Chiefland sits at the gateway to Florida's Nature Coast, where freshwater springs flow at a constant 72°F year-round into the Suwannee River. The nearby camping areas offer sites with varying degrees of amenities, from primitive tent sites to full RV hookups. Most campgrounds in this region stay open through winter, providing an opportunity to see manatees in the warmer spring waters when Gulf temperatures drop.
What to do
Spring diving and snorkeling: Devil's Den Spring offers a unique underwater cave system for certified divers and snorkelers. "The Devil's Den itself is very neat to see, definitely worth going to at least once to snorkel or scuba dive," shares Laura H., who visited Devil's Den Spring.
River kayaking: Explore the Suwannee River by renting watercraft at several locations. "You can kyack, canoe, boat the Suwannee river full of springs, where you can snorkel swim and even dive," notes Jennifer B., who stayed at Suwannee River Bend RV Park.
Boardwalk exploration: Follow elevated pathways through cypress swamps and along river edges. One visitor to Manatee Springs reports, "Boardwalk was really cool and long and we saw a couple of manatees. Night walks down to the pier are a must."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide prime opportunities for spotting native animals. "We have seen owls hawks and other large wildlife" on the boardwalk trail at Hart Springs, according to Bri F.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for restrooms and common areas. At Suwannee River Bend RV Park, a visitor noted "Super nice shower room with a shampoo, conditioner and body wash dispenser available for free in each stall. A salt scrub exfoliator for your hands."
Spacious sites: Hart Springs Park gets high marks for site size with one camper commenting, "Large sites with beautiful Florida nature trails."
Privacy between sites: At Manatee Springs, Dave D. appreciated that "Most have a wooded buffer" between campsites, creating "Peaceful secluded campsites."
Access to multiple springs: The Chiefland area allows campers to visit several different springs during one trip. "Manatee Springs, Chiefland, Florida. Beautiful clear spring with swimming area, including area for kids. Two nice boardwalks," notes Janet H.
What you should know
Reservation timing: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during cooler months. "You have to book cabins very early and in the summer the spring this place can be quite crowded," explains Jeanene A. about Fanning Springs State Park Campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between locations. At Manatee Springs, Laura M. found "Poor/spotty cell service in park, but there's free wifi at the concession stand."
Seasonal crowds: Weekends bring local visitors, especially during summer. One reviewer at Strawberry Fields for RV'ers recommended to "check with staff because they have a tendency to limit the amount of people in the spring."
Site conditions: Sand and dirt predominate at many campgrounds, creating challenges for tent campers. "Lots of sand and no patio mats allowed," notes a visitor to Suwannee River Hideaway.
Tips for camping with families
Indoor pool access: When springs are too cold or closed, seek campgrounds with heated pools. At Otter Springs Park & Campground, Thomas R. explains there are "hot showers heated indoor pool blue grass concerts lots of activities including volleyball."
Kid-friendly spring areas: Some springs provide shallow areas specifically for younger swimmers. One visitor to Otter Springs noted the configuration creates "a shallow stream area that parents and their toddlers can sit down in the water."
Playground options: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. A visitor to Hart Springs highlights that "This park also has a splash pad, volleyball and basketball court."
Group activities: Look for campgrounds with open fields for impromptu games. "The kids had a BLAST with about twenty other kids playing manhunt and running around," reports Ashlee R. about the camping area at Devil's Den.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at most area campgrounds. At Suwannee River Hideaway, Jackie T. discovered "Good luck finding a level site. The sewer was higher than the outlet on our camper, so it ran uphill."
RV size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "The compacted sand road to the sites was very uneven and trees were very close to the road," notes Brandie B. at Strawberry Fields for RV'ers, which offers "Sites are decent and paved. Wish there were trees for some shade."
Hookup quality: Quality and reliability of utilities vary between parks. One RVer at Suwannee River Bend appreciated the "full hookups, newer hookups; big rig friendly with many pull through sites."
Bathroom proximity: Consider site location relative to facilities. At Hart Springs, one camper recommended "The center sites seem more level than the outer ring of sites."
