The best camping near Myakka River State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Myakka River State Park adventure.

96% (13 reviews)

You're almost guaranteed to see some alligators in this wild ecosystem.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Myakka River State Park

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Myakka River State Park

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Palmetto Ridge Campground

38 sites · RVs, Tents In Myakka River State Park

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Myakka River Cabins

5 sites In Myakka River State Park

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(6)

Big Flats Campground

24 sites · RVs, Tents In Myakka River State Park

Panoramic from the canopy overlook! Don't miss this!

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Old Prairie Campground

19 sites · RVs, Tents In Myakka River State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Myakka River State Park

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J and P Creekside Retreat

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · 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.

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By the Pond...

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Ruskin, FL

Stay by a lovely pond on 33 acre fruit and ornamental tree nursery property with great vibes. Located near I-75 just 20 miles South of Tampa, 35 miles east of Saint Petersburg, 35 miles North of Sarasota, 2 hours West of Orlando. This property is home to a farm/nursery operation and has a large pond on the west side. The pond is Spring-fed at the headwaters of Marsh Branch Creek which begins at our property and flows West about five miles in to Tampa Bay. Approximately 33 private acres allows for plenty of space between our campsites. Property is home to a farm with hundreds of fruit trees- Lychee, Mango, Starfruit, Papaya, Guava). Red Mombin, and thousands of banana plants. Fishing can be great, wildlife and bird watching too. Fenced and gated for safety, this old historic nursery property has good vibes and plenty to offer. Until you see it - you really may not understand. Parts of property are wide open, other areas are rugged and difficult to walk through including some wetland areas. The nursery has plenty of trees, and some fields -the large pond is surrounded by cattails and marsh/wetlands and has fish (Bass, Tilapia, Sunfish, Catfish). Several species of wildlife have been seen on the property. We think the property is lovely, and definitely want you to enjoy your camping experience!

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(77)

Area 61 Camping

10 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Arcadia, FL

Area 61 is a natural 5 acre property with a creek that feeds into the Peace River. We have many different types of wild life that visit including white tail deer, turkeys, alligators, otters, armadillos and all types of birds including owls. We also have access to the Peace River for canoeing and kayaking trips. Along the creek we also have several terraced waterfalls that provide a wonderful wetland area for the wildlife.

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(136)

Camp Champ

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Zolfo Springs, FL

Camp Champ is a family friendly adventure. Sits on 10 acres of land. On Charlie Creek we have a dock for easy access where you can fish, fossil hunt, kayak, canoe and trails to ride. Sit back and enjoy the campfire. Tons of nature and wildlife. You can tent camp, rent our RV or bring your own RV. We have electric, water, bathroom and outdoor kitchen. Game room with ping pong, ring toss, wiffle ball, corn hole, playground and swings. Plenty of shaded areas. You will absolutely love this place. Check out our new mini farm, treats $5. Fresh farm eggs $5. Kayak or canoe $50. ATV $150.

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Rasayana Cove

2 sites · Lodging25 acres · Ona, FL

Rasayana Cove is a 25-acre eco-retreat located in the heartland of west central Florida. An hour's drive east of Sarasota surrounded by vast tracts of orange groves and ranch land, Rasayana Cove has been operating as a small retreat center since 1995. The long eastern boundary borders Horse Creek, a major tributary of the Peace River. The property features two spring-fed ponds - one small and the other large. The cabins are accessible by well constructed shell-topped roads with good drainage and a variety of nature pathways. A natural ecosystem remains undisturbed in the middle of the property - a Florida bay head of native flora and wildlife. While most of the state is crowded and overdeveloped, this eco-retreat offers a haven of peace in the pristine nature of Florida

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Cedarkirk Camp & Conf. Center

6 sites · RVs, Tents170 acres · Lithia, FL

Cedarkirk was founded in 1971 as a year-round camp and conference center that serves churches, not-for-profits, and schools. Our beautiful property and amenities exist for all people to enjoy recreation and renewal in nature. We own 170 acres of land, most of which looks like wild Florida has for thousands of years, and provides sanctuary for many native plants and animals. We are excited to welcome you to this "place apart."

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Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

9 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Englewood, FL

Going on Year 4 as a hipcamp host! We are so grateful to have met such wonderful guests over the years! This land is very special to us and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. The perfect place to unwind and disconnect from the busy day to day surrounded by nature, farm animals and wildlife. Located in one of the best spots in SW Florida! Hiking trails, horse farms, shopping, restaurants, recreational activities and within minutes from the beautiful FL beaches. Ideal for a weekend getaway or a snowbird vacation!

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(87)

Honey Bunny’s Urban Oasis

3 sites · RVs1 acre · St Petersburg, FL

Send Van Type and Length with Request to Book 🐝 👀check out our EXTRAS👀 🐝 Elderberry Tonic/Tropic Spice Hot Sauce/Shoo Fly! Bug Spray 🦩WE ONLY HOST VANS/CLASS B vehicles/very small travel trailers🦩 If you need to book for longer VanLife stays just message me 🌈 Everyone Welcome 🌈 As a family who has towed campers across the US a couple times utilizing Hip Camp we know others will appreciate the ease of pulling into our little 1 acre urban oasis just a couple miles off the interstate in Floridas Coolest City. It’s an ideal location to explore St Pete as we are right between the beaches and downtown (5 miles to St Pete beach, 4 miles to downtown -$10 Uber ride), Sarasota and/or Tampa. Ours is an urban spot based on ease, safety and location, not a wilderness "experience" We have a paved circular driveway overlooking our beehives, henhouse and seasonal garden where you’ll find a table with chairs and plenty of space to cookout and enjoy a quiet evening with a great sunset by the blowing bamboo. This is one of South St Pete’s oldest neighborhoods- it surrounds an active former PGA golf course and lively country club. It’s a great place for safely biking or walking with green spaces, tennis courts, playgrounds and dog parks nearby. There are many owls, raptors, green parrots, purple martins and osprey overhead as we’re just a few blocks from the beautiful Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. - not to be missed! The Pinellas Trail is just a short bike ride away too and can lead you to downtown. It is a cyclists favorite! We love our city - happy to give recommendations.

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Costa Myakka

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Myakka City, FL

Welcome to the "Wild and Scenic Myakka River"! Our 20 acre ranch has everything from Longhorn cattle, to a white sand beach. We like to say our sand is like Siesta Key, except it's...in a swamp. Our property is not too far upstream from the Myakka State park, and parking is never a problem. ;-) We have a beautiful homestead, and you have the choice of a furnished camper with water and power hookups in our pasture, or 2 primative tent or RV spots on the edge of a beautiful stand of Live Oak trees and Sabal palms along the river. We have a porta potty on site that is regularly maintained. Bring your family, bring your dog, bring your friends.....and don't forget to bring a fishing pole!

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T.L.C.'S GYPSY HAVEN

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Lithia, FL

We are a working horse farm who hosts groups, summer camps, after school program, boarding, girl scouts, boy scouts, and birthday parties! We are very kid friendly and are perfect getaway for the family. Come and camp on our open, grassy field. We are offer horseback riding, boarding, and more with our beautiful horses. Lithia Springs is only 15 minutes away and the beaches are an hour from our property. You're also near tons of different parks with canoeing, playgrounds, pavilions, and activities only 15 minutes away, restaurants are only 10 minutes from our facility We are private property off of a private road and await your visit! Learn more about this land: We are a working horse farm who hosts groups, summer camps, after school program, boarding, girl scouts, boy scouts, and birthday parties! We are very kid friendly and are perfect getaway for the family. Come and camp on our open, grassy field. We offer horseback riding, boarding, and more with our beautiful horses. Lithia Springs is only 15 minutes away and the beaches are an hour from our property. You're also near tons of different parks with canoeing, playgrounds, pavillions, and activities only 15 minutes away, restaurants are only 10 minutes from our facility We are private property off of a private road and await your visit! We can accommodate two, 30 amp & one, 50 amp site plus four, 20 amps or less at this time. We do not have a septic black tank hook up for RVs or campers. We do have a bathroom in the barn with a working toilet and sink but no shower. We do have plenty of room for campers, tents, and RVs!

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Tres Lagos Farm & Garden

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · 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.

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Scenic Waterway

10 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · North Port, FL

Beautifully landscaped waterfront setting. 15 minutes to world famous Warm Mineral Springs and 35 minutes to Gulf beaches. Clean and orderly. No smoking, marijuana, heavy vaping or illicit drugs. 14 day limit per 6 months. Maximum vehicle length 22'. No trailers or busses. No vehicles older than 2015 unless presentable and well maintained. No noisy air conditioners. Please include description of vehicles so I can determine placement. Do not pull RV in the concrete driveway to avoid damage. Considered a safe area. Trash and recycle bins, bench swing, outside seating and tables. Power is protected with a surge protector. Water is filtered from a well. The waterway offers fishing, small boating and wildlife watching. I have two friendly dogs that wander around off leash. Please don't allow them to access any of your or your pet's food. Visit econeato.org/host for list of other rules and very helpful info. The longer your stay, the more likely I will ask questions to understand compatibility as this is a residence. It would help if you let me know what kind of RV you have (length, slide-outs, etc.) and basic info about your pets, if any. During tornado warnings or hurricane winds, guests are offered to come inside. Host is 56, single and never married; considering looking overseas for younger girlfriend. Retired from a large variety of jobs. Not a MAGA fan. Diet is strictly healthy which mainly omits sugar and corn syrup. Have lived in a campervan six years full time from 2016 to 2021; traveled most of the U.S. to include Alaska but not Hawaii. Have visited popular Canadian areas. Have a 2018 Ford Transit customized and highly developed campervan. Born in Ohio, grew up in Texas / Arkansas. Bought this Florida home in early 2021 that is energy efficient and withstands strong storms well, but not storm proof. Worked diligently for four years to upgrade and improve the property.

The best camping near Myakka River State Park guide

Overview

About

Myakka River State Park shelters its namesake river with 58 square miles of hammocks, pine forests, and wildlife-filled wetlands. Campers flock here to spot rare creatures like the roseate spoonbill, the West Indian manatee, and the Florida panther, but the park’s most notorious inhabitants are its American alligators. Kayaking, canoeing, and guided airboat rides are popular ways to explore, as are the birdwalk boardwalks and the mountain biking and hiking trails deep in the backcountry. If you prefer more space between you and the gators, try the canopy walkway and treetop lookout tower. All Myakka River campsites feature 50-amp full hookups, picnic tables, and a fire ring.

Notable campgrounds

Best for families: Both the Old Prairie Campground and Palmetto Ridge Campground have laundry services and hot showers.
Best for lake lovers and hikers: The Big Flats Campground is right next to the Upper Myakka Lake.
Best for glamping: Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Myakka River log cabins will keep you covered and cozy.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Like at other Florida state parks, all campsites at Myakka River State Park can be reserved online or over the phone. Florida residents can make campsite reservations 11 months in advance, while non-residents can make reservations 10 months in advance.
Same-day reservations are also available online or by phone up to 1pm ET. After that, any remaining open sites are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
If in doubt about walk-in availability, it’s best to call the park.

When to go

Myakka River State Park is accessible year-round, but the summer heat, humidity, and rain can be tough for tent campers unaccustomed to South Florida’s tropical weather. Winters are more mild and pleasant, but bug spray and good hydration are necessary year-round.

Know before you go

This scenic river park is set about 20 miles east of Sarasota.
Boat tours run daily on the Upper Myakka Lake. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available on-site.
To hike or paddle to the Deep Hole, a popular gator hangout, arrive at the ranger station early—it opens at 8am and only 30 permits are issued daily.
The park café and camp store sell groceries and camping equipment.