The best forest glamping in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida follows the Gulf of Mexico and blends with the Everglades—but the scenery doesn’t stop there. The region includes state parks, state forests, and a whole lot of beaches. Hikers will love the trails at Picayune Strand State Forest, which come just before Big Cypress. Meanwhile, the coastal tranquility of Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve offers campers the ultimate opportunity to unwind. Just like Southwest Florida’s landscapes, campsites come with variety. Park your RV, unlock your cabin, or take out your tent—campgrounds in Southwest Florida are ready for check-in.

98% (409)

Top-rated campgrounds

Southwest Florida follows the Gulf of Mexico and blends with the Everglades—but the scenery doesn’t stop there. The region includes state parks, state forests, and a whole lot of beaches. Hikers will love the trails at Picayune Strand State Forest, which come just before Big Cypress. Meanwhile, the coastal tranquility of Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve offers campers the ultimate opportunity to unwind. Just like Southwest Florida’s landscapes, campsites come with variety. Park your RV, unlock your cabin, or take out your tent—campgrounds in Southwest Florida are ready for check-in.

98% (409)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. J and P Creekside Retreat

99%

(296)

8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Punta Gorda, FL

Nestled on an sprawling 16.8-acre expanse along the picturesque Shell Creek, our location is a haven for nature enthusiasts. The property is adorned with a lush canopy of diverse trees, showcasing an array of Oak, Hickory, Cypress, Pine, and Sable palms. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of our surroundings as you embark on a journey to boat, swim, and fish amidst the stunning natural beauty of Charlotte County, Florida. The waters of Shell Creek beckon you to explore its depths, while the vibrant native wildlife adds to the allure of our idyllic setting. Whether you're seeking a serene kayaking adventure or a leisurely paddleboarding excursion, we offer rentals to enhance your experience on the water. Discover the enchanting landscapes and rich biodiversity that define Charlotte County. From the rustling leaves of the Oak and Hickory trees to the graceful Cypress and Pine, our property is a testament to the beauty of Florida's natural habitat. Sable palms sway gently in the breeze, creating a soothing atmosphere that invites you to unwind and connect with the great outdoors. Indulge in the ultimate escape as you partake in the various activities our location has to offer. Whether you prefer a day of boating on Shell Creek, casting a line for a relaxing fishing session, or simply basking in the beauty of the surroundings, our 16.8-acre haven provides a perfect retreat. Experience the best of Charlotte County, Florida, where every moment is an opportunity to embrace the wonders of nature. Come and create lasting memories as you revel in the tranquility, adventure, and natural splendor our location has in abundance.

2. Tres Lagos Farm & Garden

92%

(188)

8 sites · RVs, Lodging · North Fort Myers, FL

Tres Lagos Camping is part of the Florida agritourism initiative. Where travelers from all over the world come to experience and enjoy a different kind of florida. We’re a small 5 acre family farm involved in the cultivation and preservation of rare and endangered palms with many other edible tropical plants for our visitors to enjoy. You can view our palms at all stages of growth from seed to maturity. Enjoy our U-pick varieties of mangos, Caribbean cherries, sugar cane, bananas, coconuts and we’re adding more all the time. There is even a sugarcane maze and bamboo gardens in progress for the kids and adults to enjoy. But don’t forget your veggies! Get up close and personal with where some of your medicines and vegetables come from. We have some small areas for education about different medicinal plants like Turmeric, ginger, saw palmetto and a few others. Take the tours or classes or just sit back and enjoy the view! Hope to see you soon.

3. N N Farms

98%

(22)

1 site · Lodging · Arcadia, FL

Fun off grid spirited tiny house. A 5 acre farm with Private 1 acre separate with a tiny house and pond. Nestled up next to our farm with plenty of farm animals to admire! We provide chicken, fish and goat feed for your fun. We have an outdoors area with loads of games. Bring your firewood and marshmallows! Close to Myakka State Park, 45 minutes to many beaches. Small town charm in Arcadia Florida, known for its quaint antique shops. We have a TV with a Firestick and DVD player complete with plenty of dvd’s.

4. Hidden Oak Hideaway Treehouse

100%

(1)

1 site · Lodging · Arcadia, FL

Imagine a tranquil retreat that blends nature, simplicity, and comfort. Picture a cozy 100 sq. ft. treehouse—completely off-grid and equipped with a generator-powered AC. The loft area features a plush queen-size bed, while the living space downstairs includes a single futon couch and a charming coffee bar accented with macramé, hanging chairs, and a large picture window overlooking the deer and other wildlife that wander by. This serene escape invites you to reconnect with nature and disconnect from the digital world, with no TV or Wi-Fi to distract you. Unwind in the cozy seating areas inside or on the front deck. You’ll also enjoy the outdoor shower, composting toilet, and cooking area beneath the treehouse equipped with a single one burner propane stove. As this retreat continues to grow, exciting additions are on the horizon: Coming Winter 2026 — a ½-acre, three-pond oasis featuring two swimming ponds, waterfalls, a lazy river, short nature trails, farm-fresh free-range eggs, homegrown fruits and vegetables (depending on availability), an outdoor massage space, a 200 ft. zip line, and much more! Save this spot to your favorites—each year brings something new to enjoy!

Public campgrounds in and near Southwest Florida

The secluded beaches on the north side of the island can be reached by bike.

100%

(9)

Cayo Costa Primitive Campground

39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cayo Costa State Park

Stories from the community

A

Art

6 days ago

2 nights at N N Farms

Kelli’s land truly exceeded my expectations. What stood out the most was how peaceful and spacious everything felt. The little house and the entire property have beautiful details that reflect so much love in every corner. Each outdoor space welcomed me with a deep sense of peace, connection to nature, and the silence I was looking for. Kelli was incredibly kind and attentive, always checking in to make sure we had everything we needed and that we were comfortable. And the fresh eggs she brought us were absolutely delicious. If you’re seeking a serene, nature-filled place with a thoughtful and caring host, this is the perfect spot.

D

Dalton Remodeling

2 weeks ago

With kids

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

What an amazing experience. Hesitant to leave a review because this place is going to stay booked and I want to come back often! Best host ever, a frame was cozy and relaxed, great stargazing and fun for my 5 year olds first of camping experiences. We did kayaks, jumped on the trampoline, roasted marshmallows hot dogs and told campfire stories. Also had some great conversations with the host, great human.

A

Allie

3 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

What a fabulous experience. The cabin is cute and cozy, and the host is very accommodating and hospitable. We would certainly stay here again and we recommend it to others.

Alexa

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Hidden Oak Hideaway Treehouse

My boyfriend and I stayed at Hidden Oak Hideaway on Halloween weekend this year, and it was magical! Jessica is an amazing host, and so responsive and helpful. The attention to detail in this place is unmatched, from the coffee/tea setup, to the fully stocked kitchen area, to the cozy bed with a fan included, Jessica put so much effort into making this place comfortable. The decor inside is beautiful and aesthetically appealing to say the least. It was a wonderful getaway and I would love to go back someday. Thanks again Jessica and Donny!

Pavel

October 2025

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

The place is amazing Beautiful cabin with a lot of small details to make stay comfortable. Thank you!!!

S

Shannon

October 2025

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

such a relaxing beautiful cabin with amazing hosts!

A

Alison

October 2025

With kids

2 nights at J and P Creekside Retreat

My family and I recently stayed at the tranquil A-Frame Cottage at Cypress Edge and LOVED it! The raving reviews are true, this place is a gem! From the wonderful hosts John and Patty, to the serene property, eclectic amenities, and thought out touches included in your stay at the cottage, we could not have been more pleased. Everyone was so nice, and the cottage was more than we could have hoped for and most certainly spoiled us for the weekend. We enjoyed the cold AC, ice maker, water machine, CLEAN cottage and bathroom, comfortable beds, fire pit and grill, chairs, hammock, seriously everything you need to make your stay easy, and enjoyable. I HIGHLY recommend this HIPCAMP property.

J

Jamie

October 2025

With pets

1 night at Tres Lagos Farm & Garden

Super cute little vintage camper! Their assortment of trees are beautiful and you MUST get a bottle of the cherry juice that they offer! Definitely bring some gallons of water because the well water smells like eggs. The pool is refreshing and the quietness is super pleasant 🌴 🧘🏼‍♀️

I

Ivan

September 2025

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

I really enjoyed my stay at J & P Creekside. The cabin was awesome, very clean, and had all the amenities we needed. A proper shower would have been nice, but they did have an open shower, which worked fine. The host, John, was very welcoming and made me feel like home. He went over and above to make sure everything was comfortable, which I really appreciated. This time I came mainly for my son’s cross-country event, so I couldn’t explore or enjoy much of the activities around. Hopefully, when I visit again, I’ll definitely try kayaking and some of the other things I missed. The stream by the cabin was beautiful and peaceful — overall, a very good experience, and I’d love to come back again.

Z

Zfiguero

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

It was amazing!!! The A frame cabin is gorgeous. The hospitality was out of this world John and he son were so kind to us and there to help. The place is beautiful. So much to do!!!

I

Ilana

August 2025

Weekend Trip to N N Farms

We had a fantastic time staying at this lovely tony house as our base for a weekend of camping and adventures. We loved that we could enjoy the wilderness during the day and return to exactly what we needed to relax after a long day outdoors. A wonderful firepit and beautiful sunsets. The property was clean, comfortable, and the host Kelli was easy to communicate with. Lots of privacy. We had a blast feeding the goats in the property. I would highly recommend staying here. I surely will be on my next trip to Arcadia!

V

Victoria

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

We had a blast staying on John's property for my birthday weekend! The A-frame cabin comfortably fit my husband and I along with our 3 littles (11, 3 and 1). The outdoor shower was our favorite along with the docks for fishing. The property itself was absolutely beautiful, quiet and serene, and there was so much for us to do. We didn't get a chance to take out the kayaks and paddleboards but are hoping to come back in a few months if and when it cools down a bit. :)

A

Adriana

July 2025

With kids

1 night at J and P Creekside Retreat

High level camping. I loved it and adored it. It was like a little house straight out of a movie, with everything I needed. I'd definitely want to go back.

Adam

July 2025

1 night at J and P Creekside Retreat

The A frame was adorable and comfortable. Great for easy low stress light gear glamping.

L

Luz

July 2025

3 nights at J and P Creekside Retreat

Very clean and tranquil. John was a wonderful host.

C

Cliff

July 2025

With pets

2 nights at J and P Creekside Retreat

The property is beautiful. Not a blade of grass out of place. Camping areas were clean, with easy access. Power was readily available. Individual sites are secluded and afford privacy. It’s on the river so you can swim or kayak. The host John, was friendly and accommodating. It’s very affordable and we would definitely stay there again.

B

Brittany

July 2025

With pets

1 night at Tres Lagos Farm & Garden

The property was nice and peaceful, many trees, we seen a baby gator. The camper was nice, dont let the outside fool you. It’s an older style camper. Many people on here complaining about bugs and how the property looked, but keep in mind you are camping at someone’s house and they have children. We are in southwest Florida so bugs and fire ants are expected. George was very responsive with questions. Thanks for allowing us to share your property for a night away

J

Jennifer

July 2025

Weekend Trip to J and P Creekside Retreat

Quiet, nice space between fellow campers. Cabin was very cute, clean and well stocked with a comfy bed. So nice to be right on the river. John and his son (and dogs!) were friendly and attentive. Great spot, I’d definitely come back!

M

Mary

July 2025

1 night at J and P Creekside Retreat

The site was very scenic and serene and we enjoyed the quiet very much. The cabin had a lot of charming qualities to it.

J

Joe

June 2025

1 night at J and P Creekside Retreat

A frame cabin is a super cozy! Had a great time getting away and kayaking on the creek too. Great hospitality

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

100%

(9)

Cayo Costa State Park

Dunedin, Florida

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best forest glamping in Southwest Florida guide

Where to go

Everglades National Park

If you’re looking to hike or cross a national park off your list, you can’t miss the Everglades. The park occupies mainland Florida’s southernmost region, but is easily accessible from the state’s West Coast. Throughout the park, campers can discover more than 30 species of orchids—not to mention various plants, ecosystems, and birds. Lace up your hiking boots, but don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers.

Myakka River State Park

Characterized by live oaks, Florida’s trademark palm trees, and a river of the same name, Myakka River State Park offers a change of pace and scenery from the Everglades. If you’re a birdwatcher, meander along the birdwalk and keep your eyes peeled for soaring osprey and sunbathing gators. And don’t discount the river itself. You can fish, kayak, and canoe in the Myakka River—and embrace the wonders of Florida’s wetlands.

Along The Gulf Coast

If you’d rather keep close to the coast, Southwest Florida’s beaches follow the Gulf of Mexico and range in both style and scenery. Try the beaches near Naples for a camping getaway that offers access to golf courses, boutiques, and museums. Or, embrace the island life altogether and explore Marco Island, Sanibel Island, or Gasparilla Island. Pitch your tent, park your RV, and settle into your campsite. The water is calling.

When to go

The best time to visit Southwest Florida depends on the nature of your trip. If you want to hike, especially in the Everglades, come during the dry season, from December to March. Not only will the weather cooperate, but you’ll also camp within the window for prime wildlife spotting. If you’d rather improve your chances to see sea turtles, however, camp during the nesting period between May and October.