Glamping opportunities near Tavares, Florida offer varied accommodations throughout the Ocala National Forest region, where the rolling terrain reaches elevations of 100-200 feet above sea level. The subtropical climate maintains warm temperatures year-round with high humidity during summer months and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through September. Most luxury camping options in this region sit within a 30-minute drive from Tavares's downtown area.
What to do
Kayaking on natural waterways: Silver Springs State Park Campground provides access to one of Florida's largest artesian springs where visitors can paddle through crystal-clear waters. "Kayaking here is awesome. Try not to go during a tourist time," advises one camper at Silver Springs State Park Campground.
Glass-bottom boat excursions: Experience underwater views without getting wet at Silver Springs where professional guides highlight underwater features. "The glass bottom boat tour is an absolute must, we had such a wonderful time and the boat captain had lots of interesting information," notes a visitor who brought children ages 4 and 10.
Hiking through diverse habitats: Lake Waldena Resort offers trails that showcase Florida's unique ecosystems with opportunities for wildlife viewing. "We had sandhill cranes roaming around the campground who visited once in a while. The site itself was wonderful! We enjoyed the view & sunset every night," reports a recent guest at Lake Waldena Resort.
Biking on paved pathways: Lake Louisa State Park features winding roadways perfect for cycling with minimal traffic. According to a visitor, "This park has totally awesome park roads for biking, trails for mountain biking and hiking, and equestrian trails."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers frequently mention the generous spacing between sites at Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground. "Our site, 2, was a handicapped one, and beautiful. Restrooms directly behind us. Beautiful tall shady trees. A very clean park," writes a reviewer at Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground.
Accessibility features: Multiple parks offer accommodations for visitors with mobility concerns. At Wekiwa Springs, a camper appreciated that "Jane, one of the park rangers informed us about the ramp for wheelchairs, and a lift into the water! She was so helpful."
Family-friendly amenities: Orlando/Kissimmee KOA provides specialized tent sites with unexpected comforts. "Large tables, chairs around the fire pit and covered kitchen area with sinks and electrical outlets. These are located next to the shower and bath rooms, this makes it very convenient," notes a camper at Orlando/Kissimmee KOA.
Complimentary water equipment: Some resorts include access to boats without additional fees. A Lake Waldena visitor mentioned, "The boats & kayaks are free for campers. You just have to sign one out at the office."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Wekiwa Springs fills quickly, especially during warm months. "We're staying at the family campground as the primitive was full, so word of advice, book well in advance," suggests a camper.
Entrance capacity limits: Some parks close once they reach maximum capacity. "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity," warns a Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground visitor.
Variable site conditions: While many campgrounds maintain consistent site quality, others have notable differences. At Thousand Trails Orlando, a reviewer observed, "All in all it's a great location for visiting all the local attractions. The older sections are hit and miss as to what the site looks like."
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality of restrooms can differ substantially between parks. A Lake Waldena visitor noted, "The reason only 4 stars? The bathrooms were awful! They need an update, a paint job, something."
Tips for camping with families
Schedule for lower crowds: Time your visit to avoid peak periods when possible. "Wekiwa was an amazing place to camp and spend our weekend. However, a weekday is best to visit the spring and river. On the weekend there were tons of people in the park," advises a visitor.
Look for organized activities: Some parks offer scheduled events for children. At Lake Louisa State Park Campground, "depending on where you are in Orlando, Lake Louisa State Park is less than a half hour away for most. During our stay, they were holding a triathlon the weekend we were to leave."
Consider alternative accommodations: Many parks offer cabin options for families wanting glamping comforts. "Lake Louisa is located in Clermont Florida and is only 20 miles from Disney in Orlando. This park is one of our many Trifecta parks, meaning we can hike, bike and kayak," notes one visitor.
Check accessibility options: Parks vary in how they accommodate visitors with mobility needs. A Wekiwa Springs visitor appreciated that when "ready to leave, go to the concession stand and they will radio her, that she would take me back to our site."
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Some campgrounds have limited space for maneuvering larger vehicles. "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," explains a camper at Fort Wilderness.
Utility connections: Power options vary between parks and sites. At Lake Louisa, "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."
Rental equipment: Consider renting transportation inside larger resorts. A Fort Wilderness visitor recommends, "Rent a golf cart if you don't have one. Transportation was OK and the Tavern was very nice."
