Best Cabin Camping near Oak Hill, FL

If you’ve landed on this review hopefully its because of a primary decision to visit one of the greatest beach communities in all of Florida – New Smyrna Beach. This super-slim archipelago boasts some of the most perfect white sugar sand beaches anywhere – plus, the best part is that this beach is a proper ‘drive-on’ beach, so whatever you would normally have to haul in a cart or wheeled by trolley to the beach, you can simply keep in the trunk or bed of your SUV / car / truck. And if you are here, hopefully you have planned to be here for some time – or, upon seeing how simply amazing New Smyrna Beach is, have decided that you need a place to stay ... but unfortunately, you and a couple thousand other people have come to the same conclusion. So what do you do? 

Well, you look for simple and affordable accommodations nearby, and that’s what will attract you to Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park, which is conveniently located only 15 minutes drive or so from beachside bliss. While this is definitely an RV-laden outpost, the vibe here is quite contagious, with its main office greeting you immediately upon arrival, where just past this wooden log cabin structure pure hedonism awaits with vibrant bouncing beach balls popping up and down in this overgrown campside Florida shaped-pool bursting with loud southern country music (yee-haw!) and nearly everyone en towe brandishing a coozie with some cheap domestic beer and endless “hey y’all’s” and smiles to boot at the ‘Tiki Hut’ (warning – there’s nothing here that resembles a ’Tiki Hut’ apart from the drinks they pour, although even here, no umbrellas!). This place feels like Spring Break for the adults toting 2-3 kids with them as they dwell in their mobile manufactured temporary housing. 

With all the proper hook-ups being provided (30 / 50 amp electric, sewer, water), this oversized RV menagerie feels like it’s been carved out of a forest of tall needle-pine trees sheltering its residents from the sweltering heat of NE Florida. The family-friendly restrooms and shower facilities are fairly clean and there’s picnic tables and BBQ grills sporadically littered all over the place. Sugar Mill Ruins also rents out very affordable cabins (12 x 20) with twin bunk beds and fold-out futon (nice) complete with mini-fridge, table, chairs, microwave and even a porch with deck chairs. There’s more than 200 sites to choose from complete with a playground for the kiddos, game room with 2 billiards tables, plus 3 acres of lake fishing along with a cool pavilion with games and events (this is the main building that you’ll first encounter). 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While not exactly a destination, Sugar Mill Ruins is so dang convenient to some of the best beach experiences you might ever encounter, depending upon your leaning, leave early and spend as much time as you can at New Smyrna Beach; (2) If you’re looking for a different place to soak some suds, I highly recommend Norwood’s Treehouse Bar, which has fantastic cocktails and local live music; and (3) For simply sublime food, check out Outriggers Tiki Bar& Grille, which has a pretty gracious happy hour where you can spot manatees and dolphins while biting down on some of the freshest catch in Florida, but with outstanding accoutrement, like key lime coconut beurre blanc and sticky bamboo rice or pineapple and peppadew rhum butter infused fish entrees. 

Happy Camping!

You know you’ve really discovered the secret to living here in NE Florida when you come across one of these traditional fish camps that offer up direct access to the water as well as waterfront amenities like SUPs, canoes and kayaks in addition to plenty of places to easily cast a line. Look no further than Oak Hill Fish Camp & RV Resort, which is located directly on the Intracoastal waterway right near Mosquito Lagoon. One bit of advice? Bring your mosquito repellant! 

Wife and husband duo, Dave & Chrissy, run this place and are just some of the most pleasant folks you’ll ever meet. Like me, they’ve come from the wintery north, so they sure enjoy the home and business they’ve founded next to Florida shores. One of the many things that they recommend is that if you are looking for somewhere to camp, there’s actually a handful of really great options that can be accessed by boat. For more on backcountry island camping, check this link out: www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/permits.htm. 

Area fisherman have been flocking to these parts for over a hundred years in search of Redfish and Snook, where with the right bait, you’ll be sure to catch plenty. While this place rents waterfront cabins, complete with their own private piers, there is plenty of room for RV’s (no pull-throughs though), so you can either rent a cabin in addition to your RV or simply rent a plot of land to park your RV and take advantage of some of the best boat launch points on the eastern coast of FL. And if you’re a tent camper, sorry, this place doesn’t accommodate us. 

There’s tons of natural wildlife in addition to all the fish you’ll be catching, where we saw dolphins, manatees and all types of waterfoul. From an amenities standpoint, in addition to the piers, there are boat slips if you brought watercraft, outdoor fire pits and BBQ grilles, picnic tables and the place is pet friendly. Insider’s tip? If you plan your stay well, you can time it to see one of the many launches from Cape Canaveral– and if not, no worries, the sunsets you’ll encounter will be some of the most amazing you ever experience. Another tip is if you have time, make sure to make it down to Haulover Canal where kayaks and canoes can launch from to discover some of the most amazing birds, alligators and endemic wildlife to Mosquito Lagoon. 

Happy Camping!

I was surprised to see this awesome cabin listed, but I’m happy it is :) We went here with family since many relatives were in town doing touristy stuff it was a great ‘base camp’ for everyone to stay at. It worked out well as some family members like the cabin experience and others were able to stay in tents near the cabin. There are lots of places to sleep (bunk beds, queen, etc). The lake is beautiful! We used the canoes that come with the cabin multiple times as well as trying our luck fishing on the dock. The yard has a picnic table and fire pit. It’s only about an hour from Orlando. Our family loved this cabin :)

Who doesn’t love spending time on an island! I came here with a group who had reserved the picnic pavilion for a birthday party. The trip to the island on the ferry was quick and easy. There was a great playground for the kids and we enjoyed a nice long hike as well. We did not stay over night but I did notice some nice looking cabins and primitive camping sites. The cabins and tent camping sites are all nestled together so it’s not very secluded except the few trees between sites. There are nice tent pads though and the cabins look like a great option with nice screened porches as well as a fire pit and picnic table. A place to go back someday :)

If your idea of heaven is closely packed RV trailers lined up side-by-side with not a whole lot of space to stretch out and relax, then Mosquito Lagoon RV Park has you covered. While from my POV, that’s the downside, the huge upside is that this destination places you in the front row of oceanside vistas and supremely easy access to the Atlantic Ocean. Located in Oak Hill on the Space Coast, this seaside campground is easily accessed from I95 and is easily one of the best fishing meccas in the whole of the Sunshine state where you’ll catch the famed Oak Hill Reds in addition to gag grouper, snook, mangrove snapper and spotted sea trout, to name but a few.


While Mosquito Lagoon RV has about 30 RV sites (3 of which are pull through), you’ll discover all the usual amenities from 30 / 50 amp service in addition to water and sewage hook-ups, picnic tables, fire pits (by request), fairly clean and well-organized bathrooms, laundr-O-mat and fairly decent WiFi. They also rent a few cabins here, on-premise ice machines and have a pretty nice Tiki Hut& Bar (albeit makeshift, due to rebuilding from a recent hurricane), where they have no problem if you BYOB. Unfortunately, there’s no tent camping here, but for a $35 fee, they’ll let you park your car here and then boat to one of the many neighboring islands where you can engage in some pretty epic primitive camping options. 

Insider tips? Here’s a few. First, this place has a handful of kayaks that they’ll rent to you for FREE! That’s pretty amazing, but you’ll want to call ahead and reserve one well ahead of arriving. Second, unlike many other campgrounds in the area, this place has their own boat launch and slips, making it quite ideal if you have your own watercraft. Also, if you time it right, as you are on the Space Coast, you can see a rocket or satellite launching into the pristine star-speckled nighttime sky. Lastly, if you want a break from cooking, I highly recommending heading a bit up the road from Mosquito Lagoon RV Park to Goodrich Seafood, where they have all the seafood you could expect grilled, fried or sautéed along with evening specials, live music and a pretty amazing bar. Ask for Oliver who likes to pour them strong! 

Happy Camping!

I have been visiting Highland Park Fish Camp for over 8 years. I was sold the first time I went. This family run location has bee in operation for over 50 years and is working on their 4th generation! They offer 50 sites with full hookups (some 50 amp), tent sites and hot showers. They also just added to the number of cabins they have. There are fire pits and picnic tables at tent site and outside of cabin area there is a nice community fire pit area. Bathrooms are kept clean.

There is a free catch and release pond that is kept well stocked and a great place for the kids or beginners to learn how to fish. You will often see yellow labs strolling or lounging by the office Ruger and Copper - they are super mellow and love getting a scratch or pet.

You can rent a pontoon boat, bass boat for a half or full day and explore the rivers and lakes connected to the camp. Freshwater fishing anywhere along here is just amazing! Lots of wildlife including manatee, shorebirds, bears and more can be seen. You can hire a guide to take your out or you can go on your own. It is only $5 to launch your kayak or canoe here.

Camp store has nearly all the equipment you would need for a fishing trip including live bait (crickets, shiners, worms, etc) There is a huge, covered cleaning station for preparing your catch of the day. You will also find frozen treats, soda, water and other snacks. Ice can also be purchased.

recently they have expanded their "Hammock" special event area. There is a stage, lots of seating, tables, & outdoor lighting making this a great place for group or special events. There is an outdoor wedding chapel area and many folks from all over the state come here for a rustic wedding.

They really make you feel welcome here and right at home. I hope you get a chance to check out this wonderful location!

What’s in a city, you ask? I would think organization, solid utilities, an infrastructure, stated rules and a semblance of community. If that’s the definition, then I guess Orange City RV Resort lives up to that moniker. As soon as you turn into this RV enclave, located just a stone’s throw from the major I4 highway, just due north of Orlando, this place will immediately impress you with it’s very organized and structured way that it lays out its design, from grid-like, well-paved streets and well-lit infrastructure to the outsized number of amenities you will discover here. If ease of access and turn-key entrance is on your check-list than OC RV has you covered. 

Back to those amenities – here you’ll discover some fairly premier RV resort living plus-ups from a heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi, state-of-the-art work-out facility, multi-purpose community center (complete with fully operational kitchen), onsite laundry, shower and restroom facilities, doggie park, recreation hall (bingo, billiards tables, game room, card tables, etc.), dedicated mail center, private small pond (catch& release only), a handful of picnic pavilions, BBQ grills, traditional RV hook-ups (electric, water and sewage) plenty of games such as bocce ball, horse shoes, petanque and, of course (in Florida, the prerequisite) shuffleboard. This place is pet-friendly and while I thought it was more of a retiree community, there were plenty of kids playing around the nice little park that they have. 

OC RV Resort offers up a number of different types of sites to choose from between standard, premium and ‘super sites’ – as you can imagine, ranked by size as well as position within the resort. Of course, the more modest size comes with less land, compromised vistas and places you in very close proximity to neighbors. In addition to open back-in and pull-through RV sites and slots, you will discover that there are also a number of 1BR cottages and newly constructed mini-homes available for lease. 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) The biggest tip I can give you is that literally only a 10 minute drive due west, you’ll hit arguably one of the best natural springs in all of Florida – Blue Spring State Park. And while there’s a small fee to get in, trust me, it’s worth it!; (2) To my fellow tent campers, if you’re reading this, my apologies, because OC RV Resort doesn’t offer up any spots to pitch your shelter for the night. That said, Blue Spring SP has some pretty awesome campsites that I would absolutely recommend, and if you want tent camping paradise, then just a bit further afield is Trimble Park Campground, arguably, some of the best tent camping in the entire state – for more details, you can read my reviews on both of these campgrounds on The Dyrt; and (3) As you would guess being located this close to Highway 4, you’ll come across all the usual franchise restaurant chains (Chili’s, Tijuana Flats, Perkins, Applebee’s, etc.), but if you’re looking for a nice meal, check out Riverwalk Pizzeria for some pretty great pies and fresh suds.

Happy Camping!