Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Citra? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Citra, Florida's most popular destinations.
Lake area campground with 29 campsites along the eastern shore of Lake Delancy in the Big Scrub.
Caravelle Ranch camping is available for permitted hunters at designated primitive sites. Be cautious after heavy rains as they might close to protect the roads.
A free reservation is required and must be displayed.
Cabins and tent sites are accessed by walking trails. Push carts available to transport gear. Visitors are responsible for bringing their own linens, cookware, and dishes. Camping-style mattresses provided in cabins and treehouses. RV or car camping is not permitted in the park.
Camp Chowenwaw (Cho’-wen-waw), is a beautiful 150-acre site at the mouth of Black Creek, near its confluence with the St. Johns River. The Girl Scout Council of Duval County operated the site as a camp for over 70 years. The original cabins and the Big Cabin were built with federal aid using logs cut on site. The camp opened on July 1, 1933. Camp Chowenwaw has played an important role in the lives of three generations of young women in Northeast Florida. Thousands of campers have stayed at the Camp; many have gone on to be leaders in our community. In 2006, Clay County purchased the camp from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council with assistance from Florida Communities Trust using Florida Forever funds. It is now a public park offering a variety of recreation including trails, camping and overnight cabins, nature programs, fishing pier, canoe launch, picnicking, swimming pool, museum, playground, and meeting rooms. The Park is managed as a conservation, historic preservation, and outdoor recreation area.
Set along the shores of Farles Lake, this recreation area is a launch point for outdoor adventures, including boating, birding, and fishing along the lake and prairie system.
Lake Dorr Cabin is set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Dorr, ideal for a family getaway. The cabin is open year-round and creates a great setting for plenty of outdoor water fun. The rental includes a private boat ramp, canoes and a fishing dock. It's located just over an hour from popular amusement parks and other exciting attractions in Orlando. The cabin entrance and bathroom is accessible. A flat section on the property fits two tents if guests wish to camp outside.
Boating, skiing, jet skiing, fishing and swimming are among the most popular activities for guests. The abundance of largemouth bass, crappie and pan fish entice anglers. A private boat ramp, fishing dock, picnic table, grill and three canoes with life vests are provided.
The cabin rests on the south shores of the lake, with shady Palmetto palms and other tropical vegetation. Views of Lake Dorr, which spans 1,760 acres, are impressive from the cabin grounds. Ocala National Forest boasts more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs, including three first-magnitude springs.
Altoona lies directly south of Lake Dorr, with gas stations and conveniece stores. Umatilla is a little farther south, offering grocery stores and pharmacies. The cabin is about 50 miles from Daytona Beach to the east and the city of Orlando to the south. Both trips take just over an hour and offer many opportunities for entertainment.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (352) 669-3522.
$280 / night
About this property
The Lake George Conservation Area protects more than half of the eastern shore of Lake George and its associated watershed that flows into the lake. Adjacent to property purchased in partnership with Volusia County, the conservation area also protects a wildlife corridor of more than 20 miles along Lake George and the St. Johns River.
The property is primarily composed of mixed hardwood swamp and pine flatwoods and is included in the wildlife management area managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, enhancing wetlands and upland habitats.
One of the special highlights of this property is its high concentration of eagles’ nests. When it was purchased, this area boasted the highest concentration of bald eagles outside of Alaska. Eagles made their nests primarily in large old pine trees that resided as single trees in the wetlands throughout the property. They are now nesting in trees that were planted outside the wetlands. Access
From U.S. 17, turn west on Georgetown-Denver Road (west of Crescent City); from Seville, turn west on County Road 305 (Lake George Road); north of Pierson, turn west on Nine Mile Road. Wildlife viewing
Please respect Florida’s wildlife and use caution while visiting district lands. These are wild animals. For your safety, do not approach or feed any wild animal. Species found here include Florida black bear, Sherman’s fox squirrel and southern bald eagle (one of the region’s largest concentrations). Other species include the American alligator, gopher tortoise, bobcat, hawk, heron, otter, owl, osprey and white-tailed deer. Recreational activities
Seasonal hunting, fishing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, primitive camping at designated sites and wildlife viewing.
Boating opportunities are available on Lake George.
Guide
Closely gathered tent camp sites, without water or electric at the site. Water is stationed within walking distance, tastes weird. Nonpotable?Clean sites. Bath house with hot water, boat ramp for large and small boats. Current is very fast for kayaking. Go tot he dam instead which offers World renowned fishing. Lots of alligators. Go to Rodman damn for the fishing and quiet waters to kayak in. A minagerie of wildlife is available to view. No phone service. Dog friendly camping. Isolated. Bring what you need.
Ranger
Fantastic campground and recreation area. Over 150 campsites, one area full hookups with all amenities and other area for tent camping. Sites have lots of space and majority have shade trees with moss flowing in the breeze. All sites have picnic table, lantern pole, grill, and fire ring. We have 2 golden retrievers and had plenty of space to spare. Beautiful stars out at night. Bathhouses are large, clean, hot showers. Trailer sites were full and only a few tent campers this time of year. Tent sites are complete with Bear boxes at each site. Camp hosts and management were very friendly and helpful.
Saw manatees kayaking in the spring and river on premises. Spring area has a boardwalk around it. People swam with them too. Saw bald eagle catching fish, lots of birds, some fish, etc. Has a small boat launch and marina. Can tent kayaks. Great place for bikes. A few hiking trails were well maintained.
Convenient location to lots of springs to visit and things to do. Visited Silver Springs, Blue Springs, Juniper Spring to name a few. All within 1 hr drive.
Not sure how summer time is, but this late February time was Awesome. 40-50 at night and 60s in the day! This is a must stay place.
LegendSalt Springs Recreation Area is part of the Ocala National Forest. It’s the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River and protects the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest. The Salt Springs gets its name from the magnesium, sodium and potassium levels in the water, giving it a slight salinity. We made our reservations online at www.recreation.gov you can also call 877-444-6777 the local office is(352) 685-2048. We’re a married couple in our forties traveling with two dogs and a cat in our 37 foot motorhome. We stayed at Salt Springs campground for about a week in February. It was$34 for full hookups or$23 for tent camping. American Land& Leisure does a great job managing this recreation and camping area, the staff are professional and friendly. It’s a very safe and well lit campground. Activities include spring swimming, basketball courts, horseshoe pit, fishing, snorkeling, hiking, boating and kayaking. Canoe rentals are available. Nearby in the town of Salt Springs you will find a grocery store, gas station, restaurants, post office and laundromat. Don’t expect big box stores to shop in, this is a very small town and a place to get away from the world. We stayed in a full hookup site and had lots of space to ourselves, at least 25 yards to our neighbor on either side and about 40 yards to the next loop behind us. It was a flat site and very easy to level our motorhome. Sites are fully equipped with fire ring, grill, lantern post and picnic table. The tent sites include a bear locker. We loved the recycling opportunities at each trash container. They recycle plastic, glass and aluminum. The bathhouses are a gem, extremely clean and well taken care of. For campers in tents they offer a kitchen sink area to clean your dishes. Overall we loved our stay here, we went swimming multiple times with our snorkel gear and drove down to Silver Springs on two separate days(one for the glass bottomed boats and a second day to go kayaking).
Scout
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
Traveler
Not good for tent camping. Clean park. Friendly staff.
Scout
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.
Guide
This is a beautiful campground with proximity to the Florida Scenic Trail. Ideal for tent camping, as the forest service roads were a little rough for our RV. Campground is along a beautiful and unique wet prairie. No cell service, no electric or water hookups. Worth a stay in a tent! Recommend using entrance off route 19 via forest service road 86.
Guide
Separate tent camping from RVs. Also has a barn and pasture if you are horse camping. Good WiFi, pool and laundry.
Scout
Had a great time tent camping and hiking the various trails. Close to the itchnetuckee. It’s very woodsy so make sure you check yourself for ticks.
LegendClose to a nice spring (not the most beautiful of the area). Tent site are fine. Very friendly staff.
Scout
Can flood but there is dry ground to camp on. Sulfur water in the outdoor showers, great tent sites right off river.
Ranger
One of our favorite places to visit. The springs are amazing. Camping facilities are nice. Would be 5 stars if they had some sites with electric hookups. Outside of that a great place for tent camping.
Guide
Nice spots for tent camping. Got surprisingly cold when I visited. Would’ve been 5 stars if it weren’t for obnoxiously loud and rude neighbors that were yelling/screaming until midnight. If you camp here, expect to hear lots of partying.
GuideSmall charming campground along the Santa Fe River where it sinks into the underground system and rises at the next state park called River Rise. Sand/dirt roads to the RV/tent camping loop, with pretty tight turns and sharp entrances to rather short sites. Lots of screening trees between sites make for narrow parking of your RV with lots of branches to watch out for, but it is very deeply wooded and lovely.
It was during a cold snap in early December when we were there for 3 days, and it was packed with both tent and RV campers. There is a bathhouse with restrooms in the center of the loop. Note: some men tent camping used the bushes around their site for a urinal - we know this because when we pass by the one way loop to go sightseeing or hiking, they were using it in plain sight, more than once.
Very fine trail and very nice if primitive campground. Would stay again.
ScoutThe kids had a blast swimming in the spring and kayaking in the lake. Tent campsites weren’t spread out and zero privacy
GuideRodman campground was very clean and well maintained. The bathrooms were spotless. The tent sites were very large, adequately spaced with varying degrees of privacy. The boat ramp is well kept and there is ample trailer parking nearby.
Guide
Quiet, lots of wildlife (wild horses, bison, alligators, deer, birds, turtles); plenty of hiking and biking trails with beautiful sunsets on the lake. Restroom facilities are showing some age but clean. Walk-in tent sites are pretty close to the Restrooms.
Scout
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.
GuideThis park was mostly rv's when we were there so we had the tent camping area to ourselves. Nice showers and bathrooms. They have a pool but we didnt use it, the spring is right down the road. They have tubes for you to take & float down the river, really nice people.
GuideNice area and staff. Site 142 is big and slightly more separated than the rest of the tent sites. Also closest to the kayak launch. The other sites holy crap no privacy or separation between most of them. Wouldn't want to camp here when they are busy.
Guide
We stayed here over the winter and we were pleasantly surprised! The spaces were relatively private, and the bathrooms were neat and tidy and there was water and trash on site. We tent camped and after enjoying the springs we went and had dinner 5 minutes away! This is a great spot because you feel secluded but you can run to a lot of nice restaurants and grab groceries nearby! We will be back. 
Scout
3 families camping over 2 nights at O'leno to enjoy Ichetucknee Springs. We had kids in age range from 18 months up to 11. We tent camped & stayed in the Magnolia Loop which had section fencing for each lot. There was a nice playground & many learning spots set up. The park says you can swim at your own risk, but it looks like harmful creatures are in the water without any proper fencing.
Guide
Ended up at this campground since we couldn’t find anything else open at the time. Sure glad we went. The campground is one loop in a field. With camping along the edge in the woods and also in the field with some trees. Lots of open tent camping also. The bathrooms are huge and modern and super nice.
The attraction here is the biking. It’s an international destination for mountain biking! While there are no mountains in Florida, there are many man made ramps and jumps and turns. It’s remarkable to see. There is also a wonderful cross Florida trail that is paved, is super smooth and it meanders through old plantations, woods, and horse farms. It’s gorgeous. It was a great place to visit.
GuideThis is a very well kept campground unless you are looking at a hosts site. Host sites are very cluttered and messy. This really brings down the look of this campground. The spring area stays well kept and the boat ramp is convenient. There is a Marina but you have to leave the campground to get to it. Full hookups at every RV site and primitive tent camping has potable throughout. I paid $32 with my national parks access pass.
LegendExcept for the noise of the highway, you would never guess you were 10 minutes from a major metropolitan city. The campground is very private with lots of trees and palms separating sites, especially in the tent loops. The tent sites are walk in, with some closer than others. I took site #23 for the night, which was set back just enough to the private, but not so far as to really haul my gear. Each tent site has a numbered parking space as well. There seemed to be about 10-12 tent only sites and the remainder of the 50 sites had hook-ups for RVs. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and well taken care of.
A two mile hike will take you the visitors center, from which you can climb the observation tower to look over the prairie and have access to several trails. It was really wet when I was there which meant that several trails were partially closed. But I still managed to hike several miles over several trails. I never did see the Cracker Wild Spanish Horses or the bison, but did see lots of signs in the form of poop. I also didn’t see any gators, but did get to see lots of birds of various size and variety.
Traveler
There are two loops for campers, both very nice - one is near the lakes but not directly accessing the water (you’ll get more RVs in that area) and the tent camping loop backs up against the woods. Great access to water sports, the ravine hiking trails, dirt roads leading out the back entrance for motorcycles to easily access the nearby forest roads, and the amenities are spare but clean. The staff are always friendly and understanding, and other campers tend to be seasonal, return groups and families - pets are more than welcomed.
Traveler
This state park is booked out almost every weekend for months in advance, but it is definitely worth visiting. Sandy campsites are perfect for smaller RVs and tent camping. The sites are a close together, but everyone was respectful of each others space. Facilities are average, but clean. Easy walk to the spring and boat launch. Sites are right next to the day use area so it can be a bit loud by mid-morning. I’d recommend coming during the fall or on a weekday to avoid some of the crowds.
Tent camping near Citra, Florida offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Citra, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Citra, FL is Lake Delancy East NF Campground with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Citra, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Citra, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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