Best RV Parks & Resorts near Daytona Beach, FL

What I love about Ocean Grove is that it puts you smack dab due south of St. Augustine (a.k.a. Ancient City), but far enough away where you can get away from the noise, traffic and otherwise touristy area of the country’s oldest city. While the downside is that this roadside RV stand is, well, located roadside and in fact, right on the AIA, it does place you within a few minutes’ drive to some of the best beaches, like Crescent Beach, which is only 4 blocks away. Given that this is a fairly well-known attractive area known for its beaches and southern way of seaside life, there’s also no shortage of tiki bars, fish shacks and taco stands to choose from, all within walking distance. 

As for the RV Resort itself, Ocean Grove lives up to the word ‘resort’ given all the amenities that you’ll find here, especially the very well-maintained, amazingly massive heated in-ground pool, gargantuan paved patio deck (with separate area for dining) complete with patio chairs, umbrellas and lounge chaises, along with the overgrown group-sized bubbling hot tub, in addition to offering a very well-stocked market store, restaurant and bar (can anyone say “Mai Tais poolside, por favor?!”) as well as perhaps its most impressive asset, offering direct water access to the Intracoastal (along with kayak rentals, in case you forgot yours). 

Additional amenities include: basketball and bocce ball courts, coin-operated laundr-O-mat (complete with community book exchange / library), billiards and foosball tables, propane refilling station, pull-through and back-in RV slots complete with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, sewer and water), perfectly level paved RV pads to park on, picnic tables, horseshoe ring, fishing pier on the San Julian river, lagoon with turtle watching, children’s playground, doggie park with designated dog run, boat ramp, RV / boat / jet ski storage area, complimentary WiFi, large picnic pavilion, cable TV (additional charge), golf cart parking, designated dumpsters, community fire pit (the only place on the premises where fires area allowed), recreation hall with A/C and oversized wall-mounted TVs, heated and air-conditioned bath houses with showers. Extra points here for Ocean Grove providing a gated entry point with actual staff that adds additional layers of security, important given the proximity to the AIA. 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best spots here at Ocean Grove are those that are waterfront: F138–F141 next to the fishing pier or J100–J126; (2) One of the very few detractors at this place is that of the 208 RV slots available, you will notice that Ocean Grove attempts to make every square inch count, so no matter where you are parked, there won’t be a ton of privacy and your hook-ups will feel very crowded (sewage line right next to the picnic table, hmm, not very enticing to say the least!); (3) When you get tired of trying to figure out what that next meal is going to be when staring down at your mini-fridge or cooler, then check out some local haunts, like Salt Water Cowboy (where anything from the Land, Sea and Swamp section like fried Alligator is pretty amazing), World Famous Oasis Restaurant or Connolly’s Shore Grill for fresh caught seafood; and (4) If you are looking for a decent place to do some great hiking, then look no further than due southwest of Ocean Grove where you can check out Matanzas State Park, that has miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trails with virtually the entire place to yourself (save the deer and gators that you might come across). 

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If you were any closer to Daytona Speedway, you’d be feeling the constant swoosh! of cars racing by non-stop. This RV pitstop conveniently located just off Florida’s main interstate highway I-95 and just due north of its second most well-driven highway 4 (the gateway to Orlando), you’ll discover Daytona RV Speedway, which is just a few hundred yards walk to the reason likely you’ve come here in the first place – the Daytona 500 (or any of the other spectacles that call this car track home). And if you are just passing by, then Daytona RV Speedway offers a quick and convenient place for you to drop anchor for the night. 

Apart from its easy access and proximity to the Daytona Speedway, you’ll enjoy the flat, well-laid out pet-friendly RV park here along with all of its amenities: the typical RV hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), 80’ (max) pull-through sites, on-site mini-mart / store, WiFi& Cable, restroom & bathhouse facilities (from the 80’s but clean nonetheless), firewood and propane (for purchase), coin-operated laundry as well as scattered picnic tables and BBQ grills. As for the campus itself, the RV slots have pretty decent space between them with just OK shade (with an odd tree here and there). 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you find yourself lucky enough to be here on the weekend, you’ll want to check out Daytona Flea & Farmers Market conveniently located right across the street from Daytona RV Speedway; (2) While you couldn’t find a place more heavily trafficked in the entire state of Florida, in just a short 20 minute drive further west, you can discover Tiger Bay State Forest, which has an amazing hiking trail called Buncombe Hill Trailhead that’s a nice distraction from this otherwise concrete jungle; (3) As you’re a stone’s throw away from Daytona Beach, arguably, one of the best beaches in the state, if not the country, you’ll want to hit one of these ‘drive-on’ white sand beach destinations – but get there early!; and (4) While you are surrounded by a ton of franchise restaurant chain eateries like Cracker Barrel, BJ’s, Tijuana Flats and Waffle House, I highly recommend Double Barrel Grill, which functions as one part whiskey distillery and also operates a shooting range – who says you can’t shoot and eat your meal too?! 

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While just a short jaunt from I95, in under 7 minutes from 3-lane express highway traffic, you’ll find yourself sauntering south on a meandering paved entranceway with white picket fences and swear that you were driving onto the set of Dallas (for those of us that remember that Texan drama series!). Once you swing around the bend, a blockade of Ancient Oaks and Magnolias draped in an excessive amount of Spanish Moss are there to greet you to Bulow RV Resort (which is run by Encore RV Resorts). And WOW! does this place pack a lot in! 

For starters, this RV campground is MASSIVE with nearly 400 back-in and pull-through slots to choose from. Nestled on the banks of the Bulow Creek and nearby to the Intracoastal, with the famed Flagler Beach just beyond, this campground is perfect for those seeking water (of any kind). And for those that prefer land, no worries, out here, you are completely surrounded by 6+ golf courses and a ton of great hiking trails. Don’t have an RV? Cringe at the thought of setting up a tent? Absolutely not a problem here at Bulow RV Resort, where they’ll rent you 1 of 5 types of cabins / cottages (note: no pets allowed on these premises though). 

Really, the only downside to this entire place is the lack of privacy that you’ll encounter here – apart from being surrounded by Florida’s most amazing natural wilderness.  Once inside this RV compound, it is quite barren and therefore doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy or a sense of seclusion. So if living in an RV city, complete with road signs and attractions is your idea of paradise, then Bulow RV Resort could be ideal for you. 

As for amenities here, you won’t be disappointed – although you may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to do! Starting with the basics, there are scattered picnic tables and BBQ grills and very well maintained restrooms and clean shower facilities. For RVers, all of the basic water, sewage and electric (30 / 50 amp) hook-ups are available and most of the spaces are fairly wide-open and barren, so you won’t have much privacy anywhere in this campground. In addition, there’s RV storage, ballroom/ banquet hall (because you never know when you might need to throw a big party, right?!), horseshoes, mini-golf, sand volleyball court, designated picnic / bbq areas, clubhouse / lounge, dog park and all the WiFi for your social media surfing pleasure. There’s also a fairly well-stocked market on-site, propane refill station, plenty of designated dump stations, shuffleboard, full service bar (yes, I couldn’t believe it either!) and an activities center that has a full lineup of daily events. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a fairly decent sized pool that has an absolutely pristine laundr-O-mat located right next to it. I know! Mai Tais, floaties and running a load of whites all-in-one! 

Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) For those that are spending just a few nights (or even a week), you’ll want to find a spot much closer to the front of the property – as the back of the property is organized more for longer-term monthly ‘residents’; (2) For those that enjoy hiking, I strongly recommend heading just due south of this RV resort to Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic Park, where you can hike Bulow Creek Canoe Trail, which is quite short and basic, or head further south to Boardman Pond where there’s a pretty cool observation platform for bird-watching; (3) For tent campers, you’ll discover that this resort has isolated a place directly in front (near those white picket fences), where you will be separated from the RV community.  Again, because there is ZERO ground coverage, you will feel a little like a ‘spider in a bathtub,’ so I would recommend if you are going to camp here, to opt for a site as far west as you can (towards those Ancient Oaks and Magnolias I first mentioned – in fact, I would just go primitive and head in that direction anyway); (4) If you’re looking to drop a kayak or canoe in the water, you can either do that directly on-site where the Bulow Creek merges with the Halifax River (nearby the swimming pool) or further afield and southernly, you can drop your watercraft in Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve where you’ll enjoy much wider expanses; and (5) When you get tired of firing up the grill for each meal and want to venture out into the local area, go try out Flagler Fish Company which has been a local (funky) favorite for years or The Anchor, both of which serve up just amazing seafood done up any which way you can imagine. 

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Located within a stone’s throw (or two) of I95 – Florida’s major highway artery running due north and south – you’ll come across Sunshine Holiday Daytona just due west of the main exit to Daytona Beach and the Daytona Speedway. Here you will discover a massive RV depot that has 2 distinct campuses to choose from with altogether 602 individual RV, tent camping, cottage and cabin spots to choose from. If you think this sounds like an overcrowded, RV parking lot too close to a major highway interstate with all of the fast food restaurants you can throw a rock at all within walking distance (and a Harley Davidson dealer to boot) then you would be correct! 

About Sunshine Holiday Daytona specifically, you’ll find that this RV campground is basically two very large concentric circles separated by a canal, with Circle A, the first encircled campground space that you will come to upon entry, where the main lodge, shower / restrooms, laundr-O-mat, market and swimming pool is located in the center, is organized by sites #1– 100, and on the outer periphery, you’ll find a dozen and a half or so sites designated for tent campers, but as a fellow tent-pitcher, I wouldn’t recommend this. For those that don’t have an RV or a tent, no problem, as there’s also a handful of scattered cottages and cabins that you can rent for the night. 

The second concentric circle, located just due west of the first large circle, which you’ll come to after first crossing a small canal, is organized in the same fashion as the first circle with a basic hub-like structure in the center with restrooms / showers (but no market or swimming pool here). Both circles have 4 - 5 expanding rings all with intersecting lanes that surround the center, so obviously, the outer rings provide the most amount of shelter and privacy, although you should note that the southernmost part of each external ring is closest to the 4-lane US1 highway from whence you came, so if possible, for Circle A, you’ll want to be on the northern or eastern side and for Circle B, you’ll want to be on the northern or western side. 

Amenities: Clubhouse / lounge, swimming pool, near Daytona’s beaches (biggest upside), pet-friendly, horseshoe pits, bocce ball, WiFi, dog park, playground, restroom / shower facilities, market / store, RV and boat storage, mini golf, badminton, shuffle board, tennis, basketball, bingo / card playing, activities center, volleyball, laundr-O-mat, designated dump station, propane refueling station, as well as full hook-ups for RV (30/ 50 electric amp, sewage, water). 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) If you love watching canines battle it out for who’s the fastest, then head on over to Daytona Beach Kennel Club for a good half day at the races along with some hefty pints of Guinness being poured; (2) If fast food isn’t your thing (and you’re not alone here), then check out Colt’s Pig Stand for some pretty great (not excellent) BBQ or if in need of a decent and quick no frills breakfast, then check out Honey Bee Café – both are located just down the street on US1 towards I95; (3) While en route to your destination and find yourself hauling some ATVs or 4X4’s, then you may have hit the jackpot as just down the road from Sunshine Holiday Daytona, you’ll come across Florida Cracker Ranch (and you just have to love that name, right?!), where for some small change, you too can get your off-roading muddin’ driving pleasures realized and if that’s not really your thing, they also have hiking, biking, horseback riding, skeet shooting and many other activities that will keep you out enjoying nature for as long as possible; and (4) When looking for some great trails to hike or ravines to navigate, head on over to Bulow Creek State Park, where you’ll have no shortage of Ancient Oak trees and submerged lands to navigate, complete with a pretty amazing primitive running trail and isolated campground. Further afield, you’ll discover Tomoka SP, which is one of my favorite little hidden gems in all of Florida, so be sure to give them both a look. 

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Formerly known as Compass RV Resort, Sun Outdoors of St. Augustine is an RV mega-resort paradise in the midst of Old Florida, placing you in very close proximity to both the cobblestone streets of the touristy oldest city in the nation (a.k.a. Ancient City) as well as the amazing white powder sand beaches of northern Florida. Located just a stone’s throw from the busiest transport artery in all of Florida (I95), whether you’ve just come down from the north to grab some warmth and sunshine or heading further afield as part of a larger trip, Sun Outdoors makes both a good pit stop as well as a spot that you might want to drop anchor for several nights. 

You can’t call an otherwise RV parking lot a ‘resort’ without throwing down a number of amenities and Sun Outdoors – a chain of RV pit stops throughout the country with dizzying amounts of distractions and add-ons – will deliver on this front easily. From offering the basics like back-in and pull-through well-paved, flat RV slots (there’s more than 160 spots to choose from) with gravel pads and all the full hook-ups (20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, sewage and water) offering solo, patio and buddy sites. There’s 3 different sections to this park each offering up a slightly different experience, including: The Grove, The Pond and The Oasis. In addition to standard pet-friendly hook-ups, all sites provide complimentary cable and WiFi, fire ring with foldable BBQ rack and picnic tables as well as full access to spartan cleaned restroom and shower facilities as well as other community amenities (see more below). 

Additional amenities include: spacious dog park, heated in-ground swimming pool, nature trails that encircle the resort, fitness center, coin-operated laundr-O-mat, on-site storage, corn hole, gazebo / picnic area, clubhouse as well as catch & release fishing in the small pond on-site. And if you don’t have an RV, don’t worry, the good folks here at Sun Outdoors will rent you one of two versions of newly fabricated 1BR mobile homes. Bonus points additionally as Sun Outdoors is protected by a remote-control operated entrance gate, along with a main office (where you’ll check-in) that is fully staffed around the clock adding extra layers of security. 

Insider’s tips? (1) If you’re a golfing fanatic (and admittedly, I am not), then you are in luck as just a bit further up north on I95 you’ll come across World Golf Village, where in addition to offering up Buccee’s and CostCo for all your camping and shopping needs (where a Home Depot and Bass Pro Fishing will be installed shortly), there’s also World Golf Hall of Fame featuring exhibits and displays of the sport; (2) For the history buffs, there’s Castille de San Marcos National Monument, which is one of the oldest stone masonry fortifications in the western hemisphere (let alone the US) originally founded by the Spanish way; (3) While you might be living the blues inside your RV or simply want to replace the sound of highway traffic with something more pleasant, you can actually just head up the street and listen to the blues at probably one of the coolest outdoor venues in the country at St. Augustine Ampitheater; (4) If you are looking for a decent place to do some great hiking, then look no further than due south of Sun Outdoors where you can check out Matanzas State Park, that has miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trails with virtually the entire place to yourself (save the deer and gators that you might come across); (5) If you’ve forgot anything, while there’s an on-site market here at Sun Outdoors, there’s also a Dollar General Store and slightly further down the road, a Publix; (6) Carrying watercraft and looking for a nice spot to hit the water? Then I HIGHLY recommend Princess Place Preserve that offers access to the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers as well as Pellicer Creek; and (7) Lastly, if you are craving some great local fare and too tired to figure out what that next meal is, then I highly recommend these local favorite joints: Scoop for ice cream, Sunday for brunch, Munch for an assortment of food trucks and St. Augustine Fish House& Oyster Company for amazing fresh seafood with great Intracoastal water views overlooking St. Augustine. 

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The park itself was really nice. Lots of trees. Sites were not huge, but had enough room. Lots of long term residents and regulars, so it was easy to get the local scoop.

But— and it’s a big one for those of us in the 21st century— the internet is worse than pathetic. NONE of the carriers have consistent coverage. I have ATT, and most if the time I had nothing. Sometimes I’d get 1 bar with barely enough to see if an email came in. As soon as we got on the street outside the park, text messages we had missed would start showing up. Users with other carriers said the same.

There is a paid WIFI available in the park. Talking with other residents it was good enough to stream movies, but nothing more. I work remotely (hosting zoom meetings) so I didn’t bother paying the daily rate.

If you work remotely, I’d suggest a different location. If you’re looking to get away for a bit- this is the place.

Bathroom and showers were modern and clean. Coin laundry is on site. Swimming pool was good. There’s even a bar by the pool to order drinks, ice cream cones, and hot dogs.

If you’re enroute to one of the most iconic beach destinations in all of Florida and are hauling your mobile living room behind you, then South Daytona RV Park & Tropical Gardens might be a good option for you to check it. This lush spot is flat, completely shaped like a football field (and about the size of one too) with a simple loop going around the circumference of the field with RV slots both inward and outward facing. Surrounding the RV Park is a decent smattering of Florida wild forest (although I don’t know that I would go as far as to say these are ‘Tropical Gardens’). If you’re looking for a whole lot of simplicity and not much on the amenity front, then you’re in luck, because this is about as simple as it gets. 

As for the amenities, this pet-friendly place offers decent size sites (30’ x 70’), on-site laundr-O-mat, complimentary WiFi for all your social media and web-based browsing pleasure, small pond in front and a nice access point to another lake in the back of the campground, basic hook-ups are here (electric, sewage and water), decent restrooms and shower facilities as well as a few vending machines and a small community room. Again, this place is a bit ‘intimate’ with only about 10-12 acres or with a little over 100 slots to choose from. My personal recommendation would be to book those sites (14– 25) that are furthest away from the main road to not only reduce roadside noise, but to be closer to the lake access point that’s in the back. 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) As you’re a stone’s throw away (just a 10 minute drive) from Daytona Beach, arguably, one of the best beaches in the state, if not the country, you’ll want to hit one of these ‘drive-on’ white sand beach destinations – but get there early!; (2) If you find yourself getting tired of franks & beans on the grill and want someone else to do the cooking for you, check out Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza, family-owned since 1982 and located just down the road from Endless Summer; and (3) If you come bringing a kayak or canoe, head on over to the causeway and cross A1A where you can drop your watercraft just about anywhere to explore Halifax River or Wilbur Bay (which has some amazing local wildlife, so bring a camera!). 

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This is another KOA on our extended road trip around Florida. This one is a little older, and shows wear, but they are doing some construction, rebuilding some of the sites. The internet was hit or miss, mostly miss! The bathroom/showroom is dated, but adequate. It reminded me of a high school shower room. There is a small office/store with basics. Also a pool and laundry (most of the washers were out of order) Some of the roads are rough, and a few sites don’t look like they are useable. We were here in late October, between the summer family crowds and the winter Snowbirds. They do have long term rates for Snowbirds. It’s about 20 minutes from a manatee rehabilitation park, and also a manatee overlook pier. It is 30 minutes from Cape Kennedy and the NASA Space Center.