Best Campgrounds near Chiefland, FL

Several good campgrounds circle the small town of Chiefland, Florida, giving campers different options for their stay. Manatee Springs State Park Campground draws many people who want to swim or kayak in the clear spring water. The sites have good tree cover, which helps during Florida's hot summers. About 12 miles from town, Otter Springs Park & Campground has full hookup sites and stays pretty quiet, with the spring being its main attraction. Hart Springs Park works well for both tent and RV camping and puts you close to the Suwannee River. The hiking trails there let you see local plants and animals up close. While camping around Chiefland, keep your food locked up since deer, raccoons and many birds might come looking for a meal. The humidity can get pretty high in this part of Florida, so bring plenty of water and dress for the weather. Most people find spring and fall camping most comfortable - the temperature stays moderate and there aren't as many insects. Chiefland's camping spots work for both families and solo campers. Just make sure to look up the rules for whichever campground you pick before heading out. The mix of natural water features and basic camping facilities makes this area good for most types of campers.

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Best Camping Sites Near Chiefland, Florida (164)

    1. Manatee Springs State Park Campground

    69 Reviews
    Chiefland, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 493-6072

    $20 / night

    "Manatee Springs, Chiefland, Florida  Beautiful clear spring with swimming area, including area for kids. Two nice boardwalks. Nature trails."

    "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."

    2. Hart Springs Park

    20 Reviews
    Fanning Springs, FL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 463-3444

    $35 - $250 / night

    "This campground is super quiet and nestled in Florida cow country. The bathrooms are new and very well kept. The center sites seem more level than the outer ring of sites."

    "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."

    3. Suwannee River Bend RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Fanning Springs, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 542-7680

    "A grocery store is just a couple miles away or there’s a WalMart in Chiefland, about 15 minutes south. a good location to hit the springs, Cedar Key and other area attractions."

    "This is our second time here ,we love the people and the view, we like that it's mostly rvers not alot of full-time residents.A lot of the sites are right on the water as the whole park is surrounded by"

    4. Otter Springs Park & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fanning Springs, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 463-0800

    "Located in the town of Trenton, Florida is this gem of a spot loved by the locals and tourists alike."

    "I didn’t actually stay overnight here, but biked over from the nearby Hart Springs campground. Nice facility with fully shaded spots among Florida forest."

    5. Suwannee River Hideaway Campground

    8 Reviews
    Fanning Springs, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 542-7800

    $28 - $55 / night

    "Clean pool and bathrooms great long board walk that leads to the Swanee River. Pet friendly with pet walk area."

    "I had site E9, which had some shade and there weren’t many other campers nearby. The people working there are super nice and helpful."

    6. Strawberry Fields for RV'ers

    5 Reviews
    Chiefland, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (352) 507-7035

    "We will certainly be returning as this is the best location for transiting to central Florida while staying off the interstates. Sites have full hookups but missing picnic tables."

    "Great for biking and a great bike path nearby that we used often. Manatee springs is close and Cedar Key is a welcome getaway.  Plenty of shopping options."

    7. Ginnie Springs Outdoors

    55 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-7188

    $55 - $70 / night

    "This is clearly one of the best natural springs in all of Florida complete with 250 wooded acres of pure Florida wilderness."

    "Favorite springs in Florida and one of my favorite places to camp and spend a few days in Florida or the country in general. Awesomely maintained, plenty of sites."

    8. Fanning Springs State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Fanning Springs, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 463-3420

    $100 / night

    "There will be morning mist coming off the spring, manatee hanging out in the warm waters, and peaceful surroundings."

    "Stopped here for a trail bike ride while staying at Otter Springs. The entrance is well marked, but don't expect Siri to take you there. She's confused. It was $6 for the car entrance."

    9. Devil's Den Spring

    20 Reviews
    Williston, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 528-3344

    $20 - $75 / night

    "Local weekend entertainment, pool, hot showers, and additional places to explore within walking distance. We will be back."

    "The location is really convenient and close to Gainesville, so if you want to spend some time being active in the water during the day but want to chill and go see a movie in a theatre at night, you can"

    10. Otter Springs Resort Park and Campground

    5 Reviews
    Fanning Springs, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 463-0800

    "We were tent camping and got us an unmarked spot next to the main spring. There’s a review here that there’s a hot spring which there isn’t."

    "Lots of squirrels, and they say that raccoons are around, though none have been spotted. The camp store has wood for $6. The TMobile signal is zero. Verizon is good."

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Showing results 1-10 of 164 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Chiefland, FL

731 Reviews of 164 Chiefland Campgrounds


  • liz S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Suwannee River Bend RV Park

    Suwannee retreat

    Great RV Park with full hookups , on the suwannee with kayak and canoe rentals. Super nice shower room witha shampoo, conditioner and body wash dispenser available for free in each stall. A salt scrub exfoliator for your hands. Private docks some with deep water access. Different rates for each lot and extremely reasonable.

  • A
    May. 13, 2025

    Travelers Campground

    Get location great amenities

    I love being at this park, it’s such a family atmosphere, playing with the animals is a therapeutic part of the park. And I love how the pool is heated during the colder temperatures! Overall great park to stop and visit. A true hidden gem

  • Rob V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 3, 2025

    Goethe Trailhead Ranch Campground

    Beautiful view with peace and quiet

    The stay here was amazing. We called the phone to reserve a spot and was told to pick a spot that was available. We picked a spot overlooking the back horse field and what an amazing view! The morning sunrise is beautiful and the evening the sky disappears into the earth. One thing to remember is you can pay by mailing a check or paying cash on site. Also a very quiet community here so you can rest with windows open with no problem.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 23, 2025

    Sportsman's Cove Resort

    Beautiful place to stay

    Great place to stay. Layed back atmosphere. Small campground right on a lake. The lake is natural and undisturbed.

  • M
    Mar. 16, 2025

    Ginnie Springs Outdoors

    Amazing

    The staff went above and beyond when we had a family emergency and had to cut our trip short! All the springs are beautiful and bathrooms were always clean.

  • G
    Mar. 13, 2025

    Lucky Charm RV Park

    Worst park ever

    All pull thru sites-good Bad:cash only, bathrooms are dirty and only open dawn till dusk, no tp provided, bring your own,laundry cold wash only, hot water does not work,hot tub does not work, pot holes in roads, no maintenance on site at all-stay away

  • Earl B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 11, 2025

    Lafayette Blue Springs State Park Campground

    Gunn and Earl’s Big Adventure

    Beautiful stop. Rain forced a 3 day stay. Camp host beyond helpful and understanding as we’re on a Ural motorcycle. Walk-in with onsite large wheelbarrow no problem.

  • Rob V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 8, 2025

    Champions Run Ocala RV Resort

    Champion camping

    Our experience here was good at the beginning. At the entrance the staff meet you for check in and show you to your site. The staff member will also help you back in if needed. The club house is very nice with a small store inside. You can find ice cream, snacks and small things you may needs for your camper. This place is only interested in people with really nice campers. We were called and asked what year, make, and model was our camper. I guess our 5 year old camper didn’t look good for someone.

  • Joe R.
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground

    Dark skies!

    Great location with plenty of dark skies. The spots are well spaced in the woods, with plenty of room. The location is great for visiting the prairie and easy access to Gainesville.


Guide to Chiefland

Camping near Chiefland, Florida, offers a great mix of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are some fantastic spots to explore.

What to do

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Silver Springs State Park Campground stated, “The bathhouses are very clean and if cold out nice hot heaters.”
  • Natural Beauty: Many love the lush surroundings. A camper at O'Leno State Park remarked, “The park itself is absolutely lovely.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful environment. One visitor at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground mentioned, “This campground is really dark, quiet and pretty.”

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Florida Manatee Springs State Park noted, “No cell coverage period.”
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots like Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park can get busy. One reviewer said, “This state park is booked out almost every weekend for months in advance.”
  • No Pets Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Ginnie Springs, do not allow pets. A visitor warned, “Ginnie Springs is NOT pet friendly.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. Encore Crystal Isles has a playground and planned activities. One family said, “There were activities planned for the kids which was fun!”
  • Bring Bug Spray: Bugs can be a nuisance, especially in warmer months. A camper at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground advised, “BRING BUG SPRAY.”
  • Plan for Rain: Weather can be unpredictable. One camper at O'Leno State Park mentioned, “We enjoyed our stay even though it rained.”

Tips from RVers

Camping around Chiefland, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Chiefland, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chiefland, FL is Manatee Springs State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 69 reviews.