Tent camping near Cocoa, Florida provides access to Florida's diverse waterway ecosystems, with sites situated alongside the Econlockhatchee River, St. Johns River, and various lakes. The region has an average elevation of just 20 feet above sea level, creating unique camping conditions with sandy soils that drain quickly during typical afternoon summer rain showers. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with winter (December through February) offering more comfortable temperatures and significantly fewer insects.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: Little Big Econ State Forest offers extensive trail systems accessible directly from primitive campsites. According to one visitor, "You could spend an entire day just getting lost around the trails. Not a very difficult trail though. There are lots of little waterways." The forest provides both novice and experienced hikers with varied terrain options through pine flatwoods and river ecosystems.
Fishing opportunities: Wickham Park Campground in nearby Melbourne offers stocked fishing ponds right within the camping area. A camper notes, "Nice fishing ponds and nice and quite," making it convenient for anglers of all skill levels to cast a line without leaving the campground. Morning and evening hours typically yield better fishing results.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds feature opportunities to observe native Florida wildlife in natural habitats. At Geneva Wilderness Area, "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 and there is a small lake not far from the trail offering fishing opportunity."
What campers like
Waterfront locations: Many tent camping sites around Cocoa offer direct water access. At Bissette Bay in Canaveral National Seashore, one camper shared their experience: "Launch at river breeze park, book through Canavaral National Seashore. 20 bucks a night your own island. Can book for up to 15 people but I don't know where you would put enough tents."
Secure camping environments: Several parks provide security features for solo or family campers. At Lake Mills Park, a camper appreciated that "the park gate closes and locks at night (with a code for campers to exit and enter) and the campground itself has a gate that is always locked as do the bathrooms so they stay fairly nice."
Diverse recreational amenities: Many campgrounds combine natural settings with recreational facilities. One camper at Wickham Park noted: "We love camping here! It's very close to shops but it doesn't feel like it when you're in the campground. Close to beaches. Lots of trails to walk or mountain bike. We're full timers so we took advantage of the community garden here for a season."
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Tent sites range from developed campgrounds to primitive wilderness. At Hal Scott Preserve County Park, "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. There's a fire pit, table and plenty of space for tents."
Water management challenges: Some areas experience seasonal flooding, particularly during summer months. A camper at Hal Scott noted, "Be prepared for a hike to the sites (except group site). Expect some areas of water covered trails, ankle deep, especially in the summer months."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds near populated areas may experience traffic or entertainment noise. At Lake Mills Park, a camper reported: "Traffic can be clearly heard on the main streets that border the campground. Also, there is an adjacent country bar, or 'honky-tonk' if you will with the sound system that was set up we could clearly hear everything that was going on there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Mills Park offers family-friendly amenities right next to tent camping areas. A regular visitor shared, "The campsites are nice, we had our favorite one. It was big and secluded so we had privacy. Our tent is like the Taj Mahal of tents and we bring lots of stuff with us and we had plenty of room. The bathhouses are very nice and clean. There is a huge park with a great playground, which the kids love."
Educational opportunities: East Camp — Little Big Econ State Forest provides natural learning experiences for children. One camper notes it's a "Perfect site for novice" and "Beautiful campsite right on the river made for a wonderful experience for a first-time camper, primitive or otherwise."
Weather preparation: Summer camping in the Cocoa area requires specific planning for families. Afternoon thunderstorms are common June through September, often beginning around 2-4pm and lasting 1-2 hours. Pack lightweight, quick-drying clothes and consider tent camping with a separate rain fly to improve ventilation in high humidity.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Wickham Park Campground, RVers should be selective about which camping section they choose. One camper advised, "The sites are nice by the ponds. Good spacing between them and clean looking. The back sites (sect C) had rigs that have been there a while." This information helps new visitors select optimal locations within the campground.
Event planning: Several campgrounds host regular events that RVers can incorporate into their visit. A camper at Wickham Park mentioned they "stayed here because we work the Brevard Show, and it was amazing!" while another noted "it had good food when the food trucks came through!"
