Fernandina Beach camping areas offer diverse terrain with maritime forests and tidal waterways extending to Cumberland Sound. The region sits at a low elevation of just 25 feet above sea level, with campgrounds positioned along both river and ocean sides. Summer humidity levels often exceed 85% from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Beach exploration: Walk miles of undeveloped coastline at Little Talbot Island State Park, where you can search for shells and driftwood. "About 5 miles of packed sand made an easy walk. Take your kite!" notes Denise O. The park has "a beautiful untouched beach and driftwood" accessible via "a short stroll over the dunes on a well marked path."
Biking: Ride extensive trail networks ranging from paved roads to challenging single-track paths. Fort Clinch offers "miles of biking/hiking trails at this park. Great quick getaway for those living in the Jacksonville metro area," according to Chad P. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park features "miles of biking/hiking trails through the greenery" with designated mountain biking areas.
Birding and wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds provide habitat for coastal species. At Crooked River State Park, visitors can explore "the Bird Outlook Landing (for those folks that like to use their binoculars)," while the park's trails offer opportunities to see "plenty of four-legged furry critters, high-flying foul as well as even a honey farm, where the rangers make and sell some of the most amazing honey on-premises."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: At Jacksonville North-St. Marys KOA, guests appreciate the newly renovated facilities. As Nancy P. notes, her recent stay showed "Definitely had some changes made since I stayed last. New bathrooms, laundry rooms, and upgraded amenities." Similarly, Crooked River State Park offers "a brand new playground for the kiddos" and bathrooms that are "spartan-clean."
Pet-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds welcome dogs with specific features. Jacksonville North-St. Marys KOA "is pet friendly.. they have a dog park area and doggie biscuits at the check in desk," according to Lisa N. At Pecan Park RV Resort, there are "clean dog parks (two) with agility course near the front entrance."
Water activities: Many campers appreciate the water access options. At Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, you'll find "a lake with kayak rentals" and proximity to beaches. As Mateo M. describes, "The walk from the camp to the beach was short and the bathhouse was close and clean as well!"
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat requires preparation. At Little Talbot Island, campers note that "Most of the sites are shaded which is important to have with the Florida heat." The area experiences tropical storm risk from June through November.
Site spacing and privacy: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Amelia River Campground, "the sites are close together but there is vegetation that provides shade and some privacy," according to Paul Y. Meanwhile, at Huguenot Memorial Park, "everyone is on top of each other. There is no trees or anything in between the sites."
Insect preparation: Bugs can be intense, especially during warmer months. At Little Talbot Island, "Mosquitos, midges and bugs exist here in swarms that never go away … so bring your repellent as well as smoke fogger machine!" Stuart K. advises. Similarly, Crooked River's hiking trails can feature significant spider activity, with one visitor noting encounters with "spider webs" along the paths.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Many parks have dedicated recreation areas. Jacksonville North-St. Marys KOA has "a lot of things for the kids to do such as swimming, water slide, playground, mini golf," according to Kelsey.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs. Crooked River State Park provides "rangers excellent during the nature education. We truly enjoyed touching and learning about local wildlife," as Tiffany C. shares. "While exploring, we even found a new turtle nest!"
Primitive camping options: For families seeking to teach outdoor skills, consider more rustic sites. Crooked River State Park offers a pioneer camping area for groups: "You can rent the entire pioneer camp area (that's 3 sites somewhat removed from the general population, that can easily accommodate up to 5 families."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose based on shade and access needs. For Amelia River Campground, "CG loops and sites are more dirt than gravel, which I can see being muddy with rain," notes Paul Y. At Huguenot Memorial Park, "Site #232 is not quite level, and the bedding is natural dirt."
Navigation challenges: Some parks have tight roads. At Little Talbot Island, "the roads are narrow and there are no signs indicating they are one-way so if two vehicles meet, one of them will need to pull over! Again, this would be challenging or impossible for large RVs," warns Lee D.
Internet connectivity considerations: Signal strength varies by location. At Crooked River State Park, one camper specifically chose "a site with a clear view of the sky to the NNE" for Starlink connectivity and found it "worked perfectly." At Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, visitors note "Almost no internet coverage due to the canopy cover."
