Ona, Florida camping areas offer varied terrain at elevations just above sea level with oak hammocks, sandy soil, and nearby river access. The subtropical climate features warm winters with average temperatures from 55-75°F and hot, humid summers reaching 85-95°F regularly. River areas maintain natural Florida landscapes with cypress trees and sandy shorelines.
What to do
Fossil hunting along riverbanks: Many campers come specifically to sift for prehistoric finds along Peace River. "I found a ton of shark teeth," shares Jennifer L. from Peace River RV and Camping Resort. Beginners can borrow sifting equipment directly from campgrounds to maximize their chances of success.
Kayaking through mangrove canals: Paddling opportunities extend beyond just the main rivers. "The park is right on the water where we launched our kayaks to paddle the canals amongst the Mangroves," notes Bran P. who stayed at E.G. Simmons Regional Park. These protected waterways offer calmer conditions than open water, making them suitable for beginner paddlers.
Dirt biking and ATV trails: Off-road enthusiasts have dedicated trail systems. "Plenty of places to find a spot on the river to camp in the wilderness. Bring your rafts and canoes to float down the river or just hang out on the beach in your lawn chair and watch the fun! Lots of trails for dirtbikes, ATVs and UTVs!" explains JACKIE L. at Peace River Campground.
Wildlife observation opportunities: The region supports diverse animal viewing opportunities. "We have seen Class As sink, so if you have a heavy diesel pusher, make sure you find a spot safe for your RV. Make sure you have a Clam or some kind of outdoor shade with a big screen because there are a lot of mosquitos in the evenings. There are Alligators along the River banks and in the woods," warns Laura H. who stayed at Peace River RV and Camping Resort.
What campers like
Spacious, private campsites: Many campgrounds feature well-separated sites. "All of the sites are spacious with large cement pads. The overall feel is laid back and quiet," describes Brad P. who stayed at Peace River Oaks, noting the difference from typical crowded resorts.
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Modern amenities exist alongside natural surroundings. "The bath house's are nice & kept very clean. There are 2 loops we like the East campground the best sites in this loop are #72 then #70. All the sites along the water on this side are nice," reports B M. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Proximity to natural water features: Riverside camping remains a major draw. "The staff was super helpful and very eager to make sure we had a great stay! The grounds are simply amazing! While on a zoom call from a picnic bench by the River a participant said 'Looks like you guys are in Hawaii or paradise somewhere'," shares Keisha D. about Peace River Campground.
Yurt camping near Ona, Florida: Yurt accommodations provide solid shelter with outdoor access. Myakka River State Park, within driving distance of Ona, offers yurt structures with beds and electricity. As one camper noted, "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!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have minimal connectivity. "Cell reception: minimal, it is put in the country for Florida, And the neighboring town is small. So there is signal but bandwidth is low because of so many RVers not counting towards the population of the area," explains Laura H. about Peace River RV.
Seasonal crowds fluctuate dramatically: Visitor patterns follow predictable patterns. "During the week its very quiet there yet on Fridays it packs in and Sunday it clears out again," notes B M. about their experience at E.G. Simmons.
Flooding risks in low-lying areas: Water management concerns exist in certain camping zones. "Although we enjoyed our time here there were some serious concerns with flooding. Many large rigs were parked in the flood plane which encompasses a large section of the park," warns Laura H. about Thousand Trails Peace River.
Biting insects require preparation: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be persistent. "We had a screened room that has a no see um mesh on it and we blast a big fan in there so we do stay semi bug free. So glad we had this screened room," advises B M. about camping at E.G. Simmons.
Tips for camping with families
Explore riverside activities: Water access opens numerous recreation options. "We came here as tent campers. It was a last minute location switch. It was almost exclusively RVs when we were there. That's usually not our thing but we were pleasantly surprised with our site, the friendly people and the river access," shares Daniel B. from Peace River RV.
Look for specialized family amenities: Some campgrounds cater specifically to children. "Westgate River Ranch Resort is an awesome destination with camping, skeet shooting range, rodeo, petting zoo, mini golf, swamp buggy rides, swimming, dining, lodge and much more," explains Christy C. about Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.
Consider wildlife safety with kids: Animal encounters require supervision. "Beware of alligators especially during mating season there are plenty to be seen at any time. We camped twice in the primitive area. This area is all sand dunes first come first serve perfect for atvs and golf carts with lots of trails," warns Kasey K. about Peace River Campground.
Use yurt accommodations for family convenience: Yurt camping near Ona provides structure without full cabin formality. Yurts at Lake Kissimmee State Park offer comfortable overnight options with nearby hiking and wildlife viewing. "We took our two grandchildren, and they had a lot of fun! It was fantastic! We had the handicapped site, plenty of room, wonderful neighbors," reports Lauren W.
Tips from RVers
Beware of low-hanging branches: Tree canopy creates navigation challenges. "They stress that over and over. FHU, no shade at our site, picnic table, fire ring with flip grill, grass pad. Fire rings are close to your neighbors camper b/c of mowing. Just move it," advises Sherry P. about Peace River.
Understand hookup limitations: Full service sites may require special arrangements. "They offer (1) free pump out. Many will stay at this park for 3 weeks. If you have your own laundry machines - you won't be able to use them. The laundry available on the property was pricey," notes Laura H. about Thousand Trails Peace River.
Monitor electrical fluctuations: Power supply can vary with demand. "Watch the electricity during high usage the voltage drop, ours dropped to 108v for a couple hours, i choose to run the gen during that time other then that no problems at all great faculty," recommends Thomas E. from Peace River RV.
