Tent camping near Cocoa Beach offers a variety of natural environments within a 30-mile radius, from inland forest settings to waterfront locations. The area features subtropical climate conditions with summer temperatures averaging 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 50°F. Mosquitoes and biting insects become particularly active during the warmer months from May through October, requiring campers to prepare with appropriate repellents and gear.
What to do
Hiking through oak hammocks: At Hal Scott Preserve County Park, trails wind through mature oak canopies. According to one camper, "Sites are neatly cleared with mature oak trees that provide a canopy for shade. Picnic tables, prep table, & a well pump for water (not for drinking) are welcomed amenities."
Mountain biking on designated trails: Wickham Park Campground in Melbourne offers several biking paths. One visitor shared: "It's a great place with lots of bike/walking paths and wide open, quiet spaces. Hope to take advantage of the fishing ponds, mountain bike trails and archery range in future visits."
Exploring wildlife viewing areas: Geneva Wilderness Area provides dedicated wildlife observation points. A reviewer noted, "The trails are filled with wildlife! Gopher tortoise, raccoon, shore birds, deer and so much more. The wildflowers in the spring and fall are eye catching."
Fishing in freshwater lakes: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities, with Lake Mills Park providing accessible shoreline fishing. A camper mentioned, "The camp sites are just a short walk to the lake and the fishing pier. Several in our group caught some small fish and some turtles too."
What campers like
Secluded primitive sites: Little Big Econ State Forest offers remote camping experiences. One camper shared, "Beautiful campsite right on the river made for a wonderful experience for a first-time camper, primitive or otherwise. Lovely evening had by all, site was clean and kept."
Easy access to urban amenities: Wickham Park Campground provides a balance between nature and convenience. A reviewer stated, "The location of this park is perfect for us. We have family in Melbourne so we love staying here when we visit. Everything is kept clean, nice fishing ponds and nice and quite."
Family-friendly facilities: Lake Mills Park offers amenities suitable for children. A camper reported, "Lake Mills has 14 sites to choose from, some being bigger than others. All sites were clean and very well cared for. The whole park was nice. Kids enjoyed the playground and fishing from the dock."
Island camping experiences: For those seeking more adventure, Bissette Bay in Canaveral National Seashore offers boat-in camping. According to one visitor, "Launch at river breeze park, book through Canavaral National Seashore. 20 bucks a night your own island."
What you should know
Access challenges: Some sites require significant hiking to reach. At Hal Scott Preserve, a camper warned, "It's a long walk to a primitive site, but totally worth it. There's no real way of knowing if the sites are already taken, so be prepared for that."
Weather considerations: The region experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months. A reviewer at Hatbill Park described conditions as "Open Sandy, beautiful sunsets. Lots of noisy airboats, coming in after midnight."
Limited shade at some locations: Several campgrounds lack tree cover. At Blue Cypress County Park, one camper noted, "There's no shade in the camping area, but there are two fire pits and two picnic tables, so bring a pop up or shelter tent for the midday sun."
Seasonal closures and changes: Some facilities close temporarily or have limited availability. A visitor to Blue Cypress County Park reported in 2021, "Campground closed," while the park remained open, highlighting the importance of checking current status before planning a tent camping trip near Cocoa Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Lake Mills Park offers family-friendly amenities. One reviewer shared, "This is a nice place to introduce kids to camping. It's not very far removed and there is a nice bathroom and a playground."
Educational opportunities: Geneva Wilderness Area features an education center perfect for children. A visitor explained, "There is an Education Center: Ed Yarborough Center on the property near the group site that was open for our group and was amazing."
Group camping options: Several locations offer dedicated group sites for family gatherings. A camper at Geneva Wilderness Area described, "We had at least 10 tents in the big group area and four more in a smaller area off to the side for those of us that had to get up at the crack of dawn to cook breakfast."
First-time camping experiences: For families new to tent camping near Cocoa Beach, certain sites provide gentler introductions. At Little Big Econ State Forest, a reviewer commented, "Beautiful campsite right on the river made for a wonderful experience for a first-time camper, primitive or otherwise."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most primitive tent camping areas near Cocoa Beach lack RV facilities. Wickham Park Campground stands as an exception with both tent and RV accommodations. According to one RVer, "The sites are nice by the ponds. Good spacing between them and clean looking."
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds in the area cannot accommodate larger rigs. A camper at Wickham Park noted the stark contrast between sections: "The back sites (sect C) had rigs that have been there a while. Some with old discarded air conditioners on the picnic tables or junk around them."
Tent camping from RVs: Some RVers choose to set up tents at campgrounds like Lake Mills Park. A visitor described, "The campsites themselves don't accommodate RVs and don't have any hookups. They do have a grill and a place to hang up food, and a single small parking space."
