Florida features a diverse collection of campgrounds ranging from state parks to resort-style facilities. Fort De Soto Campground in Saint Petersburg and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort near Orlando exemplify the range available, with accommodations spanning primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals. Many campgrounds offer year-round accessibility, with beach proximity being a significant draw at coastal locations like Fort Pickens Campground in Pensacola Beach and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Jacksonville.
Reservations are highly recommended at most developed campgrounds, particularly during winter months when snowbirds migrate south. Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the state provide varying levels of amenities, from basic facilities to luxury options with full hookups. "We stayed a week here and had a great time. The sites are relatively level and very clean. The park is in a convenient location and quiet," noted one visitor about Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort. Weather considerations are significant, with summer bringing high temperatures, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, while hurricane season from June through November may affect travel plans. Many campgrounds feature water access, with swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities.
The state's campground options reflect Florida's natural diversity, from coastal dunes to springs and river systems. Manatee Springs State Park Campground in Chiefland and Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground in Apopka provide access to Florida's famous freshwater springs. Campers frequently mention the wildlife viewing opportunities, with several parks offering guided nature programs. According to one camper, "Excellent park for hiking, kayak, and fishing. Beautifully preserved wildlife and well maintained facilities." Sites at popular destinations like Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground and Anastasia State Park Campground often book months in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Most developed campgrounds provide amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, though availability varies by location.
$38 - $48 / night
"As an camper with northern roots, I have found it hard to camp in Florida. This campground helped me relieve those worries. I will start by saying that this campground is south of St."
"Nice walking/bicycle path around the edge. Bike paths also throughout the park. Sites 1-8 or so have direct beach access, but swimming is not allowed. Mangroves surround the rest of the peninsula."
$56 - $201 / night
"The best campground in Florida ! Fun beautiful and lots to do even without going to the parks Wildlife is abundant Bunnies deer turkey"
"The pool is heated and the temperature was great on a few chilly days in Florida."
$28 / night
"You really can have it all at this campground - with its 'next door' proximity to one of the most amazing beachheads on Florida's Atlantic coastline and quick access to the country's oldest town (St."
"Great location & in close proximity to St. Augustine. One of my favorite places to visit in Florida. If you've never been to St."
$20 - $40 / night
"This might be my favorite place to camp in all of florida. The campgrounds are clean , quiet and steps from the beach. Great hot showers that are cleaned daily. A visit to the fort is a must."
"Fort Pickins is a large National Park campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida. There are 4 camping loops. Loop D is tents only."
$12 - $30 / night
"The campground is situated next to a large lake, with fishing allowed. Nice beach area with in walking distance or short drive of the camp sites."
"Beach close by - walking distance on park roads/paths. Nice lake (no swimming). Full hookups. Better for medium to small rigs. The big guys often have trouble on narrow roads within park."
$24 - $145 / night
"My wife and I are frequent campers in NW Florida and Alabama. Topsail is certainly one of our favorites. Excellent access to the beach, hiking, biking (many miles), lakes, great campground. "
"Beautiful beach, trees between paved spots, bike path, cute coffee shop on site, bike rentals, & a great location!"
$20 / night
"Easy access to the park and quick and painless check-in process with reservations. The main road in the campground is fine but the roads to the sites are gravel with potholes."
"Step into a world of deer, manatee, and unknown river surprises at Manatee Springs State Park."
$24 / night
"Close to home and took a drive through one day. Haven't been camping yet this year due to illness but getting ready to get on the road."
"We camp a lot during the summer but since this is Florida it's HOT regularly and sizzling during the summer months."
$24 / night
"Then exit 7 to Highway 301 north about 10 miles to the campground. The way in which the state park and campground are set up is easy too."
"This was my first time at a campground in Florida! I was surrounded by beautiful wildlife (alligators, birds, and even a wild boar). The hiking trails were perfect for a beginner or a regular hiker."
$26 / night
"The cost of camping in Florida isn't cheap though this one actually had the value in it given that you could also rent boats and paddle up river alongside manatees to the wild man encampment."
"Jonathon Dickinson SP, Jupiter Florida Dickinson SP Large park with miles of paved and off road trails for biking and hiking."
ScoutExtremely run down. Not even close to being a water park. Save your money and go to Splash in Milton or if just passing through stay at The Station across the highway for more a more updated, clean experience.
RangerWe enjoy our stay at Santa Rosa RV Park. There are several rows of camping spots to choose from including waterfront, middle rows and a row right next to the road.
We stayed in site 67 this year (middle row). The grounds have a variety of foliage including magnolia, palm trees and other plants and flowers. Which provides for privacy from your neighbors as well as shade. The waterfront spots don’t have as much shade as the rest but they still do have several palm trees, etc.
This year instead of renting kayaks and paddle boards, they were complimentary - this was a nice perk! They also had a floating pad in the Santa Rosa Sound (bay) for the kids to play on.
Also, they added onto the grounds by the pool and installed a large (all shaded) and a small deck with a gas grill on each deck. We grilled several times and enjoyed lunch by the water - we loved this new area with the grills!!
They have two bags games and a large connect four game and lots of shade.
Fitness room (open 8am to 9pm) had a full set of dumbbells. A treadmill, elliptical and recumbent bicycle.
Plenty of washers and dryers in the laundry room (open 8am to 9pm). Take note: I noticed the dryers dry in very high heat even when low heat is selected so I used lowest heat and stopped our clothes after ~30 min instead of letting them dry the full hour.
During our 13 night stay, they had donuts and coffee twice. That was nice. They also had a food truck a couple of nights which was fun.
It’s always fun to walk out on the pier and look for sting rays and jumping fish. We saw dolphins in the Santa Rosa Sound (bay) and we heard a worker saw a manatee pass under the pier. Fishing from the pier is free and the office sells poles for a reasonable price. Little boy said he caught lots of fish with shrimp.
We enjoy the large fenced in dog park so we can let our pups off the leash. Also they have a nice dog beach that gets pretty large when the tide is out in the evening. I counted at least five dog bag/trash stations all around in the park. There’s no reason for any dog poop to not be picked up but unfortunately there’s always someone who doesn’t pick up after their dog.
The park is well kept and the employees are nice.
TravelerGreat sites, clean bathrooms and showers. Easy access to the beach.
Stayed next to the playground and it was a great time for the kids.
ScoutTranquil location, pristine beaches, the sand is like white powder and the boardwalk to the beach is a peaceful walk. Plenty of nature trails, biking areas and the RV/tent sites are off in their own area which keeps traffic to a minimum. The campgrounds are extremely well kept. It is isolated so if you forgot anything, stop at the store because it’s a haul back into town. Being a beach front state park, there is very little shade. Only issue we had was concerns leaving our awnings out - you have water on both sides, so wind gusts were an issue in June when weather would roll in. The campsites are immaculate, gravel is level. Each site has a small bbq grill, small firepit and picnic table. We will definitely come back. The little town of Port Saint Joe has a cute downtown area with some great little shops.
ScoutNice quiet spot by the lake, this place is clean and peaceful.
Each spot had an electrical box and a water spigot. When I plugged into the electrical box, there was no juice even though the breaker was turned on. Water was working fine though.
Their website still lists it as primitive and it was 10 bucks to camp.
ScoutVery convenient location right off US1 and directly across from the river. Quiet park, friendly neighbors and very clean facilities. Sites are leveled with concrete patios. The manager is a nice young man and was very helpful with helping us get our RV backed in and he assisted us when we had issues with getting one of our RV stabilizers down. You see him around cleaning and taking care of things in the park. Parking is a little tight, as it’s a smaller community, but we’re happy and looking forward to our stay here.
GuideLike the title says, this is my wife and I second campsite on our trip across America. Our stay was for 10 days from May 22 through June 1st. This site had a different vibe than the first. This park seems to be more residential folks than travelers. Grounds are well maintained with lots of activities. Activities include tennis/pickleball courts, putt-putt, playground for kids, volleyball, and a swimming pool. Conveniently located close to I95 with restaurants and shopping within 10-15 minutes. If you are beach goers, it took about 20 minutes to get to Ormond Beach by car. Also, if you are a racecar fan, the Daytona 500 Speedway is within 20 minutes. The campsite was nice and quiet during both day and night and people stayed to themselves. I will say the site's are close together and depending on how big your rig is will depend greatly on how hard or easy it will be to park. I have a 40ft Thor Challenger class A and I had to maneuver a few times before I fit. The streets are also narrow for bigger rigs. The biggest problem I ran into was when we left you have to make a U turn out of the complex to get back to I95. The big problem was I'm too big to just make a U turn anywher, if at all. I had to go a few miles out of the way to just turn around to head the right way for the freeway. Overall, I enjoyed this campsite other than the minor inconvenience of getting back to the freeway when departing.
GuideWe only stayed here for one night, but it’s a really nice little campground built around a large pond. Everything is well maintained, and there are some lovely covered seating areas right by the water where you can relax. The host was very friendly as well. The only downside to this campground is that there are no showers and no direct water hookup at the campsites. Other than that, it’s a really lovely and enjoyable place to stay.
ScoutThis campground is loaded- beach access, lakeside location, hiking & biking trails. Site 57 is lush, level and private on 3 out 4 sides. We absolutely loved it!
Camping in Florida offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. From lush state parks to family-friendly resorts, there's something for everyone.
Camping in Florida is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, but being prepared can make all the difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Florida campgrounds are most suitable for families with children?
Florida offers several family-friendly campgrounds that kids will love. Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground near Lake Buena Vista is perfect for families with its proximity to Disney attractions, plus organized activities and amenities designed specifically for children. Alexander Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest is another excellent choice, featuring large campsites that can accommodate multiple family tents. The spring provides safe swimming opportunities and the facilities are clean with showers available. Families also enjoy Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground, where children can swim in the natural spring, rent canoes or kayaks, and explore easy hiking trails suitable for all ages.
What are the best beach campgrounds in Florida?
Florida's coastline offers spectacular beach camping experiences. Cayo Costa State Park Campground stands out as one of the best beach camping destinations in the state. This special island location offers primitive camping with amazing shelling opportunities and a true back-in-time experience. The park is accessible only by boat, providing a remote, uncrowded beach experience. Another excellent option is Shell Key Preserve, a water-access-only camping spot where you can observe abundant wildlife including stingrays, turtles, and various bird species. For those seeking more amenities while still enjoying beach access, Fort De Soto Campground near Saint Petersburg offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities while maintaining a beautiful coastal setting.
Where can I find tent camping opportunities in Florida?
Florida offers diverse tent camping experiences across the state. For primitive tent camping enthusiasts, Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping on the Florida-Alabama line provides a true backcountry experience. Remember to bring everything you need as there are no facilities, but you'll be rewarded with extensive hiking opportunities. For a more developed experience, Oscar Scherer State Park Campground on the Gulf Coast offers quiet tent sites with hiking and biking trails nearby. Other excellent tent camping options include Anastasia State Park Campground near St. Augustine, which provides beach access along with standard amenities, and Hillsborough River State Park with its beautiful riverside setting.
What are the top-rated campgrounds in Central Florida?
Central Florida offers excellent camping options with Santos Trailhead & Campground in Ocala standing out for its spacious, shaded sites that make you feel miles from civilization while actually being near town. It provides easy access to mountain biking trails and a peaceful forest setting. Another highly-rated option is Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which offers excellent value with great facilities for tent campers. The park features boat rentals and opportunities to paddle alongside manatees. For those seeking a unique experience, Istokpoga Canal Boat Ramp And Campsite provides gorgeous surroundings with options for both sun and shade, clean facilities, and trails connecting to nearby camping areas.
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