Alachua, Florida features sandy soil terrain surrounded by freshwater springs maintaining a constant 72-degree temperature year-round. The camping season extends from October through April, with summer humidity making primitive camping less comfortable. Most campgrounds in the region provide direct river access on the Santa Fe and Suwannee waterways with sites typically spaced among natural oak hammocks.
What to do
River kayaking at Paynes Prairie: Access multiple paddling trails directly from Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground for wildlife viewing and photography. A camper noted, "This park has 8 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. We were able to see wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking."
Wildlife observation boardwalks: Elevated viewing platforms at several parks offer safe alligator and bird watching opportunities. According to one visitor at Manatee Springs State Park Campground, "The boardwalk was really cool and we saw a couple of manatees."
Historic site exploration: The CCC-built structures at O'Leno State Park include bridges, pavilions and historical buildings. A reviewer shared, "There is a picnic area, a pavilion, a lodge, a museum, several other structures and a swimming area (WHAT!!) which was closed when we visited due to high water levels."
What campers like
Dark sky stargazing: Parks far from city lights offer exceptional astronomy opportunities. As one Paynes Prairie camper reported, "Great location with plenty of dark skies. The spots are well spaced in the woods, with plenty of room."
Swimming in natural springs: The crystal-clear waters provide safe swimming areas with viewing platforms. At Silver Springs State Park Campground, "Excellent facilities, very popular so book early to get your choice of sites. Trees, clean, meh privacy BUT some of the BEST kayaking & beauty on the planet, I promise."
Riverfront camping access: Sites positioned along waterways allow direct water access. One visitor to Ellie Ray's RV Resort & Lounge shared, "Perfect spot on the Sante Fe with the Ichetucknee and Suwanee rivers super close. Huge dockage and nice spot for overflow/trailer parking."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between parks, with most offering spotty coverage. A reviewer at Travelers Campground noted, "Cellular spotty (T-Mobile)."
Pet restrictions on trails: Many parks limit where dogs can access. According to one camper, "The biggest disappointment for this state park is that all of the things they advertise (and I was looking forward to) - bison, horses, wildlife - are all on trails where pets are not allowed."
Seasonal flooding impacts: Water levels affect trail and spring access depending on rainfall. A visitor explained, "The swimming section. The river goes underground but you can't kayak in this area. The river has a small rapids area, for Florida."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature farm animals or wildlife viewing opportunities. At Sportsman's Cove Resort, "A perfect place to enjoy fishing, wildlife and the Florida Birding Trail."
Playground accessibility: Check site proximity to play areas for convenience. One reviewer mentioned, "Site 15 was not private, as it is on a big open field, but you don't have any neighbors staring right at you. It faces the playground, but its about 150 feet away."
Short hiking opportunities: Trails under 1 mile suit young children for wildlife viewing. A camper shared, "We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many parks have tight turns and overhanging branches. One reviewer cautioned, "Spots can be had. Facilities are clean, albeit old. Camping loops and pads are hard sand. Sites vary in size and level. Separation between sits is not bad but suffered in hurricane damage. Some sites appear a bit tight with overhanging trees."
Water quality concerns: Well water at some parks may have mineral content. At Otter Springs Park & Campground, a visitor advised, "Bring bottled water/water storage."
Limited dump station access: Some parks have single stations causing morning delays. According to one RVer, "This was a really nice and quiet campground. Super tight if you got a big rig, lots of sand but was very happy with the stay overall."
