Branford, Florida camping options extend beyond the Suwannee River's edge into surrounding woodlands. With an elevation near 40 feet and relatively mild winters, camping season runs year-round in this North Florida region. The area features a mix of spring-fed waterways and wooded campgrounds, with temperatures averaging 50-70°F in winter months and 80-95°F during summer.
What to do
Spring swimming and diving: Ichetucknee Springs State Park sits just 3 miles from Moonshine Acres RV Park, making it a convenient base for water activities. "Great and helpful staff. Very nice sites! Close to alot of attractions to help make a memorable trip!! Ginnie Springs is a must!" notes one Moonshine Acres visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The natural boardwalks at Hart Springs Park provide excellent opportunities for spotting local wildlife. "There's a boardwalk that makes a big loop against the river where we have see owls hawks and other large wildlife," shares a camper who visits regularly for family events.
Kayaking local waterways: Paddling opportunities abound on the Suwannee River and connecting springs. A camper at Camp Clear Riverfront RV with Boat Dock reports, "Kayaking up river to sunbeam spring was awesome. We saw turtles and otters then deer and stars at night."
What campers like
Private river access: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. "Perfect spot right on the water. Covered rv pad was great for when it rained a little. We tubed the lower portion of the Ichetucknee with the included access to the neighborhoods private park entrance," notes a Camp Clear Riverfront visitor.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities receive frequent positive mentions. At The Hatch Bend Hideaway, a visitor observed, "This is a great camping site way out in the country near farms and the river. The site is clean with a lot of amenities like sewer."
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate room to spread out. "Sites were large with beautiful Florida nature trails. We were camping here in March and we were not able to enjoy the springs because they were having a brown out," notes a visitor to Hart Springs Park, who still found plenty to enjoy despite temporary spring conditions.
What you should know
Seasonal water conditions: Spring water levels and clarity can vary seasonally. "We love visiting Hart springs and have been for years, our favorite time to visit is the off season with cold nights warm days and the least bugs," advises a regular visitor.
Limited tent camping options: Most area campgrounds cater primarily to RVs. "If your a tent camper you may not like it as you'll be surrounded by RVs. Lots to do here with all the facility amenities and nice nature walks/springs," notes one Hart Springs visitor who still rated their stay positively.
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. At Camping out in Country, a camper reports, "Barely any cell signal, wifi provided. Complementary laundry if needed. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, have absolute peace and quiet except for the occasional sounds of farm animals and crickets, this place is for you."
Tips for camping with families
Spring recreation timing: For best swimming experiences, time your visit carefully. "Come here in the summer when it's good swimming weather! The springs here are gorgeous and the swimming area is large. We came in the winter and it was a bit cold to swim," advises a Hart Springs visitor.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with facilities for children. A Moonshine Acres visitor notes, "Would've been better if playground was a bit more present for littles. Very tiny setup. Pool house is fantastic and very nice for entertaining on rainy days."
Educational boardwalks: Nature trails provide learning opportunities. "We were not able to enjoy the springs because they were having a brown out. Still plenty to do like walk the trails, enjoy the pool or visit the many different springs that are very near to your location," reports a Hart Springs camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on levelness and shade. "The center sites seem more level than the outer ring of sites. We started at site 26 and moved to site 68 because we couldn't level out on the sandy ground," shares an RVer at Hart Springs.
RV size limitations: Not all rv sites near Branford, Florida accommodate large rigs. "Sites are easy to back in and we was almost level where we put our camper. It seems pretty quiet in the evenings and everyone is very friendly that we have seen," reports a camper at Hart Springs who appreciated the accessible layout.
Full hookup availability: For longer stays, verify hookup options. "Very nice campground... friendly and small. They are in the process of expanding. Not much to do but, float down the river. We did rent some electric bikes and went exploring... that was fun. WiFi was excellent...for being in the middle of nowhere," notes a Moonshine Acres visitor.
