Looking for an adventure where you can explore Alachua and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Alachua campsites are perfect for tent campers.
We are a 12.5 acre campground on the Sante Fe River.
We have cabins as well as primitive car campsites directly on the river as well. See the following distances:
Ginnie Springs - 6 miles
Blue Springs - 9 miles
Ichetucknee Springs - 4 miles
Gainesville - 38 miles
Rum 138 - 8 miles
Lake City - 27 miles
White Springs - 38 miles
Branford - 13 miles
High Springs - 12 miles
Dollar General - 3 miles
Publix - 15 miles
Bobs River Place - 20 miles
$45 - $105 / night
This drive-up primitive campground has ten tent sites. A Clivus mulching toilet system is available behind site 5. A communal, 2-table pavilion, grills, and a campfire ring with benches is located across from site 6. No electric hook-ups. No potable water. Pets must be on a leash. Hunting occurs during scheduled hunt seasons, as listed at http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/. Trail users should wear day-glo orange during hunt seasons. Wildlife proof all food Forest is open for day use visitors from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
$9 - $10 / night
Cabins and tent sites are accessed by walking trails. Push carts available to transport gear. Visitors are responsible for bringing their own linens, cookware, and dishes. Camping-style mattresses provided in cabins and treehouses. RV or car camping is not permitted in the park.
Camp Chowenwaw (Cho’-wen-waw), is a beautiful 150-acre site at the mouth of Black Creek, near its confluence with the St. Johns River. The Girl Scout Council of Duval County operated the site as a camp for over 70 years. The original cabins and the Big Cabin were built with federal aid using logs cut on site. The camp opened on July 1, 1933. Camp Chowenwaw has played an important role in the lives of three generations of young women in Northeast Florida. Thousands of campers have stayed at the Camp; many have gone on to be leaders in our community. In 2006, Clay County purchased the camp from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council with assistance from Florida Communities Trust using Florida Forever funds. It is now a public park offering a variety of recreation including trails, camping and overnight cabins, nature programs, fishing pier, canoe launch, picnicking, swimming pool, museum, playground, and meeting rooms. The Park is managed as a conservation, historic preservation, and outdoor recreation area.
Adams Tract is just a few miles upriver from Troy Spring State Park. It is located within a Suwanee River Water Management District Tract and provides ample hiking trails to explore throughout a longleaf pine community. There are some open, treeless areas of the camp that are ideal for stargazing with the nearest city lights miles away.
From Adams Tract, a 9.3 mile paddle will bring you to Branford.
The Woods Ferry tract features a canoe launch and the first river camp on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The river camp provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent camping area. The Jerry Branch tract is a primitive recreation site. Visitors may enjoy biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads.
A private treelined driveway leads to the back of the property to the primitive campsite where the deer have a regular route along with other forest animals. Goats, chickens (including a rooster), dogs and cats are domesticated nearby.
Birds especially love this area and the serenade gets better each year with a wide variety of bird songs. Owls reside nearby and bats have also been known to fly in the sundowning sky! Make sure to bring your blankets for sitting around the campfire and stargazing as temps still get into the 50s and 60s overnight.
Whether you're in need of forest bathing, a dip in real fresh spring water (always around 70F or 21C degrees year round!) or looking to explore by water or land, this is a great location for a base to launch from and enjoy nearby fresh water swimming, paddling, boating or fishing via public parks and private outfitters. Close to Gilchrist Blue Springs and Ichetucknee State Parks, Rum Island Park, and Ginnie Springs Recreation Park.
You can enjoy this private and serene primitive camping area in a forested riverfront neighborhood with a great public boat ramp a short walk away. The camping site is about one-half acre with cleared areas for tents and vehicles. A picnic table and two fire rings are provided; one has a grill. Spring well water access currently via hose. BATHHOUSE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Check out updated pictures from Moonlit Avenue here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10159430995895957&type=3
Booking includes:
One Car Pass to Rum Island Park available ($5 value). Suggestion: Bring cash if you have additional vehicles that need park access.
Remember, we only accept one reservation at a time so get with your family and friends and book a date for the woods!
THE AREA:
The location provides easy access to all the area's rivers and springs, to paddle, swim or fish as well as great shops and restaurants in nearby High Springs or visit our newest addition, The Collective Food Truck Park in nearby Fort White.
Check out one of our favorite neighbors, Rum 138 @ Rum138.com! They offer rentals for kayaks and canoes, provide shuttle services and have the latest info on best places to visit on the Santa Fe River. They also host live music and a farmers market on Sunday mornings. Whether you're looking for information or even local art work about the area springs and rivers, or just a cold beer on a hot afternoon, Rum 138 has it all!
If you're interested in the Ichetucknee River, visit the state park located near by where tubing, kayaking or just exploring the river forest area great experiences! https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ichetucknee-springs-state-park
Fort White, Florida was constructed in 1836 as a military fort during the Second Seminole War. The purpose of the fort was to protect the Cow Creek Settlement. Supplies were brought up the Santa Fe River by steamboat and were distributed from Fort White to other nearby forts and settlers.
The Town of Fort White is located directly off several main thoroughfares; US Hwy. 27, US Hwy. 47, and CR 18, near several State Parks, three (3) major rivers, and crystal-clear springs, some with underwater caves all of which provide many recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, swimming, diving, spelunking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, bird watching, hiking, biking, etc.
Nearby historic High Springs, with a population of about 6,000, is home to a thriving downtown, community parks and is better known as the gateway to the rivers and springs in the area. The area is also a prized location internationally for underwater cave diving.
Bones of prehistoric mammals and tools of paleo-Indians have been recovered from springs and rivers near High Springs. Hernando de Soto led his expedition through this area around 1539, and in the 17th-century Indian villages and a large Spanish mission flourished near the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers.
$30 / night
Primitive camping area on the north edge of the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.
On this primitive site, visitors may enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads. The Peacock Slough River Camp is the fourth river camp between White Springs and Branford and provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent-camping area.
Trail Guide: https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/lands/trailguides/blackcreekravinestrail.pdf St. Johns River Water Management District lands are natural, wild and scenic places. While camping on district lands, you may have an opportunity to see various wildlife, sit under the stars, listen to a soft evening breeze rustling tree leaves and experience Florida much as some of the earliest settlers did. However, be prepared to rough it. Only primitive tent camping is allowed on district lands and only at designated locations. No travel trailers, campers or RVs are allowed. Most properties offer no amenities such as rentals, restrooms, potable water or shelters. Many of the campsites are in remote areas and can be reached only by hiking, bicycling, boating or horseback riding. Campers should use the designated campfire rings for fires and should carry out all garbage with them when they leave. Check the notices section of this website for updates on any current burn bans. First come/first serve and reservable camping sites are available at most district properties. Reservable campsites require a reservation and permit from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. All camping is limited to a maximum of seven days per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year.
Guide
Closely gathered tent camp sites, without water or electric at the site. Water is stationed within walking distance, tastes weird. Nonpotable?Clean sites. Bath house with hot water, boat ramp for large and small boats. Current is very fast for kayaking. Go tot he dam instead which offers World renowned fishing. Lots of alligators. Go to Rodman damn for the fishing and quiet waters to kayak in. A minagerie of wildlife is available to view. No phone service. Dog friendly camping. Isolated. Bring what you need.
Scout
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
Guide
The park was beautiful with tons of mossy oaks, we camped in a tent, but the bathrooms were close, there was an outlet and a water faucet near to wash our dishes. I didn't see any manatees but the spring was beautiful and cold. Pretty hiking trails and a boat launch, the raccoons loved my husband's boat.
Scout
To much for just tent camping
Guide
Separate tent camping from RVs. Also has a barn and pasture if you are horse camping. Good WiFi, pool and laundry.
Scout
Had a great time tent camping and hiking the various trails. Close to the itchnetuckee. It’s very woodsy so make sure you check yourself for ticks.
Scout
My fiance and I came for a week tent camping. Very friendly staff, clean facilities. Cozy game room for when we got a little bored. Great stay!
Scout
I've tent camped at Stephen Foster three times in the winter. The campsites are not jampacked on top of each other. The bathroom/shower facilities have always been clean.
Traveler
6 of us tent camped at site 1, Host was really nice and we stayed 2 nights. Bathhouse was really clean and served it's purpose. Wonderful place to get away and relax.
Scout
Can flood but there is dry ground to camp on. Sulfur water in the outdoor showers, great tent sites right off river.
Guide
Nice camp ground. Most of the space were pull through for Rv/campers. They were pretty narrow spaces. Lots of trees and shade. The entire campground was dirt and some gravel. The bathrooms were ok. Not kept the cleanest, but not the worst I’ve seen.
Super close to the river for easy access. Be prepared it almost rains every day in Florida, so if tent camping be prepared for rain.
GuideSmall charming campground along the Santa Fe River where it sinks into the underground system and rises at the next state park called River Rise. Sand/dirt roads to the RV/tent camping loop, with pretty tight turns and sharp entrances to rather short sites. Lots of screening trees between sites make for narrow parking of your RV with lots of branches to watch out for, but it is very deeply wooded and lovely.
It was during a cold snap in early December when we were there for 3 days, and it was packed with both tent and RV campers. There is a bathhouse with restrooms in the center of the loop. Note: some men tent camping used the bushes around their site for a urinal - we know this because when we pass by the one way loop to go sightseeing or hiking, they were using it in plain sight, more than once.
Very fine trail and very nice if primitive campground. Would stay again.
GuideState park off the beaten path. Rv sites can be tight, lots of tent sites. Springs area is small but cave divers are always there. Make sure you check for ticks.
Guide
Quiet, lots of wildlife (wild horses, bison, alligators, deer, birds, turtles); plenty of hiking and biking trails with beautiful sunsets on the lake. Restroom facilities are showing some age but clean. Walk-in tent sites are pretty close to the Restrooms.
GuideThis park was mostly rv's when we were there so we had the tent camping area to ourselves. Nice showers and bathrooms. They have a pool but we didnt use it, the spring is right down the road. They have tubes for you to take & float down the river, really nice people.
GuideRodman campground was very clean and well maintained. The bathrooms were spotless. The tent sites were very large, adequately spaced with varying degrees of privacy. The boat ramp is well kept and there is ample trailer parking nearby.
Scout
Had an enjoyable weekend tent camping here and small game hunting in the forest.
Bob the volunteer host was super nice, and the bathrooms were very clean.
The mosquitos were a little annoying right after sundown, but quickly left once we had a fire going.
Definitely camping here again and bringing the kayaks next time.
Legend
Located in the town of Trenton, Florida is this gem of a spot loved by the locals and tourists alike. They offer Lodge Rentals, RV Sites, Tent Camping & Cabins, Heated Pool & Great access to Otter Springs and the Suwannee River. There is a day use area, canoe & kayak rentals, basketball and volleyball court, and canoe rentals available. You can fish in the spring run or on the Suwannee River. We chose to camp in site with water and electric so we were in an RV spot but they have a designated tent camping area with water access and no electric.
We enjoyed exploring the over 600 acres, river, springs, nature trails and loved getting ice cream in the store after! The camp store has just about all you might run out of. Be prepared with insect repellent at dawn and dusk. Sites are spacious enough - not too close together but not much privacy either. If you do not like noise choose a sight away from the pool! RV sites have Full hookup: Electric (30& 50 amp.), water, and sewer. Good Sams memberships are accepted.
This is a great place to host a local event and they are VERY Veteran Friendly offering 15% off on daily and weekly camping. There is Wifi is available in the Pool Pavilion.
Though this place is not brand new and shows some age, it has a wonderful, welcoming feeling. We really enjoyed our stay!
Scout
3 families camping over 2 nights at O'leno to enjoy Ichetucknee Springs. We had kids in age range from 18 months up to 11. We tent camped & stayed in the Magnolia Loop which had section fencing for each lot. There was a nice playground & many learning spots set up. The park says you can swim at your own risk, but it looks like harmful creatures are in the water without any proper fencing.
Traveler
This place is great whether you are a tent camper, trailer camper or have an RV. They even have A motel and cabins to rent. If you like activities there are plenty. Anything from kayaking and bike riding to pigeon races and fishing. A lot of the tent sites are along the Suwannee River. Great views! My only complaint is it can use some updating. But they are trying!
GuideA primitive site with about a dozen tent sites or more. Trash cans and out toilets are on site, with pick nick tables each campsite. Dirt road access, dirt road/undeveloped area other than the tables, trash cans, and out toilets. Beautiful views to the east through missy covered cypress trees with palmetto and pine forest behind to the west.
ScoutMy daughter and I tent camped on Mother's Day weekend. The grounds were booked but from our spot, we still had privacy and quiet. Spaces were level and came with a picnic table, fire pit, plenty of trees and wildlife! We hiked through about 8 miles of trails, walked the boardwalks through the Springs and enjoyed the beautiful springs themselves! Bathrooms were clean and the ones we were closest to weren't busy.
ScoutThis is a really family friendly campground. We try and go 4-5 times a year and each time NEVER disappoints. It not only sits on Convict Springs, but on the Suwanee River as well. In addition to having chicken poop bingo and pigeon races (yes, those are real things! LOL) They also have regular bingo, karaoke and live music. There are RV spots, tent camping, hotel rooms, motel rooms, cabins and houses.
Guide
We stayed here over the winter and we were pleasantly surprised! The spaces were relatively private, and the bathrooms were neat and tidy and there was water and trash on site. We tent camped and after enjoying the springs we went and had dinner 5 minutes away! This is a great spot because you feel secluded but you can run to a lot of nice restaurants and grab groceries nearby! We will be back. 
Guide
This is a very nicely kept campground. Clean full hookups or tent camping area. Nice layout and spaced spots. Clean pool and bathrooms great long board walk that leads to the Swanee River. Pet friendly with pet walk area. Staff was very friendly and accommodating small lake with catch and release fish got a few nice size cat fish and had a get visit by a baby gator Off the beaten path I would highly recommend staying here
Legend
There river camps along the Suwannee are about a days paddle apart and very cozy! Tent camping is available but each camp has 5 screen sleeping pavilions as well. All have electric, ceiling fans, corner tables and hooks for hammocks. bathrooms have showers, grills available, large covered pavilion along with picnic tables and fire pits. Camps are for river access only and most have camp host on property that may have ice and firewood available for purchase.
LegendExcept for the noise of the highway, you would never guess you were 10 minutes from a major metropolitan city. The campground is very private with lots of trees and palms separating sites, especially in the tent loops. The tent sites are walk in, with some closer than others. I took site #23 for the night, which was set back just enough to the private, but not so far as to really haul my gear. Each tent site has a numbered parking space as well. There seemed to be about 10-12 tent only sites and the remainder of the 50 sites had hook-ups for RVs. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and well taken care of.
A two mile hike will take you the visitors center, from which you can climb the observation tower to look over the prairie and have access to several trails. It was really wet when I was there which meant that several trails were partially closed. But I still managed to hike several miles over several trails. I never did see the Cracker Wild Spanish Horses or the bison, but did see lots of signs in the form of poop. I also didn’t see any gators, but did get to see lots of birds of various size and variety.
Tent camping near Alachua, Florida offers a serene escape into nature, with several well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Alachua, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alachua, FL is Bowman's Landing with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Alachua, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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