This was my first time camping since I was a kid in Girl Scouts. The area was just beautiful. The…read moresite (63) was big enough for two cars, two tents, a hammock and two tables under a tailgate tent. There was a port-a-potty close by and a real bathroom with showers about a 4 minute walk. Staff cleaned the restroom often and the port-a-potty was well maintained. We rented bikes. Next time we will rent kayaks. There were hiking trails and lots of wildlife. It was a great time!

Not too far but far enough. Great campground with lots of sites. Laundry and showering facilities…read morewere very cleans lots of alligator to see, grab a kayak or a canoe and paddle the waterways. Seemed like all Sites had a fire pit and the store you were able to grab firewood for a small fee. Easy to find, beautiful drive out there. Very great trip.

Barron Park is located at the base of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge in historic downtown LaBelle…read more The land for the park was donated by W. Barney Barron and Lois Barron in the 1960's. Lois's maiden name was Hendry. She is a descendant of Francis A. Hendry who was a Florida cattle rancher, politician, and officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Hendry County is named for him. The town of LaBelle is named for his daughters Laura June and Carrie Belle Hendry. For 54 years the park has been the site of the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival held annually the last full weekend in February. Swamp cabbage is the vegetable heart of palm, which grows in the sabal palm which is the state tree of Florida. Pioneers served it boiled. The event has a parade, rodeo, food, and live music. LaBelle also stages other events like the Easter and Fourth of July celebrations in the park. The river provides a beautiful back drop to the park and makes it a popular fishing destination. Park amenities include river front picnic tables, tennis courts, dedicated benches, a covered pavilion, gazebo, stage with large seated area, restrooms, boat docks and slips. The park anchors the downtown area and provides the town with a place to gather for events. I loved the view of the river and the stately live oak trees dripping in Spanish moss. This charming park is the perfect place for a picnic lunch.

LaBelle is the county seat of Florida's Hendry County. It is located on the south side of the…read moreCaloosahatchee River and owes its existence to the early cattle drivers and trappers in the area as far back as 1889. This park is directly on the river at the foot of the bridge carrying Florida State Road 29. The park is the host of the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival, which apparently I just missed by about two or three weeks. The start and finish line of the 5 k walk/run is here along with some other celebrations, tents and even a beauty pageant. For those who don't know, swamp cabbage is the vegetable heart of palm, which grows in the sabal palm which is the state tree of Florida. The park has a number of benches facing the slow moving river, a gazebo, a structure with restrooms and a playground. There is plentiful parking and lots of shade. Some folks were fishing when I stopped by. [Review 14817 overall, 319 of 2021, number 1306 in Florida.]

We will stay here again. Great COE campground and park. Lock operations and boats going thru are…read moreentertaining and interesting. About an 8 foot drop/rise. The north side of the Caloosahatchee is very nice, enjoyed a bike ride to SR 78.

This campground is beautiful. If you're lucky enough to get a site along the canal/river you'll…read morehave lots to watch. Boats big and small going through the locks. Manatees are often going through the locks as well! There are places to fish near the Lock area. We saw otters frolicking near the bridge separating the two sections of the campground. This is a yearly stopover when going to and from the Keys.

This park was off the beaten track for me but it is well worth seeking out. I wasn't sure what to…read moreexpect when I had to to turn down a remote road past a ramshackle trailer. Fortunately the adventure turned out okay. Istokpoga Park is located on the north shore of the 28,000 acre Lake Istokpoga, the fifth largest lake in Florida. It is believed that Istokpoga is from the Seminole language and means a lake where someone was killed in the water. Legend has it that several Seminoles drowned in the lake while attempting to cross it. The lake is only four to six feet deep and it is fed by the Arbuckle and Josephine Creeks. Despite being shallow, the lake can be dangerous for boaters during windstorms when the waves can get high. The lake is well known for fishing. Lake Istokpoga is home to alligators and it attracts many species of birds including the endangered snail kite. It is also home to one of the largest number of Osprey nests in the United States. When I pulled into the park I was greeted by two sandhill cranes. They are a large species of crane but we don't have them as far south as I live. You only start seeing them north of Palm Beach. If you have ever met one of these characters you would know. YouTube is filled with videos of them squawking at their image in peoples windows. They do not care about you and often block the streets at my daughter's UCF campus. I love their don't give a flip attitudes. During my visit to the park I also spotted a limpkin. Istokpoga Park has amenities that include a double boat ramp, covered picnic tables, grills, bathrooms, nature trails, boardwalk, and fishing pier. This is a beautiful park perfect for bird watching, photography, fishing, and picnics.

We had a great time! We have done airboat rides in the Everglades and they were okay but they were…read morevery short. We went fast for quite along time and saw a ton of alligators. Captain Dave explained many things about the gators, buzzards and eco system to us. My grandkids and my kids along with us had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again. Also, it was an hour ride! Worth the time and the money. Cathy S

I was in town for my Mom's 85th BD and the kids wanted to go swimming, so we stopped by and checked…read moreit out. It was July 4th and the weather was hot and humid, of course. I didn't swim myself but just people watching while the kids swam. They had a good time and I saw some people fishing off the pier but didn't see them catch anything. The park was nice although it could use some more shaded benches.

It is indeed a waterfront park, located along the Caloosahatchee River in sight of the bridge,…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/caloosahatchee-river-bridge-labelle?hrid=gRVk16pEUi77egwoqk1_Ug. Covered by live oak, water oak and southern oak trees for plenty of shade, the park has restrooms, picnic areas, a playground and even a floating dock with several slips. There is parking available. Picnic pavilions can be reserved through the parks department. [Review 19286 overall - 1634 in Florida - 256 of 2023.]

Bob Mason Waterfront Park was founded in 1998 and completed in 2008 with funds from the Florida…read moreRecreation Assistance Program. In 2018 the Hendry LaBelle Recreation Board upgraded the park by adding several gazebos, grills, and picnic tables along with an extended parking area. The park also has a floating boat dock with 10 slips, benches, restrooms, and a small playground. The LaBelle Garden Club added the plants to the park. This is a beautiful waterfront park along the Caloosahatchee River in LaBelle Fl. My favorite feature of the park are the picnic tables along the water under the shady live, water, and southern oak trees dripping in Spanish moss. I grabbed a take out lunch from the Log Cabin BBQ and had a birthday picnic overlooking the river. As I ate I watched the boats flying down the river. This is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, fish, or just take in the view.

I've lived on this beautiful little lake for years as my condo community has quite a bit of…read morefrontage. I know it very well so let's get started. Size & Location- Most folks think it's a small to medium lake at about 280 acres. It has a maximum depth of about 15 feet. The water is usually very clear and has no tannin. What a surprise! It's on Lake Damon Drive Which is immediately off US Route 27. You turn off Route 27 and you are pointing directly at the boat ramp less than fifty yards away! It's a good thing there is a sharp turn in the road, or your car could experience the boat ramp which I definitely do not recommend! This is the only public boat ramp on the lake. Shoreline- The shore is about one half developed. The remainder is still pretty wild. There is no public swimming here! Fishing- This is the primary activity at this lake. Bass and panfish are where it's at. Trophy bass have been taken here. Recreational Boating- Other than fishing, very little. A couple of my neighbors have pontoon boats which they take out from time to time. A few of my neighbors also have fishing boats. Exploring the undeveloped shore by kayak or canoe is popular for some. There is one jet ski which is rarely seen. Facilities- Bathrooms = nope. Ditto purchasing snacks or drinks. Do both elsewhere. Pro Tip- The closest restaurant is Market 27, two minutes away and it's excellent! You can also purchase drinks & snacks here. Check Yelp! Wildlife- It tends to congregate near the undeveloped shore and is most easily seen by boat. However, there have been lots of exceptions in the developed areas. Lots and lots of gators. Please don't feed them and especially don't feed them little dogs! The little pups really hate that so keep them on a leash and away from the water. One "Chomp" and it's over! Most of the time they don't even yip! An abundance of birds and snakes. Watch out for water moccasins! Lots of turtles. I love to see racoons, especially babies! Fox are pretty common. At least one family of otters lives here, and it is a true treat to see them! Black bears have been seen but it's rare. As you can tell this is not Orlando! Highlands County is an agricultural county and represents Central Florida that's not Disneyfied! I love living here. Let's go for four stars!

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into flight, killing all seven…read morecrew members aboard including Christa McAuliffe who was selected for the Teacher in Space Program. This 4.8 acre park in Royal Palm Beach is named in honor of the lives lost in the first fatal accident of an American spacecraft in flight. There is a plaque and stone memorial to the astronauts near the lake. Other park amenities include a small parking lot, fishing dock on the lake where bass is a frequently caught, picnic pavilions with tables, a restroom, a memorial fountain, relaxing bench swings, and my favorite part, an exercise path that winds around the lake. The park is open daily from 7Am until 9 PM for fishing, meditation, exercise, and recreation.

This park was in a beautiful spot with RV looking out on Lake Okeechobee but is a place I will…read moredefinitely return to have a picnic fishing or a nice walk. This is a pretty nice quiet place to take advantage of lots of thinking and me time. We all need this! This is what will take place on my return visit. Today was just an opportunity to view the beautiful Lake while in route to Sonny's. Bon Appetite!

From the owner: Guided fishing trips on Lake Okeechobee...the best big bass lake in the country. Offering 4-Hour,…read more6-Hour and 8-Hour trips. Tom Mann, Jr. is a full time USCG licensed guide with vast knowledge of the lake and the habitat. Tom is retired from professional tournament fishing at the highest level having fished both the B.A.S.S. and FLW circuits for over 25 years and holds 4 national titles. If you want to have a fishing trip of a lifetime, give us a call.

TROPIGAY Found! (in the middle of Florida!)…read more We discovered this charming remote gay campground 3+ years ago, when my husband, black lab and I rented one of the 3 yurts for a long weekend, over Thanksgiving, and have been coming down ever since. It was the community of existing "perms" (permanent) campers, weekenders, and eventually northern snowbirds -- who all contribute to the success of this evolving camp ground (and dare I say play-ground?) Orange groves, herds of cattle, and scrub palmetto's line the road to Venus Florida -- however when you drive through the central part of Camp Mars a canopy of live oak shade your site (and maybe just a few bare chests and the occasional bare ass (only at the pool, they insist!). It just doesn't get any closer to nature. There's few bugs, a friendly atmosphere, invitations to wine & cheese parties, or after-hours campfires. We were surprised that this campground (100 sites?) had so much to offer -- heated pool with pop music, large rec hall with a commercial grade kitchen open to all tenters, campers, alike, movies under the stars, sat eve themed dance parties, bingo on Friday, mexican train most nites, pot lucks on saturday for dinner, tent camping along the shared fenceline with cows, Pedro's trail for the nature lover/man lover and of course the newly expanded Gentleman's Club -- open all day, all nite, when you're a little restless. Let's be honest though...it's the friends you meet here, that make the difference. The ones who invite you to taste their homemade bbq rub, or the ones who help you "doll up" for your first drag attempt, or those who ask you to help out in fixing an adult mac 'n cheese for the pot-luck, that rub your shoulders as you sit poolside with a rum & coke. It's those connections, locating kindred spirits that make Camp Mars so alluring -- without all the drama. Only 2 hours from Tampa Bay (and similarly from Miami/Ft. La Di Da, it's an escape to Florida's mid-section -- there's a little bit here for everyone -- except if you're looking for a hilton -- in which case, this wouldn't be for your A&F lifestyle or boy toy. Here you'll find a place to unwind, a place to share your adventures, and maybe experience one or two more! Don, Roger & Rogue (the black lab)

Located in the middle of nowhere, about 15 miles south of Lake placid, FL. This LGBTQ+ campground,…read moreis quiet, relaxing, very old and worn a few permanent residents, nice pool area..no restaurant or bar, bring everything you need, no dance floor no real entertainment even on holiday weekends. There is a shack in the wooded area by the boardwalk for indiscretions.. ( the only fun or interesting thing there), are bit pricey for the cabin rentals, especially the tiny tiny ones, that you can't even turn around in.. plus a 25$ a year membership, and 10 $ day pass, that sadly end at 4 pm.. ridiculous. They really dont know how to run a business.. soo many potentialfor this place.. . You can however rent a rv or camp nearby within 5 miles and go for a day or 2. We did about 4 miles away rented a rv. And do the day pass thing. Now, for the most part.. its clicky , and not many newbies.. friendly people there, nothing to do.. the 2 guys that own it are rude and nasty as fuck.. condescending, the short old one drive around in the golf cart and watch everyone, a gestapo. Rude and nasty, very very unfriendly, and makes any newcomers uneasy and unwelcome.. you figure they would love new blood to stair some life in the place. It could be a great place. Have a little food place, a bar.. or sorts ... a dance area.. breath some life into this place.. Owners could be a bit more friendly accommodating. Don't ask them anything.. j7st ask any of the resident or you'll get you head chewed off