Best Tent Camping near Lake Wales, FL
Tent camping options near Lake Wales, Florida include several state-managed areas with varying amenities and experiences. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest offers primitive hike-in tent campsites at both Arbuckle and Walk In The Water tracts, where tent campers can enjoy natural Florida landscapes without RV neighbors. Highlands Hammock State Park, about 30 miles south, provides additional tent camping opportunities with more developed facilities.
Most tent sites in the Lake Wales area feature basic dirt or sand surfaces with minimal grading. Many primitive campsites require self-sufficiency as amenities are limited. At Lake Wales Ridge State Forest's primitive sites, campers should bring their own water and pack out all trash, as these locations typically lack running water and garbage service. Fire rings are provided at most sites, though fire bans may be implemented during dry seasons. Picnic tables are available at many locations, including the primitive Walk In The Water sites, though facilities remain rustic and minimal compared to developed campgrounds.
The tent camping experience in the region offers notable privacy at certain locations. According to one visitor, "The tent area isn't as busy as the RV section is, there were a few other people camping but it was still pretty empty." Sites at Highlands Hammock's primitive area provide more seclusion than the main campground, with adequate spacing between campsites. Some tent areas feature good tree cover for shade and natural buffers between sites. Trails throughout the region provide hiking opportunities directly from many tent sites. A camper noted that "each camp is nicely spaced apart so you aren't right on top of your neighbors" when describing the primitive camping experience. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound in these natural areas, with many tent campers reporting sightings of deer and various bird species during their stays.
