Best Campgrounds near Gainesville, FL

Camping near Gainesville, FL, offers a mix of beautiful nature, fun activities, and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

• Swimming and Wildlife Watching: At Alexander Springs Recreation Area, you can enjoy the beautiful springs and spot turtles, otters, and fish while swimming. One visitor mentioned, "The spring is walking distance from the campground - we saw turtles, otters, and many fish while swimming in the spring."

• Kayaking and Canoeing: Ginnie Springs Outdoors is perfect for those who love water sports. A reviewer said, "This is clearly one of the best natural springs in all of Florida complete with 250 wooded acres of pure Florida wilderness."

• Hiking and Biking: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers great trails for hiking and biking. One camper noted, "Great trails and walking. BRING BUG SPRAY."

What campers like

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Silver Springs State Park Campground remarked, "The bathhouses are very clean and if cold out nice hot heaters."
• Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds, like O'Leno State Park, offer roomy sites. A camper shared, "The sites were nice, forested, and reasonably spaced out."
• Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. At Salt Springs Recreation Area, one reviewer said, "The staff and guests were all so friendly and helpful."

What you should know

• Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Manatee Springs State Park Campground noted, "No cell coverage period. You'll get 1 bar to tease you and think you can do something."
• Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during busy weekends. A visitor at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park mentioned, "This campground is fun but is very busy and has a lot of golf cart traffic until about 10:30 at night."
• Weather Considerations: Be prepared for rain and bugs. A camper at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground advised, "The bugs lit us up all hours, so make sure you bring different bug sprays."

Tips for camping with families

• Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds that offer activities for kids. Ginnie Springs Outdoors is great for group camping and swimming, as one reviewer said, "A perfect spot to camp and swim with your friends!!!"
• Plan for Wildlife Encounters: Kids will love seeing wildlife. At Manatee Springs State Park Campground, a camper shared, "Some of the wildlife seemed especially comfortable in the campsites."
• Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games for downtime. A visitor at Salt Springs Recreation Area suggested, "There’s only one walking trail, but that gave us a chance to just relax."

Tips from RVers

• Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rainbow Springs State Park Campground noted, "Sites are a little small. More tent campers than RV."
• Look for Full Hookups: If you need amenities, check for campgrounds with full hookups. At Silver Springs State Park Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Big rig friendly, several pull-thru spots, easy paved entry."
• Plan for Dump Stations: Ensure you know where the dump stations are located. A camper at O'Leno State Park said, "Dump Station: Yes."

Camping near Gainesville, FL, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors!