Camping in Orlando, Florida
A complete guide to camping in Orlando
Photo Credit: M Haupt
Overview
Orlando sits in central Florida's lake district, better known for theme parks than camping, but the surrounding area holds a legitimate camping scene built around state parks, lakes, and the Disney property itself. Fort Wilderness Recreation Area on Disney property provides one of the most unique campground settings in the country, with tent and RV sites among cypress and pine forest connected by boat and bus to the Magic Kingdom.
Hidden River RV Park south of the city serves the RV crowd. Village Inn and RV Park adds another option along the US 192 corridor. Beyond the private campgrounds, the real camping value sits in the state parks ringing the metro. Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka (30 minutes north) has one of the best spring-fed swimming and paddling experiences in Florida, with camping in sandhill and hammock forest. The spring run is clear, 72 degrees year-round, and kayakable into the Wekiva River system.
The Orlando area's flat terrain, warm winter climate, and proximity to attractions make it a base camp destination rather than a wilderness one. Campgrounds here serve families using affordable camping as a theme park base, seasonal RV residents wintering in central Florida, and paddlers accessing the spring-fed river systems that lace through the region.
Weather & Best Seasons
Best months: October through April
Central Florida camping follows the same winter-peak pattern as the rest of the state. October through April brings comfortable temperatures in the 60s and 70s with low humidity. Summer is hot (July averages 83 degrees), humid, and punctuated by daily afternoon thunderstorms from June through September. Hurricane season runs June through November. Theme park crowds peak during school holidays regardless of weather.
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