Best Tent Camping near Fernandina Beach, FL

**Campground Review: **

Bayard Conservation Area is located in Green Cove Springs Florida and is maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District. It is a track of land that has many hiking trails that traverse through shaded pine forests, hammocks, marsh, and river areas. 

We have day hiked here many times, but this trip we were going to do some primitive camping at one of the campsites. There are several areas to park and then hike in. The campsites are a few miles from the parking area. They include a fire ring and a picnic table. The campsites have several different settings, but we chose the river view. On our way to our campsite we were able to spot many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs. 

The area is kept clean and is quiet with the exception of a bit of noise pollution from the surrounding area. However, this does not distract from the experience. We enjoyed our overnight backcountry trip and highly recommend Bayard.

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**Product Review: **

As a Dyrt Ranger I receive products from time-to-time and this time I am testing out the Pureland 30L Guard Backpack sold by Outdoor Element. 

There are so many things to love about this backpack. The extensive cording and hooks on the outside made attaching extra items a breeze. I was able to store my trekking poles and Jetboil on the back with no problem. The hip pockets were an added plus and fit my cellphone inside of it easily. The room inside of the backpack was able to hold everything I needed for an overnight trip– including my bulky sleeping bag. The only two things that took away from the backpack was the inside zipper and the water pouch. The zipper on the inside of the bag came off the track with only a light pull while the bag was empty. It did not have the integrity that the zippers on the outside had. My 3.0L reservoir would not fit all the way in the provided pouch and hung out the top a bit. After the whole trip, I sincerely love this pack and will be using it for all of my hiking and primitive camping needs!!

Nice secluded campground where each site is set back and nestled into a saw palm clearing and equipped with a picnic table, fire ring/grill and food cache box (an elevated roofed chicken wire cage). This campground is super easy to get to from the ferry, less than a mile walk (about ½ mile). You are responsible for carrying all of your own gear to the campgrounds so you’re want to pack it all in a backpack, bring your own wagon or hope to try and borrow one of the wagons they have at the ranger station (they do have a lot, but they get taken pretty quickly). Once you’re in the campgrounds there is a nice short trail directly onto the ocean side beach, which is wonderful for catching the sunrise. Another nice feature about this (compared to the other north primitive sites on the island) is that they are the closest and a relatively short walk/hike to the Dungeness Ruins. If you stay for a while or have the time head up to the northern end and visit the Plum Orchard Mansion (14 mile round trip) as most people don't and you'll likely get an almost private tour (we thought we would right up until the very last moment when another small group showed up). If you want to explore more of the island in a short period of time I’d suggest biking. You can bring your own ($10 fee) or rent bikes from the ferry personal ($16 day, $20 overnight). If you are renting, I’d suggest renting them the day before (overnight) so you can then explore a lot more of the island first thing in the morning before the day trippers arrive on the ferry.

This campground is the only campground on the island where you’ll have access to potable water, restrooms and cold showers so if you want to stay here definitely make reservations. The 16 smaller & 2 group sites are all located off some main paths situated in little clearings of the saw palmettos giving them a little bit of privacy. The northern half of the loop is more separated than the southern but all the sites are located under the trees so you'll get a decent amount of shade/wind cover no matter where you.

You don’t reserve a specific site when you make your reservation but get to pick your site from the remaining open sites after a nice long introduction/video from the camp host once you arrive. So you don’t fully know what you’ll be able to select until you’re there.

Facilities

·       These are tent only primitive campsites with the standard uncovered picnic table and fire ring with a grate and/or a grill and your chicken wire cache box to keep they racoons out of your food.

·       Camp fires are only permitted at Sea Camp & Stafford Beach campgrounds. You must use designated fire rings. You may gather dead and down wood or purchase bundles of firewood on the ferry.

·       Flush restrooms and potable water.

·       Dish/food washing sink area

·       There are actually some electrical plugs hidden about that I say someone charging there phone in at one point.

·       No Pets: Only service animals are permitted in campgrounds.

Cumberland Island is a beautiful pristine National Seashore accessible by ferry off the coast of Georgia. We tent camped there in the middle of June 2021. It was a hot time of year but under the canopy of the live oak trees where the tent sites are located (Sea Camp) was easily 10+ degrees cooler than elsewhere. However, be warned, it was extremely humid. You might consider taking a small battery-operated fan. If I return, I will try to visit during a more cool season of the year. 

The tent sites are large, roomy, and equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, pole for hanging stuff, and a big metal lockable wildlife-proof box. There is no electricity or water except at the shower/restroom building that is near the campsites. You can borrow a cart to take your tent and supplies from the boat to the campsite (Seacamp only - the more distant campsites (on the north side of the island) are hike & carry only). You can also bring your own wagon/cart on the boat (we did). You can rent a bicycle on the island at the ranger station or bring your own. The ferry charges $10 to transport your own bike). Otherwise, the approximately 45-minute ferry ride costs $15 per person. You need to make a reservation in advance online (https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/st-marys-cumberland-island-ferry/). You will need to reserve the campsite well in advance (they fill up quickly) and pay online (https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/camping.htm). You may pay the national part fee (parking fee?) of $20 at the park station in St. Marys prior to boarding the ferry or you can pay it online in advance as well. I paid in advance online but the rangers reimbursed me after I got there because, to my surprise, it just happened to be National Park Week and the parking fee was waived as part of the celebration. Lucky me.

The island is absolutely beautiful with miles of pristine beach with lovely waves and a luscious live oak forest. You can swim. Watch out for jellyfish. I flew a kite, too. Watch the sunrise in the morning and at night, you might get an unpolluted view of the stars. Expect to see wild horses on the beach and the trails. You should not try to approach them or feed them but they came pretty close to me anyway. So it is easy to get a good look at them. A harmless armadillo visited our campsite one day.

The rangers were super nice. We enjoyed an outdoor lecture on sea turtles outside the ranger station when we were waiting for the ferry on our departure day. The rangers also provide tours of the south side of the island and the Dungeness Ruins (the remains of Lucy Carnegie’s island mansion).

I highly recommend camping (or even just visiting for the day) on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Little Talbot is just over a small bridge to Amelia Island via A1A. Inside an ecological reserve with kayakable waterways stretching for miles.

My visit was at the end of February, beautiful breezy nights with no bugs. Super relaxing, nice to camp under Spanish Moss for a natural Florida feel. Because you’re on the Atlantic coast in FL, flash showers happen - so just have the rain fly handy and it’ll pass typically pretty quickly. Fun to pull up the weather map and watch the showers roll in - had wifi from the site but don’t know if that’s always the case, seems unlikely.

Had campsite 6 with one neighbor in 5, both are a quick walk to shower house but I think I’d prefer/recommend sites 7-10 to be more away from the bathrooms. Btw, showers and bathrooms very clean and (bonus!) screened in, plus there’s a big fan in case it gets buggy out.

I agree with one of the past reviews re: some road noise, but nothing that kept me awake at all.

Take the walk across the street to the trails and beach, about a 4-5 mile loop. Or just up the road on bike you’ll be on bike trails throughout Amelia Island - stop in at the Omni Hotel property for a bite. Also close by, don’t miss Fernandina Beach (a leisurely drive of about 25 min.) where you can check out the fort and historic downtown - super cool with some good food and beer options. Photogenic town right on the Georgia line but no bridge so it’s boat only to get across.

Last, just a little plug for the FL State Parks annual pass. Supports a good cause and will motivate you to check out some really cool areas of the state. Camp more too.

This wasn't our first choice as a camping spot, as we had made reservations at Little Talbot Island 12 miles away. Upon arrival, we were told that we had no electric at the site, so they found us a site at the nearby Fort Clinch Campground.  

We stayed in Site 35 and it was next to one of the restroom/laundry/shower facilities, but it was very clean and quiet.  It was one with a concrete pad, so it stayed nice and clean during our stay and was level. It had a large picnic table, a grill and a fire pit. The shower facilities are very nice and super clean and we had zero complaints. It's just a short 5 minute walk to the beach, where you can fish.  It's not a swimming area, but that's not far away either. It right in the beach area of Fernandina Beach and is just a few minutes from downtown old Fernandina, where there are lots of restaurants, shops and bars to visit.  We rode our bikes and walked trails and saw several deer, a lot of gopher tortoises and had an armadillo looking for bugs at our site.  Keep your food inside your camper or car, as racoons love to go through your stuff looking for treats.  Great Campground!

We found this fun family friendly location from a facebook post about Tree house camping and had to check it out. Making reservations was pretty easy on the county website. There are a number of forms you will be emailed to print and fill out(will save you a lot of time if you plan to use the pool that is run by YMCA) 

Check in was easy. The office is closed form 12– 1 so no chance of checking in early. There is a Girl Scout Museum near the main office where you check is– but is rarely open. This was an old girl scout camp and now id open to the public. There are many different types of cabins available for rent, tent sites and 9 tree houses. Each area set up as a grouping with a bathhouse and kitchen pavilion. 

The tree houses were so fun to stay in and being higher up gave us chances of a breeze– many in our group brought battery operated fans. Though there was a threat of rain all weekend we stayed high and dry in the tree houses(2 sides are only screened) 

There was a very large lighted screened kitchen pavilion with fireplace, stove, fridge, sinks and covered outdoor grill. There were other campers in the tree house area we shared this community area with. It was great to have a place to hang out during the rainy evenings. Bath house was centrally located and clean. 

Pool was very nice and very strictly run by the local“Y”. It was closed a lot due to distant rumbles of thunder but we did get a few minutes to enjoy. 

Trails were well kept and took you through the property and past many of the grouped cabin areas. One boardwalk took you out to the river and fishing dock another out through the area by the tree houses. 

It was a good 10 minute hike with our gear to get to the tree houses from parking area near pool. Wagons are provided but pack light to save the trouble. 

Summertime this place is a kids paradise. There were lots of families, parties and groups on the property when we went. Fall and Winter we are told is the best time to camp here but we were advised to book early! 

Remember to Leave No Trace and enjoy this one of a kind experience!

Florida has many many different camping options.  I was looking for something unique and different from what I'd done before and this place popped up on my radar.  Definitely Different and Unique for Florida. And the perfect place to review my icemulecoolers.com 

Campground Review:

Camp Chowenwaw is located in Green Cove Springs, FL adjacent to the St. John's River and on Black Creek.  It was a Girl Scout Camp for 70 years and is now owned and operated by Clay County, FL (https://www.claycountygov.com/departments/parks-and-recreation/camp-chowenwaw-park).  There are many different styles of camping available here with lots of privacy between the different sections.  

I chose to camp in the Treehouse Point for a weekend where there are 9 Treehouses available for camping.  A group of us went and had Treehouse #4 and #5.  Each screened in non electric Treehouse slept 4 in bunk beds.  There were several central fire rings with a picnic table/benches throughout the unit.  A shared bathhouse with toilets, sinks, lights, and hot showers was available in the unit also.  There was a central dining hall for all of Treehouse Point with electric, lights, fans, inside fireplace, stove, refrigerator, sink area, and porch with outside charcoal grill and picnic table.  

Even with sharing the dinning hall with other campers it was great since it was big enough and everyone was friendly.  The Treehouses are spread out with some trees in between so they are semi private.  The pool is available but doesn't open til 10 am where as we were all ready to go earlier since it was HOT.  It was very enjoyable but HOT in July with no electric in the Treehouses.  We had no issues with mosquitoes or yellow flies and the frogs serenaded us every night loudly, so that was a cool experience.  We had decided not to take kayaks since there was a bit of a walk into our area and we didn't want to leave them in the parking area on our vehicles, which turned out to be a good decision because the kayak launch was under repairs.  They are planning on upgrading a lot so it should be great soon.  They recently upgraded and replaced the fishing pier and its awesome.  We are planning to go again in the Fall when its cooler.  I would recommend this place for a unique experience.  On a side note:  Green Cove Springs has a pool also in a community park on the St. John's River that is spring fed and would be a cool stop.

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Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products.  A Camp Chowenwaw I tested the icemulecoolers.com.  I got the ICEMULE Pro XL (33L which equals 24 cans plus ice) in Camo.

1.  What I loved about the ICEMULE was that I could wear it like a backpack and be comfortable and free my hands for something else.

2.  I loved that the straps were wide and comfortable.

3.  I also loved that the chest cross strap could be moved up and down to make it more comfortable for women to use the chest cross strap.

4.  The straps had lots of room to make smaller or larger so it will be great fit  for a variety of people and body styles.

5.  It kept my ice solid for three days in the FL heat.

6.  It has a port to add air to enhance the coolers insulation.

7.  It holds A LOT!!  I had 9 bottles of Propel water and 2 bags of grapes and 1 whole bag of ice.  It wasn't too heavy and there was room for much more.

Only draw back I had was that the camo style is fabric and tends to sweat a lot.  The other colors are vinyl and don't seem to sweat.

I'm ready to use my ICEMULE Cooler again.  I even want to take it kayaking and get some more accessories for it from their site like a dry bag and a waterproof box.

"SITE# D16, Back-In, FHU, 50, 30, 20 Amp and Stable, Water, Waste, LENGTH OF STAY: Stayed 2 Nights, RATE:$54.55/ Night with Veteran/ 10% Discount, CHECK-IN: 02:00 PM, CHECK-OUT: 12:00 PM STAFF: Friendly and Helpful, PARK IMPRESSIONS: Very Nice, We would stay here again ROADS: Asphalt, MANEUVERABILITY: Adequate, RV PAD: Dirt, ESTIMATED RV PAD LENGTH: 45 Feet, Tow Vehicle Could NOT Stay Connected but Parking at Site, SITE SLOPE: Level, No Leveling Blocks, Had to disconnect Tow Vehicle, PEDESTAL PLACEMENT: Center of site length, SHADE: 85%, GRASS AREA: No, Natural fallen leaves, DESIGNATED PET AREA: Not Fenced, PICNIC TABLE: Yes, FIRE RING: Yes, VERIZON Signal(bars): LTE-3, SPEED: 183 Mbs Download, 10.2 Mbs Upload, T-MOBILE Signal(bars): 5G-3, SPEED: 242 Mbs Download, 13.8 Mbs Upload, WIFI, OTA TV CHANNELS: 40, CABLE TV: No, PLAYGROUND: Yes, POOL: No, WATER FEATURE: Atlantic, FIREWOOD: Yes, BATH HOUSE: Clean and Contemporary, LAUNDRY: Clean and Contemporary,, STORE: Yes, CLUBHOUSE: Yes, PROPANE AVAILABILITY: Yes,$10 to get on the island. Very pretty campground setting. Quiet at night. Community room and a large assembly room. Well stocked camp store but no food. They do sell some beer, wine, ice cream and a few souvenirs. Fire wood$12/ bundle. Bike rental. Lots of bike trails around the island. Laundry$2.75 Wash,$2.75 Dry, Rig washing permitted(within reason- no floods). Beautiful island with a number of beach bars and restaurants. Lots of beaches but Atlantic here is brownish water due to river discharge. RIG: Ford F350 Dually Long Bed, 42ft- 17,000 lb 5th Wheel, Total length of rig= 59 ft"