During our Spring Break in March, we visited the Smoky Mountains and stayed at Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort for the first time. We loved this campground. It was close to the park and an easy trip into either Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
This campground has everything you need for a successful trip to the Smoky’s including the camper! They have luxury tents that come fully loaded and even two retro RVs outfitted with some pretty nice amenities. There are also tent and every RV site is full hookup. There are laundry, shower houses, a pool, and even some games to keep everyone busy and happy.
Because they are located so close to Gatlinburg, you can catch a trolly into town and not have to worry about parking (or driving back if you’ve sampled a little too much moonshine)! They are a short drive to the Greenbrier entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and about 20-30 minutes to the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Check out our YouTube video review for more details and to see the campground up close. We’ll be doing more campground reviews in the fall after we get back from Spain and Portugal. Make sure you subscribe on YouTube and Instagram to see every bit of our adventure this summer!
We had no idea what to expect when planning our stay at the Pine Island KOA because we couldn’t find much about it online. We wondered – what is there to do on the island, is there water access, is the campground nice, and are we going to be happy driving to see all that we want to see in the area?
Let’s begin with the fact that the campground is called the “Fort Myers/Pine Island KOA” on the KOA website. This is deceptive because it’s an hour by car to get to Fort Myers, probably a much shorter ride by boat but we didn’t have one of those on hand. That being said, most people would look on a map and realize this basic information. We knew when we decided to stay at this campground that we would need to travel a bit to see the tourist spots but we liked the almost “secluded” feel of this island.
Another big draw for us was that we wanted to stay somewhere that had a pool and a hot tub, because in late December/early January we were hoping for warm days and expecting cool evenings. Let me just say the pool and hot tub were fantastic and hit the spot! We ended just about every day here and could have spent more time here.
I don’t have a photo, but I have to tell you about the laundry room. It is actually worth bragging about because it was clean, had a reading room, and was just off the pool so we could hang out in the pool while our laundry was washing. But the best part was the credit card machine. We have seen a lot of laundry rooms, even a lot of credit card machines, but none like this one. When we put our credit card in, we picked which washer or dryer numbers we were using, and for the dryer we picked how much time we wanted. The best part was that we could download an app on our phone that would notify us when our machine was done and if the machine was stopped or opened. How cool is that? Needless to say we using the laundry room twice while we were there. Great job KOA!
Image taken from KOA.com
This campground is huge. A lot of KOA campgrounds are big but this one felt a bit crowded, especially up front. We chose to stay on the big lake in the back of the campground because we wanted a lake view vs. a view of RV after RV. We were so happy with our decision to stay on the lake. We enjoyed listening to the water, watching the ducks play, and enjoyed the turtles playing in the water next to our site. The only problem we had were the bugs. This area of Florida has no-see-’ems which, in my opinion, are more intense than mosquitos and don’t care about your Deet. The bites last 2-3 weeks so you’ll take home the memory of them for sure. Once we learned what we need to have to prevent/get rid of those bugs, we were much happier.
Let’s talk about wi-fi. If only campgrounds were more generous with their wi-fi, we would be so much happier. This is an ongoing challenge for us because we are not willing to spend a lot of money on wi-fi at this point. We want it to work on our blog posts and to stream Netflix but we don’t “need it” so we are stuck with whatever free wi-fi a campground has to offer. Obviously, it is nice that there is any wi-fi at all but if the wi-fi is slow why even have it? We had better wi-fi in small villages throughout Spain then we do in most campgrounds and this place was no exception. Unless you are paying for wi-fi, you are not getting much.
Let’s talk about location! Don’t go to Pine Island if you want to feel like you are in a tourist area because you will be unhappy. We loved spending New Year’s Eve at Fort Myers Beach and then coming home to our quiet island. The great part is we planned a couple trips to Cape Coral (which is the closest bigger town), a day at Sanibel Island, and a day on Fort Myers Beach. We got to enjoy the tourism of these cities without the noise of them. The best kept secret is the little village you have to drive through in order to get on Pine Island, the village is called Matlacha (pronounced Matt-la-shay, not the obvious Matt-latch-a). This is a great place to spend an afternoon or all day if you want to rent kayaks.
If you want to visit Cayo Costa State Park, you need to come to Pine Island which was great because we were already there! This state park is quiet, has a beautiful sandy beach full of shells, and a great way to spend the day. We took the Tropic Star Ferry from the town of Bokeelia which is on the north end of Pine Island. You could tent camp there, but be prepared because there is nothing except a small camp store on the island.
Pine Island KOA and Pine Island itself kept us busy. We had 16 miles of biking/walking trails, a pool, a hot tub, a lake view, and each other. At the end of the day, we loved this campground and will definitely be back. If this review helped you, click the “like” button. If you have questions about the campground or the area, leave us a comment.
Our philosophy is anytime you are camping together is a good day, we are happy we had a campground to facilitate that joy. For now, it’s back to teaching until we can get back into our rig and camp again!
★ 25 years guiding★ 48 U.S. states★ 10 countries★ 3,000+ Camino miles
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Know before you go
Activity Level.
Every Cruisin' with the Colemans trip comes with an activity level so you know, before you lace up, roughly how hard the walking will be. Think of it as the overall rhythm of the trip — a few days might push a little past it and a few will feel gentler, but it's an honest read on what your legs are signing up for.
Nobody knows your body better than you do. We're all for a good challenge, but pick a level that matches your current fitness and trail experience and the whole walk gets more fun. Not sure where you land? Reach out — we've walked every one of these ourselves and we're always happy to talk it through.
Grades
EasyEasy0–8 km (0–5 miles)
Gentle, mostly flat days on well-kept, easy-to-follow paths. Ideal if you're new to multi-day walking or simply want a relaxed pace with plenty of time to soak it all in.
Easy – ModerateEasy–Moderate8–16 km (5–10 miles)
A little more distance over mixed ground — mostly maintained trails, quiet lanes, and the occasional gentle climb. A good fit if you're reasonably active and ready for a few longer stretches.
ModerateModerate16–20 km (10–12 miles)
Fuller days on varied, sometimes rugged terrain with regular ups and downs. Great for steady hikers in good shape, or determined first-timers chasing a real sense of accomplishment.
Moderate – StrenuousModerate–Strenuous20–24 km (12–15 miles)
Long days with sustained, often steep climbs and descents on rough trail. You'll want solid fitness; a few exposed spots call for a head for heights, and navigation can get trickier when the weather turns.
StrenuousStrenuous24–28 km (15–17 miles)
Big days on demanding, often remote mountain terrain — serious distance and elevation for experienced, fit hikers. Expect rough footing, the odd exposed or aided section, and higher altitude on some routes.
ExtremeExtreme+28 km (+17 miles)
Our toughest walking, built for very fit, very experienced hikers. Rugged, sometimes remote mountain terrain with scrambling, exposure, and aided sections — plus altitude, weather, and navigation that all add to the challenge.
Where you rest
Accommodations Levels.
Where you sleep is part of the story, so we hand-pick locally run places that welcome you like an old friend. The level shifts a little from trip to trip depending on the route, but the goal never does: a clean, comfortable, genuinely local stay at the end of every walking day.
Most nights you'll land in friendly, independent or family-run hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs chosen for their charm and the little touches that feel like home. Some trips lean a touch more luxurious; others, especially in the remote stretches, mean simpler refuges or huts. Either way, we've picked each one to help you rest up and wake ready for the trail.
Basic – A Place to Rest Your HeadBasic
Mountain huts, refuges, and simple B&Bs. Ensuite rooms aren't a given, and you may share a dorm with fellow walkers — but what you trade in polish you more than gain back in camaraderie and a big, rustic welcome.
Classic – Charming Without the FrillsClassic
Locally owned B&Bs, guest houses, and small inns that feel like a home away from home — usually family-run, cozy or freshly kept, and well placed for the next day's walk. A warm welcome comes as standard.
Comfort – A Little More...ComfortableComfort
Characterful, locally owned hotels and B&Bs with the little extras that make a stay feel special — décor rooted in the region, the occasional spot to unwind, and sometimes a kitchen worth lingering over.
In Style – For Those who Want to Treat ThemselvesIn Style
First-class stays in boutique hotels, vineyards, and country manors — often in the best seats in the house, from hilltop towns to the water's edge, with standout service and, now and then, a truly memorable table.
Mixed – Boutique Hotels to Mountain Huts, all in One TripMixed
One trip, a bit of everything. You might bed down in Classic or Comfort rooms through the towns and villages, then a refuge or other Basic spot up in the mountains where that's all there is — an honest, memorable mix that matches the journey.
