Camping in the eastern Florida region surrounding Malabar occurs at elevations near sea level with a subtropical climate featuring average summer temperatures above 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 50°F. The region combines freshwater lakes, coastal access, and vast inland prairies where campers can experience unique Florida ecosystems. Most campsites in this area require advance reservations, especially for glamping accommodations during the peak winter season.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Sites like Manatee Hammock offer excellent wildlife encounters when animals are most active. "We saw two rocket launches while here. Make sure you visit Port Canaveral and eat at the many excellent restaurants," notes a visitor to Manatee Hammock Campground.
Stargazing on clear nights: Kilpatrick Hammock Campground offers certified dark sky viewing. "If you're camping here, please be courteous and keep your outdoor lights to a minimum. The night sky's are just breathtaking," suggests a reviewer from Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, which is Florida's only designated dark sky site.
Fishing from waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer direct lake or canal access. A camper at River Ranch RV Resort shares: "We stayed in a lot on the water and on a lot by the woods. The lots were beautiful, spacious and private. There's lots to do around the property and the rodeo is a blast."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Unlike typical commercial campgrounds, several glamping options near Malabar offer generous spacing. "26 acres, small campground; most sites are relatively close to each other; lots of trees and shade; beautiful water views from several campsites," reports a visitor to Manatee Hammock Campground.
Clean bathroom facilities: Despite remote locations, many glamping sites maintain excellent amenities. A Lake Kissimmee camper noted, "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."
Family-friendly activities: Beyond natural attractions, some resorts provide organized entertainment. At Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, a visitor experienced "Group of friends and family decided to stay on this gem, I was pleasantly surprised! Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of amenities for kids like mini golf, zip lining and mechanical bull riding."
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Summer brings intense heat and insects while winter offers mild temperatures but requires advance booking. "We stayed for 3 months, the place was lovely," shared a visitor to Vero Beach Kamp, though noting other challenges with their stay.
Remote locations require preparation: Many glamping sites near Malabar are far from amenities. "Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away," advises a Lake Kissimmee State Park camper.
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity varies significantly across glamping locations. One visitor noted: "We had no cell service (this actually made us cancel another stay we had planned since we needed cell service for remote work)." Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife encounters for children: Many campgrounds offer opportunities for close animal interactions. A visitor to Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground shares: "Animals are abundant - wild turkeys, eagles, bobcats, AND the Florida Panther! Wild turkeys visited us daily to hang out by a fallen tree near our site. Deer passed by every evening."
Educational experiences: Several sites offer historical or natural learning opportunities. "This park is big and nice. The lake is huge and has lots of fish in it. There are deer everywhere and you can feed them," explains a Lake Kissimmee camper.
Budget for additional activities: While glamping accommodations include basics, many optional experiences carry extra costs. "We went on an airboat ride. It was great. we really enjoyed the rodeo," notes a visitor to Westgate River Ranch, adding context to the available activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on shade, privacy and access needs. A camper at Road Runner Travel Resort explains: "There is a really nice beach for kids 15 mins away on Hutchinson island. Its a great campground for campers vacations. We paid $52/night."
Leveling challenges: Some glamping sites require additional preparation. "The sites were large however had a lot of ruts. The grounds were not very well manicured," reports a visitor to Joy RV Park.
Utility considerations: Hookup configurations vary across glamping locations. "Only 30amp hook up and no sewer, but there is a dump station. The spots are pretty level and the pads are crushed shells. Spot 9 is fully concrete," explains a Lake Kissimmee camper, providing specific site information valuable for planning a stay.
