8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground features multiple dog parks and pet-friendly trails throughout its expansive property. Pets are welcome at most campsites with proper leash control, though some areas remain pet-restricted. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo accommodates pets in their tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, glamping areas, and yurts with designated pet exercise areas. Resort at Canopy Oaks provides two separate dog parks for pets of different sizes along with level, paved sites that offer ample room for RVs and pets to spread out. Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground allows leashed pets throughout most of the park with specific pet-friendly hiking trails. Most campgrounds maintain standard pet policies requiring current vaccinations, proper waste disposal, and leash control. The dog park at Fort Wilderness is particularly well-maintained with separate areas for small and large breeds.
Shaded camping areas at several parks provide relief for pets during hot Florida days, with early morning and evening being optimal times for dog walks. Lake Rosalie Campground offers boat-in access with pet-friendly shorelines where dogs can cool off in designated swimming areas. Nearby veterinary services are available in Lake Wales and Winter Haven for emergency pet care. Campers should be aware of wildlife considerations when camping with pets, particularly near water areas where alligators may be present. Highlands Hammock State Park maintains pet-friendly trails but restricts pets from certain wildlife observation areas. The pet washing station at Tropical Palms Resort includes soap and drying areas, making it convenient for campers to clean their dogs after outdoor activities. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours that include barking restrictions, so proper pet supervision is essential.
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
"They offer trails, a dog park, a pool, several sporting resources, a small store, a small restaurant, and a tiki bar."
"Plenty to do at the park from fishing, hitting golf balls, relaxing in the pool, feeding the goats, hanging out at the tiki bar, or watching the dogs run in the two dog parks."
from $35 - $999 / night
"Horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing. BUT, my only complaint is the noise level of the area."
"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)."
"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."
from $20 - $30 / 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."
from $18 - $22 / night
"Pet friendly with dog parks and trails."
"Super dog friendly with an amazing dog park. Great location and so many wonderful things to do here."
from $56 - $201 / 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."
from $10 - $20 / night
"It’s a very primitive location and I survived it with my son a daughter. It was nice and quiet, given how close it is to the main road."
from $9 / night
"My favorite was the petting farm, so many animals. They offer horse back riding , rock climbing/jump zone for kids, swamp buggy/airboat ride.On Saturday they have a rodeo."
"We went without the kids but did bring our two large dogs. We had a beautiful spot in Phase 5, on the canal. The critters weren’t awful, very serene sunrises/sunsets and spacious spots."
"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."
ScoutTim and Leisha were the best! Great campsite close to Disney is what we wanted.. clean and well organized. They make you feel at home and they even invited us to dinner at the pool and provided all the food. I will definitely be going back when I’m in town. They loved our kiddos too!
ScoutThe campsites are nice! They’re close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldn’t do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we weren’t occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
ScoutEverything went pretty well except for one hiccup. Our first night staying there our bathroom drain got backed up with sewage that came back up from the drain which caused a terrible smell of The shower then also clogged and had to shower in puddle of water that got gross from our feet being all dirty because of the mud. I had mistakingly booked the stay without adding the hot tub.. so when we mentioned the issue to Dan(main guy in charge) we asked about the hot tub for the second day since it says it needs to be booked for a 2 night minimum. He said it would be taken care of.. so in our minds of a server and bartender and having worked in the service industry for a long time, we figured that the hot tub would be taken care of for us, considering that it's simply a$30 charge. So l then later get a text message from him asking if the card that I had on file was Ok to charge for the hot tub, and I asked if there would be any sort of compensation for the bathroom situation, he said being charged for one night instead of 2 was the compensation.. which made no sense to me since we only were getting it for one night. To top it off the hot tub was not even hot.. Was def not very impressed by that.
TravelerIf you like peace and quietness this is a place for you. I’m sure it is busier during the winter months. Plenty of shade with a new pool. You can rent canoes, play putt putt or paddle along the Peace river. If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61. It overlooks the pasture with plenty of shade. Lot 60 and 59 also have total coverage and will be one of my next next choices. Plenty of space between your neighbors even make it better
ScoutThe place is very big and spread out , always sites available full hook ups or just water and electric (always alot of these open 20 or more) we have a pass to stay at these sites so we were put in a not so great site ,but talking with front desk (Morgan) she was more than happy to switch us to another site which we were pleased with . Pools clean ,clean bath houses and close to stores (grocery) always love going here . We have a blast . Also its centrally located a hr to coasts ( Venice beach) . Hr and 20 mins from warm mineral springs . River was nice to watch onsite also . Boat ramp also onsite
TravelerGrass is beyond high. Little dogs can get lost in the grass. Some of the pavers near the pool stairs are lifting to where you need to watch your step or it pinches your foot.
The pros- centrally located. Clean pool. Not too busy of a campground. Large places.
GuideLots of amenities with plenty to do, water park was nice, ice cream shop, marina, and skeet range were cool. Staff was inconsistent - some allowed the kids to have fun but others break out the measuring stick to deny activities. Head scratching at times but will probably go back.
GuideGreat lil place. Nice private bathrooms, mini splits in these and in tent, comfortable for family of 5. Fun turf play area near main office. Shark tooth sifting, trail hike, but the bank river fishing was tough. Owner/manager was a jack of all trades, very helpful and did it all.
GuideGreat little spot. Seemed to rain every 5 minutes where they had to shut everything down but had good contingency plans. Golf carts galore with some sites a little more rowdy than the next, but plenty of room. Kids loved the pools and crafts, adults loved the tiki bars and live music.
Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground sits in a central Florida region characterized by wetlands, pine flatwoods, and oak hammocks. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and milder winters with occasional cold snaps. These campgrounds provide access to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes system, which connects multiple waterways across over 21,000 acres of fishable waters.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground, visitors can spot an impressive variety of wildlife. One camper reported, "Animals are abundant - wild turkeys, eagles, bobcats, AND the Florida Panther! 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."
Fishing access: Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks offers excellent lake access with three boat ramps. According to a reviewer, "Easy boat launch to Kissimmee Lake. Easy access, and very polite staff. For small children or those who do not have a boat, the attractions are more restricted. Clear bathroom with a good warm shower and tank disposal for RV."
Rodeo entertainment: For a unique Florida experience, the Saturday night rodeo at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo provides entertainment for all ages. A visitor mentioned, "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."
Private, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the site separation at Lake Kissimmee State Park. One reviewer noted, "This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy. The park itself didn't inspire us on our drive through, so we just relaxed in our site here."
Old Florida atmosphere: Coleman Landing at Shady Oaks captures the natural beauty of central Florida. "This is an absolutely beautiful and relaxing spot. This site offers a beautiful sunrise view over the lake, and is surrounded with gorgeous moss covered oak trees all around the campsites," shared one camper.
Recreational amenities: Resort at Canopy Oaks offers extensive facilities for those wanting more than basic camping. According to a visitor, "Full hook up, water, sewer and electric. Plenty of things to do. Pizza restaurant, ice cream shop, coffee shop, store for some essentials, salon, spa, pool table, ping pong table, pickle ball, basketball, shuffleboard, tiki bar, pool and spa with waterfall."
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies significantly across the region. At Lake Kissimmee, campers report: "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."
Temperature considerations: Central Florida heat requires planning. A visitor to Highlands Hammock State Park Campground noted, "The campgrounds were nice but all campsites were too close to each other. The restrooms were not super neat but not terrible. The walking trails at this park were all quite small and friendly for all."
Fire regulations: Fire policies differ between campgrounds. At Lake Kissimmee, one camper mentioned, "Each site has a firepit. Bathrooms were clean. Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation." However, at Cypress Campground, fires are not permitted at all.
Activity planning: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers extensive family programming. A camper shared, "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! We had the handicapped site, plenty of room, wonderful neighbors."
Wildlife education: Help children appreciate nature with structured observation. At Lake Kissimmee State Park, one reviewer noted, "We stayed middle of July for 4 days. Only saw 3 other campers the whole time. Park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming. Dog friendly, they provide poop bags by the dumpsters."
Insect protection: Bugs are part of the Florida camping experience. At River Ranch RV Resort, a visitor warned, "Have to watch out for the mosquitoes so bring a lot of bug spray."
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have tight access roads. At Lake Kissimmee State Park, one RVer cautioned, "Two things to watch out for - be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in, and be aware that we had no cell service (this actually made us cancel another stay we had planned since we needed cell service for remote work)."
Hookup details: Butch's RV Hideaway offers full hookups but requires planning. An RVer explained, "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. The site I was in was grass/dirt with a nice sized cement slab. Full hook up, water, sewer and electric (no cable)."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Lakeshore: For RVers with pets, Westgate River Ranch accommodates dogs in various camping options. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Lakeshore, Florida require leashing pets and proper waste disposal, with specific exercise areas available at several locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lakeshore, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lakeshore, FL is Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lakeshore, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 143 dog-friendly camping locations near Lakeshore, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
