4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Crystal Isles RV Resort near Cedar Key provides upscale glamping accommodations with cabin and yurt options furnished with comfortable beds, heating, air conditioning, and full bathrooms. The well-maintained sites include picnic tables and fire rings for evening relaxation. As one visitor noted, "Clean, well kept, and safe. People were friendly, sites were paved and pretty level." Nature's Resort also offers safari-style canvas accommodations and cabins with resort amenities including a swimming pool, market, and shower facilities—all just a short drive from Cedar Key's waterfront.
Ichetucknee Springs Campground and Otter Springs Park & Campground feature unique glamping experiences with access to natural springs perfect for swimming, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Guests can explore well-marked trails through Florida's distinctive ecosystems or enjoy fishing in the area's abundant waterways. The Cedar Key area itself offers charming waterfront dining, art galleries, and opportunities for coastal exploration. "This is a great little county run campground. Bathrooms are clean. Always friendly campers," shared one reviewer. During winter months, visitors can often spot manatees in the springs, making the glamping experience particularly memorable for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
"Small campground, around 26 spaces. 1- You can arrive at any time, having a vacant spot, you can set up your campsite and pay when the office opens in the morning around 7:30, no reservations, first come"
"The photo associated with this description is a picture of the cedar key tourist area- not Shell Mound Campground. "
from $22 - $25 / night
"The bathrooms were very clean. Highlights of camping at Manatee Springs are the springs and the manatee sightings."
"Easy access to the park and quick and painless check-in process with reservations. The main road in the campground is fine but the roads to the sites are gravel with potholes."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"If Cedar Blessings (the other RV resort across the street) feels like staying with family, Cedar Key RV Resort feels like checking into a coastal boutique resort that just happens to welcome RVs, sitting"
"Grounds were well kept and our site had some shade which is needed in Florida. Wifi was pretty good-- had an outage one night, but other than that, we were able to stream with few issues."
from $43 - $60 / night
"We had a spot on the lake which was very nice. The staff is super nice. When we arrived someone was parked in our spot but they were not around."
"Made it very easy to set up one night. The park was quiet and the office staff was very friendly. I’m not a fan of campgrounds with long time or permanent sites but this place was nice."
"It was not hot that entire weekend so we were able to have a fire pit going here. It’s just great I would highly recommend it."
"Cristal Camping has great access to the river for enjoying the warm Florida coast water. Check it out and share a review on the Dyrt!"
Available this weekend
from $30 - $40 / night
"Located in the town of Trenton, Florida is this gem of a spot loved by the locals and tourists alike."
"The spring wasn’t anything amazing but definitely a way to cool off here in the Florida heat. I will definitely be staying here in the future."
Available this weekend
from $45 - $150 / night
"Close to town, mostly long term RV tenants live here, very friendly staff, very clean restrooms/showers/campground, restaurant/tiki bar on site, fishing available, shared outdoor cooking area and **fire **"
"Upon arrival the staff at check didn’t have that welcoming vibe. But all the grounds staff were friendly. The bathroom was very clean. The grounds have beautiful flowers well manicured."
"This is an excellent place to camp because it is secluded with large private campsites surrounding a clear swimming hole. It is a short drive from the Chaz, and affordable."
"Bathrooms are clean and close to sites 4-6 . My wife and I camped at site 5 and it had close access to the stairs to get down to the water."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 / night
"We arrived a little later than we wanted (around 6:30). It was pretty dark. We followed the sign in the office to the host camp, right behind the rec hall. It was simple."
"The North side gate is right next to the campground and provides two swimming holes."
from $20 - $40 / night
"Arrived here for a four-night tent stay at spot 110 after The Suwanee Music Park, in mid October 2020. Took several country roads to get here and was happy to put gas at that last gas station."
"This private RV and tent campground has a gorgeous hot spring on site which flows into the Suwannee River. Recreation includes swimming, canoeing, hiking, biking and birding."
from $45 / night
GuideGoing when it’s super hot turned out to be a great idea! It was lovely to get into the cool water every afternoon and cool right off. We enjoyed paddle boarding also and seeing the alligators, fish and turtles. Had a great time!
ScoutOld RV park where most of the people seem to live there. They initially charged me $200 for 2 nights (a Thursday and Friday). They had me by the dumpsters so the smell was pretty strong depending on the breeze. Tried to get a different site but was denied on the options I chose but atleast it was only 2 nights.
ScoutThe facilities were very clean but no room in between campers and most look like seasonal. No trees or bushes for shade or privacy. Kids all over in golf carts and scooters. Would not come back again.
ScoutWe stayed here on our way to Clearwater. It’s a busy campsite with a great many permanent residence folks. Very busy roads with multitude of golf carts and four wheelers, and we didn’t see a single bicycle anywhere, and very few walkers.
LegendThere’s something deeply grounding about arriving at Shell Mound Campground, where the road narrows, the salt air thickens and you realize you’ve traded polish for authenticity in one of the last truly 'Old Florida' camping outposts near Cedar Key. Set within a protected coastal landscape of tidal creeks, marsh grass and shaded scrub, this small public campground offers a mix of primitive tent camping and basic RV sites with dirt and grass pads, minimal infrastructure and a refreshing absence of crowds or commercial gloss. Amenities are simple and purposeful with vault restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, a boat ramp and short nature trails. But beware: everything here operates on a strict first-come, first-served basis, which is both its biggest charm and its biggest gamble, meaning early arrival is key if you want your pick of sites. One quiet evening, the boys helped us carry the canoe down to the water’s edge, laughing as fiddler crabs scattered and osprey hovered overhead, and later we fell asleep to the rhythmic sounds of the marsh rather than generators or highway noise. From what we saw, the best sites are those closer to the water, offering better breezes, easier kayak launching and beautiful sunrise views across the estuary, while inland sites feel a bit more tucked away but still peaceful. We’d recommend Shell Mound for families and campers who value solitude, wildlife and affordability, are comfortable with rustic conditions and don’t mind planning around a first-come system in exchange for a genuinely quiet, nature-forward experience that feels worlds away from resort-style camping.
ScoutCrystal Isle has been a dream in regards to starting our RV journey. The staff is wonderful. The sites are clean and I feel spacious (again just starting out but we have space). We don't have to worry about our overflow as they have overflow parking. The have a boat ramp for the park residents only. And it is an easy boat ride to the Golf. Shopping, food, and river access are close by. You have Three Sisters Springs and Hunter Springs Beach within 15 minute. Hunter Springs is a great place to bring the kids. It is a small beach on the river so the littles don't get smacked with waves. We stayed the whole month of January and February.
GuideThe campground was very nice. Sites were spacious and campground was well maintained. Restrooms were very nice and had private shower in each bathroom. Only downside is a bit of road noise but wasn’t enough to make a huge difference. Lots of trails and points of interest around the area.Very nice campground
LegendIf Cedar Blessings (the other RV resort across the street) feels like staying with family, Cedar Key RV Resort feels like checking into a coastal boutique resort that just happens to welcome RVs, sitting directly across the road and making the contrast immediately clear the moment you pull in. This is a well-planned, modern RV resort with paved roads, manicured landscaping, tidy concrete pads and a noticeable emphasis on presentation, from the entrance signage to the neatly spaced sites that feel intentional and polished. Amenities lean firmly into the resort category, with a sparkling pool, clubhouse and communal spaces like fully functional kitchen, living room w/ TV and an endless lineup of books, board games and DVDs all designed for socializing rather than solitude, making it especially appealing for snowbirds and longer-stay guests who enjoy a bit of buzz and structure. One evening, after a full day of salty air and sightseeing, we let the boys run laps around the pool deck while we sat back watching the sun melt into the Gulf, the kind of low-stress moment that reminds you why amenities matter when traveling as a family. From what we saw, the best sites are those closer to the interior of the resort, where you’re a short walk to the pool and clubhouse but buffered from any road noise. We recommend Cedar Key RV Resort for families and couples who enjoy a more upscale, social camping experience with creature comforts front and center, and who don’t mind trading a little rustic charm for convenience, polish, and that unmistakable resort feel.
TravelerWe love this campground because it’s so close to home. It’s clean quiet with large sites. You can hear traffic but cannot see the road. Some sites more secluded than others but all are good size. Clean bathrooms and property.
Shell Mound Campground offers affordable primitive camping options just outside Cedar Key, Florida. Located on the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge shoreline, campsites sit approximately 28 feet above sea level on a prehistoric shell midden. Fishing opportunities draw many visitors to this rustic location where sites cost between $10-25 depending on hookup options.
Wildlife photography at dawn and dusk: Head to Shell Mound Campground's boardwalk and pier for prime viewing. "Short hiking trails just to the south through the salt marshes and amazing archaeological mounds and history in walking distance. This is the best of Florida. At night, grab dinner and drinks in cedar key and come back to your camp site next your fire. Sleep good listening to crickets, owls, and other critters," notes one Shell Mound Campground visitor.
Canoe or kayak natural springs: Explore the clear waters at Ichetucknee Springs Campground. "Ichetucknee Springs is not accessible directly from the campgrounds but both the North & south entrances are only a short drive away," shares a camper who found the nearby springs ideal for paddling.
Manatee viewing excursions: Book winter wildlife tours from Nature's Resort marina. "A local tour guide picked us up right at the marina to go swim with the manatees (Manatee Tours and More with Captain Anna... excellent)," reports a reviewer who enjoyed the convenient access to guided experiences.
Large, private tent sites: Ichetucknee Springs Campground offers spacious accommodations for tent glamping. "We couldn't see the site well since it was dark, but it was clearly huge. We had no issue setting up our 12 man and 4 man tents with plenty of space to spare. When we woke up in the morning, we realized that we could have easily slept 50 people or more at our site," explains one visitor impressed by the generous camping areas.
Clean bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms. "Bathrooms are clean. Always friendly campers," notes a Shell Mound visitor who appreciated the sanitary conditions despite the rustic setting.
On-site recreation options: Glamping in Cedar Key offers entertainment beyond just nature. "The rec hall with OLD arcade games (this is a good thing), pool, foosball and air hockey. They have a jukebox with some country and rock choices to get your bones moving," writes an Ichetucknee Springs camper who enjoyed the indoor entertainment options.
Bug preparation is essential: Florida camping requires insect defense strategies. "BUGS! The place is full of bugs and mosquitoes especially in the afternoon, night and dawn, so don't forget to bring your repellent, make a fire to scare away insects, bring firewood, citronella candles or mosquitos coil, fan etc..." warns a Manatee Springs State Park Campground visitor.
Limited shopping access: Cedar Key is relatively remote. "Located in the middle of nowhere- Dollar General is four miles away and Walmart is 11 miles (doesn't seem far but on all back roads, it takes a while). Closest highway (75) is 45 miles away & I-90 is an hour," explains an Otter Springs camper who found supplies required planning ahead.
Cell service varies widely: Connectivity is inconsistent throughout the area. "Zero WiFi or Zero cell service (1 tiny bar but not enough to do a basic internet search)," notes one camper at Otter Springs, while others report adequate coverage at different locations.
Swimming hole access: Mutual Mine Campground offers natural water recreation. "It has a beautiful couple of lakes, crystal clear water. I regretted not bring a pole to fish! I definitely need to get back over there for another night or two," shares a camper who enjoyed the swimming options during hot weather.
Farm animals for kids: Ichetucknee Springs Campground features unique animal interactions. "There are so many adorable animals roaming around, my favorite was Daisy the pig (who acts more like a dog)," writes a visitor who appreciated the kid-friendly animal encounters at this glamping destination near Cedar Key.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer play equipment. "It was a Family weekend for the books! Would absolutely recommend this campground, the watering hole helped us stay cool and the camp host was very informative and friendly," explains a Mutual Mine visitor who found the combination of amenities perfect for children.
Site selection for big rigs: Choose Crystal Isles RV Resort for larger vehicles. "Some RV sites are a challenge to get into, some are larger. They prioritize based on the size of your rig mostly," explains a visitor who found the staff accommodating to various RV sizes at this upscale glamping facility.
Levelness considerations: Check site conditions before setup. "Sites were paved and pretty level," shares a Cedar Key RV Resort visitor who appreciated the stable parking surfaces that minimized setup time.
Utility placement varies: Pay attention to hookup locations. "The electric box and water is in the very front of the site," notes an Ichetucknee Springs camper who found some challenges with utility access that required longer cords and hoses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cedar Key, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cedar Key, FL is Shell Mound Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cedar Key, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Cedar Key, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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