off the dock, which was a lot of fun." The campground sits directly on Lake Rosalie, providing convenient water access without needing to transport equipment.
Rodeo attendance: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo hosts weekly rodeos that draw many glamping guests. "We enjoyed the rodeo on Saturday night, did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull," says Tina S., highlighting the variety of western-themed activities available.
Shark tooth hunting: Peace River offers a unique activity not available at other Lake Wales glamping locations. Jennifer L. reports, "I found a ton of shark teeth," referring to the prehistoric fossils that wash up along riverbanks, providing a treasure-hunting experience for campers.
Airboat excursions: Lake Wales glamping resorts often facilitate airboat tours through nearby wetlands. Robert T. observed, "Some tours available close by for airboats. We will be back here again," indicating the activity was memorable enough to warrant a return visit.
What campers like
Private, secluded campsites: Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground receives praise for site layout. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit," reports Stephanie G. The park maintains natural vegetation between sites to enhance seclusion.
Abundant wildlife sightings: Wildlife encounters rank high among visitor experiences. Barbara J. shared an extraordinary experience: "While sitting in our screen gazebo, I was awed by the passing of a male panther about 25 yards from our campsite. Wild turkeys visited us daily to hang out by a fallen tree near our site. Deer passed by every evening."
Clean facilities: Hillsborough River State Park Campground maintains exceptional cleanliness. "The bath house was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night," according to Lorilee S., who appreciated these practical amenities during her stay.
Biking opportunities: Several glamping locations offer biking trails. Alexandra E. noted, "Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/trails" at Lake Kissimmee State Park, while visitors to Lake Louisa report similar experiences with dedicated cycling paths.
Water recreation access: Proximity to lakes and rivers ranks high for glamping guests. Judy B. mentioned, "The lake is huge and has lots of fish in it," referring to Lake Kissimmee, where fishing remains a popular activity year-round.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between glamping locations. Corey K. warns about Lake Kissimmee: "Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park. Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away."
Seasonal challenges: Florida's climate affects camping conditions. Jake H. cautions about Hillsborough River: "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," highlighting the importance of insect preparation, particularly during warmer months.
Water levels and flooding: Some campgrounds experience periodic flooding issues. Thousand Trails Peace River has specific concerns noted by Laura H.: "Many large rigs were parked in the flood plane which encompasses a large section of the park," suggesting campers should inquire about site elevation when booking.
Reservation requirements: Most glamping options require advance planning. Perry J. advises, "Since the pandemic spots at most state parks have been few and far between so we have become way less particular and simply take what we can get at most parks," indicating the competitive nature of securing sites.
Fire restrictions: Policies vary between locations. Raffael B. notes about Disney's Fort Wilderness: "Great place. Only downfall is no fires," indicating that despite otherwise positive experiences, fire restrictions disappointed some glampers expecting traditional campfires.
Tips for camping with families
Pool considerations: Orlando/Kissimmee KOA offers family-friendly water features. One visitor notes: "Had rental bikes and a pool. Bathrooms were nice and clean," providing essential information for families planning water activities during glamping stays near Lake Wales.
Activity planning: Lauren W. suggests Lake Kissimmee State Park for family trips: "We went during Spring Break! We were there four nights. We took our two grandchildren, and they had a lot of fun! It was fantastic!" The park's combination of wildlife viewing and water activities keeps children engaged.
Glamping accommodation selection: Family-sized tent options vary between resorts. "We stayed in site 19 for one night in early February. This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy," reports Denise about Lake Kissimmee State Park, highlighting the importance of choosing appropriate site sizes.
Transportation considerations: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground requires planning for internal movement. Donald M. advises: "Rent a golf cart if you don't have one. Transportation was OK and the Tavern was very nice," suggesting that families should budget for on-site transportation when glamping at larger resorts.
Evening entertainment options: Special programs enhance family glamping experiences. Darcy S. mentions, "The campground is well laid out and the campers really get into the Disney spirit with decorations," referring to the themed activities that engage children at Fort Wilderness.
Tips from RVers
Backing considerations: Site access can challenge larger vehicles. Samantha O. reports about Fort Wilderness: "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. We have a 27' rv that is 33' from top to top. Holy moly did it take a lot to get this into our spot."
Hookup limitations: Lake Louisa State Park Campground has specific site capabilities. Travyl Couple mentions, "There is a dump station and some of the sites have full hookup with sewer. 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, 35,36, 37,38,39, & 40 are the sites that have sewer too."
Electrical considerations: Power fluctuations occur at some glamping locations. Thomas E. notes about Peace River: "Watch the electricity during high usage the voltage drop, ours dropped to 108v for a couple hours, i choose to run the gen during that time other then that no problems at all."
Site surface quality: Surface conditions vary significantly between glamping options. Brandie B. observed at Orlando RV Resort: "The older sites could use some resurfacing," indicating that RVers should ask about pad material and condition when making reservations.
Drainage concerns: Weather impacts site usability. After Hurricane Eta, one Thousand Trails visitor reported: "It had just rained a lot due to Hurricane Eta and there are huge potholes. So go slow! We chose D14, back in. All of their sites are back in and they stress that over and over."
