Cabin options near Placida, Florida center around five coastal waterways including the Myakka River, South Creek, and Charlotte Harbor. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-75°F while summer months see 75-95°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through September. The region's low elevation (under 10 feet above sea level) makes some camping areas prone to standing water during rainy periods.
What to do
Trail hiking near Venice: At Oscar Scherer State Park Campground, miles of trails provide walking and biking options. "There are several hiking trails but we did not use due to weather being too hot," notes one visitor, while another adds, "The park has great trails for hiking and bike riding."
Kayaking the Myakka: Launch directly from Camp Venice Retreat for paddling adventures. A camper explains, "Easy river access. Paddle the Myakka River in both directions. Plenty of wildlife - and gaters!" Another visitor mentions, "You can launch you kayak or canoe right from your spot."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers abundant animal sightings. "We saw (from a distance) a bald eagle's nest, as well as two juvenile eagles fighting in flight - both from the trails," reports one camper at Oscar Scherer State Park. Another visitor mentions, "Tons of gators, birds, deer etc."
Swimming in heated pools: Several cabin campgrounds maintain year-round swimming options. "The pool was really big and beautiful, the hot tub nice," notes one visitor about Harbor Lakes. Another camper shared, "Pool was great, neighbors were friendly and very helpful."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Natural vegetation creates separation at certain campgrounds. One camper at Palmetto Ridge Campground described, "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." At Oscar Scherer, a camper noted, "Most sites are surrounded by greenery so you are buffered from your neighbor."
Clean shower facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in reviews. "Bathrooms were very clean! There were sinks for dish washing as well," reports one Oscar Scherer visitor. A camper at Camp Venice Retreat mentions, "Clean showers and bathrooms."
Fishing access: Direct water access for fishing appears at multiple locations. A visitor at The Bohemian Hideaway shared, "We fished all day right from our site and took advantage of the extra rentals they had, kayaks and outdoor movie."
Connected trail systems: The Legacy Trail provides extended biking opportunities. "Park is located about half way on 10 mile paved multi use trail-Legacy trail. This was a great trail for biking," explains one visitor. Another mentions, "If you cycle the Legacy Trail built on an old railway doesn't offer much contour as it is pretty much a strait shot but runs from Sarasota to Venice."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Florida heat impacts activities. "There are several hiking trails but we did not use due to weather being too hot," mentions one camper. Another notes, "We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall."
Standing water issues: Some sites experience drainage problems. At Encore Ramblers Rest, a camper reported, "The only complaints I have is that when it rains frequently (summer months) the ground tends to become saturated with water. Many times we had 2" plus of standing water outside of our RV."
Wildlife precautions: Alligators are common in waterways. "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," warns a Palmetto Ridge visitor. Another camper notes, "My husband also stepped on a snake on the South Creek Nature Trail, so keep your eyes open!"
Insect management: Biting insects can be problematic, especially at sunset. "No one sits out once the sun starts to set," says one camper at Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA. Another advises, "Bring your bug spray. Lots of mosquitos."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for kids: Swimming options vary by season. A visitor at Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA notes, "Almost everything inside the campground closes 8pm including the pool and the office and the laundry." Another camper mentioned, "The pool was awesome. Everything was clean."
Protected biking areas: Traffic-free riding opportunities exist. "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," shares an Oscar Scherer visitor. Another mentions, "There are play areas for the kids."
Educational ranger programs: Some parks offer guided activities. "Ranger led programs take place nightly," reports an Oscar Scherer camper. "We actually got to see a Florida panther on one of the trails as well as a friendly family of scrub Jay's!"
Cabin selection strategy: Not all cabin accommodations are equal. One visitor to the Cozy Little Glamping Shack recommends asking specifically about shower access and electricity, as these vary by location and may not be attached to the unit.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Spaces vary significantly between campgrounds. At Palmetto Ridge, "The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic," while at other locations like Pine Island KOA, "The spaces are very tight."
Electric hookup locations: Some sites have unusual utility placements. One camper notes, "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."
Leveling requirements: Ground conditions affect setup. "The site was nice and private with a little leveling needed," mentions one camper. At another location, "Gravel sites but pretty level. My site was 50 amp."
Traffic patterns: Campground layouts impact navigation. "One lane roads with 2 way traffic. If you have a big rig, it will be tight," warns an Encore Ramblers Rest visitor.
