Best Glamping near Merritt Island, FL

This lovely state park in Central Florida gives campers the true feel of "old Florida!" Campsites are private, separated by lots of flora. 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.

If you are seeking peace, quiet and beauty this is the place!

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. There is a abundance of wildlife and plenty of hiking trails. This park to me is one of the best you will experience in Florida.

So this park was interesting... The idea of cowboys in Florida was unexpected, but added a unique element to the park. Also, I saw people on seaways which was a first while we were camping. Very 'Florida' feeling with the trees and somewhat secluded sites. An interesting experience overall- not what a person expects while camping with all the attractions, but what a fun time!

I visited here when I was a little girl. Now that I live in Florida again I would love to go back. The entire area of Sebastian Inlet is very pretty.

if you want a rustic, relaxing place to get away and just enjoy the Florida Coast this is a good place. nothing fancy. clean facilities. we relaxed while our son enjoyed fishing.

Lake Kissimmee State Park Review This was our first visit to Lake Kissimmee State Park and it was a big surprise. Like all Florida State Parks, they are all a little different and have one attribute in particular that makes them special. For me this was the camp sites that were both spacious and private. 

We were on the inside of the loop on #4. Since the pandemic spots at most state park have been few and far between so we have become way less particular and simply take what we can get at most parks. 

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. Staff and hosts were wonderful. Thanks again Florida State Parks for a great weekend! We will for sure return to Lake Kissimmee for sure.

We decided to book a group primitive campsite in this state park. We were in the primitive group campsite on the Buster Island Loop. It was about 3 miles to hike in to the site. 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.

Since this is a primitive site, there are no facilities and keep in mind you need to bring your own water for drinking, cooking, cleaning etc. At the site there were two picnic tables and a fire ring which was enough for our group. The area was cleared with a lot of space to set up all of our tents. We were here in late April when the weather was getting warmer so remember to bring mosquito repellent and enough water for your whole group to stay hydrated!

The hiking trails are loops about 6 miles long where you can experience different types of Florida environments and boating on the lake. And there are also history demonstrations showing the old Florida cowboys at the park.

All in all, this park has many options and activities. Whether you are into water sports or biking and hiking, this park has it all.

Hidden gem in Florida. Now one of our favorite campgrounds. Spacious sites with lovely trees and greenery. Good privacy between sites. Miles of beautiful and varied hiking trails right from the campground - some shady and forested, others through prairies or along lakes. Good kayaking on the canal and lake but my husband must have been wearing the wrong pants cause he didn’t catch any fish - lol. Wifi connection available at /around the concession stand. Another great aspect was that we met many wonderful people - fellow campers just enjoying the peace, nature and community that Lake Kissimmee has to offer. We will definitely return!

This park was clean, quiet and well kept. The bath house was tidy and the hot water was HOT. There are numerous trails, an observation tower, playground, boat ramp and fishing area. A replica 1870s Florida cow camp is also located on one of the trails. The sites are level and nearly all are shaded. The electric and water were good and the dump station had a hose to help with wash out. There is a small camp store with a few necessities but if you forget something there is a Dollar General about 20 minutes away.

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. 

River Ranch RV next door is a beautiful place with fantastic spots. We stayed in spot 323 which had its own swing and fireplace. Our 37 ft rig fit perfectly and five year old loved riding bike around the park. Everyone was super friendly and I recommend renting a golf cart, though expensive at $60 a day, 

Be aware of telephone phone reception. At our spot we could not get any reception with ATT. After buying a Verizon hotspot down the road in Lake Wales, we were able to WFH.a

Would highly recommend this spot in Central Florida.

First time at Lake Kissimmee State Park! We loved it. We arrived just before sun down. First of all the drive into the park is beautiful. Classic Florida landscape and made us so excited to start camping. We were in loop 1 site 13. The sites are pretty private we couldn’t see the campers to the sides of us and they are very large. Bathrooms were very clean. Best part was all the wildlife we encountered. In the morning a family of deer walked right by our tent! There are three main hiking trails up to 6.7 miles. We did the 6 mile loop and it was beautiful and peaceful. Primitive hike in campsites available along the trails which we will be checking out for next time. Reservation was easily made through reservation America.

Why contemplate leaving the creature comforts of home when you can just haul everything that you love most to a place that provides all of the concrete paved, easy-to-access amenities that you likely have at home in the first place? If you find yourself in this dilemma, no worries, Orlando/ Kissimmee KOA has all of your manufactured outdoor camping needs covered … and what’s perhaps most interesting is that you won’t even have to drive out of the concrete jungle to encounter this experience, in fact, it’s right off a major 4-lane highway (HWY 192).

So, if you are dreaming of escaping your domesticated life for the thrills of an outdoor camping adventure that will have you appreciating the best of what nature has to offer, then just be forewarned, this is not that place. But if you are simply looking for a change of scenery and want to be near all of the action and attractions here in Central Florida’s ‘Magic City’ and want a different experience than paying overpriced rates at Tiki-hut themed entertainment hotels and relish the idea of dusting off your RV or unpacking your tent in a pseudo nature environment complete with all the astro turf your dog can poop on within a confined, fenced-in setting, then this KOA (and let’s be frank, ANY KOA) has you covered.

As far as amenities go, it’s a KOA, so there’s going to be more amenities here than you can shake a stick at. These include: heated in-ground medium-sized pool complete with tiled patio, lounge chaise chairs, tables with umbrellas and regular chairs, water-rinsing station, as well as a jacuzzi / spa, propane refilling station, bike rentals, 134’ max length slots, WiFi, pavilion, Kamp K9, firewood for sale, 24 hour laundr-O-mat, picnic tables, community fire pits, on-site market, recreation office, life-size Jenga, designated trash areas, fitness center, playground, dog wash, public bus service, basketball court, EV chargers, jump pad, taxi service back-in and pull-through perfectly paved, level concrete RV sites with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage). There’s even RV sites that are dubbed ‘Deluxe,’ which are larger and come with a paved connected patio.

No RV? And REALLY don’t want to have an experience that is different than living at home? Even here at this KOA, that’s not a problem, where the proprietors will easily rent you a deluxe cabin, if there is one available. These 1BR or 2BR A/C cooled Deluxe Cabins sleep 4, 6 or 8 people and come with bunk bed set, futon / sofa sleeper and a queen-sized bed along with a private bath and shower, TV with cable offering over 20 channels, some with EV chargers, patio w/ charcoal or gas BBQ grill and fire pit, front porch with patio furniture and chairs, refrigerator, fresh linens, paw pen for the pups and a partial or full kitchen. They even have rustic cabins that are cheaper and don’t come with all the thrills for those that want some degree of ‘roughing’ it, so this means no kitchen and no bathroom or showers, although there is full bed, bunk bed, TV, mini-refrigerator, A/C patio furniture, brick fire pit with cooking grate.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) To continue with the simple, easy-to-access, manufactured experience theme here, for those that grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal for the kiddos, who are grumbling about making every meal, head on over to any one of these nearby drive-thru windows or curb-side meal offerings: McDonald’s, Panda Express, Applebee’s, Steak ‘n Shake and Wendy’s; (2) If you want to heighten that suburban culinary experience you all have been craving though, I really do rate the silverware-free dining experience that is Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, which is literally just down the road and is actually a lot of fun for the kiddos and adults alike; (3) Should you find yourself in need of anything that you either forgot or may have run out of, then fear not, there’s a Sam’s Club that is in walking distance from this KOA and further south that definitely requires a drive, there’s a Walmart Supercenter; (4) I’ve noticed that this place has SIGNIFICANT discounts if you simply plan in advance – so for example, during the months of March OR April (it’s January now), they’re offering a whopping 25% discount; and (5) If you are looking for a slice of nature’s paradise, then I highly recommend driving a bit north to Wekiwa Springs, where you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most amazing springs in all of Florida where the water is 72 degrees year round.

Happy Camping!

We've had the pleasure of staying at both site 185 and 11, and our experience was delightful with both choices! The front office staff consistently exudes helpfulness and politeness. Each site is equipped with water hookups, electric connections, and sewage facilities. What's impressive is that these amenities are available on every site, setting them apart as the most competitively priced campground in the vicinity—my thorough research of other options confirms this. Notably, JOY RV offers the flexibility of both short-term and long-term stays, a versatility that distinguishes them from neighboring campgrounds. On top of that, they provide onsite storage options, complimentary wifi, a refreshing pool, impeccably maintained showers and restrooms, and a convenient laundry facility. For those requiring a peaceful environment to focus on tasks like schoolwork or professional assignments, the spacious and tranquil clubhouse proves to be a valuable asset—I, personally, take full advantage of this convenience. The campground enjoys a strategic location with a nearby Sam's Club for shopping convenience. Plus, its direct access to the interstate simplifies travel to Melbourne(approximately 30 minutes away), Daytona Beach(roughly an hour's drive), and even Orlando(merely 45 minutes away). It's undeniable that this location is prime. In our quest for the perfect camping spot, stumbling upon JOY RV was a stroke of luck. Without reservation, we wholeheartedly endorse it to fellow travelers seeking a phenomenal experience.

Wonderful state park right on the inlet.

I really don't want to give a bad review of a campground but OH MY GOODNESS! The only thing I can remember about this place is getting eaten alive by No See' Ums. There were however cute bunny rabbits hopping all over the place. It had lots of things to do like playground, hike to water, skim boarding, fishing, etc. but they were all overshadowed by the bugs. Maybe someone else has a different opinion of this place during Spring or Winter time.

Full hookups, nice and clean bathrooms and playground. Great for fishing, swimming, boats and kayaks! Friendly staff. You can book for the turtles tour at night and also have a museum in campground.

Not a bad campground. On the water. But no waterfront campsites. To launch boat/kayak/canoe must drive to launching ramp. Great fishing right at the inlet. Beach access as well as river access. Decent snack shack at north end park, but have to drive over the bridge to access. North end park also has a tide pool without wakes for swimming and manatee often come in.

If u like to surf this is your place. biggest waves on the east coast. Great kayaking on the Indian river. Great beachside concessions pizza ice cream and burgers.

I think this campground is more for Fisherman with RV's and Trailers . Very Busy and Noisy day and night with Vehicle and Boat Traffic/ Activity . This Campground also has a FEROCIOUS Black Sand NAT which lives in the grass and is active Day and Night.

The Traffic Noise and Bitting Nats made it VERY UNCOMFORTABLE for all of our group and others we talked with at the park .

If you like camping and water sports, you will love SISP. The park is sorrounded by water, you have the Indian River Lagoon, The Sebastian Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. The campgrounds is located on the Sebastian Inlet. The sites on the 1st camp loop face the inlet. The views are breathtaking. You can watch the stingrays and dolphins jumping out of the water. You can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and watch is set over the Inlet. There is an awesome cove area that is perfect for families with small children. There are two boat ramps located within the park, one for motorized vessels and one for non motorized vessels. They also have a marina about a mile down the road where they have boat, kayak and SUPB rentals. SiSP is home to the world famous fishing pier. There are two fishing piers that extend out into the Atlantic ocean. Great for catching shark, Snook and Redfish. You can snorkel and scuba dive in the Cove (great for small children), Inlet or Atlantic, you have to have your own gear. There is a reef just a few hundred yards off the beach. There is an abundance of sea life including , dolphins, manatees and sea turtles. Dont forget to bring your surfboard. The museam offers sea turtle walks during nesting season. If you have a boat you can go out to the sandbar and anchor out for a day fun on the water. There is a great restaurant that has dining views of the Atlantic ocean. I had lunch up on the deck one day and watched the Tarpon run. The restaurants serves breakfast and lunch. I recomend the Mahi sandwich with a cold beer. They also serve alcohol and wine. They show movies on the water. Enjoy a movie while you float in the cove on you tube.

We did not camp in the Sebastian Inlet State Park campground, but instead chose the primitive experience through BG Marina. There are 10 campsites at the marina that are great if you want a place to launch your boat and camp out between fishing trips. Each has a picnic table and fire pit. They are also well shaded. However, the sites are very close together and not private at all- it can get a little loud if crowded. There are clean bathrooms, access to water, but no showers.