Punta Gorda's RV camping options sit on Florida's southwestern coast where Charlotte Harbor meets the Peace River. Most campgrounds in the region stay open year-round with average winter temperatures between 65-75°F, making it a popular snowbird destination. The area's elevation rarely exceeds 10 feet above sea level, resulting in drainage challenges during summer's frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Kayaking on the Myakka River: Bring your own kayak or rent one near Encore Ramblers Rest where you can paddle directly from the campground. "Right on the river. Very nice. It is close to Venice beach (less than 10 miles) and the town of Venice which is a awesome little town," notes one RVer who enjoyed the water access.
Antique shopping in Arcadia: Drive 25 minutes from Punta Gorda to explore numerous antique shops and historical buildings. A camper at Encore Toby's mentions, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local wildlife without leaving the property. "Lots of wildlife: birds, alligators, and rabbits," reports one camper at Harbor Lakes RV Resort, highlighting the natural encounters possible even at developed campgrounds.
What campers like
Spacious pool areas: Multiple RV parks feature well-maintained swimming facilities that serve as social hubs. At Fort Myers Beach RV Resort, a camper notes it "has a very nice smaller pool that is a great meeting place every afternoon. The people really make this place tolerable as they are so nice."
Community activities: Encore Ramblers Rest offers numerous recreation options beyond just camping. "They also have many other recreational activities like pickle ball, basketball and a billiards room. Laundry rooms are another nice amenity," writes a seasonal visitor who stayed in their 40' class A motorhome.
Convenient shopping access: Most RV parks sit within 10-15 minutes of essential services. A camper at Encore Toby's appreciated that "Walmart, restaurants and other necessary items are a short drive or you could take your golf cart."
What you should know
Mixed-use communities: Many Punta Gorda area RV parks combine short-term sites with long-term residents. "This is a park with permanent sites, transient and seasonal people, with the locals prominently making the social life active and fun," explains a winter visitor at Encore Pioneer Village.
Site drainage issues: Low elevation can create problems during rainy periods. "This campground is very wet and low, but had a good time," notes a camper at Ramblers Rest. Another adds, "When it rains frequently (summer months) the ground tends to become saturated with water. Many times we had 2" plus of standing water outside our RV."
Hurricane recovery: Several RV parks near Punta Gorda continue rebuilding from hurricane damage. At Gulf View RV Resort, a recent visitor observed, "To be fair, they are still recovering from hurricane Ian. 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."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Request sites away from busy roads when booking Punta Gorda RV parks. "It's near a major highway but we didn't hear anything," reports a visitor at Toby's RV, showing that location within the park matters for noise-sensitive campers.
Laundry planning: Many parks use card-based laundry systems requiring upfront payment. "They use the card system so you have to pay $5 just to get the card and then the minimum you can purchase is $10 so you better need to do a lot of laundry to get your $15 dollars worth," warns a camper at Fort Myers Beach RV Resort.
Emergency options: Harbor Lakes RV Resort provides reliable last-minute accommodations if travel plans change. "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," shares a relieved camper.
Tips from RVers
Site width considerations: Most RV parks Punta Gorda offers have tight spacing between units. "The sites are SO tight. Crazy tight," emphasizes a Fort Myers Beach RV Resort camper. Another visitor adds, "We couldn't even put our awning all the way out for fear it would hit the next trailer."
Reservation timing: Secure sites 3-6 months in advance for winter stays in southwest Florida. "A big contingent from Canada also has a section they call their slice of Quebec," notes a visitor at Encore Pioneer Village, highlighting the seasonal popularity with international travelers.
Navigation challenges: Expect narrow interior roads at many established RV parks. "Roads are narrow but it is manageable," advises a camper who stayed at Toby's RV Resort, suggesting that careful driving can overcome access limitations even with larger rigs.
