Camping Opportunities Abound in Fort Myers and Estero

April 11, 2018

Places to Go Camping Southwest FloridaWhether staying in tents, campers that attach to car, RVs or boats, camping is possible nearby and year-round when living in Fort Meyers. However, as newcomers to Florida quickly learn, there are only two seasons — wet and dry season.

Dry season, which extends from about November 1 to June 1 is characterized by moderate temperatures during the day but chill at night. So, pack a blanket and a variety of clothing that will keep you warm if nighttime temperatures drop to 30 degrees F or below.

Visit Florida, a nonprofit that is the state's official tourism marketing agency, suggests that if you camp during the wet season, check the daily forecast. It adds that humidity can make an 80-degree day feel like 100 degrees F. Insects, including mosquitoes, love the hot humidity and can be uncomfortably pesky.

Kinds of Camping

Visit Florida notes that about half of Florida's campgrounds don't allow tents. Although it may seem carefree, tent camping requires good planning due to this requirement.

RV campgrounds are abundant, but they have restrictions as well. Among the many that are privately owned, some ban children. Others require that at least one adult in a camping group be 55 or older.

Living in Fort Myers, it's easy to find private campgrounds within and near the city. They are primarily RV resorts, and many are located on beaches. One resource for finding these campsites is at The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel website maintained by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Some of these resorts offer a full range of camping choices, including tent and primitive camping as well as RV sites. An example is the family-friendly Periwinkle Park and Campground on Sanibel Island.

Primitive campsites are defined as ones without toilets, showers or running water. Collier-Seminole State Park, which is about 55 miles south of Fort Myers, also offers primitive camping for people who want a bit of seclusion.

Destinations Vs Home Base

Not all Florida State Parks have campsites. But once you find a campsite, you can visit the others as destinations for daytrips. So, you might camp at Koreshan State Historic Site, which is close for people living in Fort Myers and Estero, and then visit other nearby places such as Cayo-Costa State Park.

Koreshan has sites for RV and tent campers as well as people who need ADA accommodations. Cayo-Costa requires travel by boat and only offers boat camping. It's a fun destination due to its opportunities for birdwatching, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, geocaching, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Apartment Communities as Home Bases

Living in Estero and Fort Myers you can easily pack up for overnight adventures in nature when your home base is a conveniently located apartment community, such as Estero's Springs at Gulf Coast and the Springs at Six Mile Cypress in Fort Myers.

Convenience is just one of our amenities. Contact us today to come by for a visit.

 

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