Orlando, Florida, is home to world-renowned attractions like Seaworld, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World Resort. The city has an enormous convention center and numerous museums. Nature enthusiasts spend their time hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Orlando is a popular destination for casual tourists and avid campers alike, but too few consider the benefits of traveling by RV. Staying at one of the RV campgrounds in Orlando, FL is a great way to ensure a memorable trip without draining your budget. These campgrounds give you easy access to your favorite vacation spots along with all the comfort of a home away from home. On your next trip, check out these eight hidden gem campgrounds in Orlando.
Top Campgrounds in Orlando, FL
Campgrounds are an excellent alternative to the overpriced hotels of Orlando. If you find the right spot, you could score a booking minutes away from Disney World for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room. The most popular RV campgrounds fill up quickly, so it pays to check out the lesser-known campsites.
Orlando is full of beautiful yet overlooked RV parks. These parks are a far cry from the simple tent campgrounds of yesteryear. The best RV campgrounds in Orlando come with dedicated RV parking spots, family-friendly activities, and on-site amenities like laundry facilities and Wi-Fi. Your campsite should be more than just a place to park your vehicle. It should be a fun part of your vacation. The following sites showcase Florida's finest vacation opportunities.
1. Moss Park
Moss Park is an enormous campground with both tent and RV camping options. It includes a mixture of group sites, handicap sites, and pavilion rentals. The park features electricity, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. The family sites permit a maximum of 18 people, which makes them perfect for big family gatherings. Thanks to the trees and the large amount of space, each individual campsite offers plenty of privacy.
The park is located 25 miles from downtown Orlando. So, you can easily take day trips into the city. The campsite is adjacent to Lake Mary, and campers are free to use the boat ramps. After a long day of exploring Orlando, you can relax with a boat outing on the peaceful lake.
2. Hidden River RV Park
Hidden River RV Park lives up to its name. This park is small, quiet, and well-shaded by a grove of oak trees. Despite being located near several major highways, the park remains a precious secret tucked into the bustle of Orlando's metropolitan area. A 30-minute drive will take you to the Kennedy Space Center or one of Florida's sunny beaches.
The park includes many amenities. There are coin-operated washers and dryers on site. Security cameras ensure the safety of all guests. Pets are welcome, and there's no extra charge for a single pet. Full RV hookups, including sewer and water hookups, are available. You can even get complimentary assistance from the park employees to help you set up your RV and connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Floridian Sandalwood
The Floridian Sandalwood community blends the protection of a gated community with the freedom of a classic RV park. The site has tent camping spaces and large manufactured homes suitable for families. The parking lots can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. The whole community functions like a small town, complete with a recreation hall, laundry facilities, and a library. Children will be delighted by the playground, while their parents will enjoy the tennis court and billiards room.
During summer, you can cool off with a fishing trip to nearby Lake Tohopekaliga or a swim in one of the on-site pools. In the winter, try soaking in the hot tub or throwing a party in the recreation hall. You don't need to worry about missing the fall football season because Floridian Sandalwood has its own TV room. If you fall in love with the area, there's good news: several of the manufactured homes are available for purchase. You can turn your favorite vacation spot into a permanent second home.
4. Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA Journey
KOA (Kampgrounds of America) is one of the largest and most popular campground systems in the world. Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA Journey lives up to the hype. It has a dog park, shuffleboard courts, a heated pool, and a playground for children. The pool is open year-round, and campers can stay for a maximum of six months.
The price of camping at Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA varies depending on the number of people and the type of RV, but an overnight stay can cost as little as $70. Cable TV and Wi-Fi are free to all guests. The campground is mere minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios. That is, you can take your dream trip to Disney World without spending hundreds on a hotel room. It's also within easy driving distance of the city of Mount Dora, where you can go shopping or grab dinner at a local restaurant.
5. Bill Frederick Park
Bill Frederick Park is a sprawling 183-acre park with cabins, RV sites, and a dedicated drone flying area. It is located next to Turkey Lake, which has boat rentals and a fishing pier. Locals consider Turkey Lake one of the best fishing lakes in Florida. The park is especially popular with nature lovers because of its beautiful scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities. Visitors can also go hiking, have a picnic, or rent an outdoor pavilion.
Bill Frederick Park is a good choice for large groups traveling on a budget. The entry fees for Bill Frederick Park are $5 per car or, in the case of buses, $1 per person. Orange County Schools can even get a transportation grant for field trips. The park often hosts festivals and fundraiser walks. So, no matter when you visit, you'll have something fun to do.
6. East Toho RV Resort and Marina
If you're looking for authentic natural beauty, East Toho RV Resort and Marina is the perfect choice. The resort is situated within a nature preserve full of birds, fish, and other wildlife. Some people enjoy bass fishing in the clear waters of Lake Tohopekaliga. Others prefer visiting the Gatorland theme park to see Florida's famous alligators. If your favorite animal is your dog, don't worry: East Toho Resort is pet-friendly.
The RV parking sites stay comfortable even in the heat of summer, thanks to the shade provided by old Florida oak trees. Large RVs can park in the paved pull-through "supersites." On-site convenience stores allow you to stock up on food and other necessities. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to get fresh local produce from the nearby Kissimmee Valley Farmers Market.
7. Thousand Trails Orlando
Thousand Trails Orlando RV Campground caters to families with year-round entertainment. Parents can keep their children busy by signing them up for educational activities taught by the park's staff. During the summer, campers can enter the #100DaysofCamping photo contest to win a grand prize.
RV hookup sites provide water, sewer, and electricity. The standard electricity service is 30 amp, but 50 amp is available upon request at check-in. The sites can fit RVs up to 45 feet long. Pets are allowed in the campground with a $10 fee. Once your RV is parked and your family is settled, take a walk along the nearby beach or visit a theme park in downtown Orlando.
8. Encore Sherwood Forest
For a comfortable RV resort just four miles away from Disney World, look no further than Encore Sherwood Forest. The resort is located in the city of Kissimmee, south of Orlando. It is 12 miles from Universal Studios and within 10 miles of the Kissimmee Shopping Center. It has 531 campsites, including 457 that offer full RV hookups.
Once you're done with your shopping, return to Encore Sherwood Forest for concerts, dance lessons, board game nights, and more. The resort is open year-round and features a steady stream of events. You can get a drink at the tiki bar or check out what's happening at the clubhouse. Children can keep themselves entertained at the playground and swimming pool.
Enjoy Orlando Camping with a Cruise America RV
Whether you are an experienced RV camper or have just begun exploring the RV lifestyle, Cruise America can help you. Cruise America is an employee-owned RV company with over 100 locations all over the U.S. and Canada. You can buy a Cruise America vehicle with repair coverage or rent a camping RV for your next road trip.
Cruise America was founded by RV travel enthusiasts. The company seeks to spread its love of camping by providing up-to-date information about the best RV campgrounds. This guide has given you a good overview of campgrounds in Orlando, FL, but there are plenty more places to explore. Get inspiration for your next trip on the Cruise America blog. Then, book your stay and get ready for adventure.
