Best Tent Camping near Cedar Key, FL

Recent Tent Reviews near Cedar Key, Florida

433 Reviews of 5 Cedar Key Campgrounds

• B

  Byron

  Scout

  

  Apr. 8, 2021

  Shell Mound Campground

  Shell Mound Levy County Campground

  The photo associated with this description is a picture of the cedar key tourist area- not Shell Mound Campground.  However, situated approximately 4 miles away, Shell Mound is an incredible camp site for tent camping, RV camping, kayak camping.  It’s a county run park and only 10$ night for tent camping or pickup truck camping.  It has a clean bath for men and for women and hot showers for both.   Boat ramp only usable at high tide- otherwise need your airboat to slide up in low tide.  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. Wake up to the glorious sun rising over the salt marshes! Use this site as a home base to explore the Lower Suwannee wilderness areas owned by the federal and state governments!

• 

  Matt W.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Ashley S.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 16, 2020

  Manatee Springs State Park Campground

  Great for families.

  The park was beautiful with tons of mossy oaks, we camped in a tent, but the bathrooms were close, there was an outlet and a water faucet near to wash our dishes. I didn't see any manatees but the spring was beautiful and cold. Pretty hiking trails and a boat launch, the raccoons loved my husband's boat.

• 

  Aquamarine P.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 6, 2020

  Greenfields RV Campground

  To much for just tent camping

  To much for just tent camping

• C

  Crystal D.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 22, 2016

  Encore Crystal Isles

  A nice little get away

  We decided last minute to do some camping and they were very nice in the office. There are showers, bathrooms, tent camping, rv camping, canoe launching, and even a pool. Also if you keep going down the main road you will find a little beach and park. The only thing I could suggest is that they do not place the tent campers right in the middle of the rv's. It was hard to get used to our tent camping and hearing the a/c's and tv playing Every Body Loves Raymond.

• 

  Casaundra H.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 26, 2022

  Ichetucknee Springs Campground

  Great quiet week

  My fiance and I came for a week tent camping. Very friendly staff, clean facilities. Cozy game room for when we got a little bored. Great stay!

• 

  Amy

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 18, 2021

  Mary’s Fish Camp

  Cozy campground with great fishing and kayaking

  The people are friendly and the fishing is great. Tent sites are primitive but there is a bath house.

• 

  Michael R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 29, 2019

  Manatee Springs State Park Campground

  Love the wildlife

  State park off the beaten path. Rv sites can be tight, lots of tent sites. Springs area is small but cave divers are always there. Make sure you check for ticks.

• 

  Kevin W.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 23, 2021

  Holder Mine Campground

  Honestly freaking amazing!

  RV sites but they allow tent camping so you have electric and water hookups, showers, toilets, dog friendly, many hiking trails, and a 30-minute drive to the Crystal springs, dames caves, and manatee snorkeling!

  Everyone there was super friendly. If you like off-roading, then you'll love their trails.

• 

  Jeanene A.

  Legend

  

  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!

• 

  Jeannie B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 15, 2016

  Manatee Springs State Park Campground

  Great Campground with Respectful Campers!

  My daughter and I tent camped on Mother's Day weekend. The grounds were booked but from our spot, we still had privacy and quiet. Spaces were level and came with a picnic table, fire pit, plenty of trees and wildlife! We hiked through about 8 miles of trails, walked the boardwalks through the Springs and enjoyed the beautiful springs themselves! Bathrooms were clean and the ones we were closest to weren't busy.

• 

  Steve N.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 20, 2020

  Suwannee River Hideaway Campground

  Nice quiet campground

  This is a very nicely kept campground. Clean full hookups or tent camping area. Nice layout and spaced spots. Clean pool and bathrooms great long board walk that leads to the Swanee River. Pet friendly with pet walk area. Staff was very friendly and accommodating small lake with catch and release fish got a few nice size cat fish and had a get visit by a baby gator   Off the beaten path I would highly recommend staying here

• K

  Kim W.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 4, 2020

  Otter Springs Resort Park and Campground

  Hidden gem with hot springs!

  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. Full hook ups, BBQ grills, showered and laundry available. There are also 3 cabins and an historic stilt house available for overnight stays.

• 

  Amelia W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 8, 2019

  Otter Springs Park & Campground

  A Hidden Spring

  Otter Springs Campground is off the beaten path, but is a very pleasant place for relaxing and a little spring dipping. There is a pool with showers and several playgrounds near the campsites. Mostly for RVs, however there are some very nice tent sites. The campground backs up to an amazing field for stargazing. The Suwannee River can be hiked to! Otter Springs itself has developed some eutrophication but it is still very nice for swimming.

• 

  Laura H.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 25, 2016

  Devil's Den Spring

  Neat spot

  The campground has cabins, RV hookups and tent sites. It's nothing to write home about. It was just convenient to be close to the springs since it's a decent drive from any other major city in Florida. The springs themselves are quite cold so in the end we didn't spend that much time swimming - we probably could have driven back home and not camped after all. The Devil's Den itself is very neat to see, definitely worth going to at least once to snorkel or scuba dive. But if you can drive back to wherever you're staying, I would! I only took pics of the spring and not of the campground unfortunately. Enjoy!

• R

  Robin B.

  Guide

  

  May. 5, 2019

  Otter Springs Park & Campground

  Too rowdy!

  I stayed here one night at a tent site. Generally I enjoyed the layout and scenery, I was also reasonably spaced out from my neighbors. I was unfortunately right next to the pool. All day I heard screaming kids, after dark is was screaming young adults until 10:00. For me, it was not the experience of quiet exclusion I am lookin for when camping.

  The restroom facilities were old and shabby, but I could see that they did attempt to keep them clean.

• 

  Latika Y.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 14, 2024

  Rainbow Springs State Park Campground

  Good for paddling

  If you’re tent camping in the tent-only walk-in sites, site 60 is definitely the most private (farthest from the lot but still a short walk in on a paved path). Bathrooms are two single stall/shower combos, but never too crowded. Campground is good for paddling, especially for renting from the concessions (they have single and tandem kayaks, SUP, and canoes). It’s a drive and a separate entrance to get to the head springs area of the park, though there is a small roped off swim area by the boat ramp. We went before tubing opens (April 1 each year), so the Rainbow was less crowded and stunningly clear and emerald.

• 

  Todd M.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  GoWhereYouAreDraw N.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 31, 2020

  Manatee Springs State Park Campground

  Fun kayaking and exploring

  We rented a tent campsite for 5 nights. We had such a fantastic time here. What fantastic facilities. Bathrooms nice and clean and modern. Campsites large with hookups. The spring is beautiful. We saw manatees and otters. Lots of wildlife. Rented a super cheap kayak and had a great time on the river. Also went hiking on all the trails. So much to do and the staff were super friendly and helpful! We can't wait to come and camp here again.

• a

  autumn

  Guide

  

  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!

• 

  Jeanene A.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 10, 2017

  Rainbow Springs State Park Campground

  Get Springs but no Shade

  Rainbow River State Park Campground is up the road a bit from the head spring portion of the park where everyone goes tubing and swimming - make sure to check your GPS that you are getting the correct directions.

  There are no mature trees in the camping area. The parks dept just redid this campground in 2009. All sites , tent and rv have gravel so if tent camping make sure you bring a solid footprint or ground tarp. Being that this facility is still rather new the bathrooms are very nice, Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and hookups for water and electric. Sites are of average side but have no natural buffers( bushes, etc.) between. Tube rentals and shuttles are available. Tubing take out is near the campground making that portion of river trip very convenient.

  Rainbow Springs is a Registered Natural Landmark.Taking a drive to the spring head for the day is a must! There is a nice large area for picnicking, Covered pavilions. There are beautiful trails, visitor center and a native plant garden as well.

• 

  Mayra R.

  Traveler

  

  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. :)

• 

  Robin M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 28, 2018

  Angler's RV Campgrounds

  Great family owned campground

  Nice, well kept campground. Bathrooms are clean . Laundry room and supply store on site.

  Pet friendly with a nice large fenced dog park . Swimming pool on site. Owners are very nice . Campground has tent area. The whole park makes you feel very welcomed. Nearby are lots of hiking trails , inshore and offshore fishing bird watching, dolphin and sunset tours. Bring or rent kayaks, canoes. Something for all ages . Beautiful little town of cedar key where you meet such nice people.

• W

  Wendy T.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 20, 2024

  Cedar Key RV Resort

  Very professional

  Super clean and quiet. This campground has it all except a childrens play area. Laundry, pool, clubhouse, Pickleball courts. Short drive to Cedar Key harbor. Great restaurants and art coop shopping.

• 

  Butch S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 28, 2020

  Angler's RV Campgrounds

  Nice Place

  Feels homey. Great rec room. Pool. Clean although a little rough around the edges. Least expensive in town. A few miles outside Cedar Key but an awesome place for the money.

• C

  CJ

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 7, 2022

  Mary’s Fish Camp

  Great Fishing spot

  Mullet fishing is the big draw. We went last May. Fish were biting but the season is really Oct-March.

  The fish swarm the fishing dock/wall so no boat needed to find action. The locals chum the water all day with oatmeal so you dont need facy lures to catch mullet but be sure to get fresh bait before you come(they only had frozen) if you are after snook.

  Bamboo poles are the popular style. Pelicans and water turkeys will hang out with you all day. Really awesome setting for fishing.

  The biggest drawback is if you are tent camping like I was. The sites are small, no privacy and no shade. Our site(cant remember which number) was right next to the hill which I defientally reccomend because the hill and field allow you to spread out more. No water spigot on site but its only about 25 yards away. Not sure what electricity is avialable for tents. The fishing is very close along with bait shop and bathrooms so everything you could possibly need will be there.

  I highly reccomend this place for fishing or boating/kyaking but if your looking for some rustic camping not the best.

• 

  Perry J.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 25, 2021

  Hart Springs Park

  Authentic Florida Park and a Favorite Getaway

  Hart Springs is a county park in Gilchrist County in Bell, FL. It’s our go to place near some of our favorite Florida Springs when they are not available. This park is clean and well maintained with a swimming pool. The campground has a separate path down to the springs which have been built out to essentially be a“natural swimming pool” with a very distinct“Retro Florida” vibe. Both the park and campground are VERY FAMILY FRIENDLY and the long list of rules including NO ALCOHOL printed in bold is supposed to keep the riffraff out, and I’m pretty sure it does. 

  We are more into a looser freestyle atmosphere but it’s good to detox every once in a while anyway. The springs are wonderful. The park is not very large and DOES NOT RESEMBLE a Florida State Park, more like an RV Park, only better without the permanent trailers or resident RV’s. The pics of the campground should represent the overall tone- authentic Florida, non-Disney with a retro tone. 

  Again, we are mostly State Park campers but we really like Hart Springs and plan to visit a few times each year as Florida residents. 

  We were in site 40, right next to the camp hosts and directly across from the path that goes down to the spring, spring run, boardwalk, tent camping area and river. If you can get a site on the outside of the loop#1-35 you will probably have more privacy for sure, but if you are in a larger rig you’ll probably find the inner loop better for you.