The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Cedar Key, FL

437 Reviews

State forests and preserves surrounding Cedar Key, Florida provide several options for primitive tent camping in natural settings. Potts Preserve River Primitive Campground, located along the Withlacoochee River, offers free walk-in tent sites with basic amenities. Goethe State Forest maintains tent campsites at both Tidewater Campground and Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites, providing access to Florida's natural landscapes. Wildflower Ranch, with just two tent sites, offers a more intimate camping experience. Fine Life World and Old Town Open Land provide additional tent camping options within driving distance of Cedar Key.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, with some needing gate codes for access. Walk-in tent sites at Potts Preserve require campers to park in designated areas and carry gear approximately one-eighth mile to riverside campsites. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at established sites, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Potts Preserve offers drinking water and toilets, while Fanning & Manatee Springs Exclusive permits fires but lacks drinking water facilities. Cell service can be unreliable, with one camper noting "Verizon signal was awful" at Potts Preserve. Most tent-only areas allow pets and permit alcohol consumption where not otherwise restricted.

Tent campers frequently cite the natural setting and relative seclusion as highlights of backcountry tent camping in the region. According to reviews, Potts Preserve offers "free, primitive, private, secluded" camping with river access that represents "the REAL Florida." The riverside location provides opportunities for paddling, with one visitor noting "the float into Gum Slough is right there at the edge of the campground." Campers should be prepared for occasional noise disruption, as "airboats are very noisy" according to multiple reviews. For those seeking primitive tent camping experiences, a cart or wagon proves useful for transporting gear from parking areas to walk-in tent sites, especially at riverfront locations where vehicle access is restricted.

Map showing campgrounds near Cedar Key, FloridaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Cedar Key, Florida (10)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 10 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Cedar Key Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cedar Key, FL

2 Photos of 10 Cedar Key Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cedar Key, FL

437 Reviews of 10 Cedar Key Campgrounds

  • Mayra R.
    Aug. 23, 2021

    Shell Mound Campground

    Nice place, but a lot of bugs!

    I will try to make a general review much details is possible . 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 first serve, there it stays open 24hrs without a gate. Check-out at 12:00.

    2- There are three primitive spaces, which daily costs $10 per 2 people (9,19,22) 3- There are options with only electricity $20 (spaces 3-18) or with water and electricity $25 daily, all the other spots I haven't mentioned. 4- No card are accepted there. Cash only. (military's 50% off) 5- Spot 9 (primitive) has sun all day, grass with holes, no trees to provide shade, we stayed in it, very hot and uneven! 6- Pet-friendly Camp 7- Bathrooms with shower, clean. Safe place, "neighbors" were super friendly. 8- If you like fishing, you will find a lot of catfish's there. It has a ramp for the boats (lots of noise throughout the day and night, so bring earplugs to sleep). 9- 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 ... 10- Next to the boat ramp, there is a sink with fresh water that everyone can use. And on the left side of the sink, there is a small path that leads to a good fishing spot. (2 minutes walk) 11- The receptionist Gale is very nice!!! 12- No Wi-Fi. T-mobile's network worked well throughout Cedar Key. 13- Nearest gas station and market store is on Cedar Key downtown, 14 minutes by car. (Ice, firewood, drinks, bait) 14- In downtown Cedar Key parking is difficult to get, get there early. Golf cart for rent for $100. It has Kayak for rent and boat charter as well. 15- The small beach of Cedar Key, is extremely nice, has a park in front of it with restrooms, shower, drinking fountain, picnic tables and toys for children's everything public. 16- In the center of Cedar Key there is a great fishing pier that is really cool, many people fish there, in this pier also has public restrooms that stay open until 11pm. 17- Just in case, that there is an Auto Parts store next to the small Market in Cedar Key.

    I hope I helped you all. :)

  • Matt W.
    Sep. 16, 2021

    Shell Mound Campground

    Remote. Far from the city noise

    Nice little country park. Cash Only. Primitive tent sites, Electric & Electric & Water Sites.

    $10, $20 & $25. Accommodates 30 Amp hook ups only. Limited to 7 day stay.

    Boat ramp, fish cleaning station, playground, restroom & showers.  city of Cedar Key approx 15 minute drive.

  • Alex M.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Mutual Mine Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    Wide open spaces, very quiet!

    We hiked extensively in this tract and used Mutual Mine campground as one of our stop-overs. Very nice, open, flat areas to pitch tents and close to hiking trails. Fire ring at each site, options to hang your hammock. Bathrooms but no showers. Free potable water. You can also pull in a trailer but this is not a full-commercial type campground. More a cross between that and primitive camping…….perfect for backpackers!!

  • Todd M.
    Feb. 10, 2021

    Potts Preserve

    Great place to boondock!

    Great place to boondock! Spent 3 nights here by the pavilion. There are about 5 spots in the “primitive” camping area. Plenty of privacy and a kayak launch area. Spots have fire rings and a couple have picnic tables. Porta potty is clean. The back-country area was recently gated so RVs can no longer camp there. It’s now designated as tent-camping only. It’s a huge open space with entrances to walking trails and beautiful views of the river. The back-country area has an outhouse. It’s easy to get to and very quiet other than other campers and periodic airboats that zoom by.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2020

    Shell Mound Campground

    Remote to everyone except the bugs

    In the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, this is a fairly remote campground away from everything. There are about 28 or so sites, with varying degrees of amenities (three sites are tent only with no hook ups, some sites have electric only, and some both electric and water). Cost depends on amenities: the tent only sites are going to be $10 a night in 2020 (it was only $5 a night for me this December), and sites with electric and water are $15. There was a dump station for RVer's as well. Bathhouse was clean if dated, with a fairly new shower stall. 

    The sites on the inside of the loop are all on a slope and have the playground, office, and bathhouse as the hub. The outside of the loop sites all back up to woods or marsh.  I was in tent site #9, which was right next to the marsh. It rained overnight and I noticed the site could flood if it had rained a lot. But my other option was next to some well established and loud RVer's next to the playground, and on a slope. I chose the flatter site next to the marsh, but I think that wasn't much better as it put me right in with the mosquitos and no see-ums. Bring your industrial strength bug spray!! 

    The campground is next to an arm of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and so it's close to a few nice trails and a nice boardwalk and fishing pier. If you need ice or firewood or some basic groceries, head back out the way you came in and stop at tiny little Ms Dot's Grocery. She is super nice, has lots of knowledge of the area, and her ice (BIG cubes) is super cheap.

  • Brenda S.
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Hart Springs Park

    Perfect "Spring" Weather

    Ranger Review: Wild Zora Bars and Paleo Meals to Go at Hart Springs, Fl

    Not far from the city of Gainesville sits the town of Bell, Fl home of many small springs. The spring we visited was Hart Springs. Hart Springs was just the right temperature on a hot summer day and a perfect location to enjoy Wild Zora Bars.

    Camp Ground Review:

    The Hart Spring has one of the largest swimming area with year-round 72-degree Fahrenheit water temperatures. The spring has an over bridge and concrete steps that lead down into the springs. Plenty of shade and Pavilions with grills close to the springs, playground, bathrooms and camp store. This park also has a splash pad, volleyball and basketball court. Beautiful ½ a mile-long boardwalk along the springs and the Suwannee River. Rentals of canoes and Kayaks available and cave diving is allowed for certified cave divers. The campground is located about 1 mile away from the spring accessible by a paved walking, bicycle or golf cart trail which is shaded by cypress, oak and pine trees. Campground has 71 sites (one loop), full hookups, and bathhouse with hot shower, washer and dryer. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring (no grill). Our site was #8 this site was deep, shaded and close to the bathrooms. Nice pool with bathrooms and a big pavilion with picnic tables and two grills for cooking at the pool. No alcohol. No pets (except at the RV campground) Reservations thru Reserve America website.

    Product Review:

    As a ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test various products. At Hart Springs I tested two products from Wild Zora: Wild Zora Bars and Wild Zora Paleo Meals to Go.

    What I thought about Wild Zora Bars and Paleo Meals to Go:

    1. Convenience- when spending the day at the springs, pool or on a hike it is nice to have a healthy snack with balanced nutrition without having to compromise on flavor.
    2. Very tender and easy to eat- Having children it is often difficult to find jerky or nutrition bars that are soft enough to chew, these bars are tender and eaten without difficulty. This is also beneficial for my older father who finds it difficult to chew most Jerky.
    3. Good balance of nutrition- it is nice to have a snack for both myself and my children that contains some vegetables. Unfortunately, we do not always get enough.
    4. The Paleo meals are easy to transport, requiring no refrigeration and very simple preparation. When you are ready to eat you simply add water, stir and allow the food to cook. Prep for camping and hiking can be very time consuming. Having meals that are ready to go when you are is not only a time saver but, in some cases, can make the difference between a hot meal and a cold sandwich.
    5. The texture of the Paleo Meals to Go was a bit softer than I would have anticipated, possibly I let it sit to long when preparing, but the flavor was very good, and the meal was filling.

    I would recommend Wild Zora bars to anyone that is looking for a snack for camping, hiking, or just an all-around healthy snack. I would recommend to anyone who likes camping, especially where space is limited, to try the Paleo Meals to go.

  • a
    Feb. 12, 2022

    Cody's RV Park

    1st road-trip!

    Well, if your looking to do some “camping” this is not place. We came into Florida on a Friday looking for a campsite for us and our rooftop tent and was not having any luck on finding a campground that had any vacancy. We didn’t want to stay at a Rv park because we don’t have a Rv and we like nature and privacy. So we were running out of options and called CODYS and they said they didn’t have any spots but ended up telling us since we just had a suv he would us stay a night for $45, which was a very high price for one night in a tent. When we arrived the man was very nice and we thanked him for making room for us. In my option the only thing this place has, is old RV’s that have been parked there for years, full time residents. Bathrooms did not lock, 10min max time in the restrooms, and frogs in the bathroom also. Very crowded and interesting corky place. We made the best of it for being parked in a little grass area which included a picnic table and fire ring. People were nice just not for tent camping or short term stays!

  • C
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Bearhead Hammock Primitive Campsites — Withlacoochee State Forest

    A Hidden Gem that Needs Some Attention

    Can accommodate any size RV, even a big rig pulling a boat or toys. The campground is on a loop and we had no problem driving the one-way road with our 22-ft travel trailer which is 11'6" to the top of the AC.  But it is narrow with over-hanging trees.  If you have a huge big rig go in the "Exit" on the right when you get to the "Y". The campground is just inside this part of the loop, the road is wide, and there aren't any low branches. We witnessed a few locals go this way to get to the trailhead. 

    Camping is on huge grassy areas with a good mix of sun and shade trees. You can pull in anywhere you wish on your site. There is a bolted-down picnic table, a bare patch on the ground for fires, and a trash can at each site. A vault toilet is located a good walk away at the trailhead/picnic site. There is also a horse corral at each site (a horse is not required). One of our neighbors used their corral for their kids. 

    We had a bad first night with someone pulling into the trailhead at 00:45am and blasting their speakers for about 3 hours. We called FWC but don't think anyone responded. This repeated again the second night.  And on that night, some tent campers arrived to find someone squatting in their site.  They set up camp a short distance away and the squatter disappeared the next morning.  I saw a Sheriff car drive through the third day, and he gave me his card with a phone number in case it happened again. 

    The trash cans were overflowing when we arrived and were finally emptied on the third day. The vault toilet could use some attention. There was a bit of trash strewn about at our site, which we picked up. 

    On the good side, the camping is close to lots of rivers and springs, and there are several hiking and biking trails in the area.  The sites are huge and fairly level.  If this area were patrolled to keep out the partiers it would be an awesome place to spend a few days exploring everything the area has to offer.

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2020

    Otter Springs Park & Campground

    Nice family Friendly Park

    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!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cedar Key, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cedar Key, FL is Fanning & Manatee Springs Exclusive with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Cedar Key, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Cedar Key, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring