DeLand / St. Johns River KOA

The Great Outdoors

Camp in an RV near DeLand and head north to the Ocala National Forest, which is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River. It sprawls across a large area of sand pine scrub forest and is dotted with natural springs, lakes, and ponds where you can swim, canoe, fish, snorkel, and scuba dive. Stretch your legs along one of the many hiking trails that include the Salt Springs Observation Trail and the Yearling Trail, which access a natural sinkhole and the remains of homesteads dating from the 19th century. The Ocala National Forest is also becoming popular with mountain bikers thanks to the challenging 22-mile-long Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail.Alternatively, you can head south to the Seminole State Forest, which encompasses more than 25,000 acres of forest to the west of Deltona. It’s renowned for its ecological diversity, with almost all of the native vegetative communities of Central Florida represented here. In addition, it’s also home to a number of rare and threatened wildlife species, including Florida black bear and scrub-jay. A variety of multi-use trails traverse the park, with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders welcome to explore, although only hiking is permitted on the Florida National Scenic Trail. Canoeing is also popular on Black Water Creek, which forms part of the nationally designated Wekiva Wild and Scenic River System.Between the Ocala National Forest and Seminole State Forest lies the Lake Norris Conservation Area, a 3,660-acre wetland that’s a recreation hub for hiking, cycling, canoeing, and fishing. Lake Norris is an impressive dark-water lake that supports a large population of osprey, with more than 100 active nests recorded in the cypress trees that surround its waters. Aside from osprey, the reserve is also home to gopher tortoises, alligators, and a variety of snakes, together with forming part of the Florida black bear corridor.

Exploring the Area

RV camping at DeLand / St. Johns River KOA puts you on the doorstep of historic DeLand, which was founded in 1876 and serves as the seat of Volusia County. It’s home to one of Florida’s oldest colleges, Stetson University, which is clustered with stately red-brick buildings and Greco-Roman columns. Admire the heritage-listed Stetson Mansion that blends Gothic, Tudor, Moorish, and Polynesian architectural elements, then stop in at the Museum of Art-DeLand. Aside from its impressive permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, the museum also regularly hosts touring exhibitions and gallery talks.DeLand is home to numerous supermarkets where you can pick up groceries, as well as plenty of gas stations if you need to fill up your campervan rental. Don’t want to cook? There is no shortage of options for dining out, ranging from fast food eateries to cafes and fine dining.Renting an RV in DeLand is a great option if you want to explore the sights and attractions of Orlando. Shop for artisan produce at the East End Market or stroll along the leafy paths of the Harry P Leu Gardens, then get hands-on with the interactive exhibits at the Orlando Science Center. If you’re traveling with kids (or big kids at heart), don’t miss a visit to Orlando’s Walt Disney World. Enjoy the family-friendly rides in Magic Kingdom Park or go behind-the-scenes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then get up close to animals from across the globe at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.Whether you want to explore the natural landscapes of Central Florida or the family-friendly attractions of Orlando, book an RV in Volusia County and start planning your next vacation.