We all love roasting marshmallows over a campfire—and you can often still do that while cabin camping in St. James City. Cabin camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. When you're looking for a quiet location in nature, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect cabin rental.
Amenities include: Complete Hookups Picnic Tables Restrooms/Showers Laundry Ice LP Gas Pavilion available for private & public functions Beach, Golf, Shops & Dining all within walking distance NO DOGS ALLOWED. NO CREDIT CARDS. WI-FI NOT PROVIDED If you need Wi-Fi during your stay, you must supply your own hotspot. Verizon has the best coverage in our area. Please note Campfires are not permitted.
$50 - $62 / night
Stay in a tropical paradise! You'll enjoy an Encore Fort Myers RV campground with an active and friendly atmosphere. Our well-maintained grounds feature shade trees and clean facilities. A mere three miles to Fort Myers Beach pier and only five miles from the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, our Fort Myers Beach RV Resort location allows you to explore the beaches of Southwest Florida. With island hospitality and scheduled activities for your social side, there is always something to do at Fort Myers Beach RV Resort. Surrounded by the serenity of the Gulf of Mexico from sunrise to sunset, at this Fort Myers RV campground you are within walking distance to groceries, diners and shopping. Boating, shelling, fishing, golfing, island music, museums and more are at close proximity for you to enjoy. A tropical Fort Myers RV campground in Florida Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Fort Myers Beach RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
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$26 / night
The park features three campgrounds with 90 campsites. Each site is equipped with 50-amp electrical service, water, a fire ring and picnic table. The sites in Palmetto Ridge also have sewer hook-ups. A dump station is located near Old Prairie Campground. Laundry facilities are available to all campers in Old Prairie and Palmetto Ridge campgrounds. All campsites are located within 40 yards of restroom facilities with hot showers.
NOTE: Non-Potable Water
Effective May 11, 2023: Drinking water is temporarily unavailable at Myakka River State Park. Please remember to bring your own water. Bottled water is also available at no cost at the ranger station from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Sites in Old Prairie and Big Flats are dirt-based. The sites in Palmetto Ridge are gravel-based, except for four ADA paved sites adjoining restrooms. Old Prairie and Big Flats do not have vegetation buffers.
The Big Flats Campground is located near the Upper Myakka Lake, Myakka Outpost, a fishing deck and Wi-Fi.
Old Prairie and Palmetto Ridge campgrounds are located near the State Road 72 park entrance, the Myakka River, the campfire circle, a small playground and Myakka Friends Gift Shop. Well-behaved pets are welcome in these three campgrounds, up to four per site.
There are six primitive campgrounds (Mossy Hammock, Bee Island, Honore, Panther Point, Oak Grove and Prairie) located along the hiking trails for backpackers. These rustic settings provide campers with a fire pit and post to hang items. Each campground has three campsites, and a maximum of four people may be on each site. Only Bee Island, Oak Grove and Prairie have water pumps. Water at these sites is not potable; it requires boiling/chemical treatment. Other sites do not have water; you must bring your own. The terrain is primarily prairie, and dehydration is possible even on the coolest days.
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s largest parks with 37,000 acres of its own. Home to the officially designated “Wild and Scenic” Myakka River, this state park is the perfect destination for outdoor adventurers who are looking to get closer to the natural, diverse Florida wildlife.
Choose from one of over 80 campsites while Myakka State Park camping and get ready to explore!
Bring your kayak and make your way through a variety of waterways where you can spot american alligators, snook, ospreys, and countless species of birds.
Embark on one of many hiking trails to explore more of the unique environments found within Myakka River State Park. Trek to the highlands to get a look at Florida’s traditional wetlands where marshes, cypress dome trees, and grazing birds will welcome you. Go even deeper to reach the diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and vines that grow freely in the park’s protected dry prairies. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you! Short shrubs in the dry prairies allow visitors to see for miles in any direction.
You’ll also want to bring the camera atop the Canopy Walkway at Myakka River. Just a short walk from the main road, this suspension bridge provides a panoramic view of the entire park from a unique vantage point above the tree canopy. Every camper can find what they’re looking for at this Florida park.
$26 / night
Pioneer Village RV Resort is located in North Fort Myers, just off of Highway 75, approximately 25-minutes from Gulf Beaches that include the Conde' Nast Traveler Magazine Top 10 Ranked SANIBEL and CAPTIVA ISLAND. With more than 200 permanent residents and over 500 RV sites, Pioneer Village is a pet-friendly resort with our own dog park and pet stations, so you'll never have to board your lovable pooch when visiting us. We have 1 and 2-bedroom Park Models and Travel Trailers for those who don't want to bring their RV...just pack your bags and we'll take care of the rest! And, if you're looking for activities and plenty to do, we have our own Social Committee who will make sure you have as much fun as possible! Voted in 2012 as the #1 RV Resort and Modular Home Neighborhood in North Fort Myers, Pioneer Village is the perfect place for any sun seeker! At Pioneer Village RV Resort , you and your family will never have to worry about what to do, just what to do NEXT. With weekend breakfast, lunches and dinners scheduled in advance, this is one RV park in Florida where you can leave the planning to us. Fun-Filled RV Park in Florida Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Pioneer Village RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Guide
We had a great stay at this KOA (Poet and I didn’t know it) we rented the cabin on Easter weekend in 2018. Bathrooms were clean, hot tub and pool were nice. Very quiet atmosphere and an overall great campground. Plan on returning in the future.
Traveler
Very nice, lots of amenities.big pool, great hot tub. Very active community. Sites are close together but neighbors are super friendly. Very clean.
Legend
One of the better maintained KOA campgrounds. Staff really cares and willing to do whatever it takes to help you have a great stay. There is even a hot tub! Grocery store nearby, which is really convenient. Good cell service and ok wifi. Have to drive to beach but so worth it! Super beaches and amazing water.
Guide
The resort was mixed in with full timers and mobile homes. The rvs were shoved in between these homes and permanent spots. Some houses looked fairly junky. There was no security, which is the second time I’ve come across that on my travels. The pool was really big and beautiful, the hot tub nice, and the showers very clean. It is not close to the ocean (20 minutes) and was not our first choice. Probably wouldn’t return even though everyone was very friendly and kind.
LegendThis is a nice camping location…or will be when they complete renovations. They are still recovering from hurricane damage, so there was some construction and noise. The spaces are pretty tight, but not as bad as other places. And they are staggered so it feels roomier. we had a nice site with a shaded patio. Also a misquote problem! Lots of misquotes and no see-ums. But the pool, boat ramp, playground, and dog park are all open. 2 dog parks! The laundry, hot tub, and camp store are still closed. It’s close to the Big Cypress Wildlife area, and an easy drive to Everglades National Park.
GuideWhile I’m pissed is not the best time to write a review, but I’ll try to be fair.
Pool/ hot tub is nice . Shower facility was clean and decent sized. Lots of wildlife: birds, alligators, and rabbits. That’s where my positive review ends.
They wedged us into a spot between two permanent trailers which was disappointing, especially since there were open spots available.
Office hours were posted but rarely found it to be open, which was a little frustrating.
Most off putting thing was the experience I had while showering. I was finishing a nice 7-10 minute shower when guy that works for the place walks up, just outside the curtain and says, “man, you take long showers”. I can’t describe how uncomfortable and in appropriate that felt.
Traveler
Let me start by saying that I live very close to Myakka River Sate Park and it has been a place that four generations of my family have been enjoying for over 40 years. It is very large for a state park. You can spends days hiking the trails and paddling the river and lakes. The wildlife is everywhere! What would you like to see? Deer, wild hogs, alligators, birds of all kinds? You will probably see these and more at just about any time of year.
There is a nice interpretive center, picnic grounds, boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals, and a tram tour through the park. Don't miss the canopy walk. It's a great way to see a part of the park's ecosystem that we normally only see from below. You also get a great view of the park in all directions from the top of the tower. Florida is flat and views like these are hard to come by. There is also a restaurant and store where you can get pretty good food with a view of the lake. My wife wants to make sure you know you can also get ice cream at the restaurant.
There are three camping areas for tents and RVs. The two older areas are called Big Flats and Old Prairie. The sites in these areas are close to each other and there is little or no under story between them. There is water and electric at each site with clean but older bathroom facilities. Both of the campgrounds are also close to the main road with some sites backing up to the road. There is a convenient dump station inside the park but no sewer hookups in these two campgrounds.
The third and newest campground is called Palmetto Ridge. This one was obviously built primarily for large RVs with water, electric and sewer connections at every site. The bathroom facilities are more up to date and very nice. They are also not used as much by the campers because this area is mostly filled with huge motor coaches and fifth wheels that all have their own facilities and do not need to worry about their holding tanks because they have full hookups. The sites are pretty roomy and there is plenty of under story in between to keep you from feeling like you are right on top of your neighbors. There are quite a few pull trough sites in this area. They are improved gravel sites and most are very level. The sewer hookups are a little higher than you would expect. It will take some supports to keep a positive flow. If you know how much it rains here in the Summertime you will know why these must be kept above the flood stage level.
A note about rain: Florida gets a lot of rain in the Summertime. It is not uncommon to get multiple inches of rain in a very short time and this can happen almost any day between June and the end of September. The river and lake do flood and large parts of the park are in their flood plain. the Big Flats campground can be shut down because it is the closest to the lake. This is not a reason to avoid Myakka in the Summertime. We have camped there in June and August and if you find someplace cool to hangout during the day you will be rewarded with very pleasant walks and paddles with lots of wildlife to see in the mornings and evenings. Pro tip: If you are staying in the park, get up really early to see the sunrise from the top of the canopy walk.
There are two other ways to spend the night in Myakka River State Park. There are cabins available to rent and primitive camp sites in the hiking areas. The cabins have recently been rebuilt and I must admit I have not seen the new ones. We did stay in the original cabins before we got our RV and they were very nice for a family getaway. With a kitchen, bathroom and air conditioning they are a very comfortable way to spend some time in the park. The original cabins were built with palm logs by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). The CCC was a program to create jobs and improve public facilities during and after the Great Depression. Some of that construction can still be seen at one of the picnic areas in the park. There is also a monument to the CCC inside the park. Backpackers can spend a few days hiking the trails and camping at the primitive sites. Haven't done that myself since I was a kid back in the 70s but they were great trips. No noise or light pollution. On a cool, clear night the star gazing in fantastic. My wife wants me to make sure you know that she won't be at the primitive campsites but hopes you enjoy yourself and not to forget about the ice cream.
For native Sarasotans, Myakka River State Park is a beloved point of pride. Most people never leave the beach when they come here for a visit and miss what the rest of Florida looks like. It is well worth your time to spend a few nights away from the beach and see what else makes this such a special place. This is a very popular spot and the campsites and cabins book up early especially for the Winter months. Reservations can be made 11 months in advance on the reserve America website.
TravelerHidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private. They are super roomy and comfortable with their own picnic tables and grills. You can launch canoes/kayaks or book a trip on the boats in the park. If you like off-road biking there are several nice trails. Really family-friendly!
GuideExcellent for wildlife viewing in the surprisingly beautiful prairie and tropical Florida area. You can rent bikes or kayaks nearby and make sure to take a tour on the famous fan boats. Pros: wildlife, cabin option, close to towns, clean, pretty large sites, modern amenities like laundry, restaurant, gift/grocery shop on site, very shady campsites, great trails (many boardwalks), huge park, easy to get to from 75. Good mix of locals and tourists to give you more ideas of what to do while visiting. Cons: just the bugs and heat...
RangerOne of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping. There are 6 primitive campgrounds; group camping and Cabins too! We stayed at the Palmetto Ridge campground which were gravel and had the full hook ups. The old prairie and big flats were regular ground surface electric/water (no sewer) . These also had a little less privacy. You will have 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We bike with hybrid specialized bikes and had no problems off road. We were here in July. Fortunately, there is lots of shade even while hiking due to the canopy trees and this kept things cooler during in the summer. We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall. You will enjoy biking the 7 miles of paved (flat) roads in Park. There are Rivers and lakes for kayaking/canoe and we enjoyed the fishing and paddling. Great gift shop and cafe area near boat launch on lake. There is even a flat bottom boat tour on the Upper Myakka lake. The visitor center offers a lot of rentals too... from kayaks to tandem bikes. (For the die hard road bikers it is only 12.5 miles to Legacy Rail to trail). We had a blast and our video goes into more detail about the park. Be sure to visit the nearby Crowley Nature Center less than 5 miles away. (Crowley nature center is a separate video located on our YouTube channel and website)
Guide
If you live on the Gulf Coast of Florida and don’t want to travel too far, or are just traveling through the area, this campground is a nice stopover. It’s quiet and offers some nice hiking and biking trails. But after spending 3 nights camping at Oscar Scherer State Park, we come away with a mixed opinion.
These campsites are small. In fact, they are the smallest we’ve encountered in a Florida state park so far. We had just enough room for our popup camper which is approximately 20 x 10 feet plus another 10 x 8 feet with the awning extended. Some are wider but the only sites that seem longer are the pull-in sites in Section 5 which is closed.
Keys to Choosing to your Campsite at Oscar Scherer
Given that only sections, 1 through 3 are available currently, you may see that the Reserve America reservations page will show a water icon on some campsites that appear to be along the creek. But you will not see the creek from your campsite. The vegetation in the park is quite dense and certainly so in the campsites in sections 1– 3. The shade is always important when camping in Florida, especially in the summer. The description on the Reserve America website regarding shade isn’t accurate. Our site,#2, was described as ‘full shade’. Not so, I’m afraid. From about 10 am to 4 pm we baked in the Florida sun. However, our friends had site#3 next door and had shade though out the day. Even though that site enters from the east, as do all sites along the creek, they had trees the canopied over the entrance and eastern side of the site. However, sites 22– 28 do have a lot of shade and are located on the opposite side of the campground from South Creek. If we were to go back, we would stay on that side of the Oscar Scherer Park.
Be Prepared for Bugs
Oscar Scherer State Park camping requires being prepared for bugs. Perhaps due to the amount of lush vegetation all over this park, and the proximity to the South Creek, there were more bugs than we experienced at other Florida state parks. Even though we take precautions including a very effective bug spray we came home with a lot of bug bites. So, bring your best bug spray and citronella candles. They are especially a problem in the morning until the sun comes up over the trees.
To read our full review visit https://lifestyleover50.com/oscar-scherer-state-park-camping-review/
Scout
You are right on top of your neighbor. They allow permanent RVs here, some are in poor condition. There are mobile homes as “cabins”. Some of the sites are full of junk and not well maintained. There is not enough room to park vehicles so it looks like a used car lot. Behind the fence on the pool side is a construction site and trashy homes with dogs barking all night. They also allow washing your RV so you hear power washers all the time. The pool had occasional grand kids screaming and jumping in it. The staff here is friendly with the exception of the front desk clerk who is just a miserable woman. The location is good but getting in and out of here on a busy one way road can be harrowing. There is a permanent resident in her trailer who is deaf and blind and stands outside her trailer and screams, “HELLO” and “ANTHONY YOU THERE?”
GuideWhat isn't there to do at Myakka River SP. First of all, this place is huge. I think it took me about 10 minutes to drive from one end to the other, but it is full of wonderful things to do along the way. There are two entrances to the park because it is so large, but one entrance is not always open, so its important to check that online before heading over. The main entrance has a nice Welcome Center right at the front with a small store shop. There are three different loops to camp in, one is specific to tent camping and is not open year round called Big Flats Campground. Its further back in the park and surrounded by beautiful trees. The other two are tent/RV, one being very shady called Old Prairie and the other having drive through sites called Palmetto Ridge which does not have many trees for shade. There are also cabins and these are remodeled versions of the original cabins that were built back when the park first opened in the 30s.
The activities on site vary. because the park is so large, its great for long morning jogs and bike rides. The view is beautiful only the Myakka river and your bound to run into wildlife (i saw deer, gators, hogs and so many different birds)! There are also 39 miles worth of hiking trails, which all vary in distance. Some even have primitive campsites for those that enjoy backpacking. Along one of the hiking trails, is an observation desk with a canopy walkway. The tower soars 76 feet high so you have a great view of the park! There is also a pretty bird watching area for those that enjoying this activity. Even if you don't the view is amazing and a great place to sit and watch for wildlife.
The last part of the park I want to touch on is the Pink Gator restaurant/gift shop. I think it is one of the largest shops I have ever been in. The food at the cafe was wonderful! I had the chicken salad (way too good!). And they have a small Edys IceCream Parlor. This part of the park also allows access to the river, where you can canoe/kayak or what ever water sport you are into. The one thing that stood out to me is the Airboat ride. This boat hold about 30 people and takes you out on the the lake for a tour. I don't think I have ever seen an air boat that large.
The facilities were all very well taken care of as well and I cannot think of one complaint! I definitely recommend visiting this park.
RangerWe live very close to Oscar Scherer enjoy camping getaways. The sites are private fairly big, and well kept. There are no full hookups but there are 5 pull through sites. The hiking, biking, and kayaking is great. If you are visiting the area, it's a perfect location in Central Sarasota. Venice is 15 minutes south, Sarasota is 20 minutes north, the beach is 10 minutes away. There are great restaurants in the area. So if you want to getaway and never leave, there's plenty to do without leaving the park. If you want to see Sarasota County, then this a great place to.use as home base.
TravelerIt is located between Nokomis and Osprey, an urbanized area of Sarasota county, however when you enter the park, it feels like you are miles from civilization. The Legacy trail runs through the park. There is also kayak and canoe rentals.
Traveler
We had a great time at this private camp spot in their GlamPing tent . We fished all day right from our site and took advantage of the extra rentals they had , kayaks and outdoor movie. Will def be back again to stay in the converted bus!
TravelerVery pleasant , Nice shade trees . The tree canopy walk bridge is great and trails are clean. Great place to bicycle. Nice souvenir shop with small fast food shop. Giant air boat ride and canoe rentals . Gators to be seen in the river. Enjoyed the park.
LegendMyakka is not far from home and a great spot to visit for overnight trips or day trips! There are bike rentals I have taken advantage of, plenty of walking trails, and you can rent airboats.
General store on-site as well. Walk to primitive camp sites.
LegendRamblers Rest - Venice, FL: Nice facility. Mostly full time or longer term seasonal rentals. More of a mobile home community where they squeeze RVs into the spaces between mobile homes. Clean and well kept, but not the typical campground we would choose. Very tight quarters. Fulls hook-ups which was nice.
Traveler
We're beyond excited for the grand opening of Palm Breeze Luxury RV Resort and have already booked our stay for 2025! The amazing amenities, combined with the family-friendly and pet-friendly atmosphere, make it the perfect getaway for everyone. The reservations team was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the new management company is doing a fantastic job. We can't wait to experience everything this resort has to offer!
TravelerIf your looking for a weekend get away this is not the place. If you are looking for long term camper living this is the place for you. The sites dont have fire rings or bbq pits and they are very small and cramped together but what can you ask for. They do have a heated pool and are close to town since they are in the middle of it. Coin operated laundry and there is a day room
TravelerWent during the summer, half of the park was under water from unusually high levels of rains but the park itself is very quiet and out of the way. Perfect if you want to get away as cell phones don’t always work out there. They have a couple of tours you can take as well. The treetop walk was a really amazing view of the surrounding area. The dear were right out by the road not paying any attention to the people going by.
LegendWe stayed in site # 98 which was very private, we had water & electric, picnic table & fire pit. Clean restrooms, a nature center, kayak launch & kayak rentals, a small lake you can swim in and some hiking trails. There are some really nice sites #19, 17 near the lake, in our loop #86 is the biggest but you have to have 2 water hoses to reach the hook up (they just updated some things in the park they may have corrected this but not sure). There is water behind the site you can fish back there. Sites #44, 45, 50, 75, and 73 are all good.
We kayaked, swam in the lake, went to Nokomas Beach & Venice beach, Venice Rookery, it's a nice area to visit.
We did have some interesting neighbors who got thrown out after 6 hours of honking their horn & yelling crazy stuff but they escorted them out & they are not allowed back in.
Restrooms near us were small but very clean.We will go back it's a great campground.
Legend
This is kind of our go to Florida State Park as we live very close and really enjoy the hiking, biking and paddling the river and lake. We typically book last minute as“In-Season” campsites are often difficult to find. In addition, the lower campground is sometimes flooded out or closed for repairs putting even more pressure on the two campgrounds closer to the main park entrance which is further from the lake and general store.
I may have reviewed this park before but always find different things to share. Their are three main campgrounds:
(1) Old Prairie where we usually stay. This is an older campground with a more rustic, state park vibe. Maybe 20 sites typically hosting smaller trailers, vans and tents etc.
(2) Palmetto Ridge is more more or less across from Old Prairie with a more open and modern looking vibe and where you will see more of your typical RV crowd of Big Rigs and larger trailers
(3) Big Flats is about 3 miles down the road from the entrance close to Lake Myakka where the tour boat, boat ramp, general store etc is found. We have never stayed here as it has been closed for repairs, maintenance and flooding on numerous occasions. Perhaps something to consider if you are booking way in advance.
The reason Myakka is so popular to Florida visitors is it has outstanding beauty, a real Jurassic Park feel but is very near Sarasota with all the beaches, museums, restaurants and activities literally less than 1/2 hour away. Lots of people vacationing Florida on the cheap like to set up home here“in-season” and jump from site to site and stay as long as they can. Summers are much easier to find a site.
We are lucky to live so close. We are here more in the summer and swing seasons. This park makes an excellent 2 or 3 day adventure or a great Basecamp for your Florida vacation. You won’t be disappointed.
NOTE: Some of the public facilities have been closed due to COVID including the “Canopy Walk” which is very cool so you may want to check if that sort of thing interests you.
It is always interesting to me how all the Florida State Parks are a little different as the park manager seems to have some autonomy. Certain parks have public facilities closed like the Canopy Walk here at Myakka but another Florida State Park might have their observation tower open even though the structures are similar. Go figure.
ScoutI camp alot, all over Florida. I have been hesitant about heading to Oscar Sherer. I took a last minute spot in #17. Anyone who camps often in the winter of Florida months knows....spots are almost impossible to get at state parks. I have ended up in the least desirable locals to many times to count. Having said that, I would happily go back to this park again! There are tons of spaces, but lots of dense vegetation between them...so you don't get that "I am setting up in the middle of someone else's campfire" feeling.
My rig is fairly small, so space isn't an issue for me. I highly value privacy and enjoying my time outside. Lots of activities let you do that. Hiking, biking trails, canoeing, kayaking, swimming...all easily reachable. It is Florida, on the coast, so bring your mosquitoe nets and some spray, but it wasn't half as bad as other parks on the water I have been to.
Note, anything 17-20 is down a side path...and spot 20 is directly at the end (with a water view). Best of luck backing in to that one. Otherwise, my 10 ft would fit anywhere nicely.
TravelerArrived late, but Buddy led us to our spot and helped me park. Nice large concrete site. Some entertainment and food trucks on Friday night. Centrally located from Sarasota, Fort Myers and Celebration, Florida.
GuideBig campground in a beautiful park that really shows you natural Florida. Not enough privacy on each campsite, personally, but still nice. The hiking trails & the boardwalk are awesome, love the long views over the prairie and canopy.
Cabin camping near St. James City, Florida, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for nature lovers and families alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near St. James City, FL is Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
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