An Oasis at Turtle Beach
Did you know that you can camp steps away from the sandy shores of the Gulf Coast? At Turtle Beach Campground, both tent and RV campers can enjoy a getaway in paradise. The campground features full electrical hookups, sewer, water, cable and free Wifi. “We have direct beach access to the Gulf,” says Campground Manager Daniel Traficante, “and there’s a lagoon right across from Turtle Beach Park with kayak vendors that offer tours and rentals, and boat launch.” Another fun feature of Turtle Beach is the Breeze Trolley, which runs up and down the key seven days a week from 8am-8pm. “It’s a great way to get around without a vehicle, and it can take you to Siesta Beach or down to Siesta Village, where there are all the restaurants and shops,” Traficante adds. Families will enjoy the playground at the nearby Turtle Beach Park, and all campers can partake in the picnic area, grills, tiki huts and community restroom and laundry facility. While sea turtles nest on the beach from May to October, shore birds like osprey roost there in the winter time, and manatees and dolphins are often spotted in the water. “Turtle beach is a little, intimate campground,” he says. “We’ve only got 38 rentable sites, and many people come back on holiday weekends or during January, February and March, so we have a lot of the same people and it really becomes a little community.” — Turtle Beach Campground, 8862 Midnight Pass Rd., Sarasota, 941-861-CAMP (2267), sarasotacountyparks.com
Creature Comforts with Timberline Glamping Co.
Run by franchise owners Anayancy and Alex Escarpanter, the Sarasota branch of Timberline Glamping Co. at Oscar Scherer State Park is the best of both worlds for an outdoor escape. “Everyone wants to spend time in unique ways, create memories that look and feel different from a hotel, they want their kids to experience something different, and they want to get back into nature, but they don’t always know how,” says Anayancy. “Glamping is special because it’s made for people who want to experience nature and be in the outdoors without sacrificing comfort, and Sarasota and Venice offer something similar, where luxury and lifestyle are a priority.” Campers can stay in a Double Safari Tent measuring 320 square feet, with two queen-size beds, a Keurig and coffee, a mini-refrigerator, rugs, lamps, a diffuser, electrical outlets and air conditioning and heating units. There’s also a fire pit, string lights, two camp chairs and a picnic table to create the perfect setting. The Deluxe Safari tent offers a king-sized bed and two sets of bunk beds with luxurious bedding as well as a select coffee blend K-cup and grill with a cooking grate. Guests can purchase add-ons like cornhole, giant Jenga, bike rentals and gourmet s’mores kits to enhance their getaway. “With everything here and accessible, guests’ time is better used, instead of having to pack all of the things,” Anayancy adds. Aside from the amenities, campers can enjoy 15 miles of trails with an herb garden, butterfly area, nature center and freshwater lake with a small beachfront in Oscar Scherer State Park. Visitors with binoculars might spot scrub jays or bald eagles in the park, or see aquatic friends while kayaking, swimming and fishing. “Glamping is a beautiful way to experience nature by hearing and seeing different things with your inner explorer and seeker while feeling like you’re on a journey,” says Anayancy. “It feels so good to be part of people’s journeys, vacations and time away where people feel like they’re getting back to themselves.” — Timberline Glamping Co., 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, 941-777-3114, sarasota.tlglamping.com
Fireside Favorites
Camp Craft Cocktails, Paloma and Cranberry Martini, $25 each, Recipes For a Wilder Way of Eating Camping Cookbook, $40, Field Company Cast Iron Care Kit, $50, Toadfish Shucker’s Bundle, $94, Field Company Cast Iron Skillet, $145, Florida Provisions Co., 1561 Lakefront Dr, Suite 109, Sarasota, 941-274-0470; Howler Brothers Voltage Quilted Pullover, $185, Compound Boardshop, 3604 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, 941-552-9805; Human Gear reusable utensils, $4 each, Environeers, 5373 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-371-6208. Sourced and compiled by Emma Dannenfelser.
A Slice of Old Florida at Linger Lodge RV Park
A beloved Bradenton staple, Linger Lodge dates back to 1945. In 1968, husband and wife Frank and Elaine Gamsky purchased the establishment. The taxidermied creatures, including an alligator and fox, that have come to define Linger Lodge became a part of its identity thanks to Frank, a veterinarian. “He made the place what it is,” says Ruth Hofer, an asset manager for Linger Lodge’s current owner. “We had him involved in the renovations, and he was very excited about what we did. We continued his spirit and added the taxidermy in our clubhouse and office.” In addition to seeing live animals like bald eagles and turtles, guests can choose between river lots, located on or near the water, or jungle lots, located throughout the property. Visitors passing through overnight can park at the lodge lots, outside of the campground’s gates. Each RV site has full hookup capacity with electricity, water, sewer and, for the modern-day explorer, free Wi-Fi. Amenities include the clubhouse with a pool table, a big screen for movie night, a kids’ corner, a gym, a resort-style pool and hot tub and sunbeds. The bathhouse features a laundry facility and four family bathrooms with a shower, sink and toilet, allowing for increased privacy similar to a hotel. Campers can chart the Braden River at the kayak launch or tell stories around the community fire pit. Hungry voyagers can indulge in local favorites at the Linger Lodge Restaurant, which is adjacent to the campground. After a day of adventuring in the great outdoors, settle in for special programs like arts and crafts sessions or movie nights, and enjoy true Florida hospitality. — Linger Lodge RV Park, 7116 85th St. Court E., Bradenton, 941-739-9313, lingerlodge.com
Exploration Essentials
16oz Wide Mouth Electric Magenta/Clementine Sustain Nalgene Bottles, $14 each, Cotopaxi Packing Cube System, $50, Mystery Ranch Backpack, $89,Rumpl Orignal Puffy Blanket, Rainbow Fade, $125, Environeers, 5373 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-371-6208; Eno DoubleNest Hammock, $75, Zoom Tube Monocular Telescope, $75, Turtle Box speaker, $399, Compound Boardshop, 3604 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, 941-552-9805; Sourced and compiled by Emma Dannenfelser.
Go Country at Hunsader Farms
Hunsader Farms in Bradenton is a breath of fresh air for campers looking for an off-the-grid experience a stone’s throw away from urban life. In 1967, the three Hunsader brothers bought the farm and transitioned from life as Wisconsin dairy farmers to Florida tomato growers. Over time, the farm has added features like a petting zoo and U-pick programs. In 2020, the farm opened its KOA (Kampgrounds of America) campground, inviting visitors to travel back to a simpler time. Guests can choose from several types of accommodations, from RV and tent sites to other abodes like cabins, Conestoga wagons, silos and glamping tents, each with its own features and amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Activities include fishing and an obstacle course. For an authentic down-home feel, head to the farm for a U-pick of produce like strawberries, which can be picked through March, when flowers bloom across the farm. Visitors can also grab a bite at the Eat Shack and enjoy it with their fresh pickings. “We have a lot of locals that get to come out here where it’s out in the open where there’s no traffic and no sounds,” says Manager Austin Hunsader. “You can see all the stars in the sky, and you almost feel like you’re in a different state at night. It’s so beautiful and relaxed compared to being in the city.” — Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, 941-322-2168, hunsaderfarms.com
