Best Campgrounds near Palmdale, FL

This campground offers one of the best lakefront views in all of Florida—truly a hidden gem if you’re looking to camp right on the water. The sunsets over Lake Okeechobee are absolutely breathtaking and unlike anywhere else in the state.

The campground does include a pool, which is a nice touch, but unfortunately the amenities are quite limited. The office is closed on Sundays, so plan ahead if you need assistance or have questions during your stay.

The biggest downside was the condition of the restrooms—they were in very poor shape and had a strong, unpleasant odor. This definitely impacted the overall experience.

With a little maintenance and more attention to guest services, this place could easily be a five-star destination. For now, come for the view, but manage your expectations for everything else.

The camper feels like a time capsule — gently worn by the years, with repairs done in the spirit of “just enough to hold.” It's not spotless, but everything works. The A/C, positioned thoughtfully right by the bed, delivers both cold air and the soothing sound of a leaf blower. Showers inside and out did the job. No real hot water, unless you count the sun-warmed pipes — which, on a 90°F day, made for a surprisingly pleasant rinse. The kitchen’s got what you need, the gas grill works, and the fire pit area is a nice bonus. Wi-Fi (via Starlink) held up well. Photos and description are accurate — no unpleasant surprises, unless you were expecting spotless luxury. And the hosts? Genuinely kind, helpful, and easygoing — the kind of people who make the whole stay feel better, no matter what the camper looks like.

All in all, if you know what you’re getting into, I’d absolutely recommend the place.

FREE stay, register at the SFWMD site and request a permit. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Various trees at the camp sites to provide shade. First come first serve. Two cars, two tents, 6 people max per camp site. The sites surround a pond. I didn't use the compost toilet so I don't have an opinion. I couldn't locate the faucet, but supposedly there is one. You need the code for the combination lock to open the gate which is included with the permit. There is a short trail spur maintained by the FTA that connects the family campground to loop 1. Supposedly you are able to take a shower at the equestrian campsite down the road. Will definitely stay again.

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.

We went for a day trip with my husband to see the area for the future ideas and to meet the family. It was mid-March 2025, when a famous annual auto racing event spiked the hotel prices to $400-600 per night, with $200 rooms either inferior or sold out. But your campers can be parked minutes away, with all the hook ups, at around $600 per month ( not per night :)), and at about $60 per night. 

The Joy Bamboo farm has three hook up spaces for your campers, a solid spacious "dirt road" ( very clean actually :)) leading there. You can connect your camper to water, sewage, and electricity, of course. The owners visit the site often, maintain it well, and park their own (permanent) campers there, and can advise you on the perks of the area. 

The farm delivers its promise of the most pristine fresh air while walking through the acres of bamboo plants: my breathing issues were gone during the visit and stayed away the following day as well. 

At night the air on the farm got mysteriously fragrant with flowers, though the main greens growing are bamboo and several cool fruit trees. You can chill outside at a picnic table near the bamboo, the weather mid-March (our visit of this review) is ideal, but other months are reported to be very Floridian as well. 

The quiet soft rustling of Asper bamboo on the farm is an "ear bath", cleansing for the mind, the peacefulness is serene. Just strolling through rejuvenates, the dry husk under your feet serving as mulch, the tall plants shading your head.  

The bamboo is grown for a commercial use, but the inner bushes are not sprayed, ask the owner how to get a few leaves for bamboo tea :)

Such farm is exactly what puts the goodness in the concept of "eco": it is frugal, with the luxury feelings coming from the surrounding nature. 

Multiple beautiful giant lakes nearby, one is a few minutes drive away, with swimming, fishing, pristine waters, flocks of ibises, and beach conveniences (bathrooms, equipped playground, covered patio tables and benches, mature plants give shade, a huge library, and so on). There is a shallow part where the children can play in water. Boats are offered for sale and for rent throughout the region. 

A large plaza at the center of Sebring is also a few min drive away. Try their Peru Fresh place (at the City Circle) ceviche for lunch, check out Faded (a charming restorant nested in a lush exotic garden) for a special dining experience at night. 

It is wonderful hiking the trails in the pristine parks, also a few min drive away. 

If you want to make a base in the area and explore with longer drives, Miami is 3 hours away. Also a comparable drive to Orlando Universal, to Legoland, and so on. We actually drove from Miami, there is a contrasting feel of the giant metropolitan area of Greater Miami and the tranquil Sebring spot :)

Overall, we loved it

It is a lovely secluded primitive campsite with all the advertised amenities. Very good view of the night sky for South Florida. The grass was fairly overgrown so we couldn't walk off the trails much. Ground was very dry as it hadn't rained in over a week and it was the middle of the dry season. Easily fit 4 tents at the site, 2 of which were on the raised platforms. Bugs were quite mild for a swampy South Florida location; citronella candles and the campfire did a good job of keeping them at bay. Saw some gators and spotted gar hanging at the culvert near the gate.