Chiefland sits in Florida's Gulf Hammock region with elevations ranging from 20-45 feet above sea level. The landscape consists primarily of limestone bedrock overlaid with sandy soil supporting pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. Summer temperatures average 91°F with high humidity, while winter lows rarely drop below 40°F, creating year-round camping opportunities with minimal freezing concerns.
What to Do
Spring swimming access: 72-degree waters at Manatee Springs State Park Campground offer cooling relief. "The step access to the springs was open, but we didn't see where to rent kayaks or buy anything, not sure if those are closed for COVID. Boardwalk was really cool and long and we saw a couple of manatees," notes Laura M.
Wildlife observation: dawn sightings throughout the region's campgrounds. At Manatee Springs, "wonderfully quiet. Store where you can rent canoes. Dock to go fishing. River is quiet and deer come right through your campsite," reports Jenn B.
Scuba and snorkeling: certified divers welcome at Ginnie Springs Outdoors. "A great place to kayak! You will be able to see a lot of manatees if you are lucky. The campsites are good and shaded," writes Jordan S. The underwater visibility extends beyond 100 feet on clear days, allowing exceptional views of underwater limestone formations.
What Campers Like
Bathhouse facilities: surprising amenities at Hart Springs Park. "Nice sites with beautiful Florida nature trails. We were camping here in March and we were not able to enjoy the springs because they were having a brown out. Still plenty to do like walk the trails, enjoy the pool or visit the many different springs," notes Vanessa B.
Spacious campsites: room between neighbors at dog friendly campgrounds near Chiefland. "Sites are easy to back in and we was almost level where we put our camper. It seems pretty quiet in the evenings and everyone is very friendly that we have seen. No issues of any kind. They have plenty firewood you can get from the camp host," shares Sam L. about Hart Springs.
River access: multiple points available for water activities. "Directly on the Suwannee River. The sites are nice and the people are great. Staff is very accommodating and helpful," writes Linda C. about Yellow Jacket RV Resort.
What You Should Know
Seasonal crowds: management limits spring access during peak periods. "The spring itself is really nicely kept and they have a small but very nice splash pad for the kids. The spring does get packed on weekends with locals so check with staff because they have a tendency to limit the amount of people in the spring," cautions Danielle C. about Otter Springs.
Variable site conditions: levelness challenges exist at some campgrounds. At Suwannee River Hideaway Campground, "the management and staff were very nice, and they are making improvements to the campground. Definately a hideaway....nice boardwalk to the river. Good luck finding a level site. The sewer was higher than the outlet on our camper, so it ran uphill," reports Jackie T.
Cell service limitations: prepare for connectivity gaps throughout the region. "Poor/spotty cell service in park, but there's free wifi at the concession stand. Concession stand was closed when we were there but there was still ok wifi that reached outside," notes Laura M. about Manatee Springs. Many campgrounds offer WiFi hotspots but signal strength varies significantly by location.
Tips for Camping with Families
Spring swimming alternatives: heated pools available at Otter Springs Park & Campground. "The campground was large and shaded. The kids loved the playground and pool. It was still too cool to enjoy the spring when we camped but it was nice to walk around and explore," shares Denise G.
Multi-generational activities: accessible options for various ability levels. "Hart Springs has one of the largest swimming areas 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," mentions Brenda S.
Evening entertainment: stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. "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. The campground backs up to an amazing field for stargazing," notes Amelia W.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: waterfront premium at Suwannee River Bend RV Park. "Staff: respectful, informative and available. Sites: Clean; limestone gravel with concrete patios on most; premium waterfront sites with decks; newer hookups; big rig friendly with many pull through sites, lots of trees," explains Teresa S.
Pet accommodation: dog-friendly policies prevalent at campgrounds near Chiefland. "Good dog park, and are extremely dog friendly," notes Ron M. about Suwannee River Bend RV Park.
Hookup configurations: prepare for varied setups across the region. "Strawberry Fields for RVers has lots of potential. It's a clean and well kept area for RVs to park and stay for a few nights. Nice and quiet. The laundry and bathhouse are impeccable, we look forward to the owners building more in the expanded areas," shares Brandie B. Some sites require extension hoses and cords to reach all utilities.
