Glamping and camping options near St. Cloud, Florida offer diverse experiences within central Florida's subtropical climate. Located in Osceola County with an average elevation of just 75 feet above sea level, the area experiences year-round warmth with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Many campgrounds feature shaded sites to combat the heat and proximity to water bodies for cooling activities.
What to Do
Wildlife viewing on airboat rides: Boggy Creek Resort & RV Park offers airboat excursions where visitors can spot native wildlife. As one visitor noted, "They have airboat rides at this location. Most sites are pull through and have pavers."
Biking trails at multiple parks: Lake Louisa State Park Campground has extensive biking opportunities. "This park has totally awesome park roads for biking, trails for mountain biking and hiking, and equestrian trails," shares a camper. "The park has 3 types of trails: park roads for biking, trails for mountain biking and hiking, and equestrian trails."
Disney character experiences: At Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, families can enjoy character meet-and-greets. "The sing along was fun. Chip and dale walk around to everyone. They ask that you don't leave your spot and they will come to you and really they do," explains one visitor.
Swimming in natural springs: Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground offers a refreshing swimming experience. "Jane, one of the park rangers informed us about the ramp for wheelchairs, and a lift into the water! The water was beautiful!" shares one happy camper.
What Campers Like
Private, spacious sites: Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground offers exceptional privacy between campsites. "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shade trees. Each site has a firepit," notes one tent camper.
Clean facilities: Cleanliness stands out at many parks. At Lake Kissimmee State Park, "Bath house is very clean and at night the lights are on timers." Similarly at Orlando/Kissimmee KOA, a visitor mentioned, "The staff is actually out and present around the campground. All are extremely friendly and helpful. The campground is very clean and tidy."
Wildlife encounters: Campers frequently mention wildlife sightings. "The park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming. Dog friendly, they provide poop bags by the dumpsters," shares a visitor to Lake Kissimmee State Park. Another camper at Lake Louisa State Park mentioned, "On one such hike, we were able to spot a bobcat in pursuit of dinner, which was a delight to see firsthand."
Pool amenities: For those seeking relief from Florida heat, Thousand Trails Orlando offers multiple swimming options. "They have 2 Pools, 1 Hot Tub, Mini Golf, Tennis Courts, Pickle Ball Courts, Shuffle Board," lists one visitor.
What You Should Know
Cell service varies widely: Connectivity can be unreliable. A Lake Kissimmee State Park visitor warned, "Cell service is practically non-existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park. Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away."
Reservation requirements: Popular parks fill quickly. At Disney's Fort Wilderness, getting preferred spots requires planning. "KOA will not assign a specific site until you arrive to checkin, however they will accept requests if you have an area in mind or friends you want to be close to," explains one Orlando/Kissimmee KOA visitor.
Seasonal crowds: State parks can become extremely busy during peak times. For Wekiwa Springs, one camper advised, "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity."
Weather impacts: Florida's frequent rain affects camping conditions. At Sherwood Forest RV Resort, a camper noted, "While you can't blame the park for the weather, recently there's been a lot of rain and rigs of all sizes are up to their rims in muck. Seems to be a draining problem as the water stands for several days."
Tips for Camping with Families
Rent golf carts at larger resorts: At Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, transportation is essential due to the size. "Rent a golf cart if you don't have one. Transportation was OK and the Tavern was very nice," recommends one visitor.
Look for kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer specialized recreation for children. A visitor to Orlando/Kissimmee KOA noted, "Very Friendly staff. Several activities possible for children eg pool, skating jumping etc. Late arrival possible. Good WiFi and laundry facilities and even a gym."
Consider glamping for family comfort: Luxury tent options provide comfort for families new to camping. "This stage park has lots to offer - great trails for hiking and biking, boat launches, fishing, or just relaxing," mentioned a Lake Louisa visitor who enjoyed their glamping experience.
Check bathroom proximity: When camping with small children, bathroom location matters. One Disney Fort Wilderness visitor shared, "Our campsite was 1709. We were walking distance to the pool, arcade, trading post, and campfire/sing along."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Maneuvering large RVs requires planning. At Disney's Fort Wilderness, one RVer warned, "There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot. There is plenty of room between your rv and your neighbor next to you but not a lot of room across from your spot."
Electrical hookup variations: Electrical service differs between parks. Lake Kissimmee State Park provides "Only 30amp hook up and no sewer, but there is a dump station. The spots are pretty level and the pads are crushed shells."
Full hookup availability: For longer stays, knowing which sites have sewer connections is crucial. "They are all full hook-ups(50Amp, water, sewer and cable). They also have deluxe cabins and tent sites available," explained an Orlando/Kissimmee KOA camper about their options.
Site surface considerations: Surface types affect leveling and comfort. "The older sites could use some resurfacing," noted a Thousand Trails Orlando visitor, highlighting the importance of researching specific site conditions before booking.
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