RV parks near Leesburg, Florida offer strategic locations for exploring both coast options within a day's drive. Positioned in central Florida's Lake County with elevations between 60-75 feet above sea level, the region features humid subtropical conditions with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Campgrounds in this area often incorporate natural fishing areas and provide access to the Harris Chain of Lakes, a connected waterway system spanning over 50,000 acres.
What to do
Explore downtown areas: Visit nearby Mount Dora with its cobblestone streets and boutiques. "Mount Dora and downtown Eustis are beautiful," shares a camper from Encore Southern Palms, where many visitors appreciate access to charming local towns.
Play golf: Many RV parks integrate golf amenities directly into their facilities. At Encore Clerbrook, "It's not common to find a spot that you can plant your RV on and go out to hit the links for the day all in the same location, but here at Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort you can hit par on both fronts," notes Stuart K.
Water activities: The interconnected lakes provide extensive boating opportunities. At Hide-A-Way Harbor RV Park, "The lake is connected to a handful of other lakes where you could boat to a different town everyday," explains Keith R., highlighting the extensive waterway system.
Visit natural springs: Several springs are within driving distance. "If you'd like to escape your asphalt slab for a nice slice of nature, then head over to Long Leaf Pine Trail, which has a decent hike, or check out the wildlife at Hidden Waters Preserve, both of which are near Lake Joanna," recommends Stuart K.
What campers like
Full hookups with good spacing: Sites at most RV parks offer complete utility connections. At Thousand Trails Three Flags, "Beautiful location off of a major highway but due to lots of trees - very little road noise. Sites were huge!! Semi shaded with picnic tables and great full hookups," reports Charles F.
Fishing access: Many parks feature fishing ponds or lake access. "Beautiful waterside sights, perfect place to bring the boat too," says Keith R. about Hide-A-Way Harbor, adding that "the lake is connected to a handful of other lakes where you could boat to a different town everyday."
Pool facilities: Swimming pools are standard amenities at most Leesburg area RV parks. A visitor at Thousand Trails Three Flags notes, "The pool is great and the staff is extremely helpful and friendly," while another camper mentions, "We loved this campground! Feels like you are far from civilization."
Central location: The Leesburg area provides convenient access to major attractions. "This was a great central location to visit lakes, gulf coast, springs and historic towns. Plenty of shopping nearby, whatever you could want," explains Mary H. from Encore Southern Palms, highlighting the strategic positioning.
What you should know
Concrete pad availability varies: Site surfaces differ between parks and can affect comfort. At Fisherman's Cove Golf and RV Resort, "They have 7 hotel units they advertise as vintage but they are just full of ancient furnishings and poorly lit - yet they will take you back in time to when the park first opened in the 50's," notes Jeanene A., also mentioning "All sites will have concrete pads by late 2019."
Weather impacts: Florida's rainfall can create drainage issues. At Winter Garden RV Resort, "When it rains it does get muddy and it looks like there is a propensity towards standing water after a rain," reports one camper, though they noted this hasn't deterred them from staying multiple times.
Seasonal population changes: Winter months bring significant population increases. "We stayed 2 weeks with our Thousand Trails affiliate plan. We were surrounded by empty sites which was probably due to the pandemic," explains Mary H. about Encore Southern Palms, suggesting the normally busy winter season was unusually quiet during COVID.
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some parks. Lloyd S. describes Encore Southern Palms as "Nice Encore park. Parking all back in on grass with no cement, table or fire pit. Next to a highway so it can be noisy."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer specific facilities for children. At Ocala Sun RV Resort, "The dog park was amazing! The cite was grass pull through but spacious! I loved the feel of this place," shares Skylar T., who found the overall atmosphere welcoming for families.
Consider park layout for safety: Choose areas away from busy roads or water features depending on children's ages. "We chose this area because it was out in the woods, felt like real camping not some concrete slab city," notes a Blue B. about Encore Lake Magic, indicating quieter sections are available at many parks.
Check bathroom proximity: With kids, convenient facilities make a difference. At Fisherman's Cove, a visitor noted "bathrooms were far," suggesting families should request sites closer to facilities when booking.
Evaluate seasonal activities: Family programming varies throughout the year. "This is a bigger RV and golf resort with some 1200+ sites. The campground is family friendly but there is a big senior/retiree presence, they also have a decent playground and a fenced in Dog Park," explains Bryan B. about their experience at Encore Clerbrook.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement matters: Check utility location relative to your rig before setting up. At Bee's RV Resort, one camper advised, "The reason I gave them a 4 is because sights are on top of each other and we were parked so close to a tree that we couldn't even open our awning."
Membership discounts available: Various camping networks offer reduced rates. "We stayed here through TRA for a week and had a great time!" shares Derick B. about Bee's RV Resort, while another visitor at Encore Clerbrook mentions, "We stay here through Thousand trails and love it! There are so many amenities and even a full golf course!"
Wi-Fi quality varies significantly: Connectivity depends on location within parks and time of day. At Ocala Sun RV Resort, a visitor praised the "Very clean and well organized" facilities but didn't mention internet quality, suggesting bringing your own hotspot might be prudent.
Reserve well ahead for winter stays: December through March sees highest demand. At Thousand Trails Three Flags, a camper noted the park was "quiet campground near I-75 and Florida turnpike" with "open sites up front and more shaded sites in the back section," suggesting options for different preferences if booked early enough.
