Tavares, Florida sits within the Harris Chain of Lakes, making it a hub for motorhome travelers seeking water-adjacent camping. The region maintains average winter temperatures around 60°F while summer brings consistent 90°F heat with afternoon thunderstorms. RV sites near Tavares typically offer 30-50 amp service with varying levels of shade protection from the intense Florida sun.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Harris provides excellent bass fishing opportunities accessible from Fisherman's Cove Golf and RV Resort. "We enjoyed taking morning and evening strolls around the grounds with our dog. We even walked to the nearby Lake Idamere park a few times. The park features a nature trail, pier, playground, and dog park," notes one visitor who stayed at the resort for two months.
Golfing access: Several campgrounds offer on-site golfing for RV travelers. "There are so many amenities and even a full golf course!" explains a reviewer at Encore Clerbrook. The same resort offers complimentary access to the first nine holes with a visit to the Pro Shop.
Kayaking and canoeing: The chain of lakes allows for multi-day exploration. "This lake is connected to a handful of other lakes where you could boat to a different town everyday," mentions a camper at Hide-A-Way Harbor RV Park. The interconnected waterways enable travelers to explore Eustis, Mount Dora, and other lakefront communities by water.
What campers like
Lake views: Many campers specifically request waterfront sites for sunrise and sunset views. "Watching the sunsets from the dock was almost the best part of the day!" shares a visitor at Hide-A-Way Harbor RV Park. The park receives consistently high ratings for its water access and views.
Central location: The region serves as an effective hub for diverse activities. "This was a great central location to visit lakes, gulf coast, springs and historic towns. Plenty of shopping nearby, whatever you could want," explains a reviewer who stayed at Encore Southern Palms for two weeks.
Swimming options: Beyond lake swimming, several parks offer unique water features. "The main attraction was the swimming pool/spring in the center. Concrete borders surrounded it and there was a grassy hill to sun on or chairs to relax in too. It had a center island with a slide and fountain to play in," describes a visitor to Wekiva Falls RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Winter months bring significant population increases to campgrounds. "This place is gargantuan and has so many roads and alleyways that I got lost navigating the place at least a couple of times," explains a winter visitor to Southern Palms RV Resort, highlighting the sheer size of operations during peak season.
Site differences: Quality varies significantly within the same campground. One camper at Fiddlers Green RV Ranch notes: "We had a wonderful time here sitting around the campfire and it is our favorite spot in Florida. You can camp with or without horses." Meanwhile, at Winter Garden RV Resort, a visitor reported: "The sites are on grass and 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."
Water quality: Some natural water features have distinctive characteristics. "The springs swimming area water has a smell of sulfur, stay upwind," advises a local camper about Wekiva Falls RV Resort, providing practical guidance about natural mineral content in the swimming areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated children's areas. "This is a bigger RV and golf resort with some 1200+ sites. The staff at the front gate were very welcoming and accommodating. The campground is family friendly but there is a big senior/retiree presence, they also have a decent playground and a fenced in Dog Park," shares a repeat visitor to Encore Clerbrook.
Swimming considerations: Natural springs offer unique swimming experiences but may not appeal to all children. "Kids still had a blast and we also hiked a little and found some sort of tower not far away. Great place to go on a hot day," notes a family that visited Wekiva Falls despite the natural sulfur smell in the water.
Downtown excursions: Winter Garden provides family-friendly walking opportunities. "We loved being close enough to ride our bikes to downtown Winter Garden. The kids enjoyed ice cream, the bike trail, and the splash pad, all while the parents enjoyed the brewing company and coffee shop," explains a family that stayed at Winter Garden RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request specific sites when booking at popular RV parks. "We were surrounded by empty sites which was probably due to the pandemic. The elite spot was very quiet, not many people around," notes a visitor who stayed at Southern Palms during off-season.
Hookup locations: Some parks have unusual utility placement. "On check-in we were given a back-in site (fine) only to find the hookups were on the WRONG side! We pulled in front first so hookup could be achieved. Minor problem but folks at check-in should have known!" explains an RVer at Encore Clerbrook.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for varying site conditions between parks. "With some skillful angling didn't need to work at leveling," shares an RVer about Encore Lake Magic's gravel back-in sites, while another notes about Fisherman's Cove: "Some sites are not perfectly level, but easily rectified."