There are two kinds of campers: those who like to rough it out and those who prepare as much as possible. When camping in Central Florida, however, even the most spontaneous outdoorsmen need to keep a few things in mind before their trip starts.

Campground Rules

Camping is a freeing experience, but it’s not a free-for-all. Each campsite has its own set of rules that you need to clearly and carefully follow during your trip. From nightly curfews to prohibited pet policies, some rules can come with serious consequences for violating campers. Luckily, you can find them ahead of time by searching your campsite’s website or calling the office directory.

Even if it isn’t written in the rulebook, it’s common courtesy to keep your campsite clean and free of litter. You can maintain a tidy area by running through some quick chores after each meal, like properly sealing leftovers, throwing waste away in designated areas, and recycling any single-use pieces of plastic.

Bugs and Bites

With all the flying mosquitos and crawling ants, it’s hard to run from bugs in Central Florida. Luckily, you can prevent them from overtaking your campsite with a few simple tricks. Keeping ants away is often as easy as keeping everything covered. Protect your feet with close-toed shoes, and protect your food with secure, airtight containers.

To stop other bugs from bothering you and your family while camping, think about putting up citronella candles, stocking up on DEET-free bug spray, and packing extra layers of clothing. And, if you don’t already have one, find yourself a tent with a screened opening to keep the tiniest bugs from getting inside.

Sun Protection

Even under the cover of rain and clouds, the Florida sun is harsh. Since just one sunburn can itch, blister, and stop your family members from some of their favorite camping activities, you’ll need to do your best to prevent one.

Pack extra SPF in your camping kit and try to include a handful of options to make the application as easy as possible. From creams and lotions to sprays and sticks, there are tons of handy sunscreen products that will keep your family safe when swimming, hiking, or boating.

The Right Campsite

Whether you’re a local or not, don’t choose to camp at just any-old campsite. Instead, choose a locally owned one with unique amenities and plenty of things to do on-site, like Grape Hammock Fish Camp. Here at Grape Hammock, we offer boat rentals, cozy cabins, and exciting airboat tours.

And, we sell everything from boat gas to bait at our family-run marina. If you’re planning on camping in Central Florida, book your campsite or cabin with Grape Hammock today.

Camping in Central Florida is unlike camping anywhere else. Between the unforgettable scenery, exotic wildlife, and never-ending outdoor opportunities, it can seem impossible to run out of things to do in Orlando during your trip. However, if you have some little ones in your group who aren’t as easy to entertain, it can also seem impossible to pull fun out of thin air.

Whether you need some ideas for planning ahead or on-the-fly activities to start using now, these games will help you turn any kid into a happy camper.

Camping Trip

This classic camping game is perfect to play on-site, but it will also keep your kids entertained on the way to and from your trip. With no materials required, you can easily play it on the road or around the campfire. The main phrase of the game is “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing…” The first player starts the game by finishing the sentence with an object that starts with “a.” On the second player’s turn, they end the same sentence repeating the last player’s item and an item that starts with the next letter in the alphabet, “b.” Players who follow have to repeat the last player’s object and add a new one of their own until there are either no more letters in the alphabet to use or a player can’t remember the listed items.

Camping Charades

While camping in Central Florida, there’s a ton of inspiration to fuel your kids’ imaginations. Turn those daydreams into an active game the whole family can participate in, and round your campers up for a game of charades. Using a camping theme, you and your little ones can write down some ideas, toss them into a bowl, and take turns recreating what you all came up with. If you need some inspiration to toss in the charades hat, add items like “pitching a tent,” “going fishing,” and “roasting marshmallows.”

Balloon Ping Pong

Pick up some ping-pong paddles and a pack of balloons for endless hours of fun while camping in Central Florida. To set your players up for balloon ping-pong, swap out your regular ping-pong ball for a blown-up balloon. Balloons are much easier for smaller kids to keep track of and unpredictable enough to entertain players of all ages. Whether you want to set up a scorekeeping system or just let your little ones let loose with this simple and super fun game, your campers will no doubt have a blast.

Scavenger Hunt

Every camper wants to feel like an explorer. Take your little ones out to venture through the campsite with a camping scavenger hunt. You can place items out beforehand or write down objects you’re sure to find on your travels. Either way, your kids will have a blast checking each item off the list. If a tough-to-track item stumps your kids, you can nudge them in the right direction with a little insight. Some common camping objects worth putting on your list include, “feathers,” “leaves,” and “rocks.” Bonus items can include objects that are certain colors, shapes, or sizes. Depending on their age, feel free to group all of your little campers into one team or encourage them to work independently.

Camping in Central Florida

It’s always safe to have a few games prepared when you take your kids camping in Central Florida. But, if you stay with the right campground, you might not even have to use them. At Grape Hammock Fish Camp, we’re proud to make camping fun for all ages. Take your children on an adventure with one of our airboat tours, teach them some skills while fishing on one of our boat rentals, or encourage them to appreciate nature anywhere else on our site. To book your family-friendly trip, contact us today.

Planning a camping trip can be a little hectic for first-timers. Trying to find activities for the whole family, portable entertainment, and close-to-home comforts can take a bit of brainwork—so we’ve done it for you. Before you start planning your next trip, check out our tips to make it more enjoyable for everyone at your campsite.

Pack Your Board Games

Bring family game night to your campsite with your favorite tabletop games. This is a great way to keep little ones occupied during tent setups or dinner prep time, and your games don’t have to take up a ton of space in your pack. Plenty of popular games now come in smaller sizes or portable packages so you can bring your favorite form of fun wherever you go. Even a simple deck of cards can make a huge difference to your downtime on site.

Bring Some Reading Material

If you want to unplug but still love a good story, take one with you. While you’re camping, you can check a few items off of your to-read list by bringing some new books to burn through in your spare time. This will help you to relax and unwind while taking in some of your favorite entertainment. Whether you’re laying out on shore, taking a break by the fire, or sitting under flashlight in your tent, there are plenty of opportunities to turn some pages.

Eat Comfort and Camping Food

S’mores and hotdogs are a traditional camping treat. If you want to mix things up throughout your trip, try whipping up some more creative camping cuisine. For example, campfire quesadillas are an easy dish that you can personalize for each camper at your site. To get your quesadillas just right, lay a tortilla down inside a foil packet, stuff the center with your favorite meats, veggies, and cheeses, and fold everything up to roast over the fire.

Decorate the Tabletop

If you want to make your campsite feel more like home and more convenient for your family, decorate your campsite table or bench to fit your taste. For example, packing some dishware like your favorite mug can make your time away from home feel much cozier. Likewise, adding a tablecloth over the top of your surface can make a huge difference when you sit down to eat and get ready to clean up.

Stay at a Central Florida Campground

Overall, the best way to make your trip enjoyable is to surround yourself with the friends, family, and fun you love most. If you want to book your trip at a place where everyone can have their fill, stay at a Florida fish camp. At Grape Hammock Fish Camp, a Central Florida campground, we have a range of activities to satisfy any visitor. From going fishing to taking an adventurous airboat tour, there are endless ways to make your trip enjoyable at Grape Hammock.

When you think of great camping states, more woodsy and mountainous states like North Carolina, Colorado, and Washington probably top the list. However, Florida is a better camping state than it gets credit for, with some of the best state parks in the country and an environment unlike anywhere else in the states.

Worried about the heat for summer camping trips? Well that’s the beauty of Florida camping—the best spots are all waterside, near oceans, lagoons, rivers, and lakes. Experience the best of Florida like never before at these premier campsites.  

Grayton Beach State Park

Up in the panhandle between Destin and Panama City, Grayton Beach State Park can bring you the best of the beach and the forest. Regularly rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Grayton Beach also boasts a salty coastal forest with scenic nature trails for hiking and biking. There is also a unique salt marsh right next to the beach where kayakers and canoers can explore this geological phenomenon. 

Bahia Honda State Park

Check out Bahia Honda Key for some of the best camping in the Florida Keys. Incredible sunsets, turquoise clear waters, and pristine beaches await you at this state park. In addition to soaking up the sun on your favorite beach chair, you can explore some of the best reefs in the world just a few miles away on a snorkeling tour. Don’t forget to hike across the Old Bahia Honda Bridge and take in the breathtaking view of the island while watching sea turtles swim and tarpon jump out of the water.

Boca Chita Key

Perhaps the most remote campsite in the state, Boca Chita Key in Biscayne Bay is a tiny island only accessible by boat. If you ever wanted to camp in a tropical ocean paradise, this is the place for you. With a scenic limestone lighthouse, crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and palm trees dotting the island, this is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in the entire state. However, there are mosquitoes year-round, so come prepared if you plan on staying for a few days—the nearest store is a long boat ride away.

Grape Hammock Fish Camp

You don’t have to travel out of central Florida to the panhandle or Keys to experience natural Florida camping at its best. Grape Hammock Fish Camp offers camping and RV sites on the shores of Lake Kissimmee. There are also cabins available for rent for those who prefer to have a building to stay in. Here, you can explore Florida’s wetlands on an airboat tour and take chartered fishing trips for some of the best bass fishing in the state.

To reserve your spot at Grape Hammock today or for more information, please give us a call at 863-692-1500.

When you vacation at a waterfront campsite, you might think that swimming is the only way to beat the heat and take advantage of the local waters. But if you want to make the most of your trip, consider how you can integrate different waterfront activities into each part of your day. Whether you want to have a new dining experience, find an adventure, or just bond with your loved ones, here are five ways bring your camping activities offshore.

Cast Your Line

If you’re looking for a great way to connect with your family and sharpen your skills, grab your fishing pole and fill your tackle box for a day of fishing. Show your smaller campers how to hook their first catch or just let them brush up on baiting and casting in a new territory.

Fishing is one of the most family-friendly sports of waterfront camping, but it’s also a great option for those that want a solo activity. Both seasoned and novice fisherman can search for that elusive lunker, try new techniques, or just unwind for a few hours of fishing.

Have a Waterfront Picnic

Connecting with nature is a great way to improve your mental performance and boost your mood, but hiking isn’t the only way to have a true camping experience. Take in the fresh air and cool breeze outside by bringing your biggest blanket and filling your picnic basket for an unforgettable waterfront meal.

Remember, being on and near bodies of water brings a lot of additional sun exposure, so it’s important to stay hydrated during your picnic. Some hydration-packed foods to bring in your basket include watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, cucumber, and tomato.

Leave the Dock

If you’re bringing your own boat or renting one from the campsite, you can venture out on the water to get an even better view of the local scene, a unique fishing spot, or a private getaway for the whole family. And, if you want to top off your day of camping with a photo-worthy scene, you can take a boat out to watch the sunset with a view that’s truly unforgettable.

Before you leave the dock, fill your bags with some boating essentials such as sunscreen, lifejackets, and water. If you’ve got some guests on board that are a little harder to entertain, bring along a deck of cards, a magazine, or something else guaranteed to keep them occupied on the water. 

Get Some Sun

Camping is a great vacation idea for those who want to stay active, get in touch with nature, and absorb some essential vitamin D. But, if you’re looking for a more relaxing way to spend your day, unwind by the waters of your campsite and sunbathe. Bring a great summer read, plug in to your playlist, or just enjoy the natural sights and sounds of the waves around you.  

Of course, you’ll need to pack some SPF to have a safe sunbathing experience, but don’t worry about losing your tan. You’ll still be able to get a great glow while your sunscreen prevents harmful rays from causing an unwanted sunburn.

Take an Airboat Tour

If you want an ultimate water adventure during your next camping retreat, book your trip with one of the best Central Florida airboat rides. Airboat tours are family-friendly, affordable adventures that take any camping trip to the next level.

While on tour, you’ll not only zoom across the waters of your campsite, but you’ll also take in the best local scenery. And, with an experienced airboat captain, your boat stops at prime locations to see the local wildlife and get firsthand insight on the area’s history.   

Whether you’re a first-time camper or a practiced tent pitcher, there are plenty of new ways to experience the outdoors when you go waterfront camping.

Central Florida might be a popular destination for an unforgettable adventure, but you can also come here to wind down and experience absolute relaxation. And, who wouldn’t benefit from penciling some leisure into their schedule? No matter what you’re looking for in a nature outing, camping in Central Florida has something for everybody.

Relax on the Water

Eventually, everyone needs a break to recharge, refresh, and reminisce. If your campsite is lakeside, you can cool down while absorbing some essential sunlight and getting back to the basics. Floating on the water can ease discomfort, release muscle tension, and clear your mind to help you continue the calm throughout your trip.

Take a Nature Walk

You don’t always have to be sedentary to find serenity. Since there’s no shortage of trails in Central Florida, you’re guaranteed to always have the opportunity to walk off your worries. Going for a peaceful stroll and getting in touch with your surroundings can promote blood flow and a healthy mindset.

Find Your Creative Outlet

A change of setting can get anyone out of a creative rut, and inspiration is bountiful when you’re camping in Central Florida. Whether you’re a sketch artist, photographer, or writer, you’re sure to come up with something original in the open air.

Practice Outdoor Yoga

Balancing your work life with your personal life is crucial to having a healthy mind and body, which is why yoga is centered on the benefits of balance. Outdoor yoga lets you connect with your inner self and nature at the same time. By practicing outside, you can reap the benefits of exercise and the environment. 

Enjoy the Florida Sunset

When the day breaks, don’t stay huddled up in your camper or tent. Grab a seat outside and watch the sun paint the horizon with a warm palette of reds, oranges, and purples. The moment won’t last forever, but the memory might.

If you’re planning a trip to come camping in Central Florida, pitch your tent at Grape Hammock Fish Camp. Surrounding Lake Kissimmee, our campsite is a prime location for campers who want to unwind. If you want to take it easy while you try something new, call (863) 692-1500.