Cabins near Venice, Florida offer camping options along the Myakka River watershed at elevations typically below 15 feet above sea level. The subtropical climate means summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights rarely drop below 50°F. Most cabin sites require advance reservations during the November-April high season when occupancy rates exceed 90%.
What to do
Paddling adventures: At Little Manatee River State Park, canoe and kayak rentals provide river access with minimal current. "We really enjoyed our stay here, good size lot, #10, with electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater," notes a visitor to Little Manatee River State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The Wilderness Preserve section of Myakka River State Park requires special permits limited to 30 people daily. "We arrived at the gate! After hearing of the wilderness preserve we decided to go ahead and get the permit. You drive about a mile down the road from the main state park entrance to find the wilderness preserve entrance which is code protected. After driving back to the parking area, we realized we had the 600 acres to ourselves," reports one visitor to Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Fishing access: Camp Venice Retreat offers riverfront cabin sites with direct fishing access. "We stayed at the tent sites and they are under a nice canopy of trees with water and electric. The staff is awesome, everyone was super friendly, they had clean facilities, the nature trail was awesome to take our dog on walks down. It's located by snook haven so we got to still hear the music and walk over for drinks," shares a guest at Camp Venice Retreat.
What campers like
Private settings: Oscar Scherer State Park offers secluded cabin sites with natural buffers. "I camp alot, all over Florida. I have been hesitant about heading to Oscar Sherer. I took a last minute spot in #17. 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," reports one camper at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Authentic nature: Old Prairie Campground preserves native Florida ecosystems with minimal development. "Lovely and huge state park with a mix of prairie and forest (palm, oak with Spanish moss and other epiphytes). We stayed at Old Prairie Campground site 38 and it was a lovely spot at back of the loop. The OP campground is a bit tighter than the Palmetto campground in terms of space, but I really liked the feel of the campground and people were all friendly," shares a visitor to Old Prairie Campground.
Proximity to attractions: Most cabin locations provide quick access to both nature and urban amenities. "I'm staying in the Palmetto Ridge loop which is the only paved loop & I think the only one w/sewer. The Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers. The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic," notes a camper.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Water levels affect activities at many parks. "Checked in to site 36 and discovered some very comfortable folks letting their gear go over multiple spots. No privacy, no barriers between spots. No wifi, no AT&T. Literally 3 yards away from their open fire, which also isn't legal in these dry conditions," warns one camper about conditions at Myakka River State Park.
Wildlife considerations: Alligator encounters are common near cabins located by water bodies. "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please," cautions a guest at Palmetto Ridge.
Reservation challenges: Cabin rentals near Venice require advance planning, especially for weekend stays. "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," explains a frequent visitor to the area.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Florida state parks offer ranger-led activities for children. "Bautiful campground. Super nice people. Ranger led programs take place nightly. We actually got to see a Florida panther on one of the trails as well as a friendly family of scrub Jay's! Our 6 yo son loved that we felt safe enough that he could ride his bike around the camp ground to play with the other campers. There are play areas for the kids," shares a family who stayed at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Farm experiences: Bradenton/Hunsader Farms KOA combines camping with agricultural activities. "Stayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade," notes a visitor to Bradenton/Hunsader Farms KOA.
Trail accessibility: Evaluate hiking trails based on difficulty for children. "The park has great trails for hiking and bike riding. The campsites are nice, decently spaced. Some pull through, some back in, water and electric vary by site. Bathhouses are clean, well ventilated," reports a camper from Oscar Scherer State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose cabin sites based on proximity to facilities. "Nice park. Lots of trails. Convenient location right off of highway 41, but sites are far enough in that it's quiet. Beaches are close. Restaurants are close. Power and water, but no sewer connections at sites. There is a dump station and dumpsters near the entrance of the camping area," advises an RVer at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Utility placement awareness: Water connections at some parks are not adjacent to electric hookups. "The site was nice and private with a little leveling needed. The electric hookup is in its normal spot, but be aware that the water is in the woods on the opposite side (one pedestal feeding two sites). Make sure to bring a longer hose, or park closer to the water than electric," warns an experienced camper.
Weather considerations: Low-elevation sites can flood during heavy rains. "We stayed here in our 40' class A for about 2 months in August & September 2019 and really enjoyed the campground which is nestled amongst tall pine trees. The only complaints I have is that when it rains frequently (summer months) the ground tends to become saturated with water. Many times we had 2" plus of standing water outside of our RV," notes a visitor to Encore Ramblers Rest.
