Shell Mound Campground

In the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, this is a fairly remote campground away from everything. There are about 28 or so sites, with varying degrees of amenities (three sites are tent only with no hook ups, some sites have electric only, and some both electric and water). Cost depends on amenities: the tent only sites are going to be $10 a night in 2020 (it was only $5 a night for me this December), and sites with electric and water are $15. There was a dump station for RVer's as well. Bathhouse was clean if dated, with a fairly new shower stall. 

The sites on the inside of the loop are all on a slope and have the playground, office, and bathhouse as the hub. The outside of the loop sites all back up to woods or marsh.  I was in tent site #9, which was right next to the marsh. It rained overnight and I noticed the site could flood if it had rained a lot. But my other option was next to some well established and loud RVer's next to the playground, and on a slope. I chose the flatter site next to the marsh, but I think that wasn't much better as it put me right in with the mosquitos and no see-ums. Bring your industrial strength bug spray!! 

The campground is next to an arm of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and so it's close to a few nice trails and a nice boardwalk and fishing pier. If you need ice or firewood or some basic groceries, head back out the way you came in and stop at tiny little Ms Dot's Grocery. She is super nice, has lots of knowledge of the area, and her ice (BIG cubes) is super cheap.

Remote to everyone except the bugs

The place was pretty cool I liked how it looked and everything was well kept for the most part. PLEASE BRING BUG COMBAT GEAR citronella candles and buggables don’t work. The dock and ramp was good and the fishing was great. Deer and fish cleaning station. Maybe could do some work on the bathrooms 

Awesome but buggy 

Great view! Great fishing spot! Friendly staff! Clean bathrooms! Dog friendly. Just watch where you put your trash, the turkey vultures are great at finding it in the mornings. 

This place was great!

If you want a cheap campground that’s super secluded this is your spot!! $25/night, first come first serve.. and there was only a few more people camping there so your odds of getting a site are fair! 
We loved our stay here, long ride to get there but a very unique spot. We went through the trails that have a lot of history to them if you read up on them. 
Also we went into town a few times which is a great little town, great food spots and bars! Nice little fishing town. 
Only reason for the 4 stars is the bathhouse, could use a little bit of a renovation but the water was hot and there was toilet paper so can’t complain too much! 

Off the beaten path! 

I will try to make a general review much details is possible .
Small campground, around 26 spaces.

1- You can arrive at any time, having a vacant spot, you can set up your campsite and pay when the office opens in the morning around 7:30, no reservations, first come first serve, there it stays open 24hrs without a gate.
Check-out at 12:00.

2- There are three primitive spaces, which daily costs $10 per 2 people (9,19,22)
3- There are options with only electricity $20 (spaces 3-18)
or with water and electricity $25 daily, all the other spots I haven't mentioned.
4- No card are accepted there.
Cash only. (military's 50% off)
5- Spot 9 (primitive) has sun all day, grass with holes, no trees to provide shade, we stayed in it, very hot and uneven!
6- Pet-friendly Camp
7- Bathrooms with shower, clean.
Safe place, "neighbors" were super friendly.
8- If you like fishing, you will find a lot of catfish's there. It has a ramp for the boats (lots of noise throughout the day and night, so bring earplugs to sleep).
9- BUGS!  The place is full of bugs and mosquitoes especially in the afternoon, night and dawn, so don't forget to bring your repellent, make a fire to scare away insects, bring firewood, citronella candles or mosquitos coil, fan etc ...
10- Next to the boat ramp, there is a sink with fresh water that everyone can use.  And on the left side of the sink, there is a small path that leads to a good fishing spot.  (2 minutes walk)
11- The receptionist Gale is very nice!!!
12- No Wi-Fi. T-mobile's network worked well throughout Cedar Key.
13- Nearest gas station and market store is on Cedar Key downtown, 14 minutes by car. (Ice, firewood, drinks, bait)
14- In downtown Cedar Key parking is difficult to get, get there early.  Golf cart for rent for $100. It has Kayak for rent and boat charter as well.
15- The small beach of Cedar Key, is extremely nice, has a park in front of it with restrooms, shower, drinking fountain, picnic tables and toys for children's everything public.
16- In the center of Cedar Key there is a great fishing pier that is really cool, many people fish there, in this pier also has public restrooms that stay open until 11pm.
17- Just in case, that there is an Auto Parts store next to the small Market in Cedar Key.

I hope I helped you all. :)

Nice place, but a lot of bugs!

Right on the edge of Florida shore, feels quiet and peaceful. Pleasant hikes, other campers friendly and helpful. Park seems well-run, restrooms ancient but clean, lots of wildlife and beautiful sky at night. I’m told it is packed at some times of the year, but not while we were there. We met campers who come back every year, one for 50 years


Quiet, beautiful scenery

When we were there the weather was perfect. The spaces aren’t huge but they feel private enough. We had airboaters on either side of us and those things are LOUD but it was only when they were leaving or returning. I’m sure if there were a bunch of them it would be annoying if you like quiet. People were friendly mostly, and apparently come back year after year, often with friends. 
The restrooms were a little smelly- moldy, probably just old. But everything was clean and in good repair. One of the staff talked to us for quite a while about the park and about RVcamping in general. She was very helpful. 
Black vultures hang out waiting for fishermen to share their fish guts. They’re pretty interesting!
The shell mound was the trip highlight for us. We went back several times, walked through the beautiful park and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the marshes. It’s amazing to think of how long it had to take to build up a mound 20’ tall and a quarter to a half mile long- in a horseshoe shape, aligned with the solstices; and then the people abandoned it 1600 years ago but the reasons aren’t fully understood. 

Beautiful Place, historic interest

Neat little spot. Lots of fishing here. We stayed at site 1 with 37 foot motorhome. Nice playground. 10 minutes into town with great restraint and kids area. 
Dump station is back up uphill, bathroom showers have some nature creeping around. 

Cool overnight spot

Cute little campground. Husband and I went during the slow season so we had the place to ourselves (minus the couple of boaters that just launched from site). We slept in our suv. 

Sadly it was rainy so we only stayed a night as the little buggers were relentless, even with spray. We didn’t want to be cooped up in the car. 

Lovely staff. 
Clean bathrooms.
I would visit again. Hopefully with a paddle board or kayak.  :)

Cute place!

Has always been our favorite local getaway being 30 minutes away! The only downfall is not allowing reservations but there are limited spaces so I feel it would be filled up quicker. Seems to always have at least one available spot which is great. We hope it stays that way 🙏🏻