The Land O' Lakes region sits at the heart of Florida's west-central corridor, with a subtropical climate characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Average temperatures range from 70°F in January to 90°F in August, making year-round camping viable but requiring different preparations by season. Most RV parks near Land O' Lakes experience their busiest period from December through April when northern visitors seek warmer weather.
What to do
Fishing opportunities nearby: Several RV parks in the Land O' Lakes area offer fishing access within their properties. At Encore Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort, "The Pond has fish, turtles, ducks and even according to the sign, alligators. You will even find a park bench that overlooks a babbling Brook," notes one camper.
Day trips to Tampa Bay: Located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Tampa, Land O' Lakes serves as a convenient base for exploring the metropolitan area. A guest at Holiday Travel Park mentioned they were "Located minutes from Tarpon Springs, about :30 minutes to Tampa Bay downtown."
Local state parks: The region has several state parks within driving distance for day trips. One camper at Barrington Hills RV Resort reported, "We visited local state parks (not many nearby) and enjoyed the area on the gulf side of 19."
What campers like
Swimming pools: Many campgrounds feature well-maintained pools that campers frequently praise. At Camper's Holiday, visitors enjoy "truly the most amazing salt water pool we have ever come across. It is HUGE and heated and very enjoyable."
Community atmosphere: Long-term residents create a neighborhood feel at many parks. A visitor at Encore Winter Quarters Pasco noted, "We have lived over 3 months here and always enjoyed it. The people are friendly including the staff."
Full hookups: RV parks in the area typically provide complete utility connections. According to one camper, Encore Winter Quarters Pasco offers "cement slabs most have double cement slabs which keeps everything nice and clean," along with all necessary hookups.
Convenient location: The strategic position between rural areas and urban centers appeals to many visitors. A camper at Encore Topics appreciated the "Very nice RV and semi permanent place. Easy access off of the Nature Coast Parkway. Great grocery store near by."
What you should know
Spacing limitations: Sites at many Land O' Lakes area RV parks tend to be close together. One camper at Winter Quarters Pasco stated, "The sites are extremely close. I had a very difficult time parking my 37' foot travel trailer. If someone is parked across from you, you basically are stuck."
Transportation noise: Some parks experience noise from nearby transportation routes. A visitor at Forest Lake Village RV Resort warned, "The back fence is right next to the train tracks and the trains are very active sometimes blowing through every half hour all hours of the night."
Seasonal population shifts: The demographics at RV parks change dramatically during winter months. As one camper observed about Winter Quarters Pasco, "I wish I had known that this was mainly a retirement community. Always being stared at by the live in community and just felt unwelcome."
Mixed-use properties: Many RV parks contain both temporary camping areas and permanent residences. A reviewer noted that Forest Lake Village RV Resort has "many full time residents here. The sites are very close and nearly touch each other back to back."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access scheduling: During peak season, plan swimming time strategically to avoid crowds. At Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort, "We recently stayed at Clover Forest RV Park in our 40ft Class A Motorhome...The pool was sparkling clean and provided a great spot to relax during the hot afternoons."
Age-appropriate parks: Some RV parks cater more to retirees than families with children. One visitor to Winter Quarters Pasco cautioned, "The rules are extremely strict, as this is mainly a retirement community. No fires, no noise, and no fun. The kids were in our small site throwing the football, but being stared at by neighbors."
Communal facilities: Many parks offer shared spaces for family activities. Camper's Holiday features a "campers pavilion, swimming pool, group campfire site," which can provide entertainment options beyond individual sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For larger rigs, request specific sites that accommodate your vehicle dimensions. One RVer at Clover Leaf Forest noted that "the spaces are a bit small, especially for a larger RV like ours. It felt a little tight maneuvering into the spot, but we managed fine."
Noise mitigation: Position your RV strategically within parks to minimize traffic noise. A camper advised about Clover Leaf Forest, "Would try to not park close to the main road. Just one row back is a lot quieter."
Weekend office hours: Check for limited administrative services on weekends. A visitor at Encore Topics mentioned their only negative was "no one in the office in the weekends," which could affect check-in procedures or assistance needs.
Internet connectivity: Plan for variable connection quality across rv parks in Land O' Lakes, Florida. According to one long-term visitor at Clover Leaf Forest, "If you stay long term you can get your own internet service from one of the providers around."
