Deltona camping areas connect to the St. Johns River watershed at elevations between 33-45 feet. Several state parks and recreation areas within a 30-minute drive offer camping options for tents, RVs and cabins with varying amenities. Overnight temperatures from November through February can drop into the 40s, making campfire restrictions important to note when planning winter visits.
What to Do
Manatee viewing seasons: Blue Spring State Park offers dedicated viewing platforms where manatee numbers peak during winter months. "Cooler temps best for manatee numbers. Nice paved road around campground and short trail to main park area. Canoe and kayak rentals available," reports Emily C. about Blue Spring State Park.
Kayaking natural waterways: Launch directly from several campgrounds to explore cypress-lined creeks. "We spent much of our time kayaking from the park's canoe launch. Here, we were able to see tons of wildlife from all sorts of fish, alligators, and yes, a manatee!" writes Jenn B. about her experience at Blue Spring State Park.
Swimming in natural springs: Alexander Springs Recreation Area offers a particularly spacious swimming area around the spring head. "The spring head is located right in the swimming area, it's bigger than any swim area at a spring that I have ever been too," notes Gabby C. about Alexander Springs Recreation Area.
What Campers Like
Shaded campsites: Most campgrounds in the area feature mature oak canopies providing relief from summer heat. "Very nice campground, the oak canopy makes great shade in the heat. Clean campground with good showers," reports Nicole D. about Alexander Springs Recreation Area.
Privacy between sites: Vegetation barriers create natural separation between many campsites. "Each of the 51 sites has its own picnic table, water and electric as well as fire ring, while the ground itself is laden with powdery grey sand. What you will appreciate the most about Sand Pine is that just about every site offers a substantial amount of privacy with solid, thick Floridian jungle putting decent distance between you and your neighbors," notes Stuart K. about Blue Spring State Park Campground.
Value pricing at county parks: Lake Monroe Park offers competitive rates with hookups. "GREAT PRICES! $118 for a week. Water and electricity at each site. Convenient dump station," shares Norman S. about Lake Monroe Park.
What You Should Know
Background noise levels: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. "If you dont mind urban noice, perfect little spot. Great camp site with just what you needed. It's close to a power plant and railroad so you hear a lot of noise at night but was perfect for a one nighter," mentions Jude about Lake Monroe Park.
Seasonal water restrictions: Swimming access at springs varies seasonally based on manatee protection rules. "During the winter you may not be able to swim because of the manatees," notes Zach G. about Blue Spring State Park.
Primitive camping options: Several sites require additional planning for carrying gear. "I love this site and have camped there twice. The walk from where you can park to the actual site is also not that long (about a quarter mile away), but it can be prone to flooding, so I would wear waterproof hiking boots," advises Meghan C. about Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites.
Tips for Camping with Families
Early arrival strategies: Popular springs reach capacity early, especially on weekends. "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity," warns Hannah S. about Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Dog-friendly trail access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Deltona offer specific pet-accessible areas. "This campground was awesome for a weekend away with the family and dogs. Large campsites with a picnic table, electric, and water. Pet friendly and clean bathrooms with a small walking path for the pups," shares Jacquelin P. about Blue Spring State Park.
Wildlife safety protocols: Bear activity requires proper food storage at some locations. "It is an active area for bears so make sure not to leave any food out at night. The campground does have a bear proof box to store some stuff in at night but make sure to put food in containers and in your car if you can," advises Kevin D. about Clearwater Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site backing challenges: Maneuvering larger RVs requires planning at some campgrounds. "The sites here are the basic pull in spots with a bench and firepit. Water and electricity at each site. The park is located right where the St. John's meets lake Monroe and has a boat ramp," notes Billy A. about Lake Monroe Park.
Island camping logistics: Unique transportation requirements exist for some sites. "This is a unique park to camp in. You can come on your own boat or take the free ferry over (donations are encouraged). The campsites are about a half mile from the docks and they even have a van to take your stuff to your site if you can't take it yourself," explains Billy A. about Hontoon Island State Park Campground.
Site selection for larger rigs: Premium sites offer more room for setup. "Hidden away amongst trees and room enough for my 31 foot RV plus car. Had water and electric hook up and the near by walking trail was absolutely awesome," shares Mary B. about her experience at Lake Monroe Park.
