Tucked into the woods within the Walt Disney World Resort hides a little known gem, the Fort Wilderness Resort. This Orlando campground provides the chance to visit the Disney with a twist. Fort Wilderness offers camping accommodations in four styles, from basic pop-up tent sites to premium RV sites with all the comforts of home, including high-speed Internet access. Non-campers might prefer staying in a wilderness cabin, which has a full kitchen, dining and living space, large deck and can sleep up to six.
Resort guests gain access to the Disney transportation system, which travels between all of the Disney theme parks, shopping, restaurants and hotels. Fort Wilderness offers many amenities that cannot be found elsewhere at Disney. The campground features two outdoor heated pools, horse-back riding, a petting zoo, on-site dining, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review dinner show, two "trading post" shops, a nightly campfire featuring sing-a-longs and Disney movies, a beach and a marina for boat rental and transportation to the Magic Kingdom. The resort also offers bike and golf cart rentals, and advanced reservations are recommended when renting a golf cart.
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
4510 Fort Wilderness Trail
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 824-2900
disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort
This KOA campground offers the opportunity to stay close to the Orlando theme parks and excitement, but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the thriving tourist attractions. This Orlando camping site sits in the middle of unspoiled natural Florida landscapes and boasts the 355-acre Lake Whippoorwill.
The grounds feature RV sites, some with a view of the lake, tent sites and one-room "Kabins" or the larger "Kamping Kottages." Besides the lake, which is open for fishing, the Lake Whippoorwill KOA has a pool with a hot tub and rents canoes, paddle boats and banana bikes. High-speed and wireless Internet is available.
Orlando S.E./Lake Whippoorwill KOA
12345 Narcoossee Road
Orlando, FL 32832
(407) 277-5075
(800) 562-3969
koa.com/where/fl/09322
Wekiwa Springs sits just north of Orlando in the town of Apopka and is famous for its crystal clear springs, where the water temperature is a comfortable 72 degrees all year round. This state park rests along the headwaters of the Wekiwa River, offering swimming in the river, snorkeling in the springs and canoeing on Rock Springs Run. Fishing is also popular on Sand Lake or the Wekiwa River, but a fishing license is required.
The park features 60 full-facility campsites with water and electric hookups. Primitive camping is also available as are equestrian sites. Reservations are required for the primitive sites, and all supplies must be hiked into the area. Wekiwa Springs State Park offers peaceful camping and a back-to-nature feeling, but it is less than an hour away from all of Orlando's popular activities.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712-2599
(407) 884-2008
floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/default.cfm
