Mary B.
Scout
ScoutFore Lake Campground
Roads are rough, Bathrooms are clean, host seemed like a good guy. Here during off season but the beach looked like fun
Dog-Friendly Camping near Florahome, FL
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Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins offers full pet access across its tent sites, RV spots, and cabins with no breed restrictions noted. This well-maintained state park features several camping loops with adequate space between sites and clean restroom facilities with showers. The 5-mile section of Florida's National Scenic Trail running through the park provides excellent terrain for dog walking, with many campers reporting wildlife sightings including deer, turkeys, and various bird species. The campground maintains quiet hours that help minimize barking disturbances, and sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and water/electric hookups.
Located approximately 20 minutes northwest of Palatka, Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp welcomes pets with primitive camping options situated along bikeable hard roads about 4 miles into the forest. Dogs can enjoy the extensive hiking network including the Longleaf Pine Trail which connects to the Florida National Scenic Trail and leads to the Iron Bridge shelter in the southern section. Multiple hiking options range from the short half-mile Lake Blossom Trail to longer routes with observation decks overlooking Georges Lake. Both campgrounds require pets to remain leashed when outside vehicles or tents, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. The nearby Salt Springs Recreation Area and Rodman Campground also permit pets, expanding the options for travelers with dogs seeking varied camping experiences from primitive sites to full-hookup facilities.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Florahome (204)
1. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins
"There are two loops for campers, both very nice - one is near the lakes but not directly accessing the water (you’ll get more RVs in that area) and the tent camping loop backs up against the woods."
"Located in the in the rolling sandhills of north central Florida, Mike Roess SP is one of the oldest in the sunshine state’s amazing collection of well-maintained state parks, built back in the 1930’s"
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability2. Rodman Campground
"Sites 1-39 are not near the Florida Trail but it was not a bad walk to the other side of the campground to get to the trail. Would stay again."
"Water is stationed within walking distance, tastes weird. Nonpotable?Clean sites. Bath house with hot water, boat ramp for large and small boats. Current is very fast for kayaking."
from $12 - $22 / night
Check Availability3. Salt Springs Recreation Area
"There are no laundry facilities but if you exit park and drive left there is a laundromat, local food, dollar store, bait tackle."
"We’re a married couple in our forties traveling with two dogs and a cat in our 37 foot motorhome. We stayed at Salt Springs campground for about a week in February."
from $38 - $70 / night
Check Availability4. Anastasia State Park Campground
"I am a huge fan of Florida State Parks. Anastasia has good size sites that are very private. We could not see our side neighborhoods only the ones across from us."
"Very private camp sites, water and electric hook ups, walk to the beach, quiet and friendly and not a thing to complain about."
from $28 / night
Check Availability5. Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp
"Located just about 20 minutes due northwest of Palatka – dubbed ‘Florida’s State Farmers Market’ where you will easily discover that this north central town is teeming with fresh agriculture every which"
"Just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby."
from $9 / night
Check Availability6. Connors Family Campsite
"You can do anything from buying an RV renting an RV a camper tent if you're not from around there bill will help you out overall great customer service"
7. Starke-Gainesville NE KOA
"Great playground and dog park."
"Dog park was up in front by office so long walk when hot. Laundry was reasonable $1.25. Office staff were friendly. Starke is very small and not much to do. Sonny’s BBQ is good!!"
from $34 - $58 / night
Check Availability8. Lake Oklawaha RV Park
"Neat trails and plan to return for summer and warmer weather and will bring atvs. Pet friendly. Seen a black bear roaming at night. John the firewood guy brought wood around for $10 in evening."
"Pluses: everything was really clean,
- there is a pool available,
- spacious dining hall,
- you have freedom to pick your own spot
- stunning lake view
- nice nature trail"
from $58400 - $120000 / night
Check Availability9. Cooper Lake RV Community
"This RV parking pad is located in north central Florida, just due southwest of Palatka (a.k.a. the Sunshine’s State Farmer’s Market) where you’ll find southern charm hanging from more than the moss off"
"Quiet, friendly park away from the hustle & bustle. Close to St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Ocala. New owners so renovations and upgrades are at the top of their list. We will be back!"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Camp Blanding RV Park
"The children loved the close proximity of the lake. We were approximately 10 feet away from the water. The area had two sets of swings nearby and a dock."
"Beautiful lake"
Drive Time
- 29 min from Gainesville, FL
- 54 min from Ocala, FL
- 1 hr from Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hr 18 min from Wildwood, FL
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Florahome, FL
111 Photos of 204 Florahome Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Florahome, FL
1278 Reviews of 204 Florahome Campgrounds
Stacey R.
GuideSilver Springs State Park Campground
All amenities on site
Sites have full hookups which is awesome for a state park. Also picnic tables, grills and a fire pit. The sites are big and relatively private. To visit the spring you can hike or drive. Being you camping receipt to get in free. Glass bottom boat tour is $15 for adults but there is a nice walking path and you can see manatees in the spring from the shore. The restaurant was nice, good pizza!
- Stacey R.Guide
Cary State Forest Campground
Private site with thoughtful amenities
The six sites available are spread out in the Cary State Forest. You can see the tops of some RV’s but they’re not close. The site has a very nice picnic table, fire pit,benches around the fire pit, a free standing grill, water, electric and a concrete pad to park on with a tent site behind the pad. Grass is freshly cut and the site is clean!
Jarrod W.ScoutGinnie Springs Outdoors
Thrown out with no warning and no refund
I organized a group camping weekend here October 2 to 4, 2026. My group booked and paid for more than a dozen campsites and approximately 40 people, all next to each other, so the people around my site were my own friends. On Saturday afternoon we were sitting in our chairs when a security officer walked up and demanded that I lower my music. Nobody refused. I was turning it down as I explained that the music was for my whole group and that the neighbors around us were all our people. I also asked who had complained. Instead of answering, he snapped,"You do what I said and turn the music down." I told him I already had. With no attempt to calm things down, he shouted that we were out of there and had 30 minutes to pack up and leave. Nobody in my group raised a voice or got hostile. We were polite and we complied, and we were still treated like criminals. When we went to the front desk to report how he had behaved, the clerk made it clear that our whole group was the issue and that they were watching us and that I had to leave. That told me this was never about one speaker or lowering the music. We were singled out while other groups were left alone. I even heard from others that were allowed to stay, that they heard Spanish music blasting at 1am AFTER QUIET HOURS! So, why were we kicked out? Discrimination! No refund was offered. They kept our money for a stay they cut short. We have held several events here over the years, about 8 visits in the last three years. There will be ZERO in the future. The springs are beautiful, but the way security and the front desk treat paying guests is not. My group is taking our events and our money somewhere else!
- PPaul S.Guide
Ocean Pond Campground
Great Overnight Stay
A fantastic spot for an overnight camping stop in Florida. Beautiful surroundings with great hiking and cycling trails to explore. Perfect for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Well worth a visit!
- BBrian B.Guide
Faver-Dykes State Park Campground
Best state park I stayed in
This place is out nice roads getting in here as a brackish Creek great fishing boats very clean spots are spread out nicely, groomed, fire pits, and picnic tables easy access right off 95
- dd I.Guide
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Enjoyed it
Great little spot, easy access to silver springs. Glass boat tour was cool - just the right amount of cruising time before little ones breaking points! Ice cream afterwards of course and good local pizza joint.
Stuart K.
LegendMatanzas State Forest Group Campground
Coastal Gem Hidden in the Thick Pines
Nestled within the longleaf pine flatwoods of Matanzas State Forest just south of St. Augustine, the group campground here feels like stepping into a slice of Old Florida: untamed, tranquil and blissfully simple. Managed by the Florida Forest Service, this rustic site lies within the Pellicer Creek Corridor, where the air is thick with pine and salt, and the forest floor hums with life. The drive-in sets the tone where a canopy of oaks shrouded with Spanish moss gives way to open meadows and whispering wetlands before revealing the group camping area, which I must admit, is NOT the easiest place to find, but once you do, you’ll discover a wide, sandy clearing ideal for tents, both large and small as well as, of course, hammocks, which are perfect to absorb the shade that this space offers.
So, insofar as getting to this location is concerned, basically, once you enter Matanzas SF on Double Gate Road from US1, you’ll essentially drive east until you have the opportunity to drive north before you wind up in the NE corner of the forest. There’s a lot of possible pathways you could take that will get you lost, but basically, you would have to be driving down non-cleared roads that have signs indicating you can’t drive on these pathways anyway. Your GPS will work out here and I would suggest you follow the roads on TheDyrt mobile app to guide you to this location as it is spot on. But when you do arrive, you’ll discover a simple parking lot with about 4 different pathways leading in opposing directions – so which one to take? That’s the greatest question you’ll find yourself asking. Here’s what you want to do – just stay in your car and keep driving north down the path that has tire marks on it and within 50 yards, it will drop you off at the Group Campground.
Facilities are modest but well-kept: there’s an oversized fire ring with foldable grill as well as single oversized, double-sided stand-up BBQ grill, about a half dozen picnic tables (with half being delapidated and the other half brand spanking new), a single port-a-potty and no potable water or source of electricity. What this spot lacks in amenities though makes up for in serenity. This is the kind of place where your morning alarm is a woodpecker’s knock and your evening entertainment is a campfire under a sky thick with stars. The surrounding trails and forest roads connect to the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve and the Graham Swamp Trail System, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling and spotting wildlife like egrets, deer, and the occasional wild turkey.
Although secluded, the campground is only about 20 minutes from Ancient City and 10 minutes from Palm Coast, making supply runs and day trips easy. For essentials, stop by the Publix Super Market on Palm Coast Parkway, the Shell gas station at US-1 and Old Kings Road, or the nearby Tractor Supply for ice and camping odds and ends. There’s no REI or Bass Pro Shop within 10 miles, but Academy Sports+ Outdoors is the best bet for outdoor gear and fishing tackle, although that's going to be a hike (er, long drive) from here.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The group site’s best tent placement is on the southern edge of the clearing where the pines provide late-day shade and natural wind protection; (2) Bring plenty of water as there’s no potable water here; (3) For kayaking or canoeing, head to the Pellicer Creek launch on nearby Old Kings Road for calm water and beautiful tidal scenery; (4) Trails in Matanzas can flood after heavy rain, so check conditions with the Forest Service before arriving; (5) Wildlife lovers should keep an eye out for gopher tortoises along the sandy roads and hawks circling above the pine canopy – on our visit, we were blessed to see an adolescent black panther; and (6) When it’s time to eat, reward yourself with a laid-back bite of a Surfin’ Cali burrito at nearby Jimmy Hula’s or an elegant dinner of steak pom frites at Le Bouchon Brasserie in the historic district of the country’s oldest city.
Happy Camping!
Thomas B.
RangerAnastasia State Park Campground
Great for Smaller Rigs
Had a short stay at Anastasia and it was a nice, shaded site that was pleasant for August. It is very busy and active and the beach is just a 5 minute walk away. I have a 50ft rig (30 ft trailer, 20 ft truck) and got caught in a really bad spot after going down the wrong road. Rig fits great it the site, just have to be very cautious. Some foliage blocked the sign I was looking for as I tried to accommodate the many cyclists. Also had the unfortunate experience of a neighbor with a highly aggressive dog. The place itself was very pleasant and much cooler than what we have been experiencing.
Guide to Florahome
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park offers hiking trails with specific wildlife viewing opportunities near Florahome. Located in the pine forests of north central Florida at an elevation of about 200 feet, this area features sandy soil and a mix of wetlands and upland habitats. Primitive camping in Etoniah Creek State Forest requires travel on bikeable hard roads about 4 miles into the wilderness.
What to do
Hiking on designated trails: At Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, visitors can access multiple hiking paths through diverse ecosystems. "We have stayed here many times. In cabins or in tent. We like to hike which there is plenty of. Canoe which they rent. Firewood is available," reports Jenn B. The trails range from ravine walks to lakeside paths.
Fishing at local lakes: Rodman Campground provides access to fishing opportunities at the 9,000-acre Rodman Reservoir. "If you come bringing your boat, please be aware that there's submerged logs and other underwater obstructions to be aware of, so motor with caution!" notes Stuart K. Bank fishing is also available for those without boats.
Swimming in natural springs: Salt Springs Recreation Area offers year-round 72-degree water for swimming. "The spring is a short walk from the campground or a quick bike ride," writes Miranda R. The mineral-rich water contains potassium, magnesium and sodium salts, giving the spring its name.
Horseshoes and yard games: Several campgrounds maintain recreational facilities like shuffleboard courts and horseshoe pits. The Starke-Gainesville NE KOA has "horse shoe pit, shuffleboard, playground and swings, sandbox, propane filling station, picnic tables, bocce ball," according to Stuart K.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural buffers between camping spots at certain campgrounds. "We had a nice wooded separation between the other campsites. The beach was a short walk for us," notes Rob V. about Anastasia State Park. These separations typically consist of palmettos, pines, and shrubs.
Shoreline access: Waterfront camping ranks highly with visitors. "Our camp site was partially shaded. Good size campsites with fire ring, picnic table, water and electricity," reports Gina E. about Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. Some sites offer direct views of water bodies while others require short walks to reach swimming or fishing areas.
Quiet natural settings: Rodman Campground provides a peaceful environment away from urban noise. "Really nice and clean bathrooms, showers, and camp sites. It was quiet, relaxing, nice hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife," writes Greg. The campground's location near the Ocklawaha River creates habitat for diverse wildlife.
Clean facilities: Maintained restrooms and showers repeatedly appear in positive reviews. "The bathhouse was clean and well kept. Good size campsites with fire ring, picnic table, water and electricity," notes Gina E. Most established campgrounds in the area have regular maintenance schedules for bathroom facilities.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Parts of the Ocala National Forest have spotty or non-existent mobile coverage. "Once you reach the forest you will lose all reception on phones. Campground states free WiFi but plan to be without," warns Tammy P. about Lake Oklawaha RV Park.
Wildlife encounters: The area hosts diverse wildlife including bears, alligators and various bird species. "Seen a black bear roaming at night," reports Tammy P. Proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds in the region.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "It is HIGHLY advisable that you make your CG reservations here at Salt Springs SP WAY in advance by calling 1-877-444-6777 or booking online at Recreation.gov," advises Stuart K.
Water level variations: Lake and spring levels fluctuate seasonally. "Only issue was low lake water but not campgrounds fault," notes Joseph A. about Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. Water levels tend to be higher during and after the summer rainy season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Nice hikes and birding abound! Amazing sunrises with the birds at the lakes. It's quiet, and the sites are relatively private," shares Clean Slate D. about Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park.
Swimming options: Natural springs provide safe, clear swimming opportunities with consistent temperatures. "Had a great visit. Got 2 sites and had more family start camping with us. Kids loved the scenery for hiking and pictures," reports Joseph A.
Educational opportunities: Staff at some parks offer information about local ecology and history. "Camp staff knows much about the Native American heritage in this location," notes Chad P. about Gold Head Branch State Park.
Primitive camping challenges: Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp requires preparation for families seeking more remote experiences. "Just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby," explains Brian K.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Rodman Campground, specific sites offer better privacy. "If I was an RV'er and I was looking to book a spot here at Rodman Campground, I would absolutely be looking at the VIP RV Lots wherein I would chose any of the spots that are backed up against the wilderness (that would be on the west), which offer a greater degree of connectivity with nature," advises Stuart K.
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of utility connections. "We stayed 4 nights in December 2020. Site 60. We had a great time. Campground is clean and well maintained. Very friendly," shares Lauren W. about Rodman Campground.
Leveling considerations: Some sites require additional equipment for proper RV positioning. "Sites have paved pads but most are not level. Wifi very spotty. Springs are nice," notes Sue G. about Salt Springs Recreation Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Florahome, FL?
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Florahome, FL is Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 204 dog-friendly camping locations near Florahome, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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