Outdoors
Campgrounds and camping areas near Orlando on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida.
River Forest is a shaded group camping facility on the shores of the St. Johns River in Ocala National Forest.
Lake Dorr Cabin is set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Dorr, ideal for a family getaway. The cabin is open year-round and creates a great setting for plenty of outdoor water fun.
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs.
Perennially popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Big Scrub Campground sits in the Ocala National Forest in central Florida. A trailhead within the facility offers riders campsite-to-trail access.
Buck Lake is a group camping facility in the heart of Ocala National Forest in Florida. Great for family reunions and social gatherings, the campground can host a group of up to 50 guests along the shores of Buck Lake.
Doe Lake is a group campsite with a variety of activities. Centered around a historic lodge with a large group kitchen, it's an ideal place for major outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people.
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs.
Mill Dam Group Campground offers a fun and relaxing setting for groups of up to 150 to enjoy Ocala National Forest.
Lake Shore Group Campground sits on the north shore of Fore Lake in Ocala National Forest. It is a favorite for scout, church and civic groups, as well as large families and reunions.
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name.
Chassahowitzka NWR was established in 1943 for waterfowl conservation. The refuge protects saltwater bays, estuaries, brackish marshes, and hardwood swamps in Homosassa, FL.
St. Lucie Campground provides a relaxing camping experience on the St. Lucie Canal, part of the 152 mile Okeechobee Waterway that spans South Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
Ortona South is a perfect campground for a quiet, sunny escape to South Florida. The campground is set along the Caloosahatchie River.
As lake, waterway and surrounding countryside, Okeechobee shows the many faces of Florida. A canopy of moss-draped live oaks hides clusters of sabal palms. A tangle of water plants marks the boundary where wetland meets lakeshore.
Visitors flock to W.P. Franklin Campground for its well-kept facilities and location on the Caloosahatchee River, where campers can fish, boat and take it easy in sunny southwest Florida.
WP Franklin South Recreation Area is a day use area located on the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the WP Franklin Lock and Dam.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Orlando. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Clearwater Lake Rec Area (USDA Forest Service), about 38 miles north of Orlando as the crow flies. Next are River Forest Group Site (38 mi) and Lake Dorr Cabin (40 mi).
Based on Orlando’s average highs, October–April. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
15 of the 18 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.