Campgrounds near Clermont, Florida vary from primitive locations for tent camping to full-service RV resorts with extensive amenities. The region sits at elevations between 100-300 feet, making it one of Florida's hillier areas with less swampy terrain than typical Florida landscapes. Dispersed camping options aren't widely available in this region due to land management practices, though several established campgrounds provide varying degrees of isolation and natural settings.
What to do
Boat rentals and fishing: 15-minute drive from most campsites near Clermont, Florida to access multiple lakes with ample fishing opportunities. At Lake Louisa State Park Campground, visitors enjoy multiple water access points. One camper noted, "We were easily able to roll our Kayaks to Dixie lake from our campsite. We stayed at a site in Dixie loop sites 1-30. Hammond lake was across the road from our campground."
Hiking trails: 7 miles of paths with rolling hills unlike typical Florida terrain. The trails at Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground offer a different perspective on Florida landscapes. "Wekiwa was an amazing place to camp and spend our weekend. The park offers hiking, biking, day swimming, a food grill, a canoe/kayak launch and rental, plus tons of wildlife," reports one visitor who appreciated the diverse activities.
Swimming in natural springs: 72°F year-round water temperature makes this a refreshing activity even in winter months. Visitors recommend arriving early at popular swimming spots to avoid crowds. "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity," advises a Wekiwa Springs visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds feature natural barriers between camping spots. At Magnolia Park Campground, campers appreciate the layout. "Sites are paved, with a good amount of privacy. Only complaint was our site was pretty unlevel and we had to max out our Anderson leveling blocks to get it right," notes one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening are the best times to observe local fauna. At Trimble Park Campground, campers frequently encounter wildlife near their sites. One camper described the experience: "I stayed in site 11 that was positioned so I had a magnificent view of the lake and the little gator that lived at the waters edge."
Sunsets over the lakes: Multiple camping spots offer western-facing views across water bodies. At Trimble Park, which maintains just 15 total campsites, the waterfront locations provide stellar evening views. "Beautiful, small campground with 15 campsites most of which are waterfront. I paddled my inflatable kayak around lake Carlton and the adjoining lake that has the boat ramp. I launched directly from my campsite."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: 45 days in advance for popular spots, particularly during winter months when northern visitors (snowbirds) arrive. Booking a site at Trimble Park requires careful timing. One camper explained the process: "Booking a reservation on a fairly archaic website with a non-sensical process that involves booking 45 days in advance, so you have to time the precise days you want to camp here and be the first person to reserve a spot at 12:01am on the day that those spots become available."
Site spacing and privacy: Varies significantly between campgrounds. While some offer spacious, secluded sites, others place campers in close proximity. A visitor to Thousand Trails Orlando noted, "Sites are close together. In a few rows, you share the yard patch with another camper, and the pie is small."
Wildlife precautions: Alligators present in most water bodies, requiring vigilance with children and pets near shorelines. At Trimble Park, campers are advised to exercise caution. "Just a note of caution: Keep animals away from the water's edge. We only saw baby gators right off the water's edge, but never any longer than your arm the entire time we were there."
Tips for camping with families
Theme park proximity: 15-30 minutes from Disney and other attractions makes camping a cost-effective alternative to hotels. Many families choose Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for this reason. "We really felt like I was at a campground and not at a Disney resort. The sites are super private, but the lake view makes it totally worth it," writes one camper who balanced natural settings with theme park access.
Rental options: Cabins and glamping tents available for families without camping equipment. These alternatives provide comfort while maintaining the outdoor experience. "We opted for the cabin option during our stay at Lake Louisa and we were very happy with the choice. Cabin was fully furnished and very clean. There was a lot of indoor and outdoor eating space meaning family gathered at our place, which was great!"
Recreation for kids: Free swimming areas and playgrounds at most established campgrounds. At Hideout at The Green Swamp!, one camper appreciated the simpler environment: "If your looking for a place where your free to set your tent wherever in the woods, this place is to go. It's definitely a nice place to go for some solitude and relaxation in your tent."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request spots away from highways to minimize road noise at campgrounds near major routes. RVers staying at Thousand Trails Orlando recommend researching specific sections. "They have many sections. A- Lots of pull throughs, B- Giant Field where the kids play, D- Jungle, Secluded, Private, also with snakes but a lot more shade, E/F/G- Normal RV Park in the grass, some shade in some parts."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require blocks or leveling systems due to uneven terrain. One RVer at Fort Wilderness described the situation: "Our neighbor across from us had to move his truck and several neighbors were helping direct us into our spot. Everyone we spoke with complained about the lack of space to get a big rv into these spot."
Water and electric hookups: Available at most developed campgrounds, but sewer connections limited at county parks. Full hookup information isn't always clear in reservation systems. A camper at Lake Louisa noted: "Reserve America does not note which ones have sewer too but when I did some more research I found one review that mentioned that site #'s 16,18,20, 30, 32,33, 34 (ADA), 35,36 (ADA), 37,38,39, &40 are the sites that have sewer too."
