Best Campgrounds near Murdock, FL

Camping near Murdock, Florida encompasses a mix of state parks, private RV resorts, and established campgrounds within Florida's subtropical Gulf Coast region. Myakka River State Park, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Murdock, stands as one of the area's premier natural destinations with three distinct camping areas: Palmetto Ridge, Old Prairie, and Big Flats. Oscar Scherer State Park in nearby Osprey offers additional state-managed camping options, while private facilities like Encore Harbor Lakes in Port Charlotte provide more amenity-rich alternatives. As one camper noted, "Myakka is perhaps the most ecologically diverse state park in Florida, with outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities."

Most campgrounds in the Murdock area remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations significantly impact the camping experience. Summer months (June through September) bring intense heat, humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be particularly problematic during this period. Winter (November through March) offers milder temperatures and reduced insect activity, making it the peak camping season. Reservations during winter months are essential and often fill 11 months in advance, especially at state parks. Hurricane season (June through November) occasionally necessitates campground closures, with some facilities in low-lying areas subject to flooding after heavy rains.

The camping options near Murdock cater to various preferences and equipment types. State parks like Myakka River offer a range of experiences from primitive hike-in sites to full-hookup RV camping. According to visitor reviews, the Palmetto Ridge campground at Myakka River State Park features full hookups designed primarily for larger RVs, while Old Prairie provides a more rustic experience better suited for smaller trailers and tents. Private RV resorts typically offer more amenities but less privacy between sites. Cell service varies by location and provider, with most developed campgrounds maintaining adequate coverage. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with alligators, deer, and numerous bird species commonly spotted in the state parks.

Best Camping Sites Near Murdock, Florida (150)

    1. Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    38 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 361-6511

    $26 / night

    "Hidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private."

    "One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping."

    2. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 483-5956

    $26 / night

    "Like all the Florida state parks, the campground is well-maintained and clean. Lots of trails to explore, easy to launch my kayak from near my campsite."

    "Located just outside of Sarasota and on the edge of Nokomis. Very “old Florida” with lots of palm hammocks and scrub oaks. Cant say."

    3. Camp Venice Retreat

    12 Reviews
    Venice, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 488-0850

    "Easy access to Vince and the great Legacy Bike trail. Beaches and parking are free."

    "friendly staff on site. very nice sites on river inlet with perfectly placed utilities. bet clean restrooms and showers within a brief walk from every site. didn’t use pool but looked very clean and well"

    4. Encore Harbor Lakes

    4 Reviews
    El Jobean, FL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We came back to Florida to retrive our car after a 3 month stay in New England. This campground was right down the road from where we needed to conduct our business."

    "Had to have a RV park nearby and called, and booked a site within 10 minutes. Very pleased with the accommodations. Pool was great, neighbors were friendly and very helpful."

    5. Peace River Campground

    25 Reviews
    Arcadia, FL
    22 miles
    Website

    $16 - $80 / night

    "ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. it has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area."

    "This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night."

    6. Encore Ramblers Rest

    6 Reviews
    Venice, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "First of all the location, if you like to kayak, this is the place for you. Right on the river. Very nice."

    "Many times we had 2” plus of standing water outside of our RV (we were on “Raccoon Road”). Also, the electrical and water connections needed maintenance while we were there. They were very worn out."

    7. Myakka River Motorcoach Resort

    2 Reviews
    El Jobean, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 740-2599

    "Close to everything, multiple beaches 20 minutes away,  great shopping and restaurants are close by.  Extremely friendly owners, they treat renters like members of their family.  "

    8. Flying A Campground — Myakka State Forest

    4 Reviews
    El Jobean, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 398-3410

    $9 / night

    "Parking is away from campsites."

    "All sites have a fire ring and picnic table

    There are vault toilets available in the loop and there is a potable water spigot at the nearby ranger station (firewood also available there)."

    9. Encore Riverside

    4 Reviews
    Port Charlotte, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to restaurants and shopping, but in a very private area."

    10. Creekside RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Punta Gorda, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 833-3334

    "Lots of grass and trees all around.  Big sites with plenty of room between other campers.  Wide, paver parking with full hook ups.  Big and clean showers and restrooms.  Nice pool and hot tub.  "

    "Very nice bathhouses with large, walk in showers. The clubhouse was closed due to COVID but the pool and hot tub were open and very nice. Good space between sites."

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Recent Reviews near Murdock, FL

602 Reviews of 150 Murdock Campgrounds


  • bailey J.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Caloosahatchee Regional Park

    Our Stay

    We’ve stayed here twice now and absolutely loved it. The first time we stayed in Site 5, I believe, and something to note is that it is directly next to one of the ground volunteers’ RV site. It’s very close and does offer very limited privacy. However, he was incredibly nice and offered us firewood and a few other things that we forgot. This site was also incredibly close to the bathroom, which is a must for me. It was an amazing experience! Our second visit, we stayed on site 24. This site backs up directly to 25 and is right behind the bathrooms/showers. This site was also perfect for us despite the limited privacy. However, inconsiderate campers would walk directly through the back of our site to get to the bathrooms. Either way, these things were not dealbreakers. The grounds have incredible trails, mile-long trails to walk along the Caloosahatchee River, with beautiful sight-seeing. This is now our go-to campground!!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Periwinkle Park

    Very nice campground on Sanibel Island

    Nice campground with very flat campsites made setting up our small trailer a breeze. 

    Very cost effective way to enjoy the island.

    Sites were a bit snug but were plenty for us.

    Bathrooms were probably the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground.  They were cleaned daily and it showed.

    Laundry facilities were very nice as well.

    Periwinkle park is located fairly close to most anything you'd like to do on Sanibel.  It was only a few minute bike ride down to the beach and to many other attractions.

    Great place, would definitely stay again.

  • Rachel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Encore Winter Quarters Manatee

    Quaint and quiet.

    First impression, the front desk worker was very informative and quite kind. However, there is no security gate. As a momma with young kiddos, that does make me nervous. The lake is beautiful and our neighbors have been lovely. Also, I am really grateful for the location. Not too terrible a distance from Anna Marie Island, or Tampa! There is so much to do locally.

  • j
    May. 12, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Nice place.

    Grounds are nice, and staff are great. I’d suggest avoiding site 37 until it’s renovated. Big tree in the middle, and soft sugar sand is hard to level. Also, just know there are paths in the back where you want to keep eyes open. Saw rattlesnakes.

  • Mack Daddy Van L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Hardee Lakes Park

    Fantastic Campgroudnd

    My experience was great with my pup! Primitive sites were $20 a night at time of writing.

    We stayed in a primitive site(p14) with water. I was excited to discover all these primitive wites with water are right on the lake.

    There’s no alcohol allowed which is a double edged sword, but I welcomed this rule as there always seems to be groups partying at public campsites. Not here.

    Bathrooms are typical campsite bathroom. They have showers too for campers.

    It’s a dirt road campsite, but they have water trucks that spray a few times a day to keep the dust down. So thankful for that!

    RV pull sites and promote. campsites are far enough away from each other.

    Nearest major grocery store is wal-mart about 15 minutes away.

    Only iffy thing I’d call out is how tight the primitive campsites are to each other. It was dead when I came, but had my neighboring sites been occupied, I wouldn’t have enjoyed my time as much.

  • Amanda W.
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    Enormous park

    I’m staying in the Palmetto Ridge loop which is the only paved loop & I think the only one w/sewer. The Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers. The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic. I would say the vegetation gives semi privacy but they aren’t on top of each other so it’s not like you’re looking right at your neighbor. There is a picnic table & a fire ring. Gravel sites but pretty level. My site was 50 amp. Not sure how many are. Bath house & laundry facility appears clean. Pet friendly. The outpost is literally like 3 miles into the park down from the entrance & Palmetto loop. The store was nice & there was a food truck. It was a little spendy but good food. The river was low so the kayak rental & boat tours were shut down. Tons of great hiking & even some elevated bridges for site seeing. Tons of gators, birds, deer etc. There is also a scenic drive in the park, a “fisherman’s loop” & a few picnic areas. There are cabins to rent but I didn’t see them. Also never saw a playground if you have kids. Very dark & quiet at night.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Lake Manatee State Park Campground

    Peaceful and beautiful

    Peaceful and beautiful place to walk. BEWEAR, PLEASE READ THE SIGNS! Nice little beach. Lots of wildlife. We had a pretty open site. Some sites have more trees and shade then others. Temps can be warm. It was in the 90s° the week we camped. We enjoyed it.

  • Mary jo R.
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Koreshan State Park Campground

    Basic Accomodations

    The trees and shrubs appear burned out from controlled burn or brush fire. The dead branches are still there. Sites have stones and sand. Not alot of grass or tree coverage. The park offers hiking trails and close by access for launching kayaks. This park also has a walking tour of the Korshean Settlement which was interesting. Every time we have been here there has been a burn ban so no campfires allowed. Sites are small but will work for a tent or smaller camper. Ours is 32’ and it is really tight for the site. Staff is super friendly. Sites fill up quickly especially on the weekend.


Guide to Murdock

Murdock's camping options extend beyond state parks to include several waterfront primitive sites and private RV resorts within a 25-mile radius. The region averages 266 sunny days per year with annual rainfall of 51 inches, supporting a diverse subtropical ecosystem. Campsite access in this part of Florida ranges from road-accessible locations to paddle-in spots along the Peace and Myakka Rivers.

What to do

Kayak South Creek: Launch directly from sites at Camp Venice Retreat, where paddlers can explore the Myakka River system. "The location was lovely... The heated pool was a pleasant amenity," notes reviewer Annette S., who enjoyed balancing water activities with resort amenities.

Hunt for fossils: Shark teeth and other prehistoric finds attract collectors to the Peace River area. One visitor at Peace River Campground reported: "This park seems to flood and have limited sewer sites but is a great place to find Shark teeth and other fossils. I once had to abandon my Tilapia as the alligator appeared to want it more than me!"

Explore hiking trails: The region offers numerous well-maintained paths through subtropical terrain. A Myakka River State Park camper shared: "You will have 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We bike with hybrid specialized bikes and had no problems off road... Fortunately, there is lots of shade even while hiking due to the canopy trees."

What campers like

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers consistently mention diverse animal sightings. At Palmetto Ridge Campground, a visitor recounted: "There we saw tons of alligators birds and wildlife! A great piece of raw Florida!" Another camper warned: "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please."

Spacious waterfront sites: Private sites with water views rank high among visitor preferences. At Camp Venice Retreat, one reviewer described the experience: "We stayed at the tent sites and they are under a nice canopy of trees with water and electric. The staff is awesome, everyone was super friendly, they had clean facilities, the nature trail was awesome to take our dog on walks down."

Primitive camping options: For those seeking a more rustic experience, several campgrounds offer remote options. "They have great primitive sites, with hikes that vary from 2 miles to 14 miles to camp sites. Beware of heat, bring plenty of water. Don't depend on water pumps," advises a Myakka River State Park visitor.

What you should know

Summer heat precautions: The subtropical climate requires careful planning. A reviewer at Myakka notes: "We were here in July. Fortunately, there is lots of shade even while hiking due to the canopy trees and this kept things cooler during in the summer. We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall."

Road conditions vary: Access to some campgrounds requires navigation of unpaved roads. At Flying A Campground, a camper described: "Nice open area with some trees and lots of palm tree bushes. Well maintained white dirt road. Raccoons stalk u at night lol. Parking is away from campsites."

Reservation requirements: Most campsites near Murdock need advance booking. "Note that this campground requires reservations," explains an Ari A. about Flying A Campground, adding, "The campground is gated (you get the lock code when you reserve a site)."

Seasonal crowd variations: Local campgrounds change character throughout the year. At Oscar Scherer State Park, one camper observed: "OF NOTE: Of all the state parks we have visited, this had the most unfriendly group of campers we have ever encountered... Perhaps it's because this isn't your normal group of happy wanderers... More like COVID refugees or visitors doing 'Florida on the Cheap.'"

Tips for camping with families

Look for dedicated recreation areas: Families benefit from organized activities and play spaces. At Oscar Scherer State Park, a parent noted: "Our 6 yo son loved that we felt safe enough that he could ride his bike around the camp ground to play with the other campers. There are play areas for the kids."

Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds cater to motorized recreation. At Peace River Campground, one visitor warned: "Loud vehicles at all times goin' real fast with shiny lights and various Toby Keith songs bumpin' (no shade on Toby Keith, but I'd rather not hear Red Solo Cup at 1am when I'm camping)."

Check site privacy: Family camping benefits from buffer zones between sites. A camper at Oscar Scherer advised: "I highly value privacy and enjoying my time outside. Lots of activities let you do that. Hiking, biking trails, canoeing, kayaking, swimming...all easily reachable."

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions matter: Many RVers emphasize the importance of accurate site information. At Creekside RV Resort, a reviewer highlighted: "Large paved sites with paver patios the length of the site. Most sites are ~60' or longer."

Utility placement varies: RVers should check hookup locations before positioning their rigs. About Oscar Scherer State Park, one camper advised: "The electric hookup is in its normal spot, but be aware that the water is in the woods on the opposite side (one pedestal feeding two sites). Make sure to bring a longer hose, or park closer to the water than electric."

Site surface conditions: Weather impacts can significantly affect RV camping. A visitor to Ramblers Rest noted: "We came when it was dry, there could be a problem if there was a lot of rain due to the RV sitting on grass."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Murdock, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Murdock, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 150 campgrounds and RV parks near Murdock, FL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Murdock, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Murdock, FL is Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Murdock, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Murdock, FL.