Guides · Arcadia, Florida
RV Camping in Arcadia, FL: Rodeo Week & River Parks
Arcadia's rodeo anchors the calendar. For four days in March, the RV parks along the Peace River are the closest thing to a front-row seat.
Why an RV Beats a Hotel for Rodeo Week
Motels fill up fast in a town of 7,571 people. Most sit a drive from the action. An RV puts you minutes from the arena, with room to spread out after a long day in the stands. During rodeo week you skip inflated room rates and parking fights. You're parked, settled, already where you need to be. The Peace River runs through much of this country, and several campgrounds sit right on it—something no downtown hotel can offer.
Rodeo Week RV Strategy: Booking, Parking, and Packing
The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo runs four days each March, with the 2022 edition held 10–13 March. Book well ahead. This is the busiest week of the year for every campground in the county. Choose a riverside spot if you want to fish or kayak between events. Pick an inland resort for golf or a quieter, more manicured setting. Pack for March in Florida: warm days, cool nights, real rain. Bring chairs, a cooler, sunscreen. The crowds are thick, so get to the arena early.
Beyond the Rodeo: Peace River Parks and Historic Downtown
The rodeo is the headline; the river is the backdrop. Morgan Park offers shade and open space along the water. Brownville Park is a solid spot for fishing or a quiet afternoon. The downtown is worth a walk—brick and block buildings that went up after the fire of Thanksgiving Day, 30 November 1905 destroyed the old wooden business district. More than 370 historic homes and businesses made the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, with a Florida Historic Marker following in 2017. It's a real downtown, rebuilt by people who intended to stay.
Arcadia RV Parks Compared: Riverfront, Resort, and No-Frills
The 13 RV parks split into three camps: riverfront, resort-style, and no-frills. Arcadia Peace River Campground and Encore Riverside sit along the water, good for kayakers and anglers. Live Oak RV Resort & Golf Course and Arcadia Village Country Club lean resort, with golf and a structured feel. Toby's RV Resort, Big Tree, and Craig's RV Park are the workhorses—clean, functional, close to town. Cross Creek RV Resort and Lettuce Lake Travel Resort are quieter, inland options. South Country Sheds and Tractor Supply Co. are worth noting for supplies, though they're not campgrounds themselves. Brewer Park and Arcadia Parks & Recreation are day-use spots, not overnight stays.
| Park | Vibe |
|---|---|
| Arcadia Peace River Campground | Riverfront, practical, busy during rodeo week |
| Alligator Alley Outfitters | Nature-focused, high marks, outdoorsy |
| Encore Riverside | Riverside, well-rated, family-friendly |
| Toby's RV Resort | No-frills, close to town, straightforward |
| Craig's RV Park | Quiet, functional, no extras |
| Big Tree | Basic, convenient, near FL-70 |
| Live Oak RV Resort & Golf Course | Resort-style, golf on site, roomy |
| Lettuce Lake Travel Resort | Inland, calm, spread out |
| Cross Creek RV Resort | Quiet, inland, tidy |
| Brownville Park | Day-use, river access, fishing |
| Morgan Park | Day-use, shade, open space |
| Brewer Park | Small, local, day-use |
| Arcadia Village Country Club | Golf, resort feel, established |
Downtown Arcadia sits roughly two to four miles from the main campgrounds along FL-70, an easy drive even with a rig. The closest parks to the rodeo grounds are Arcadia Peace River Campground and Big Tree, both on FL-70 and within a few minutes of the arena.
When the Rodeo's Over: Day Trips Worth the Drive
If you've got time after the Granddaddy, the region has a festival circuit worth chasing. Okeechobee is 71 miles away and hosts the Speckled Perch Festival and Parade. Dade City, 81 miles out, does the Kumquat Festival. Clermont is 90 miles with Pig on the Pond, and Everglades City runs the Everglades Seafood Festival at 100 miles. Sebastian has the Clambake Lagoon Festival at 102 miles, and Altamonte Springs wraps it up with Red Hot & Boom at 104. None are quick jaunts, but they're doable if you're already on the road.
Arcadia is a working cattle town. The rodeo grew out of ranch families raising money for schools and civic causes in the 1920s, and it's still the defining event. The RV parks are the practical base camps for it. Pick your spot, book early, bring your fishing rod.
Common questions
- Where can I park my RV in Arcadia?
- Arcadia has solid RV options. Arcadia Peace River Campground (rated 4.2) sits right on FL-70. Encore Riverside (4.6) is south on County Rd 769. Cross Creek RV Resort (4.6) and Craig's RV Park (4.4) are up near Cubitis Ave. Big Tree (4.4) is another FL-70 choice.
- Is there anything outdoors to do besides the rodeo?
- Yes. Alligator Alley Outfitters (5.0) offers nature experiences. Morgan Park (4.5) is a good in-town spot. Brownville Park (4.7) and Brewer Park (4.4) are smaller but solid. Tractor Supply Co. is listed as a nature park, which tells you something about local priorities.
- What's the deal with the rodeo?
- The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo is billed as Florida's oldest and favorite rodeo—The Granddaddy of 'Em All. It runs four days each March with bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding. The 2022 edition was March 10-13. It started in the 1920s as ranch families raising money for schools.
- Why does downtown look so different from old Florida towns?
- A fire on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1905, destroyed the old wooden business district. The town rebuilt in brick and block under a new ordinance. That's why you get the solid, fireproof downtown instead of the usual touristy wooden storefronts. It's earned, not staged.
- How old is Arcadia and how did it get its name?
- Arcadia got its post office in 1883, incorporated in 1886, and became DeSoto County's seat in 1888. The name's origin is undocumented, but the town tells the story it's named for Arcadia Albritton Coker, in thanks for a birthday cake she baked. Good enough for us.
- Is Arcadia a good base for exploring nearby towns?
- It's central enough. Okeechobee is 71 miles away (Speckled Perch Festival), Dade City 81 miles (Kumquat Festival), Clermont 90 miles (Pig on the Pond). The rodeo is the main draw, but if you want festival hopping, you can day-trip from your RV site.
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