Camping near Bunnell, Florida offers access to both freshwater springs and Atlantic beaches within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at a low elevation of 20-30 feet above sea level with a subtropical climate that averages 233 sunny days annually. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, making early morning and evening the preferred times for outdoor activities.
What to do
Kayaking at Salt Springs: Launch from Salt Springs Recreation Area where the constant 72-degree water creates excellent paddling conditions year-round. "If you are looking to cast a line in nearby Lake Kerr complete with its cypress tree-lined shores, you can do so by accessing any one of the main piers and fishing docks that are scattered around this freshwater bastion," notes reviewer Stuart K. at Salt Springs Recreation Area.
Beach exploration: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area offers direct ocean access and turtle watching opportunities. "The beach is very clean and scenic. But beware because we did encounter a Portuguese Man O' War, but the park ranger was able to safely remove it," shares Jordan S. The park has designated paths to protect dunes and wildlife habitats.
Historic sites: Visit the ruins at Bulow Plantation Historic Park, located just south of Flagler Beach. "For those that enjoy hiking, I strongly recommend heading just due south of this RV resort to Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic Park, where you can hike Bulow Creek Canoe Trail," suggests Stuart K. from Encore Bulow RV.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Anastasia State Park offers excellent site separation despite being close to popular beaches. "These campsites offer a serene amount of privacy with the space the campgrounds are working with. It's not a backcountry hike, definitely a drive-up campground but the foliage and large campsites provide a lot of privacy," explains Issa F. at Anastasia State Park Campground.
Riverside camping: The Intracoastal Waterway side of Gamble Rogers Memorial offers river views with good wildlife viewing. "When you grow weary of rummaging through your RV mini-fridge and wanna check out some local fare, while fairly touristy, we tried out the Funky Pelican, which has the long pier that was nearly destroyed from the last Hurricane that ripped through here," adds Stuart K.
Spring-fed swimming: Natural springs maintain consistent temperatures year-round, providing refreshing swimming opportunities. "The spring is a short walk from the campground or a quick bike ride. The spring is beautiful & refreshing in the florida heat," writes Miranda R. about Salt Springs Recreation Area.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Hurricane season (June through November) can impact coastal campgrounds. "Beachside sites are tight with no sewer hookups. Only a few sites are big-rig friendly. T-Mobile reception was good. Relatively clean. Staff were very friendly," reports Guy F. about Beachside Camping — Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area.
Insects can be intense: Ticks and no-see-ums are common complaints, especially in wooded areas. "Left park after one night because of ticks. There were tick warning signs posted. The park is small and quiet. Our site (28) was loose sand," warns Annell N. about Faver-Dykes State Park.
Water quality varies: Not all campgrounds offer potable water at sites. "The only draw back is the water is not potable but we bring bottled water. The lake and tributaries are beautiful and definitely describes old Florida," explains Bill T. about Bull Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Best beaches for children: Gamble Rogers offers both river and ocean access points with varied swimming conditions. "This is a must do if you are a kayaker. Some of the prettiest water in central FL makes for a great one way downstream 7 mile float. Boats less than 10' greatly improves your ability to navigate tight turns," shares Rebecca E. about Juniper Springs Rec Area.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated children's play areas. "Sites were plenty big enough. Bathrooms were clean. Park had places to ride bikes. Had a nice camp store that had just about anything you could need on a camping trip," writes Missi S. about Tomoka State Park.
Pet-friendly swimming: For pet friendly camping near Bunnell, Florida, look for designated pet areas near water. "If you are a pet owner and looking for a dog beach (most beaches in FL don't allow dogs), Flagler Beach is a short drive from the campground," advises Denise at Tomoka State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Choose perimeter sites when possible for maximum separation. "Very nice campground, great views and fishing spots, privacy between each campsites too," notes Eva S. about Tomoka State Park Campground.
Electrical service: Most campgrounds offer 30-50 amp service, but quality varies. "Concrete RV pads with fire ring and picnic table. full hook up with 50,30,&20 amp service. Bath house on site. Behind some of the sites you can pull your boat up from the lake and leave it in the water," explains Rick L. about Bull Creek Campground.
Reservation timing: Book pet-accommodating campsites well in advance, especially during winter months. "Hard to reserve - so have to plan a little," advises Kevin H. about Riverside Camping at Gamble Rogers Memorial, a popular destination for campers seeking pet-friendly options near Bunnell.
Ranger
