Best Campgrounds near Lakeshore, FL

Central Florida's lake country surrounding Lakeshore offers a diverse range of camping experiences from primitive sites to full-service resorts. Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground stands out with secluded sites that provide privacy between neighbors, offering a glimpse of "Old Florida" with abundant wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, and occasionally even panthers. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo provides a more developed experience with glamping options and yurts, while Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks caters to both tent and RV campers with waterfront access. The region balances proximity to Orlando's attractions with natural settings that feel removed from urban areas, with most campgrounds situated within 30-60 minutes of major highways.

Reservations are essential throughout the year, especially during winter months when snowbirds migrate south. As one camper noted, "This State Park is Old Florida, sites are secluded from other sites compared to many other parks." Hurricane season (June through November) can affect camping plans with potential closures and flooding in low-lying areas. Summer brings high humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, making mosquito protection essential. Many campgrounds offer both shaded and open sites, though shade can be limited at newer facilities where trees haven't fully matured. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with better connectivity at private resorts than in more remote state parks.

Wildlife viewing opportunities rank among visitors' favorite experiences, with multiple reviewers mentioning deer sightings near their campsites. The region's lakes provide excellent fishing, kayaking, and boating opportunities, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. Bathhouse quality varies considerably between locations, with state parks generally maintaining cleaner facilities than some private campgrounds. Primitive sites in places like Lake Kissimmee State Park require hikers to carry in all supplies, including drinking water, but reward with greater solitude. As one visitor to the region observed, "The pine forests here make you think you might not be in Florida. Great for people who want Natural Florida without the tourist traps and beach towns."

Best Camping Sites Near Lakeshore, Florida (169)

    1. Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lakeshore, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 696-1112

    $20 / night

    "I live within a hours drive from this park and have been camping here for 40 plus years. This State Park is Old Florida, sites are secluded from the other sites compared to many other parks."

    "The path is very clear with markers and when you arrive at the site, there is a clear indicator to follow. The path to the site is right off the main trail."

    2. Resort at Canopy Oaks

    11 Reviews
    Lakeshore, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 213-0346

    $35 - $999 / night

    "If you are terrified of bugs this may not be the place for you (FYI), it is in the middle of Florida and in summer the bugs love to come out."

    "The property is sprawling, definitely bring a bike unless you enjoy long walks. The roads are nice & they offer morning trash pickup. The pool is huge & gorgeous! Very nice."

    3. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

    12 Reviews
    Kenansville, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 692-1321

    "This review relates to River Ranch RV Resort, which is next to the Westgate property. I would personally not stay at the Westgate RV since it is basically just an open field with RV spots. "

    "Good off-roading nearby ! All the amenities you want. Nice staff"

    4. Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks

    7 Reviews
    Lakeshore, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 692-9882

    $20 - $30 / night

    "With Spanish moss draping from the Live Oak trees and bordering Kissemee Lake, it's a nice place to just sit and relax... There are 3 boat ramps ($5 fee) with some tie-ups for overnight."

    "Close to lake, great for bird watching and walks/ boating. Friendly host and fellow campers. We will definitely be returning. For the price, can’t beat it."

    5. Highlands Hammock State Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Sebring, FL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 386-6094

    $18 - $22 / night

    "There is a picnic table and fire ring at each site and there is a toilet nearby. For showers you have to drive to the regular campground and use theirs. You can purchase firewood in the park as well."

    "There are many short loop trails that take you through many ecosystems, giant trees at sizes few have seen before, lots of wildlife to."

    6. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

    129 Reviews
    Windermere, FL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 939-2267

    $56 - $201 / night

    "Big park so lots of walking if you don’t have the cart (or you can bring your own and/or bikes).  Our grandsons loved the golf cart!"

    "The best campground in Florida ! Fun beautiful and lots to do even without going to the parks Wildlife is abundant Bunnies deer turkey"

    7. Kelly Rock Springs Campground

    9 Reviews
    Frostproof, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 254-1902

    $23 / night

    "Although the weather is unpredictable in Florida we had the best fall weather and we were able to enjoy the springs."

    "Walking distance to a huge playground over near the spring. It it’s crowded so they lock the gate when it’s full. But the campers use another gate passed the main gate when full. The kids loved it."

    8. Lake Rosalie Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lakeshore, FL
    4 miles
    Website

    $10 - $20 / night

    "We stayed at this location for 13 days. The bathroom was clean, there was a fire ban in place, but we had portable grills so utilized those."

    9. River Ranch RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Kenansville, FL
    15 miles
    Website

    "There’s lots to do around the property and the rodeo is a blast. The only fault was there weren’t many signs or direction on how to do things, when things were open, costs, and things like that."

    10. Butch’s RV Hideaway

    1 Review
    Nalcrest, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 528-3321

    "It would be nice if one or some of the roads looped so you can just drive out. Owners are very nice. Dog kennel nearby so there are some barking dogs. Pool needs some care."

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Recent Reviews near Lakeshore, FL

737 Reviews of 169 Lakeshore Campgrounds


  • Curtis D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Istokpoga Canal Boat Ramp And Campsite

    Very nice 👌

    First, you need a reservation. SFWMD is where you can get a reservation. You need to have an account. It's easy. The campground itself is very clean and well maintained. It's also well manicured. Potable water, bathrooms, no showers. Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a stand-up grill. Some sites are fully shaded, and the others are half and half. I recommend ya'all check it out. It's free with your reservation. I say if ya'all don't like it, ya can leave.🤷‍♂️ I did that at another place, but not here. Enjoy.

  • Lorilee S.
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Spent five nights at this beautiful campground. It is absolutely so peaceful. Tons of deer all over, all the time. The campground is definitely nice and pitch black at night. We walked over to the observation tower and could see the cow camp from there. We rode our bikes to the cow camp and snooped around. That was really interesting. Our site was really nice and big. All the palms around the site give it some privacy. Most of the trails are still flooded. Our rainy season just ended and we’ve had a lot of rain towards the end of it.

    Laundry is $1.25 per load. Bathhouse was clean each time we used it. Park rangers were friendly each time we saw them.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    October 2025

    It’s a beautiful campground. That’s a well maintained by The very friendly and helpful staff. The scenery and activities available at this part make it well worth the drive and work the stay.

  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Quiet, Clean, & Friendly

    Many of the lots are large & somewhat secluded. Trees for some shade. *Clean, friendly, & a gate code for safety. *Nothing can be tied to trees, including hammocks.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve

    Alafia North of Baseball Parking

    “Alafia North Corridor Park is such a peaceful escape. The trails wind through beautiful natural scenery, and the quiet surroundings make it perfect for a relaxing hike. It’s a great place to slow down, take in the fresh air, and enjoy the simple beauty of nature. Whether you’re looking for a short walk or a longer hike, this park offers a calming outdoor experience.”

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Lithia Springs Park

    Lithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • Amanda W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale

    So fun! Huge sites!!

    Margaritaville is so clean & spacious!! The store has so much great stuff and there is always entertainment. They even have a big farmers market on Sundays with tons of vendors. There are two big pools (the back one is quiet) with bars, yummy drinks and good food. They are pet friendly & have dog poo stations along the roads. Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground

    Laid back camping

    Nice spot to just get away and relax. Lots of hiking trails and some wildlife. Deers all around even among the campsites. Some tours available close by for airboats. We will be back here again.

  • Nicole W.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Encore Sherwood Forest

    Tent camping spring trip

    I booked this for a first time car camping with my 4 year old. The tent spots are ok just placed on corner spots with traffic. The spot I got was close to restroom with kids is a must if you don’t have other options. Front people were nice and tried to help. Got rained out of my check out time. Had to extend check out.


Guide to Lakeshore

Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground offers secluded sites that provide privacy between sites, with wildlife including deer and wild turkeys commonly seen. Most camping spots near Lakeshore, Florida are within a 25-30 minute drive of Lake Wales, where campers can find supplies and groceries. The campgrounds around Lakeshore range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV resorts, with varying levels of amenities depending on the location and price point.

What to do

Fishing access: Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks provides boat ramps with $5 launch fees and some overnight tie-ups for anglers. "With Spanish moss draping from the Live Oak trees and bordering Kissemee Lake, it's a nice place to just sit and relax... There are 3 boat ramps with some tie-ups for overnight. Bird-life is abundant and bass fishing is productive," notes Gerry C.

Water recreation: Kelly Rock Springs Campground features natural springs perfect for tubing. "Beautiful place for floating down the spring. Enjoy drifting over river pebbles at the clear bottom of the spring. Tubes can be rented right outside of park," reports Amelia W. The spring maintains a consistent 67-70 degree temperature year-round.

Hiking opportunities: Several campgrounds offer trail systems for day hiking. "Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/trails," mentions Alexandra E. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Highlands Hammock State Park provides multiple shorter trails accessible to all ability levels. A visitor noted, "The walking trails at this park were all quite small and friendly for all."

Rodeo entertainment: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo hosts a weekly rodeo event on Saturday evenings. "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," shares Tina S. The resort combines camping with western-themed entertainment.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site separation as a major benefit at certain campgrounds. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit. Bathrooms were clean. Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation," writes Stephanie G. about Lake Kissimmee State Park.

Wildlife viewing: Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities directly from campsites. "Laid back camping. Nice spot to just get away and relax. Lots of hiking trails and some wildlife. Deers all around even among the campsites," according to Robert T. The diverse ecosystems support varied wildlife.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. Perry J. shared about Lake Kissimmee, "Like all state parks the bathrooms were spotless and rivaled those of a Marriott. We enjoyed the common areas, the observation deck and the hiking."

Pool and recreation amenities: Resort at Canopy Oaks offers extensive recreation facilities. "The pool is huge & gorgeous! Very nice. Same for the tiki bar, we had some great nights there. There are free cornhole boards, places to fish (catch and release), a playground that was nice, game areas, a little store and a nice deli/pizza spot," writes Amanda W.

What you should know

Seasonal crowds: Park capacity varies dramatically by season. At Kelly Rock Springs, a camper noted, "I was here during the winter so the park was quiet, I've heard it can be very busy in the summer." Summer weekends often reach capacity early in the morning.

Limited shade at newer facilities: Some recently developed campgrounds haven't established mature tree cover. Amanda W. explains about Canopy Oaks, "The sites are very big & clean but ZERO shade. It's a newer resort so the palms and small trees were just planted & offer no sun relief."

Cell service limitations: River Ranch RV Resort and similar rural campgrounds often have spotty service. A guest at Butch's RV Hideaway reported, "We have T-Mobile and there is zero signal, no bars for T-Mobile in this park." Some Lake Kissimmee campers mentioned having to drive 10+ miles for reliable service.

First-come, first-served policies: Coleman Landing operates without reservations. "First come/first serve..." reports Gerry C. This requires flexible planning, especially during peak winter months when snowbirds arrive.

Bug protection essential: Florida's subtropical climate supports active insect populations. "The park is sprawling, definitely bring a bike unless you enjoy long walks. The roads are nice & they offer morning trash pickup. Have to watch out for the mosquitoes so bring a lot of bug spray," advises a River Ranch RV Resort visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water features: The natural springs at Kelly Rock Springs Campground appeal to families with children. "Such a great place for families to camp!! The campground is nice and has bathrooms and showers, plus being able to go to the springs is so much fun and beautiful!!" shares ReBeCcA F.

Children's activities: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers extensive programming for kids. "The sing along was fun. Chip and dale walk around to everyone. They ask that you don't leave your spot and they will come to you and really they do. They stopped at every spot to take pictures," reports Samantha O.

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. About Coleman Landing, Connie T. mentions, "Walking distance to a huge playground over near the spring." These facilities provide convenient recreation options without leaving the campground.

Educational opportunities: Highlands Hammock offers ranger-led programs. "They also have lots of ranger-led activities like soup night, covered dish dinners, camper coffee, etc etc," notes Bran P. These programs combine entertainment with learning about local ecology.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Look for adequate turning radius when booking. At Butch's RV Hideaway, an RVer observed, "Dirt road going into the gate area, once inside our site would've been a tight right turn as soon as you get past the gate and that is not possible when pulling a 32' trailer."

Hookup quality: Most campgrounds offer water and electric, but sewer connections vary. Corey K. notes about Lake Kissimmee State Park, "Only 30amp hook up and no sewer, but there is a dump station. The spots are pretty level and the pads are crushed shells."

Low-hanging branches: Tree canopy can create clearance issues. "If you have a tall rv low hanging branches in the camp area might be an issue," warns a Lake Kissimmee visitor. Always scout overhead clearance when entering wooded campgrounds.

Amenity access: Consider travel distances within larger resorts. Amanda W. advises about Canopy Oaks, "The property is sprawling, definitely bring a bike unless you enjoy long walks." At some expansive properties, walking to amenities can take 15+ minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lakeshore, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lakeshore, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 169 campgrounds and RV parks near Lakeshore, FL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Lakeshore, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lakeshore, FL is Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lakeshore, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Lakeshore, FL.