Best Campgrounds near Fleming Island, FL

If you stumble across this hidden RV compound – which BTW is under new management and was previously run under the name Pine & Palm RV Park – it will be either because of sheer luck or due to the fact that you have gotten yourself lost. About a 30-minute drive off I-95 just due north of nearby Bunnell on US1, this heavily forested – complete with tall toothpick thin pines – camping roadside layover has 76 RV slots serving up all the typical hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp electric). When we stopped by, the owner and on-site manager Christy was completely hospitable and showed us around on her very own golf cart pointing out different areas that might make for a perfect layup. She took the time to not only highlight all of the areas that made the place unique, but also introduced us to some of the fellow residents who couldn’t have been nicer and more welcoming. If you’re looking for a place to lay-up your RV for a short spell or longer and are looking for a warm, family-like welcoming environ, this place will do that in spades.

Before arriving, you will want to take note of all the construction that is going on in front of Palm Coast RV Park as the 4-lane US1 was undergoing refurbishment when we stopped by. Once you enter, you’ll be greeted by a long winding road (beware of the divots in the pebble-strewn pathway) that brings you to a decent swath of parallel parking RV slots separated by 2 lanes. At the top of the lane (furthest from US1) is where you’ll find the restroom, shower and laundry room facility – and while the laundry was in pretty good condition, the restroom and showers were definitely in need of a complete makeover, although Christy mentioned that the entire facility was in the process of being refurbished. You will want to take note that when there’s a tropical rain or passing by hurricane, the place is prone to flooding, so pick out your patch of paradise carefully. And if you don’t mind not having any FHUs, you can park your RV, trailer or 5th wheel on the pristine, vacant grassy parcel in the northern perimeter of Palm Coast in order to have an experience that will put you closer in touch with nature. And just around the corner and directly north of the laundry & bathing facility is a great little doggie park.

Insider’s tips? Try these out: (1) There’s a nice little pond that sits in front of the property that even has a community boat that you can borrow in order to drop a line to catch some of the recently stocked fish supplies, but you do want to watch out for 1 of the 2 gators that call this fishing hole home; (2) If you’re looking to grab a nice slice of nature while you’re here at Palm Coast RV Park, check out Haw Creek Preserve, located just due southwest where you’ll find some pretty decent hiking trails, along with several nice inlets to drop your canoe or kayak; (3) As far as spots go, I recommend grabbing one as far away from US1 as possible, to avoid hearing the constant swooshing of passing traffic, as well as further back, you’ll be embraced by more and more of the forested land – in fact, while not advertised, Christy mentioned that there’s a second patch of vacant land on the property’s westernmost perimeter behind the RVs and boats being stored there that provides an even more private and peaceful setting; and (4) The Tomahawk Restaurant that was a local axe-throwing culinary treat has shut down, but a new steak house is in the plans to take its place which will provide you with an on-site restaurant option and should open shortly in the beginning of 2025.

Happy Camping!

This hike-in only campground is but one of two such campgrounds that you’ll find here at Phillips Branch Crossing in Jennings State Forest. To reach Mule Landing Campground, you’ll have to first park in the Phillips Branch Crossing parking lot and from there, you’ll just want to follow the Dunns Farm Trail, passing the first campground (Dunn Farms) after about 1/3 of a mile in, where you’ll need to keep hiking for another mile until you reach the banks of the slow-moving Black Creek. You’ll wind around and ascend a slight incline before reaching Mule Landing, but trust me, if you are looking for one of the best private hike-in campgrounds, you’ve just arrived.

Like every primitive campground I’ve ever experienced, this one is no different and offers very little in the way of amenities, but what this place lacks in accoutrement, it more than makes up for by the simply pristine slice of nature that you’ll find yourself surrounded by. There’s enough room here for 2, maybe 3 small-to-medium sized tents with fairly level ground that is softened by all the downed leaves. There’s a single fire ring with a fold-over grill grate and a handful of logs to use for firewood. You’ll discover that there’s also this really cool bartop table with a matching bench that is perfect for whipping up a cocktail or eating dinner from. You’ll discover what looks to be like a trail heading west and away from the campground, but when I took it, this deadends, which might make me think this was created as a latrine of sorts. There was also a large 10 gallon blue Lowe’s plastic bucket that had been strategically left behind in case you wanted to bring some water from the nearby creek up to cook with or even drink (providing of course that you treat the water first). Oh, and there’s this simply sterling wooden bench (that I think our friends at TheDyrt planted here) overlooking the Black Creek at a place called Osteen Overlook that offers a great vantage point, which reads: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few are Dirt.”

Insider’s tips? There’s just a few here:(1) You really want to stay on the trails at all times as there are both deer ticks and rattlesnakes in these parts that, trust me, you don’t want to come into contact with; (2) While you might be thinking about biking on this long trail to make quicker time getting to Mule Campground, you can’t bike on any of the hiking trails here – but even if you could, take my word for it, you wouldn’t want to as the terrain is tough with decent inclines and declines, on top of what can be some rough footing on account of the tree roots; and (3) From this CG to Black Creek is only about 60 or so yards that you’ll have to navigate a set of handcrafted stairs and while we couldn’t find a decent place for a kayak or canoe to land here, I’m sure that there’s a spot nearby if you looked close enough – so rather than hiking in, you might be able to simply float your way here, but I would definitely call the FL State Ranger and inquire about this.

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Owners very nice, excellent walking and exploring near pathed walking trail. I tried Verizon, T mobile and AT&T for Internet all sucked. My starlink mini was slow and dropped often they have a lot of shade. Worse part we paid $46 a night water and electricity no sewage but we out in van to explore the town and the owners re rented out spots out! Big hassle but it was an honest mistake they offered other spots but being internet was so bad we thought we had the best spots they refunded us.

I have stayed at this campground several times. The bathrooms are always clean and showers are great. It is bikeable with trails and road bike options to town.

WOW -- was great.  Only sites (I had #2 -- a little bigger) No one else there.  Amazing stars -- great view of incredible moon.As one of the other commenters wrote --- its amazing you are 10 minutes from a major highway yet feel like you are 1000 miles from anywhere.  Easy to get to --- gps has much of it listed as walking but can drive up.  Roads are rough but not terrible (i have a jeep wrangler - but 4 wheel drive not necessary)  was there 2 nights -- definitely the time of year to be there [January] --- no bugs, no animals.  Passing through and will definitely stop by again when I can.  Rangers were super nice too.

Rodman Campground, nestled within the Ocala National Forest, offers a delightful escape for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. This peaceful campground provides a serene setting surrounded by towering pines and lush Florida foliage.

The campground is immersed in the beauty of the Ocala National Forest, offering a tranquil environment for relaxation and exploration.  Its proximity to the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Reservoir allows campers to enjoy a variety of activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.  There are also several hiking and biking trails located nearby to explore the diverse ecosystems of the Ocala National Forest.

Bathrooms were clean (with hot showers) but were a bit of a hike if you camp riverfront (you can follow the road around or go through the woods up and over a pretty steep hill).  Site 61 had a picnic table, fire ring, water and electric and was right on the river with only an access road (5mph) between the campsite and riverfront.  Be advised, that you cannot access the river from the camp site, you must go to the boat ramp, there is a steep drop off and there are signs telling you there is no access.  But you can put up a camp chair and enjoy relaxing at the top of the riverbank.  We saw deer at dusk meandering through the woods.

Concerning the tranquil surroundings, a note of caution and something to definitely keep in mind when booking  ... IF there is an "ALL HOURS WEEKEND" at the nearby Hog Waller Campground and ATV Resort (right across the river), then the trails remain open 24 hours and you will not have any tranquility or relaxation all night.  We were there unfortunately on one of these weekends and there was loud music, dirt bikes,  ATVs and 4-Wheelers screaming through the entire night.  (24-Hour riding begins Friday 8:00am- Ends Sunday 5:00pm​... Gates and trails are open 24 hours during this period).  So be forewarned to check the schedules at Hog Waller before booking because you will hear the all night parties and roaring engines tearing up the mud pits.  This only detracts from Rodman when Hog Waller is in full swing but it's 1-2 weekends each month.  Also, if there is any type of fishing tournament going on, the boats on the river will wake you in a tent very early in the morning.  If you like getting up early and having a cup of coffee by the river and watching the bass boats go by then this is good fun, but don't think about being lazy and sleeping in (see video).

Overall, it's a really nice park in the wilds of Florida and we have already booked our next stay (but not riverfront and not during a Hog Waller 24 hour weekend).  We look forward to visiting during the week when everything is more "chill".

Located a hefty trek down a winding gravel road west of Route 19, you’ll have to maneuver around divots and potholes along this narrow gravel, dusty roadway for the better part of 2 miles before arriving to a small sign on the left-hand side of the road that indicates you’ve arrived at Davenport Recreational Area – so finding this place is relatively easy. Unless you make the unwise decision to turn into one of the small handful of options beforehand that would have you drive down a patch of road that likely you are not authorized to, my only advice would be not to exceed 15 MPH on this road as the poor condition of the road could do damage to a lower-lying vehicle. Once you come across the Davenport Recreational Area sign, take a right and slowly (as the road conditions worsen as you get off the main road) follow the narrow tire-rutted pathway to a fork, where on the right you’ll see TRAILHEAD marked on a tree to your right– here you want to turn left instead and follow the pathway to its conclusion, which is a round-about that you will have no other alternative but to stop and park your vehicle.

Here at literally ‘the end of the road,’ you’ll be greeted by a dozen or so medium-sized Magnolias that blot out the sun’s rays and cast an unusually spooky shadow on this area, made even more dramatic by all of the Spanish moss falling from the tree limbs of these magnificent trees. While the ground here is flat – welcome to Florida, where for the most part, that’s par for the course – but barren and comprised of a combination of dirt and sand silt, which isn’t so bad when it’s dry, but when there’s rain, we’re talking some pretty messy mud-like conditions. As for what you’ll find here at this natural cul-de-sac, there isn’t anything. Literally. No picnic tables. No fire ring. No stand-up grill. No potable(or for that matter, non-potable) water spigot. Nothing. There is what looks to be a small wooden sign that likely was filled with information at some point in time that might have educated you about your stay here, but even that had nothing on it, apart from a single hand-made sign above it, indicating: “You are trash, if you leave trash,” which I wholeheartedly agree with. In all, perhaps there’s 5-6 individual spots that you could make a campsite from.

If you are a true primitive camper who really wants NOTHING to complement or aid their outdoor survivalist experiment, then you have hit the primitive camping jackpot! Apart from the solid peace & quiet you’ll experience here, there’s an amazing little access point here to the Ocklawaha river that runs through this neck of the woods – which used to be a riverboat stop where steamboats would stop to fuel or disembark enroute to Silver Springs via the St. Johns which this tributary eventually connects to. Apart from being a scenic access point to the river, if you are looking to catch and eat your meals, then this will certainly be an added bonus. The steps down the ravine to the river basin are somewhat steep, but for anyone towing a light-weight kayak or paddleboard, me thinks you could likely manage to bring your watercraft down here and easily access emerald-green waters shouldered with an abundance of spade-shaped lily pads to grab some great oaring.

When we stopped by, there was a team of fisherman there – not camping, mind you – but having a great afternoon nonetheless of ‘hooking‘ em’ and according to these local anglers, the fishing was great. Apart from this and the shade that the mighty Magnolias provide, the only other amenity that exists out here are the few trails that you can jump on to get a bit of hiking in. One word of caution, from my fishermen friends, is to be on the look-out for ‘Coyo-Dogs’ (a cross between canine species where a dog mates with a coyote) and black bear, both of which have been known to frequent this area, especially at night.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) There’s a 1.2 mile interpretive hiking trail called Davenport Landing Trail that will take to you to the former steamboat landing, which makes for a medium-grade hike with some interesting history; (2) If you have an explorer’s mindset, you’ll be richly rewarded here as there is a small gravesite from the Civil War that you can find along with middens along the Ocklawaha River hiding traces of the Timucuan Indians that once populated this area; (3) For fellow arborists, in addition to finding these amazing Magnolias that seem to be especially planted here for you, additionally there’s sweetgum and red maple trees; and (4) You definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for alligators in this area, where while we didn’t see any right at the ravine’s base, we were told that plenty were sunbathing right around the bend in the river from where we were.

Happy Camping!

If you either own an ATV or dream of combining 4-wheel muddin’ with overnight campin’ then you have hit the jackpot here with Hog Waller Mud Campground & ATV Resort. As my post from a bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing additional fotos as well as providing a topline update:

Highlights: (1) No shortage of mud-slinging fun for those ATV enthusiasts who want to spend all day long chasing trails with no end; (2) An incredibly unique and welcoming community of outdoor-motorcross enthusiasts; (3) Excellent topography to driving wild or hiking in the wild (but for the latter, make sure you wear bright orange); (4) Sites are spacious, flat and nicely shaded; (5) Despite being out in the boondocks, there’s an on-site restaurant and marketplace; (5) The restroom and shower facilities are actually pretty well-maintained and nicely outfitted.

Lowlights: (1) There is nothing nearby to either stock up on supplies or grab a bite to eat, apart from the Hog Wild Country Café/ BBQ joint just a few minutes west of here, so when you come here, bring everything with you that you’ll need; (2) Maybe it is understood when you come into this place, but to state the obvious, this entire place is buzzing with ATVs, motorbikes and lots of other contraptions that makes for a loud atmosphere, so if you want peace & quiet, particularly on the weekends, you don’t want to check-in here; and (3) On the weekends, in particular, it feels like things get a too party-centric, so the music gets louder and the drinks often get the best of people, resulting in either louder chatter or, in a few cases, fights breaking out (but, to be fair, there’s always a few off-duty sheriffs watching the place, so things get broken up real quick).

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This very unassuming county-run wildlife area sits on 13,000+ acres of thick wilderness and wetlands offering a number of different hiking trails, like Outhouse Hammock Loop, which is medium-grade level hiking trail of slightly more than 5 miles. There’s a long-winding road to Little Lake George situated just due southeast of this CG with a handful of trail access points. Located just due south of tributaries flowing eastward from St. Johns River and Rodman Dam, if you are coming here to camp, this will be one of the more primitive offerings I’ve come across and offered to permitted hunters. There’s only about 5-6 designated camping spots here to choose from, all of which come with just a simple picnic table and makeshift fire ring. The land itself, for the most part, is fairly flat apart from the random tree roots and just about everywhere you might want to pitch a tent, there was substantial tree shade to block an otherwise unrelenting hot Florida sun.

 Driving south on Route 19, you’ll come across Caravelle Wildlife Area just after you pass over the county bridge crossing the Ocklawaha River, where within about a half mile, you’ll find this primitive camping outpost on the east side, but be careful as this place will sneak up on you if you’re not looking for it. While there’s no sign informing you of the upcoming wildlife area that you’re about to visit, there is a stucco-like gate (think ranch portico entrances out in the open wild west), where upon accessing, you can either turn left towards a semi-permanent covered structure (great, in the case of rain), and if you don’t, you’ll find yourself heading straight into someone’s private property (mind the signs) or taking a right and meandering down a long winding gravel road to nowhere, but will eventually open up to Little Lake George if not beforehand to Bear Creek.

Back at the open shed-like structure, you’ll discover that there’s a few signs and diagrams explaining the ‘gaming rules’ along with schedules sorted by seasons of the year. Over here, there’s also a potable water station, cleaning table and an odd hanging hook configuration that is for cleaning game that has been caught. There’s also a spray hose as well as what looks to be like a small open-air cleaning kitchen of sorts complete with countertops and lighting. Opposite this, there’s a kiosk that explains a bit more about the place you happen to be visiting. Beyond this, there’s not much more here. If you are a kayaker, you’ll find that there’s a great launch site just due south of here at Johnson Field Ramp which is just south of this location on Highway 19.

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First of all we stayed during thanksgiving week. The amount of families and kids having fun and exploring nature was so refreshing! The check in was quick and easy. Even though I messed up my reservation the campground made the accommodations available work for myself, my partner, and our dog. The walk from the camp to the beach was short and the bathhouse was close and clean as well! This was a great experience for us and a place every family should visit and try.

This campsite has it all. Full hookups, plenty of space, a gorgeous view, ample lounge areas, and a fantastic host. I have stayed here twice in girls’ trips and always felt incredibly safe.

North Beach campground is super pretty with oaks and palm brush creating privacy between sites. Our site 27 was really great, although it did have the street in back so you can hear cars but mostly during the day. The beach is GORGEOUS and right across the street with a great restaurant, The Reef. In back of the property was the river/intercoastal where there was another restaurant, Aunt Kates. We loved having both options! Location is about 10-15 minutes from old town so just know you have to drive and find parking. I do wish the campground offered WIFI bc cell signal was pretty much 2 bars. None of this hampered our visit though, we will 100% come back!

Had a great time at Seminole Springs Campground while visiting Ocala National Forest. check in was super easy and the hosts are fantastic. I will be staying here again.

I stopped here to stay overnight on a Thursday as I was passing through. There was only one camper but did not know that until I left the next morning. It was quiet and felt secluded. The sites were close as you would normally get in an established campground but there was plenty of brush to separate each site.