Camper submitted image from Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest - 2
Roads
Camper submitted image from Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest - 3
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest - 4
Signs & Maps
Camper submitted image from Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest - 5
Camping
Unlock Planning Tools in App

Established Camping

Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.

Matanzas State Forest, near St. Augustine, Florida, is a rustic campground that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you’re after tranquility, this place is a winner, with large sites that provide ample space for tents and a good dose of privacy thanks to the thick foliage surrounding each spot.

The campground is pretty basic, featuring picnic tables and fire pits for your cooking and gathering needs. Visitors have raved about the incredible stargazing opportunities here, with one camper noting that “star gazing out here is absolutely immaculate.” Just keep in mind that amenities are limited; there are no showers or drinking water, so come prepared.

For those who love to explore, the surrounding area is rich with wildlife and nature trails. You might spot turkeys, deer, or even a bald eagle if you’re lucky. Plus, if you’re up for a little adventure, nearby Princess Preserve and Faver-Dykes State Park offer additional trails and activities to check out.

While the roads leading in can be a bit rough, the remoteness of Matanzas State Forest means you can truly disconnect and enjoy the great outdoors. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, and you’ll be all set for a memorable camping experience.

Description

FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service

Matanzas State Forest

The Cedar Creek Campground is located in the Matanzas State Forest (St. Johns County), about 25 minutes south of St. Augustine, FL. This campground has the following facilities: campsites with a communal portalet, a communal pitcher pump (non-potable), and no electricity. Recreational activities featured here: hunting, picnicking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, and photography.

This site is for tents, small RVs and pop-up campers. This primitive campground has non-potable water and no electric hookups. One communal portalet is present. A gate combination is required to enter this area. The combination is found at the top of the confirmation email sent from Reserve America when a site is booked.

Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Florida forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information

Suggest an Edit

Location

Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest is located in Florida

Detail location of campground

Directions

**Physical Address:** 1074 Eagles Nest Road St. Augustine, FL 32086 From U.S. Hwy 1, drive 1.4 miles East on Double Gate Road. Turn right and drive South on Longleaf Road for 0.5 miles. Turn left and drive East on Eagles Nest Road for 1.1 miles until arriving at Cedar Creek Campground.

Address

6840 US Highway 1 South
St. Augustine, FL 32086

Coordinates

29.72344848 N
81.26243297 W

Open in Google Maps

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

40%
20%
40%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Reviewed Jan. 17, 2025

solitude in an unexpected place

WOW -- was great.  Only sites (I had #2 -- a little bigger) No one else there.  Amazing stars -- great view of incredible moon.As one of the other commenters wrote --- its amazing you are 10 minutes from a major highway yet feel like you are 1000 miles from anywhere.  Easy to get to --- gps has much of it listed as walking but can drive up.  Roads are rough but not terrible (i have a jeep wrangler - but 4 wheel drive not necessary)  was there 2 nights -- definitely the time of year to be there [January] --- no bugs, no animals.  Passing through and will definitely stop by again when I can.  Rangers were super nice too.

SiteSite #2
Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2024

Rural Campground not far from st augustine

Took some rough dirt roads to get to this campsite. If you value peace and quiet you will love this campsite. It’s more primitive than anything in my opinion. Star gazing out here is absolutely immaculate. The sites here are pretty large. You could fit several tents in these sites. Some limited service.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest by Haley L., June 12, 2024
  • Review photo of Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest by Haley L., June 12, 2024
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2022

Hermit Living in Maze-Like Camping Outpost

I have yet to find any place that you can feel so lost within just a 10 minute drive from one of the busiest highways in America than Matanzas State Forest. Once exiting I95 on Rt. 206 you’ll want to head east and within 3 minutes you’ll hit US1, where you’ll just head south until you stumble across (and I mean that, because if you’re not looking for it, you won’t find Matanzas State Forest – and GPS won’t help you, in fact, it will send you to the wrong place) the sign marked ‘Double Gate Road Entrance’ for Matanzas State Park. So, keep your camping scout eyes open and looking eastward till you see the sign in the images I’ve provided. 

Once you’ve turned into this SP, head straight (you won’t have any choice!) for 1.5 miles, then hang a right on Longleaf Road for a half mile, then left on Eagles Nest Road, where you’ll keep going pass 2 side roads until you eventually end up at Cedar Creek Campground. While there are some signs to follow, trust me, you’ll need to pay attention, otherwise you’ll get lost (pretty easily). As this campground is so incredibly remote, they use the honor system for checking in and selecting your campsite. For the most part, each of these individual sites are very well ‘shrubbed up’ keeping a decent amount of privacy between you and your new-found neighbors. There is no bathroom or shower facilities out here – apart from a shared ‘honey pot’ that sits right next to the only garbage/ disposal area (so double whammy from a smell standpoint!). 

While each site comes with a basic picnic table, in-ground fire pit with fold-over grill along with a few stand-up grills with each site, there’s not much more than this. Back near the entrance, you will find a water pump with non-potable water to wash your dishes with (and whatever else you might use potable water for). Wherever you go in this small campground, you’ll discover some of Florida’s swamplike overgrown jungle, full of Ancient Oaks, Magnolias and Long-Needle Pines, so while with most campgrounds here in Florida, you won’t have to worry about heat from direct sunlight here. The Matanzas Forest is home to turkeys, hogs, otters, tortoises, songbirds, egrets, bald eagles (or so I’ve heard – I’ve never seen any) and of course, deer. In the entire time I was here, I never once bumped into ANYONE ELSE, except for one other camper who was packing up to leave just as I arrived. So, rejoice all of you primitive camping enthusiasts that want to live like a hermit! 

Inside tips? Here’s a few: (1) There’s a number of primitive, machete-trimmed trails to chose from, but whatever you do, ensure you make your way to the marsh, where you will discover one of the last undisturbed salt marshes in the Guana – Tolomato – Matanzas Reserve; (2) If you love getting on the trails as much as I do, you’ll want to keep quiet in order to allow for nature to come out and take a peak at you – I took an amazing video with a doe and her fawn peacefully eating shrubbery!; (3) While the amenities here at Matanzas are sparse, if you are looking for more to explore and do, check out either nearby Princess Preserve or Faver-Dykes State Park, both of which are a short drive or a nice kayak ride to and where both offer tons of activities; and (4) If you have a youth group, there is a group campground that is in the northeast corner of the SP, although I am not clear if you can get to it by car or if you need to hike it in. 

Happy Camping!

Site2
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest by Stuart K., November 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest by Stuart K., November 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest by Stuart K., November 10, 2022
  • (10) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the elevation of Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest?

Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest is located at 10 feet.

Are fires allowed at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is fair.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest?

There are 4 campsites at Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts