The Monticello area sits at the intersection of Florida's coastal plains and rolling hills, with elevations ranging between 100-200 feet above sea level. This transition zone creates diverse camping environments from forested highlands to riverside sites. During summer months, temperatures typically reach the low 90s with high humidity, while winter nights can dip into the 40s, making spring and fall ideal for glamping close to Monticello, Florida.
What to do
ATV trail riding: High Bluff Campground offers direct access to trails for off-road enthusiasts. According to one visitor, "There are plenty of campsites to pick from even with about 6 other campers; space to spread out from others. Right on the lake with pier access and boat ramp- pretty cool spot."
Wildlife watching: Lake Talquin State Forest provides opportunities to see native Florida wildlife including alligators. One camper reported, "Caught a beautiful sunset over the lake and saw a massive gator hanging out by the fishing pier. The gator was back in the morning as I was enjoying my cup of coffee out on the pier!"
Goat interaction: For a unique experience, Goat House Farm lets visitors camp alongside friendly goats. A recent camper shared, "The male goats hang out right beside you and your tents. (Be sure to keep your tents closed or they will sleep with you too, ha!) The kids absolutely loved it."
Fishing: Multiple sites around Monticello offer fishing access, particularly at High Bluff where anglers can use the dedicated pier. As one visitor noted, "It looks like most people go there to fish. Still a lovely place to stay. Bring your fishing pole."
What campers like
Natural swimming options: Within 30 minutes of Monticello, you can find natural springs. A camper at Newport Park Campground mentioned, "Madison Blue spring is a quick drive and SO beautiful."
Sunset viewing: The St. Marks lighthouse area provides spectacular sunset viewing opportunities. According to a visitor, "We visited at least twice, once to walk along the beach and the second time to see the sunset. There are so many beautiful sights in the area."
Quiet camping experiences: For those seeking solitude, some campgrounds offer peaceful surroundings away from crowds. One Lake Talquin camper wrote, "You have to love the loneliness here. From Sunday to Monday we have been the only ones. Then it becomes really lonely, dark and quiet out here."
Shaded sites: Many campgrounds feature mature tree coverage. At Eagles Roost RV Resort, a camper described, "Trees so wooly with spanish moss you wonder when fleecing day is."
What you should know
Seasonal insects: Certain times of year bring increased insect activity. One camper at High Bluff Campground warned, "4 stars for no water or electric hookups... Also I don't do spiders and they are all over the place here... And HUUUUGEEE at that."
Limited cell service: Many natural camping areas have spotty coverage. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park reported, "There is close zero cell reception and they have wifi but we really weren't able to connect and use it. Very spotty."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. According to a Lake Talquin camper, "The last 3 miles are dirt road, but in good condition as long as you can stay in the middle without traffic."
Varying bathroom facilities: Facilities range from full modern restrooms to basic pit toilets or none at all. One camper noted about High Bluff, "We were in a van and did not try the pit toilets."
Tips for camping with families
Book cabins early: Luxury glamping options near Monticello, Florida fill quickly during peak seasons. At Jellystone Park, a family reported, "We RV camped site 10 and it was very spacious sitting right on the lake. This is such a great place for people with ATVs."
Plan for wildlife encounters: Educational opportunities abound with proper preparation. One camper at Holiday Campground shared, "Nice little CG on the bay with a good number of direct bayfront sites. Some with pine trees for shade."
Check pool hours: Several campgrounds close swimming facilities early. A Jellystone visitor advised, "This is a great place for kids, yogi showed up on a golf cart that was sweet but the other kids were sleeping."
Consider noise levels: Highway-adjacent campgrounds may have traffic noise. At Eagles Roost, a camper mentioned, "Highway noise did not interfere with sleeping."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Some locations have narrow sites challenging for larger rigs. An Eagles Roost camper cautioned, "When we got there we were in a site directly behind the office and it was super narrow. With my long camper I could not make the turn and keep the trailer in the pad."
Hookup placement: Sewer connections aren't always conveniently located. One RVer reported, "Also the sewer hookups were at the very back of the site. Even with 2 ten foot hoses I could not reach the hookup and ended up having to find a dump station later."
Easy-access options: For those uncomfortable with backing, seek pull-through sites. A camper noted, "All sites were pull throughs which I was happy about because I went without my husband and I can't back well."
Dump station availability: Plan ahead for waste disposal. An RVer advised, "They did have a dump station but in front of the office but with the way the driveway exited and the length of my trailer it would have been extremely hard to turn it to and go back in the entrance."
