750 acres hosted by Paul W.
83 RV/tent sites
Great for groups
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for larger groups.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Big rig-friendly
Spacious, level camping well-suited for travel trailers over 40 ft long.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Activities
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Natural features
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Ranch
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Reviews
98% Recommend381 ratings · 293 reviews
Wilderness Shores Ranch offers a unique camping experience with stunning lake views and friendly farm animals. The staff have been praised for their kindness, and the amenities, including clean bathrooms, add to the comfort of the stay. However, the proximity to a nearby gun range and frequent passing trains can be disruptive. Many guests enjoyed interacting with the animals and exploring the natural surroundings, but some found the campsites too close together, affecting privacy.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
M
Mara D.
7 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2025
Tent ·
Shoreline Tent Camping
I stayed at the Shoreline Tent Camping area at Wilderness Shores Ranch in Lakeland, FL for the weekend. The property itself is beautiful—right on the lake with stunning views and surrounded by nature. One of the best parts was the chance to interact with the friendly animals on the ranch, including long-horned cows, goats, and horses. The staff were also very welcoming and helpful throughout my stay.
However, there were a few downsides worth noting. Trains pass by very frequently at night—about once an hour—and they’re loud enough to wake you up. On top of that, there’s an active gun range nearby that was really noisy during the day, especially on the weekend. The campsites are quite close together, so there’s not much privacy. It also looked like the sites weren’t cleaned between campers—there was leftover firewood in the pit and some general debris around.
Overall, it’s a great place if you’re looking for a rustic, nature-connected experience and don’t mind the noise. Just go in knowing what to expect.
Tess H.
4 reviews
I was blown away by this operation. The staff were incredibly kind. The animals were so fun to feed. The camping spaces were clean, beautiful, and well managed. You could be in a more rustic, private area or choose a site close to the amenities/other people. It's kind of like a choose your own adventure. The bathrooms were top tier. And the nature was gorgeous. So many different birds in that area!! We felt very safe camping by the water and kayaking the lake. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.
Tip: you don't actually ride the ATVs by the way - it is actually a UTV and you are given a tour of the property. We read it differently so just tip for you if you are under the impression you will be driving it as we were.
E
Erica H.
1 year on Hipcamp
We enjoyed our stay at Wilderness Ranch! Most downsides were due to the area, not the campground.
Standard Camping Area:
Pros: Beautiful waterfront views at every site, clean bathrooms/showers, and fun access to farm animals. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful!
Cons: Sites are very close together and small. Gun range noise during the day made it hard to relax.
Primitive Camping (Back 40):
We didn’t know about this area until Day 2 but preferred it.
Pros: Spacious, on the water with fire rings and picnic tables. Even had porta potties throughout. Easy paddling access to a bird sanctuary—saw lots of wildlife, even gators!
Cons: Noise and light at night were intense—trains, traffic, cranes, and business lights made sleeping tough, even with earplugs.
Overall, beautiful spot at a reasonable price with great staff and access to animals and nature, but not ideal if you're seeking quiet or rest.
L
Luis T.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2025
20 ft travel trailer · With kids ·
Shoreline Tent Camping
The property was nice especially with all the animals. Our 2 year old love feeding them and touching them, very cool.
A
Amanda C.
2 reviews
Loved playing with all the different animals on the property. Wished that the campsites were a little further apart though, but still had a great time.
S
Steven S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
Tent · With kids ·
RV BoonDocking and Primitive Tents
Amazing site, very friendly staff. Will definitely be back!
Location
Lakeland, Polk, Florida, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Paul W.
Joined in May 2022Things to do nearby
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