RV Resort/Campground Reviews

I’ve put together reviews of the RV resorts/campgrounds where we’ve stayed with our travel trailer. Some of these trips were extended weekends, and some were for 1-2 weeks. We’ve stayed at several of these places on multiple occasions. They’re listed in order of ratings, which were based on our personal experiences. Before staying at any resort or campground, I HIGHLY recommend reading numerous reviews, and then base your decision to stay at one of these resorts/campgrounds on the general consensus of the reviews (look for both positive and negative consistencies), personal recommendations, and a bit of a gut feeling. Happy Camping and Safe Travels!


Fiesta Key RV Resort (70001 Overseas Hwy, Layton, FL 33001)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/fiesta-key-rv-resort/
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
324 sites (but I believe they’re in the process of adding more sites)

PROS

  • Very friendly and helpful staff.
  • Gated resort.
  • Escort shows you to your site and assists in guiding you in.
  • Level sites on gravel.
  • Properly located utility hookups.
  • Full 50A hookups.
  • Entire resort is very clean and well maintained (pool, 2 hot tubs, common areas, beach, bathrooms, etc.).
  • Pool (with great music mix playing!) overlooking the water.
  • Nice beach area with chaise lounges and umbrellas.
  • Nice snorkeling area.
  • Waterfront restaurant/bar within the resort.
  • Restaurant owner & staff were very nice. Owner made a big batch of excellent paella for everyone.
  • Nicely stocked general store on site.
  • Nice marina.
  • A few fish cleaning tables.
  • Great area for sunsets.
  • Premium Encore resort.
  • Fortunately, we were able to get a good wifi signal via a paid service with Jabba, and were able to stream numerous channels.
  • Nice location between Islamorada and Marathon.

CONS

  • Sites very tight. Barely had enough space to park a tow vehicle, and the neighbor’s tow vehicle was parked right next to our slide window. Some sites couldn’t fully extend awnings. Had the resort been very full, I would imagine that it would have been a bit of a challenge backing into a site.
  • Even though there were many open sites, RV’s were (seemingly unnecessarily) put next to each other, instead of spacing them out in the row (or other rows).
  • Restaurant was good, as well as the service, but it was a bit overpriced.
  • Underaged kids speeding around in golf carts. Saw 2 young boys almost flip one, as it went up on 2 wheels in the gravel.
  • No cable or free wifi. Even unable to pick up any HD antenna channels.

We loved this resort! It’s our new favorite in the Keys…. AND FL! Though there are some CONS, the PROS far outweigh them. Our stay started as we were greeted at the gate, then escorted to, and guided into, our site by one of the staff. The site might have been a bit tight had there been more campers, but we only had someone on one side of us for the week we were there. Though our neighbor’s truck was just a couple of feet from our slide window. It was a bit puzzling why several RV’s (Thousand Trails members?) were grouped somewhat tightly together, when there were plenty of other sites available. But we had no one in front of us or behind us. But we really saw these as minor issues, as there is SO much to do at this resort, that you almost don’t even need to leave the resort. Nice snorkeling, beach, pool, hot tubs, restaurant, bar, general store, marina, amazing sunsets, and so much more! The staff was very nice and helpful whenever needed. It’s a bit of a drive to grocery stores, but it’s the Keys, and was to be expected. We made a trip to both Islamorada and Marathon for shopping and dining. If you need any services (i.e. car repair, gas, hardware, etc.) Marathon is probably best, as there are a lot more located there. There is no cable hookup, and we were unable to receive any HD channels, but we were fortunate enough to get a good signal via the wifi service available (Jabba’s pay service) and were able to stream plenty channels on a rainy day. Had it not rained one of the days we were there, we would have had no use for the TV since there was so much to do there. The restaurant onsite, Oceans305, is outdoor seating, with beautiful views of the water, and had a DJ, playing a great mix of music, while we were there. The staff was very friendly. We had the owner’s son as our server, and he did quite well. The food was good, but a bit overpriced. Paying for the view I guess, but it was a very nice experience. The owner actually made a big batch of his paella that was shared with all of the restaurant guests, and it was delicious. My wife and I snorkeled onsite, and even did some lobstering right around the resort. Caught plenty, but unfortunately, all were undersized. The joy of the hunt was awesome though! Fiesta Key RV Resort far exceeded our expectations, and we really hope to return again soon! So far, this resort has our highest recommendation and rating.


Jolly Roger RV Resort (59275 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050)

https://www.jrtp.com/
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
160 sites

PROS

  • Waterfront resort in the Florida Keys.
  • Staff was very friendly and helpful.
  • Many sites were nicely shaded.
  • Waterfront sites were a bit tight, but other sites seemed to have enough space.
  • Resort was well-maintained, though there were some sites that needed a little more care.
  • Pool was small but clean, and both heated and chilled to maintain 85 degrees.
  • Large roped-off snorkeling/swimming area, with plenty of sea life to see.
  • Nice pavilion and picnic areas.
  • Restrooms/showers were very clean.
  • Dog park.
  • Marina with docks and boat launch, as well as fish cleaning table.
  • Great sunsets.
  • Small onsite motel.
  • Cable & wifi.
  • Easy drive to Marathon, which has lots of dining, shopping, and services available.
  • Easy drive to Sombrero Beach and Bahia Honda State Park, as well as other parks.
  • Several attractions are just a short drive.

CONS

  • Patios are concrete and had a picnic table, but are small, and you can’t put a mat on the grass.
  • Sites can be a bit tight.

We loved this resort. It was our first time RVing in the Keys, and it did not disappoint. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We had a tire issue with our truck, and they gave us some good recommendations and we were able to get the repair done for a very reasonable price (thanks to Island Tire!). It was also our first time in the Marathon area, and they also gave us some dining recommendations. The SS Wreck & Galley Grill was just down the road, and did not disappoint. We had a very nice site on an end, and just 2 rows back from the water. Most of the week we had no campers in front of us, so we had a pretty good view of the water. We were there in the early fall, so the weather was amazing, and the resort wasn’t crowded. We saw all sorts of sea life in the snorkeling area of the resort. Grocery stores, and some excellent restaurants were close by. Spent a day at Sombrero Beach, which was just a short drive, and also went to beautiful Bahia Honda State Park. Boat rentals and dive shops were also plentiful in the area. Also went to Theater of the Sea, which is just a short drive to Islamorada. Overall, we loved this resort, and it’s one of our favorites. Wish it was an Encore Resort so we could use our membership there. We highly recommend Jolly Roger RV Resort!


Harbor Lakes RV Resort (3737 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33953)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/harbor-lakes-rv-resort/
⭐⭐⭐⭐
525 sites

PROS

  • Very friendly and helpful staff.
  • Good sized sites. Their Elite sites are huge.
  • Very wide roads, making backing in very easy.
  • Every area of the resort appeared clean and well-maintained.
  • Nice amenities (pool, hot tub, fitness room, billiards, beach volleyball, basketball court, tennis/pickleball court, pet park, ping pong, shuffleboard, game room, and large clubhouse).
  • They have 8 shuffleboard courts that are very well maintained.
  • Plenty of places to do some freshwater fishing.
  • Clean restrooms/bathhouses.
  • About 25-30min drive to beautiful beaches (Boca Grande, Manasota Key).
  • Plenty of dining and shopping on US 41 about 10min away.
  • Encore resort.
  • Wifi service is available (for a fee).

CONS

  • Wish the drive to the beach was shorter, but it wasn’t too bad of a drive.
  • Not gated.
  • No cable or wifi, except via a pay service.

I’ll start by saying the staff at Harbor Lakes is VERY nice, helpful, and welcoming. Whenever I’ve had questions, they did their best to answer them, and even took the time to look up some restaurants when I asked about seafood restaurants in the area. They were also very accommodating when I asked about other sites, but we were very happy with the ones we were given. We really couldn’t find many negatives to this resort, but LOTS of positives. The biggest downsides were the lack of a cable TV hookup, or a good wifi signal. We’ve been in different areas of the resort, and didn’t have a good wifi signal (through Jabba) at any of the sites, so we had to hotspot when necessary. We managed without cable TV as we were still able to receive a bunch of HD antenna channels, though we’ve had to go to a local sports bar to watch a big game that wasn’t available on those channels. But those were minor negatives, as we always found a solution, and as I stated previously, there are a lot more positives about this resort. We had put off going to this resort for far too long, but once we finally made it we were very pleased. More than likely we will become regulars as we liked this resort a lot, and it’s not very far from our home. Harbor Lakes RV Resort would be high on my recommendations.


Royal Coachman RV Resort (1070 Laurel Rd E, Nokomis, FL 34275)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/royal-coachman-rv-resort/
⭐⭐⭐⭐
561 sites

PROS

  • Sufficient spacing between sites with enough room to park a tow vehicle.
  • Lots of shade trees. Most sites are well-shaded.
  • Grounds and sites are well maintained, including the pool & pool area.
  • Cable hookup.
  • LOTS of amenities (pool w/ cabanas & umbrellas, beach volleyball, fishing pier, dog parks, mini golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, tennis & pickleball courts, basketball court, ping pong, fitness center, bocce ball, putting green, firepit, canoes/kayaks, billiard room, card room, clubhouse, library, business center, large picnic pavilion, vehicle wash area, storage area, and probably much more that I’m forgetting)
  • Very clean bathhouses.
  • Nice fishing pier that doesn’t require a fishing license.
  • Not too far to the beach, shopping, and plenty of dining options.
  • Not far off of I-75.
  • Quite a few activities.
  • Premium Encore resort

CONS

  • Very narrow roads that can make it difficult to maneuver a large RV.
  • Staff isn’t always pleasant if there is an issue.
  • Wifi is sporadic, as Jabba is a pay service available, but not always a strong signal.

Royal Coachman is actually one of our favorite RV parks that is close to where we live. It’s a premium Encore park, and well worth the extra money to stay there. The tight roads are our biggest issue, and I consider myself fairly good at maneuvering our RV. There are plenty of restaurants, shopping, and gas choices within just a few miles. There is quite a bit to do at this resort for both adults and kids. If you like to fish, there is a newer dock with plenty of room for a few people, or you could fish by the canoe/kayak launch. Nokomis Beach is also a fairly short drive, and a great place to look for sharks’ teeth, and there is also good fishing there, especially along the jetty. We’ve had a couple of issues with the staff, but most of the staff has been friendly and helpful. Certainly nothing to stop us from returning. Royal Coachman is still a favorite, and we would recommend this resort!


Rambler’s Rest RV Resort (1300 State Road 777, Venice, FL 34293)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/ramblers-rest-rv-campground/
⭐⭐⭐⭐
647 sites

PROS

  • Gated resort.
  • Most sites seem to be adequate size, as was ours.
  • Resort is very clean and well-maintained.
  • LOTS of amenities (pool, hot tub, outdoor chess, horseshoes, bocce ball, tennis/pickleball court, fitness center, billiards, woodshop, arts & crafts room, picnic areas, library, rec hall, shuffleboard, and more).
  • Kid-friendly (playground, splash deck).
  • Nice fishing area and boat launch to the Myakka River, as well as several ponds to fish.
  • Nice pool with hot tub, with several cabanas, chairs, umbrellas, and high-top tables.
  • I believe they had a hot dog day at the pool one of the days we were there.
  • 2 dog parks
  • General store
  • Premium Encore resort.

CONS

  • Some of the roads can be tight to maneuver.
  • A lot of park models.
  • All sites are on grass and can get a bit flooded in certain areas.
  • A bit of a drive to get to any dining, shopping, or gas.
  • Lots of ponds, and it’s right on the Myakka River, so be very aware of gators, and don’t let kids or pets near the shorelines.

This is a very nice gated resort that is very well maintained. The staff was friendly, and we had plenty of room on our site. The roads can be narrow and winding, so some sites can be a challenge to maneuver for some folks. There are a LOT of amenities, and plenty for both adults and kids to do. We were only here once, and had a great time. We really need to go back again to enjoy more of the amenities. We started staying at a similar, and closer, premium Encore resort so we hadn’t been back, but would like to return again soon. We would highly recommend this resort.


Rock Crusher Canyon RV Resort (237 S Rock Crusher Rd, Crystal River, FL 34429)

https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/south/florida/rock-crusher-canyon/
⭐⭐⭐⭐
398 sites

PROS

  • Staff was friendly and helpful.
  • Gated resort.
  • Most of the sites that we stayed on were very spacious. Some sites had trees and vegetation between the next site.
  • Many of the sites have plenty of shade.
  • If you’re looking to just hang out and relax and not go anywhere, this is a nice resort.
  • Amenities include a nice screened pool & hot tub, clubhouse, shuffleboard, dog park, playground, horseshoes, pavilion, and picnic area.
  • Cable TV & wifi available.

CONS

  • A bit of a drive to shopping, dining, and local attractions.
  • All sites are back-in, however, they all seemed fairly easy to maneuver.

We’ve been fortunate enough to have some nice sites for the several times that we stayed there, and we had a very relaxing time. Since we were primarily up that way to snorkel and dive the Crystal River area it was just a bit too far for us to go back and forth every day. But we would still HIGHLY recommend this park in this area.


Winter Quarters Manatee RV Resort (800 Kay Rd NE, Bradenton, FL 34212)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/winter-quarters-manatee-rv/
⭐⭐⭐⭐
410 sites

PROS

  • The staff was very friendly, as were nearly all of the residents, when we were there this trip.
  • Some shaded sites.
  • Nice pool and clubhouse area.
  • Some nice amenities that include 2 pools, hot tub, fitness center, billiards room, shuffleboard, horseshoes, picnic area, kayak/canoe launch, and fishing.
  • Plenty of shopping and dining close by on SR 64, including a Walmart, and even more an exit away on SR70.
  • Less than a mile from Tom Bennett Park, which is a nice park with a playground area, trails, and frisbee golf throughout.
  • Encore resort.

CONS

  • Very noisy from I-75 traffic.
  • Not much room to park tow vehicle.
  • Need more social activities.
  • A lot of park models, especially around the lake.
  • Wouldn’t allow Thousand Trails members to stay on the waterfront sites.
  • Sites can be a bit tight.

UPDATE 9/3/2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We now live much closer to this park, and just wanted to get out of house, so we gave it another try. We’re very glad that we did, as they are now under new management, and the new manager, Corine, was very nice, and willing to make our stay as pleasant as possible. We requested a site close to the pool, and they were kind enough to put us right across from the pool and a majority of the amenities. The site was narrow, and in between 2 park models, but nicely shaded, had a patio, picnic table, and full hookups (50A/30A), and no rear campers, as the mangroves and canal leading to the Manatee River were right behind us. Being across from the pool gave us a chance to park our truck there, as there wasn’t much room to park it on the site. The site was level enough that we didn’t need to block the wheels at all. The neighbors were all very nice, and we talked with them often. We used the pool a lot, and it was very clean, and a perfectly refreshing temperature on a hot day. Actually, the whole park was very clean, including the bathhouse near the pool. We got a chance to fish in the lake this time. There is a gazebo (with some high-top tables and chairs) next to the pool on the lake, so we were able to fish from there while being in the shade. We could see an abundance of fish, though they were somewhat difficult to catch. I saw lots of tilapia, bluegill, and largemouth bass, but couldn’t land any. That’s why it’s called fishing and not catching. But a bad day fishing is better than a good day working. We also used the hot tub, which was just that….. hot, but felt good on some aches. Around the pool, there are plenty of lounge chairs and tables in the sun, as well as in the shade. I don’t believe there were any activities going on in the clubhouse while we were there on Labor Day weekend, which was a bit surprising, but it is a nice clubhouse. There were several families with kids staying at this resort, and they certainly seemed to be enjoying the pool, and some even fished, played shuffleboard, and ping pong. But if the kids need more to do, there is even more for them to do at Tom Bennett Park less than a mile away. Winter Quarters Manatee is conveniently located less than a mile from Walmart, and SR64, which has a few good restaurants on that road, and also a Costco. I-75 is also a very short drive away. If you jump on I-75 and head 1 exit south to SR70, there are MANY restaurants on that road. I highly recommend a trip to the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island, by taking SR64 about 15 miles west for about 30-45 minutes (depending on the time of year). It’s well worth the drive. The traffic noise from I-75 can be a bit noisy in the campground, even with the barrier wall, but after a while you tend to just block it out and not notice it as much. We were SO glad that this recent stay went very well, and can now be very comfortable recommending a stay at Winter Quarters Manatee. We’ve already booked another trip back to Winter Quarters Manatee in a few weeks.

MARCH 2019 ⭐⭐1/2
We stayed here for an extended weekend during the spring of 2019. We didn’t have the best of experiences during our stay. It started with the office staff not being very friendly when I had some questions during check-in. It was somewhat tight maneuvering into the back-in site. Then we had our truck parked on the side of our camper (completely on our site), and was asked to move it onto the street (by a very rude park model resident) so that the long-term RV resident next to us could get her golf cart in and out of her site (since her “yard décor” took up most of her site). So our truck stuck out in the road, since the site wasn’t very deep for our RV. We did go to the clubhouse pool, and it was very nice and clean, as were the rest of the amenities in that area. The lake is big, and seemed a bit stagnant at the time, but we didn’t have a chance to fish. This resort seems to be more adult oriented, as there aren’t many things for kids to do, other than the pool or fishing, though it is a very short drive to Tom Bennett Park, which has a nice playground. Based on our experience, and the noise from the road, we probably won’t return here. Though a site on the opposite side of the resort might be a bit quieter from the sound, I’m still not sure that I could recommend this resort.


Crystal Isles RV Resort (11419 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/crystal-isles-rv-resort/
⭐⭐⭐⭐
254 sites

PROS

  • Pleasant & helpful staff.
  • Sites had plenty of space & many seemed nicely shaded.
  • Resort was very well-maintained.
  • Cable hookups.
  • Nice amenities that include volleyball, basketball, golf driving net, tennis court, shuffleboard, horseshoes, playground, clubhouse, and dogwalk area.
  • Clean showers & restrooms.
  • Several waterfront sites with docks.
  • Clean pool with hot tub, as well as a kiddie pool.
  • Boat launch with fish cleaning station.
  • Boat rentals available.
  • Boat access to Crystal River and the Gulf.
  • Saltwater (brackish) and freshwater fishing within resort.
  • Ice cream stand onsite.
  • Nice picnic/pavilion area.
  • Close to dining, shopping, small beach, fishing, scalloping, and local attractions.
  • Several dive shops nearby that offer snorkeling, scuba, and manatee trips.
  • Encore resort.

CONS

  • The no-see-ums can be brutal! Bring lots of bug spray and Skin So Soft.
  • Sites can get a bit swampy and flooded when it rains a lot.
  • Being near freshwater, beware of gators that will tend to roam around. This is Florida, so always beware around any freshwater, and assume there are gators.

We really liked this resort, as it became one of our favorites in the Crystal River area. We had a nice site, with plenty of room, and the helpful staff was able to group us with our friends. We rented a pontoon for a half day while we were there, and drove out to the crystal clear springs upstream, where we saw several manatees and lots of fish. Just know how to handle and navigate a boat well, because the channel out to Crystal River is tight and a little winding, and then there were lots of paddleboarders and kayakers near the springs. This resort is also a short drive to shopping, and several restaurants. If you’re a diver, or would like to do a snorkeling trip, or swim with the manatees, there are several dive shops nearby that have trips and equipment available. Fishing and scalloping in this area are also very good. There is a beach and fishing pier just a short drive down the road. The biggest downside for us was the no-see-ums, but after applying some Skin So Soft and turning on our Thermocell, it greatly reduced these vicious pests. We loved the little ice cream stand that was onsite! They had soft serve ice cream, as well as shakes, cones, sundaes, banana splits, root beer floats, and more. It was an awesome treat! We would HIGHLY recommend this park, just be prepared for the bugs, and the rainy season.


Ft. DeSoto Park Campground (3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715)

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm
⭐⭐⭐1/2
236 sites

PROS

  • Beautiful county park and campground!
  • Nicely shaded sites with plenty of room and picnic tables and grills.
  • Waterfront sites are very nice.
  • Ft. DeSoto Park (and the fort & beaches) is a short drive down the road.
  • Not a high traffic area.
  • Close to beautiful beaches (Ft Desoto, Pass-A-Grille, St. Pete Beach)
  • Lots of shops and dining within a short drive to St. Pete Beach.
  • Great place to fish or launch a kayak/canoe.
  • There is a playground for kids.
  • The camp store is well stocked for a small store and has ice cream.

CONS

  • No sewer hookups.
  • No cable or wifi.
  • Cell service can be weak and sporadic in this area.
  • No pool.
  • They have a no pet section, which seems much larger than the pet friendly section.
  • A bit of a drive to the nearest grocery store, but not too bad.
  • Don’t let any branches touch your RV or you may end up with ants.
  • Watch out for the very brave (and plentiful!) raccoons that will scavenge in broad daylight. Keep all food and trash inside.
  • Some of the roads and site entrances can be narrow, making it difficult to maneuver a large RV.

We don’t live far from Ft. DeSoto, and had heard so much about how nice it was, so we decided to give it a try for about a week. We didn’t have much interaction with the staff, other than checking in. It was just a process without many pleasantries, but went fairly smooth. We were in the pet section since we had our little dog with us. Our site was right across from the bathhouse. It was a nicely shaded and somewhat secluded site with a lot of trees between sites, but that also made it tight to maneuver, especially with the narrow road. It wasn’t easy squeezing into the site, but we managed, with just enough room to be able to put the slides and awning out. We heard to avoid any plants touching the RV, as the little black ants would travel up the plants to the RV, so we just had to trim a couple branches off of a palm. It’s a beautiful campground, though not a lot of amenities. Being that we like to fish, a waterfront site would have been amazing, but none were available. The sites have electric and water hookups, but no sewer or cable. Cable we can do without, but we definitely prefer to have a sewer hookup, as it’s never fun hauling and emptying the portable waste tank to the dump station every couple of days. Cell signal was weak to none for my AT&T phone, but my wife’s Verizon did fine. Having lived in the area for many years, we had already been to the fort and beaches of Ft. DeSoto Park, but it was still nice to visit once again. There are a few restaurants within a 10-20min drive, some are right down the road in Tierra Verde, or you can take a ride across the bridge to Pass-A-Grille or St. Pete Beach, which have plenty of shopping and dining available. If you like to fish, there are spots within the campground to fish, or there are plenty of spots along Pinellas Bayway, or even on Ft. DeSoto Beach, including a nice pier. The campground has a playground for the kids, but no pool. The camp store is well-stocked, and also has ice cream with a nice little deck outside overlooking the bayou. The bathhouse was fairly clean, though it is somewhat exposed to the elements, so it can be hot or cold, or damp, depending on the weather, and this also leaves it exposed to insects. Make sure you bring plenty of bug repellent, as the mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be brutal, and watch out for the little masked thieves that roam the campground night and day looking for any morsel that they can get. Of course I’m speaking of the raccoons. Harmless, but keep food and garbage out of reach. Overall, the campground is well maintained, though a little more tree trimming may be good. If you’ve done some tent camping in the past, and are accustomed to more rustic camping, as well as being okay with emptying your black tank at the dump station every few days, then you may love this campground. It’s a beautiful campground and reservations can be very difficult to get even if you’re a Pinellas County resident.


Sherwood Forest RV Resort (5300 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/sherwood-forest-rv-resort/
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
514 sites

PROS

  • Very friendly, helpful, and welcoming staff.
  • Gated resort.
  • Most sites have 50A hookups available, and are pull-through.
  • Quite a few amenities (pool, hot tub, fitness center, mini golf, basketball court, playground, billiards, horseshoes, dog park, outdoor chess, clubhouse, shuffleboard, and more).
  • Bathhouses always seemed clean and well-maintained.
  • Cable TV & wifi available, though wifi only available in certain areas of the resort.
  • Close to Disney (4mi.).
  • Short drive to other theme parks (Universal (12mi.), Sea World (8mi.)).
  • Close to a lot of shopping and dining.

CONS

  • Quite a few older RV’s that look in bad shape.
  • Amenities could be in a little better shape.
  • Some sites in the 700’s section can be very swampy and difficult to get an RV in and out of (we saw 2 RV’s in 1 weekend get stuck).
  • Wifi only available near clubhouse.
  • Sites could be more level.
  • Part of a large mobile home community.

We have stayed at Sherwood Forest many times over the past few years. We’ve only had 1 bad site that was so small we couldn’t extend our awning more than 1/3 of the way out. It’s not quite as nice as Tropical Palms down the road, but it’s still close to the theme parks, dining, and shopping, it’s clean, and the staff has always been friendly and accommodating. We will continue to stay here when visiting the theme parks.


Nature’s Resort RV Park (10359 W Halls River Rd, Homosassa, FL 34448)

https://naturesresortfla.com/
⭐⭐⭐1/2
250+ sites

PROS

  • Staff was very nice and helpful.
  • Sites in the newer section are nice, just not much shade.
  • Good little restaurant and bar onsite and right on the water.
  • Nice pool. When we were there they had a blow up waterslide next to the pool for the kids.
  • Nice amenities, including banquet hall, arcade/game room, horseshoes, basketball, volleyball, and a playground.
  • Marina with boat launch, bait and tackle store, and boat rentals.
  • Freshwater and saltwater fishing within the resort.
  • Well-stocked general store.
  • A few pavilions.
  • Very active community with lots of activities, including pizza nights, steak nights, breakfasts (Sat. & Sun. AM), ice cream socials.
  • Plenty of dining, shopping, and attractions nearby.
  • Cable hookups & wifi.

CONS

  • Waterfront sites are extremely tight. Most can’t extend their awnings, and I’m not sure how they even maneuver their RV’s into some of those sites.
  • Some areas can be a bit loud with partiers.
  • Some of the hookups in the sites in the newer section are very far away from typical RV connections. We had to buy an extra 20ft of sewer hose to reach the sewer hookup.
  • Some sites in the wooded areas can be a bit swampy after rains.

We stayed at Nature’s Resort several times when we were Passholder America and Good Sam members. Plenty to do in the resort, as well as in the area. We really liked the little waterfront restaurant/bar onsite. The Steak Night was a great deal, and my favorite. They also had pizza nights, ice cream socials, and breakfasts in the clubhouse on weekends. The bar also had live music and karaoke nights. The general store was well-stocked and even had some souvenirs and knick knacks. Before we joined Thousand Trails this was our favorite RV resort in this area. If you like an active resort, then I’m sure you may like Nature’s Resort.


Three Lakes RV Resort (10354 Smooth Water Dr, Hudson, FL 34667)

https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/south/florida/three-lakes/
⭐⭐⭐1/2
310 sites

PROS

  • Very spacious sites on concrete pad with patio.
  • Gated resort.
  • Amenities include pool, large clubhouse, fitness center, cornhole, shuffleboard, pickleball courts, horseshoes, nature trail, dog park, picnic area, library, and a tiki bar (but it wasn’t open when we were there).
  • 3 lakes for catch and release fishing.
  • Very well maintained.

CONS

  • Pool is somewhat small for the size of the resort.
  • Seems that most of the resort appears to be mobile homes and long term residents, but everyone was very nice.
  • Not many dining or shopping options within a short distance.
  • Not many local attractions.
  • Not much for kids to do at this resort.

This resort was a very short drive from our home, and we just wanted to get away for the weekend. We had a very nice site that was a large concrete slab that had plenty of room for our outdoor mats and chairs. The grounds and the amenities (though few) were very well maintained. We didn’t have much interaction with any staff to attest to their hospitality. The neighbors (who seemed to be mostly long term residents) were very friendly, and as we left after our stay, nearly everyone we passed on the way out wished us “Happy & safe travels”. It was a bit cooler out, so we didn’t go to the pool, but did explore the resort. The one side of the resort appeared to be mostly (if not all) mobile homes and park models, and even many of the RV’s on the other side seemed to be long-term residents. There weren’t many restaurants close by to choose from, but we did find a nice little place that was pretty good. I don’t recall the name, but it was a little mom & pop type place that seemed to get a lot of regulars, and the food was quite good. This resort was away from traffic, but a short drive to US 19. It seemed to be mostly geared to the adult crowd, as there isn’t much for kids to do there, other than the pool or fish. Not much was going on that weekend at the resort. Even the tiki bar was closed. But it was a nice, quiet, and enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking to relax, or stay long-term you may like this resort.


Tropical Palms RV Resort (2650 Holiday Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34746)

https://rvonthego.com/florida/tropical-palms-rv-resort/
⭐⭐⭐
343 sites

PROS

  • Gated resort.
  • The sites we had were Premium or Elite and were adequately spaced.
  • Well-maintained resort.
  • Lots of amenities (pool, splash area, mini golf)
  • Lots of activities, especially for kids (movie night)
  • Small camp store.
  • Clean and very nice bathhouses.
  • Cable TV & wifi available.
  • Nice park model cabins available to rent.

CONS

  • We’ve had some issues with staff.
    • On one occasion, at Christmastime, we rented a cabin for our family (it was our 2nd time doing this there). When we got there, and listed our pet (a tiny chihuahua that loved everyone) on the paperwork, they informed us that the assigned cabin did not allow pets, and they had no other cabins available. When making the reservation a few months prior, I CLEARLY stated several times that we had 1 small pet, and it was even listed on our confirmation. They recommended that we keep our pet in a kennel, which were certainly weren’t willing to do. The manager did NOTHING to offer any consolation for THEIR mistake. So we left and had to sit in a parking lot, and look for another place to stay, which took over 2 hours of searching and phone calls (w/ our toddler son and dog in the car).
    • On a separate trip a few years later, but with our RV, Tropical Palms moved our site from a premium site to a value site (no sewer hookup & small) 2 weeks before our 1 week stay at Christmastime (which we couldn’t do and had to scramble for a new resort). Apparently, this was a new policy for Thousand Trails members.

Quite a few years ago, my grandparents stayed in this resort with their RV for years when they would visit Florida, and loved it. We started staying at the TP cabins at Christmastime for a couple of years, until our cabin/no pet debacle, then we didn’t return for a few years. When we bought our travel trailer, being Disney & Universal passholders, we decided to give Tropical Palms another chance and stayed on premium or elite sites on numerous occasions via Thousand Trails/Encore. We stayed there several times, in very nice and convenient sites, and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. That was, until they decided to move us (being Thousand Trails members), on very short notice, from a premium site to a value site, which were very small and had no sewer hookups. They did offer to empty our tanks once a week, but that wouldn’t have been nearly enough. So, on short notice, we were fortunate enough to find a reservation at Sherwood Forest right down the road, who were very understanding and accommodating for us. We haven’t been back to Tropical Palms since. Until they allow Thousand Trails/Encore members to reserve better sites, we will not return. If they do this, I would also bump them up to 4 stars. If you’re not a TT member then this may be a very nice resort for you.


Cedar Key RV Resort (11980 SW Shiloh Rd, Cedar Key, FL 32625)

https://cedarkeyrvresort.com/
⭐⭐⭐
50 sites

PROS

  • Most of the sites were very wide between neighbors, and many were shaded.
  • Sites were paved for parking and outdoor setup.
  • Resort was very clean.
  • Amenities included pool, fitness room, clubhouse, tennis court (no fencing), and small dog park.
  • Cable hookup & wifi.
  • Pool was clean.
  • The town of Cedar Key was about 10min. away.
  • Gas station/convenience mart at the resort entrance.

CONS

  • Pool was small with not much deck space and very little seating.
  • Not many amenities, and what they had were below average.
  • A few small ponds within the resort, but no fishing is allowed.

We stayed here for our first, and only, trip to Cedar Key. It’s a cool and quaint little town with some great fishing and a few restaurants & shops. Worth seeing at least once. We had a very nice site at this resort. It was a back-in site that was well shaded and backed up to the woods. We had some neighbors 2 sites over (I believe they were there long term), and they were very friendly. There weren’t many guests in the resort when we were there, so it was quiet. We went to the pool a few times, and were mostly the only ones there. I couldn’t imagine how it would be if the park had more guests, as the pool is quite small, and it had very few lounge chairs or any seating, and the pool deck was small as well. But the pool was clean and we enjoyed the solitude. We typically don’t use many amenities other than the pool, so for someone with similar interests, this may be a nice resort for you.


Terra Ceia RV Resort (9303 Bayshore Rd, Palmetto, FL 34221)

https://www.rvonthego.com/florida/terra-ceia-rv-resort/
⭐⭐
206 sites

PROS

  • Resort seemed to be well-maintained.
  • Nice pool and pool area.
  • Amenities include pool, shuffleboard, clubhouse, and billiards.
  • Easily accessible from I-275.
  • Encore resort.

CONS

  • Staff wasn’t very friendly or welcoming.
  • Not many amenities.
  • Not very kid-friendly.
  • Seemed like a 55+ resort with lots of park models/mobile homes.
  • Not close to dining, shopping, or any attractions.
  • Sites were tight and small.

We stayed at Terra Ceia Resort for an extended weekend. Upon check-in, the staff wasn’t very friendly. Basically, they did their job checking us in, but weren’t very welcoming. The site they put us in was squeezed between 2 older park models/mobile homes and we had very little room. At least the residents were nice and friendly. If you’re looking for a short stopover on the way to somewhere else, this park might be okay for you, but not one I would recommend for a longer stay, and probably not if you have kids.