Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Vero Beach, FL

We sold our house in West Palm Beach and relocated to Vero Beach for work, choosing to stay in our RV at this park while awaiting our new home to be built. Initially, we were excited, but the management at this park turned out to be a nightmare. Despite the reasonable and straightforward rules, we faced constant harassment. We have two dogs that we walk multiple times a day. There are no trash cans or doggy bags on the property except in the dog park, so we took the initiative to buy an outdoor trash can and a bulk supply of dog waste bags to ensure we cleaned up after our pets. Yet, we received weekly notices accusing us of not cleaning up after our dogs. Each time I went to the main office to discuss these notices, I was told to“just ignore it” as it was likely a“pesty neighbor.” Additionally, when family visited us for the day and parked at our RV slot, we received notices about parking violations. After discussing this with the office, we were advised to have our visitors park in the lot by the restaurant, which we did. Despite this, we continued to receive notices for various infractions, such as improper water hookup and not stopping completely in the neighborhood. This felt like borderline harassment. As responsible adults who strive to follow regulations, we were perplexed and frustrated by these continuous and unfounded accusations. Each time we sought clarification from the office, they dismissed our concerns, blaming"nosey neighbors" and suggesting neighborly disputes were at play. Ultimately, we were given a 30-day notice to vacate the property. This experience is particularly disappointing because we had suggested this park for our upcoming family reunion, which would have brought 47 rentals for a week. Now, I can't wait to leave this place. For anyone considering a short-term stay, this park may suffice. However, I strongly advise against bringing pets unless you want to be harassed and falsely accused. For those seeking a long-term rental, avoid this park at all costs, as you will face weekly harassment. Furthermore, we had several packages confirmed as delivered to the“receptionist/front desk,” which mysteriously went missing, apparently mishandled by the staff. Our initial excitement to be part of the Road Runner community has completely dissipated. I am eager to leave and will never return. I do not recommend this park and will be warning others. 0/10.---

Jake from the Dyrt here! Vero Beach Equestrian Club is new to the Dyrt and accepting reservations! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!

We called Vero Beach Camp the morning of our stay and they welcomed our reservation for 1 night. Beautiful shaded campground, nice swimming pool, clean and quiet. We will definitely come back. The rocket launch was scrubbed so we will try again!

This is the largest KOA in the country...It's a Great campground for families, although I didn't go with one...There is an adult only pool, and a family pool. The Shanty, a bar is right by the adult pool, with entertainment in season and mostly on weekends. I've been there many times in the past, with my TT and my Coach...The sites are mostly large enough for Big rigs...There are upgrades to deluxe sites with brick patios, barbeques, fire pits and chairs. It's a very busy place on the holidays...If you want quiet those days, I don't suggest you go there...There is also a Golf Course, Golf Cart Rental, A nice updated store, A fenced in Dog park...

The campground was clean. Our site had pavers that were in disrepair and could be a tripping hazard. The sites were roomy for our 42’ 5th wheel. Pool area appeared to be well maintained as well as the laundry. The machines required a card instead of coins. At $1.75 it was reasonable compared to other places. The configuration of the park in relation to the full time residents was odd. The campers were placed randomly in between the full time residents. We had plenty of room but we were wedged in pretty tight with the full time residents. It was ok but just have never been situated like this. You had to purchase the Wi-Fi. Don’t bother. We paid $20 for the wk and had absolutely no internet. There was a number to call and we did call them. It was a huge deal and only got one device working. They did have a huge dog park but the path to walk your dog I would never use as it had a lot of debris.

Tons to do on property including little stores, bbq restaurant, pizza, ice cream etc. Horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing. BUT, my only complaint is the noise level of the area. Lots of boat noise, gas golf carts (big property) & it just happened that my neighbors loved their gas blowers & pressure washing lol. Lots of great sites to choose from. Nice staff. Pet friendly.

Being from the area I am prepared for the weather. If you aren’t familiar with central Florida summers, which is about 11 1/2 months of the year it’s hot, humid, and loaded with bugs. We also have great wildlife. Use caution around them, especially near the water with small pets.

There is water access for boating and paddling, mountain bike trails, a nature center, and miles of hiking trail to explore. They are also pet friendly.

Really had a fantastic time at this campground, I'm typically a tent camper and had great facilities. The cost of camping in Florida isn't cheap though this one actually had the value in it given that you could also rent boats and paddle up river alongside manatees to the wild man encampment. Amazing hiking nearby, the tower to check out, even a little mini museum with reptiles. I enjoyed it so much I would go back.

We actually got a spot at RRRVR (river ranch RV resort) which is on the backside by the smoke house restaurant. It was lot 196 and it was FANTASTIC! River ranch has so much to do. Rodeos, food, putt putt, petting zoo- and tons more. A great family venue. Will definitely be back.

If you love camping, wildlife, and stargazing but still want the convenience of amenities (i.e electricity, running water, bathroom, shower) then this is the place for you.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is part of IDA International Dark-Sky Places. The park has little light pollution and also a stargazing pad where you can also camp on.

The campgrounds aren't large but the campsites are good for tents and RVs. The one site we stayed at had water and electric hook-ups and a firepit. We were close to very clean restroom area that also had showers, washer and dryer. They do have primitive campsites for the more rustic individuals. The campgrounds are about 45 minutes from town, but the ranger station sells ice for $2.50 and firewood purchase is by honor system. We also saw other campers with their dogs so pet-friendly as well.

Lots of hiking trails and so much wildlife. We saw deer grazing near our campsite!

Make sure to bring lots of mosquito repellent, especially in the summer months. Otherwise you'll get bit...a lot! But it is Florida after all.

OK, the many RV parking lots claiming to be a ‘resort’ IMHO don’t ever live up to the hype – they simply set the expectations at an all-time high and then fail to deliver, but Treasure Coast RV Resort, perfectly situated between Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie (excellent location puts it just 1 mile to both 95 and FL Turnpike) delivers in spades. 

To begin with, despite the first impressions you might have of the place given the war-torn side street you’ll have to take north to access this location and the obfuscated sign that likely will have you drive right by the entrance, once you do make your way here, you’ll be impressed as soon as you turn in. The welcome reception / manager’s office feels like a luxury resort welcoming lounge (minus being greeted by Mr. Rourke and Tatoo serving up a tropical drink with an umbrella in it). Once you get checked in, the front desk staff will ensure you are properly deluged with all sorts of local information as well as vitals on the campground itself. 

The pads you’ll be parking on are newly poured concrete and the whole place is landscaped to full effect. Behind the welcome reception is the community pool (and hot jacuzzi – bonus points!), which is pretty amazing (and also feels brand spanking new). Beyond this, the entire grounds are surrounded by a good size pond (where I believe swimming in is frowned upon). All the traditional hook-ups are offered (30/50 electrical amps, water, sewage, etc.) and amenities such as picnic tables and community grills as well as free WiFi and cable. There’s a clubhouse that has ping pong, a billiards table and a few card playing tables. The restroom / shower facilities are incredibly clean and overall excellent and there’s also a coin-operated laundr-O-mat. 

One of the best features of the property is that it is entirely gated and there’s a security gate where you’ll have to swipe to gain access. While there’s not much in the way of foliage around each of the sites (you’ll have complete visibility to your neighbors – OK, in reality, to the whole neighborhood) but aside from this, you’ll find plenty of space between you and the other RV’s here. 

Insider’s tips? While there’s a ton to see and explore within the surrounding area, I highly recommend exploring Okeechobee, Hutchinson and Jupiter Islands, Jensen Beach and for excellent kayaking, head on over to Sewall’s Point, but get there early before the crowds make it difficult to get your flotation device in the water. 

Happy Camping!

Westgate River Ranch Resort is an awesome destination with camping, skeet shooting range, rodeo, petting zoo, mini golf, swamp buggy rides, swimming, dining, lodge and much more. We were there several years ago and had a blast. The camping area is wooded with hookups. They recently renovated the whole place and I can't imagine it being better than it was. The boys loved the rodeo that was held on the weekend. They even got to participate in chasing the calf to win a prize. Would love to come back and visit again since I am a cowgirl at heart!

If you are looking for an outdoors ‘nature’ experience that is well-manicured, perfectly organized and brand-spanking new – and you find yourself in Central Florida – then look no further than Fort Pierce West KOA Holiday, which is so close to I95 (exit 129 FL70 Okeechobee Road) that you will feel (and hear) the constant SWOOSH! of passing traffic 24 hours a day. This could either make this destination just outside of Fort Piece (a.k.a The Sunrise City) a gem or nightmare, depending upon what you are looking for. 

While I’m sure the very great folks at this ‘Treasure Coast’ KOA would make room for tent campers, this destination is really geared towards those that are towing their campground living room behind them. There’s perfectly flat and evenly situated diagonal RV parking lanes with which to park your wheeled campground wherein you will enjoy traversing the entire campground on freshly poured black asphalt. Each pull-through or back-in evenly laid pebble-strewn site comes complete with a little swath of green grass, on-ground BBQ grill rings, picnic table and all the traditional hook-ups (50 / 20 / 30 electric, water and sewage). 

But wait! There’s more (and because this is a KOA, that actually means, a LOT more!): complimentary WiFi, horshoe pit, Kamp K9 dog park, cable TV, endless neon-colored outdoor tables and chairs, community firepits, corn hole, ladder ball (don’t ask me), laundr-O-mat, library, shuffleboard, group picnic areas, pickleboard as well as being satellite friendly. There’s an absolutely gorgeous (too gorgeous IMHO for any campground, but hey, it’s KOA) in-ground heated pool as well as a small ‘catch& release’ pond that you can either fish from the perimeter of or drop in a little boat/ kayak. And, just in the event that you’ve forgotten anything, this KOA has an on-site camp store that would put Disney World to shame – there’s hats, shirts, tchotchkies and all of the food and drink items you would expect. 

Insider’s tips? Here's a few: (1) There’s a lot to explore in and around Fort Pierce and a I highly recommend heading on over to Indian River Lagoon and Manatee Observation & Education Center for some excellent fishing and kayaking; (2) If you’re looking for a few restaurant recco’s – I’d steer you towards Manatee Island Bar & Grill, Sailfish Brewery and Jack & Diane’s (big nod to my hero John Cougar Mellancamp); (3) Of course, being this close to the ocean, you need to get yourself over to the beach where I would recommend a day-trip to Hutchinson Island, and if you’re toting your fishing poles with you head on over to Herman Bay for some excellent fishing and sundowners  where The Jetty Lounge is very well regarded; and (4) If you'd like to discover a really nice slice of paradise in close proximity to this KOA, then head no further than a few miles south to George Le Strange Preserve where there are a handful of really great hiking trails (all basic BTW), a very decent lake to do some decent fishing in as well as a small canoe launch.

Happy Camping!

Expect a long travel to this remote site.   It’s a couple miles of reasonably decent dirt roads to get there, after several miles of remote highways. The only designated dark sky site in Florida.   It does not disappoint for night sky viewing.   If you’re camping here, please be courteous and keep your outdoor lights to a minimum.  The night sky’s are just breathtaking.   Check www.spotthestation.nasa.gov to see if you’ll get a glimpse of the space station while your there.   Hiking/biking trails are plentiful.   Be aware that there’s a LOT of loose sand.   So even on a mountain bike you’ll have to walk now and then.   Great birding.  Crested cara cara are frequent as are flocks of turkey strolling through the campsites.   Be sure to head out the road you came in back to the first turn and take the trail to the left (as you’re leaving).   There’s a gator hole just 1/4 mile down the trail.  Nature trail is a nice hammock view.  No pets on that particular trail.   

There are 2 camp loops only the first camp loop has a bath house, which is very nice.   The equestrian camp has porta potties.  Many of those folks drive over to the bathhouse.  Even the bathhouse has outdoor red lights.

You can get a RV site through Westgate which is more of a field or through River Ranch RV Resort which has full hook-ups. We stayed on a waterfront site at River Ranch RV Resort and it was perfect! We were able to fish right off the dock at our site, there was a fit pit and grill, as well as seating outside (each site could be configured differently). At Westgate River Ranch (walking distance from our site but still got a golf cart) we went to the rodeo on Saturday night, did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull... and there was still more we could have done but ran out of time since we still wanted to relax some 🙃 If you're looking for a great site with tons of activities available River Ranch RV Resort is the place for you!

The place is gorgeous and if you want shade or sun it offers both. Quiet, relaxing, good trails that lead over to Hickory Hammock campground. Audrey is a excellent camp host.

They keep it very clean and is very helpful in showing you the campsites. It is right off the main road so no dirt road to get there though you have some road noise but you can get back away from most of it.  Lots of wildlife in the woods, nothing bothered the campsite.

There are bathrooms but no showers. They are a ways away from the campground. Its still shocking you can camp in Florida like this for free. Hope we can keep it this way for a long time.

We stayed in West Gate River Ranch for 2 nights over a weekend. The campsites are very well kept but note that they are not full hookups as they don't have sewer systems. We had to use the bathrooms and they were very clean.  This campground is unique because you are camping in a resort not a typical campground. The resort has many amenities for the family. They have a pool, air-boat rides, a rodeo (Saturdays only), petting zoo, and a fun area for kids with zip lines and other activities. Most activities are at a cost. We did the air boat ride and it was a fun experience. The restaurant is ok, is not great but it has good pulled pork. Due to COVID the place was empty which made it quiet but I bet in another time it can get crowded and loud.  Great weekend camping and great campsite for families with small kids. Bring your bikes as everything is a bit of a walk from the campground.