Port Charlotte's RV campgrounds accommodate travelers looking for full-service facilities within a short drive of Gulf Coast beaches. Local parks offer varied site types across flat terrain with concrete pads, gravel, and grass surfaces. The subtropical climate creates distinct camping conditions, with high humidity common during summer months and occasional standing water issues following heavy rainfall periods, while winter brings drier, more moderate temperatures attracting seasonal RV campers.
What to do
Kayaking on Myakka River: Encore Ramblers Rest provides direct river access for paddlers. According to one reviewer, "What I love about this property is the beautiful oak trees that shade most sites. Surrounded by pines, palms and a beautiful lake that enters the Gulf of Mexico."
Wildlife viewing: Watch for native Florida species including birds, alligators and rabbits around campground properties. A camper at Harbor Lakes noted, "Lots of wildlife: birds, alligators, and rabbits."
Antique shopping in Arcadia: Located about 30 minutes from Port Charlotte, Arcadia offers collectibles and historical architecture. As one camper at Toby's RV Resort shared, "Close to Arcadia where one can easily spend the day between the murals on many buildings to downtown where there are a ton of collectable and antique shops, including the 'haunted' Opera house as seen on ghost hunters."
What campers like
Resort-style amenities: Encore Royal Coachman offers extensive recreation options. "They have a huge pool, pickle ball, tennis, mini golf, basketball, and kayaks," notes one camper. Many parks feature heated pools and organized activities geared toward seasonal residents.
Beach proximity: Venice beaches with fossil hunting opportunities are accessible from several parks. "You're less than a mile and half from beaches, legacy bike trail and Main Street Venice, FL," reports a Royal Coachman visitor. Most Port Charlotte area campgrounds require a 10-20 minute drive to reach shorelines.
Convenient location: Encore Harbor Lakes provides easy access for travelers experiencing RV issues. One camper reported, "We wanted to use our generator for camping to test it out, but it would not start. Had to have a RV park nearby and called, and booked a site within 10 minutes."
What you should know
Mixed-use developments: Many parks combine RV sites with permanent mobile homes and seasonal residents. A visitor to Gulf View RV Resort observed, "Some of the sites are very nice and well kept and others look like they have very long term residents who don't clean up after themselves very well."
Drainage concerns: Low-lying terrain can create water problems during rainy periods. According to one visitor, "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."
Site spacing variations: Prepare for tight quarters at some locations. One Royal Coachman camper noted, "They had a pop up camper with 5 children and 4 adults, 2 cars parked next to them. The site was so tight they were miserable and left a day early."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Most parks feature swimming pools suitable for children. "The pool was really big and beautiful, the hot tub nice, and the showers very clean," reports one Harbor Lakes visitor.
Recreational activities: Toby's RV Resort provides family-friendly amenities. "There is laundry, hot tub and a heated salt water pool as well as a small pond with a gazebo to utilize on the campgrounds," according to one reviewer.
Noise considerations: Some parks experience external noise. A Waters Edge visitor warned, "This was not the place for rest with the park at the end of the runway of the Punta Gorda airport! As a retired Boeing employee I love the 737 but not all night long!"
Tips from RVers
Emergency accommodations: Harbor Lakes provides responsive service for unexpected needs. One RV traveler shared, "We wanted to use our generator for camping to test it out, but it would not start. Had to have a RV park nearby and called, and booked a site within 10 minutes."
Long-term options: Encore Pioneer Village welcomes seasonal residents. "This is a park with permanent sites, transient and seasonal people, with the locals prominently making the social life active and fun," notes one long-term visitor.
Access considerations: Navigate narrow roadways carefully. "Toby's RV is that kind of place along the highway that if you blink you're gonna miss it. Roads are narrow but it is manageable," advises one RVer.
Hookup quality: Check electrical and water connections upon arrival. Some parks have reported maintenance needs. "The electrical and water connections needed maintenance while we were there. They were very worn out," noted one camper.
