Best Campgrounds near Fort White, FL

The small town of Fort White in Florida has camping spots that put you close to several natural springs and state parks. Lena State Park has good trails where you can hike or ride bikes through typical Florida landscapes. Many campers head to Rainbow Springs State Park Campground for swimming and snorkeling in the clear spring water. If you want to see manatees, try the campground at Manatee Springs State Park instead. You can drive regular cars to most camping areas around Fort White, but some spots get muddy after rain and might need higher vehicles. Watch out for wildlife and store your food properly since animals will get into anything that smells interesting. You should book ahead of time, especially from winter through spring when the camping areas fill up fast. Check the Florida State Parks website to reserve spots. Fire rules change based on how dry it is, so always check current restrictions. Most places let you stay up to two weeks at a time. The best camping weather happens from November through April when it's cooler. Summer camping can be pretty uncomfortable unless you're ready for heat and humidity. Fort White works well for both quick trips and longer stays, with plenty to do outside.

Best Camping Sites Near Fort White, Florida (161)

    1. Ginnie Springs Outdoors

    55 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-7188

    $55 - $70 / night

    "This is clearly one of the best natural springs in all of Florida complete with 250 wooded acres of pure Florida wilderness."

    "Favorite springs in Florida and one of my favorite places to camp and spend a few days in Florida or the country in general. Awesomely maintained, plenty of sites."

    2. Dogwood Campground — O'Leno State Park

    39 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-1853

    $18 / night

    "The campsites are spacious, well shaded, and with in easy walking distance to the Bathhouse/Restrooms. The facilities are kept clean and neat."

    "You know, like quintessential state or national park imagery where you would expect to see“Smoky The Bear” around the next bend."

    3. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    High Springs, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-1369

    "This spring is one of the newer State parks in Florida. The bathrooms need updating. The sites are small. The electrical boxes are limited to amp hookup. The spring is AMAZING!!!"

    "While quite a few of the natural springs you’ll find here in Florida contain a Disneyworld-like level of crowds and subsequent infrastructure, here at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, you’ll discover"

    4. Magnolia Campground — O'Leno State Park

    17 Reviews
    High Springs, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-1853

    $18 / night

    "Grounds are well kept as are most Florida parks. Short drive to several other park and springs in the area. Clean bathrooms."

    "There is a check in booth at the entrance. They gave us a call to let us know they will be closed when we arrive and we had to pick up our camp pass outside."

    5. Moonshine Acres RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 744-6378

    $50 - $65 / night

    "The main factor in deciding to stay here was the distance to Ichetucknee Springs. It's 3 miles from the south entrance and 4 miles from the north entrance."

    "A but of a drive for groceries, which is no biggie. Close to springs which was what attracted us to this spot."

    6. Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins

    11 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 497-2150

    $20 / night

    "So the layout is basically one small dirt road loop with rv parking/primitive camping around the center as well as cabins around the outside."

    "The place is a nice hole in the wall on the side of the road, just past the north entrance of the Springs."

    7. Ellie Ray's RV Resort & Lounge

    12 Reviews
    Branford, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 935-9518

    "Speaking of NYE they had a Motley Crew cover band, social distancing and masks are not a thing in this part of Florida, like the posters from the health department don't even mention masks, so if COVID"

    "Bathrooms within walking distance. Pool and hot tub are great."

    8. Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    High Springs, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 775-3663

    $18 / night

    "Trails are cool but were not very well maintained. If you happen to be nearby, go, but don't go waay out of the way for it."

    "Right around the corner from Ginnie Springs. There are plenty of camping spots that are in open areas or hidden in the woods. The springs are amazing."

    9. High Springs RV Resort and campground

    7 Reviews
    High Springs, FL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-1688

    "This is a relatively small, privately owned RV campground just off of I-75 in northern Florida. We felt that it was a little pricey at $40 (with a Good Sam discount) for its location."

    "Located halfway between UF Gatorland in Gainesville and Lake City right of I75, High Springs Campground is an ideal location that puts you smack dab in the middle of all of the state’s northernmost natural"

    10. 4A River Camp

    3 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    5 miles
    +1 (813) 786-7580

    $50 / night

    "This single spot with water and electric sits next to a private home. It is VERY well kept and hosts are just wonderful. What a wonderful location if you love water sports."

    "The hosts were kind and friendly, keep in mind this is pretty close to their home but still somewhat private. The camp toilet works in a pinch and the hot shower works great."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 161 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Fort White, FL

789 Reviews of 161 Fort White Campgrounds


  • liz S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Suwannee River Bend RV Park

    Suwannee retreat

    Great RV Park with full hookups , on the suwannee with kayak and canoe rentals. Super nice shower room witha shampoo, conditioner and body wash dispenser available for free in each stall. A salt scrub exfoliator for your hands. Private docks some with deep water access. Different rates for each lot and extremely reasonable.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins

    Wonderfully quiet State Park

    Nice hikes and birding abound! Amazing sunrises with the birds at the lakes. It's quiet, and the sites are relatively private. The volunteers are amazing, as are the Rangers that run the park. Highly recommend to get away from the city.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Long Branch Rest & Ride RV & Horse Park

    Cul-de-Sac Equestrian Camping Hidden Gem

    We were heading westward down the very long straight eastward-westward line that is Highway 10, which connects the first coast of Florida in Jacksonville to the complete opposite side of the state in Pensacola, and had no idea where we were going to ‘drop anchor’ as it was getting close to dusk. On our way to the Suwannee River to get some great kayaking in, we found ourselves looking for a spot to lay over for the night and while we were heading to this northern Florida natural treasure, we came across a small sign that was somewhat hidden from site, which lured us to Long Branch Rest & Ride RV & Horse Park. Following Highway (really, a country road) 129 towards Suwannee, we were running out of both time and options, so decided to follow the long winding country road known as 48th street until it dead-ended into a cul-de-sac.

    What I loved most about this camping outpost was that it was completely surrounded by rich pastures with lots of livestock including cattle and horses, so immediately, we felt the Old Floridian country vibe out in these parts. Located just 3 miles or so north of Live Oak, we arrived to find a yellow farm house at the fork in the road where because the place operates on an honor system, you simply have to take out the waiver that’s under the white mailbox, sign it and place it back in the mailbox along with either cash or check. I mean, just how cool is the honor system?! Especially among campers like us? Fantastic- the rest of the world should follow suit. After we left our envelope with cash (and admittedly, some coins), we moseyed on to find a suitable place to ‘hole up for the night.’

    After you complete the administrative task of checking in, then you are at liberty to basically park wherever you’d like, although drive thrus are encouraged to head to the left, along with anyone hauling their noble steeds (note: absolutely no stallions BTW) with them, as there are areas where you can let your horses out to graze while parked or leave them in the paddock for an extra$10 per night. If like us, you just have a standard RV that isn’t too large, you can head to the more scenic spots that are more heavily forested and encircle a small pond. All the RV hook-ups offer up 30 / 50 electric amp along with water and sewage. 

    Note that this place charges $50 per night for 50 amp or $40 per night for 30 amp, which I have to be honest I’ve never seen before. I mean, electricity is electricity right? Seems a little discriminatory IMHO - at least charge $30 for 30 amp if you’re going to charge $50 for 50 amp, right?! Oh, and if you want to tent camp primitive style here, good news is you can, for just $25/ night, which seemed like a great option to us.

    As far as amenities go, here’s what you’ll find in this incredibly spacious, beautiful farming landscape: super clean bathrooms and showers, fire rings, picnic tables, gazebos, hammock, silo bathroom, catch & release pond, stand-up grills, brand new horse paddocks with individual stalls, tons of hiking, biking and riding trails, free kennel accommodations for the K9s in your life, which also include a nice doggie park - but to be fair, the whole place is like one giant doggie park! One amenity that comes free of charge, apart from the simply amazing 360 degree landscape that you would be lucky to call home for the night is the magnificent shade that this place provides with its endless array of ancient and live Oaks dripping with Spanish moss so long that you’d think you were in a fairy tale where the trees have suddenly sprouted beards.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Although the waiver and release form was quite cumbersome as well as all of the various surcharges for things that normally one would take for granted and / or simply think that they should be included in the price of what you are paying for each individual night, we got to a point where this place definitely feels like they are ‘nickel & diming’ you for every single little thing that you don- so using the honor system, we included extra for what we thought was fair and didn’t add extra for what we believed should have been included in the price (like the fire rings - c’mon!);(2) Don’t forget to add 10% to the cost of your overall stay, which covers both 7% state and 3% county tourism taxes; (3) If you come with horses, they offer 3 different paddock sizes here, so you’ll want to look at these closely to figure out what’s right for your steeds, but we were impressed by all of the amenities horses are afforded here, from hay, wash rack, wheel-barrows for manure disposal, hitching posts, etc. This place is definitely geared to the equestrian camper!; (4) If you are looking to grab a slice of nature beyond the amazing patch of countryside you find yourself camping at here at Long Branch Rest & Ride, then head north on 129 and make your way to Suwannee Springs where there is no shortage of great paths to hike and of course, the amazing Suwannee River to drop in a kayak or canoe; (5) If you would like to see what is reminiscent of the Lion King, then head south of Live Oak to Mystic Jungle where you can see all of their amazing wild cats that normally you would only be able to see on safari;(6) Should you need anything, again, the town of Live Oak is just a 10 minute drive south of here wherein you’ll find just about everything you are looking for, including a Busy Bee for excellent bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities, Walmart Supercenter and Publix for groceries as well as just OK restaurants like Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Zaxby’s and a Waffle House, but for actual really good food, keep on heading south where you’ll find Big Wood BBQ & Grill, The 406 or Brown Lantern.

    Happy Camping!

  • A
    May. 13, 2025

    Travelers Campground

    Get location great amenities

    I love being at this park, it’s such a family atmosphere, playing with the animals is a therapeutic part of the park. And I love how the pool is heated during the colder temperatures! Overall great park to stop and visit. A true hidden gem

  • Linda S.
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Starke-Gainesville NE KOA

    Starke KOA

    This was our favorite campground to spend the winter months until new owner and managers took over in 2023. Jon has anger issues and no respectful communication skills. If he doesn’t like you, he trumps up an excuse to evict you. We have seen this many times. It’s like walking on egg shells all winter. Jon and Vickie are not consistent on their new rules, which change all the time. And, they don’t follow through with new improvements. They advertise a heated pool. However, it was inoperable one whole winter season with them saying,“it will be fixed in a few days”. The following winter season it worked but was not warm when it was getting nice to swim. The workers have no respect for campers and their personal property when they are mowing or blowing leaves. Snowbirds can no longer secure a reservation on their preferred site for the following season upon departure. Now we are put on a waiting list until November with the hopes we’ll get a phone call saying our preferred site is available. November is too late in the season to try to secure a site at another campground in the event a space isn’t available. How is this a respectable way to treat loyal, recurring snowbirds?!?! This new policy has caused them to lose multiple recurring guests. Sadly, a former beautifully maintained and friendly campground in a nice town is going downhill fast. Too bad there isn’t an option for negative star ratings.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 23, 2025

    Sportsman's Cove Resort

    Beautiful place to stay

    Great place to stay. Layed back atmosphere. Small campground right on a lake. The lake is natural and undisturbed.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2025

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Open and close to I-10

    Crime scene tape Has been removed since last visit so that's a plus. Lots of wide open area where if you have a trailer you can park. Not much privacy. Has the feel of a regular campground but its free. Small pond in the middle of the campground seems to have a few swirls. Can't drive thru the campground expect in a lifted truck due to water hole but main road access is available to the other side.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2025

    Ocean Pond Campground

    Recently reopened

    No frills federal campground. Offeres Doscounts for America the beautiful. Rates start at $12 nt for primarive sites. They have a bath house. All sites have concrete pads. There is a tiny human area with a swimming area and some swings.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2025

    East Tower Hunt Camp

    Great OHV and hunt camp

    Camp has trash cans. There are several areas where you can be separate which is nice. There is no cell service. Tower is open where you can climb it if you want. Dollar general is only about 15 mins away. Its a no frills free campground from the federal govt. There are no sites or reservations its just all dispearsed camping with in the boundary.


Guide to Fort White

Fort White camping areas provide access to a diverse set of waterways including the Santa Fe River, Ichetucknee River, and numerous freshwater springs. The region sits on a limestone foundation that filters groundwater, creating some of Florida's clearest spring systems with consistent 72°F water temperatures year-round. Campgrounds range from primitive sites to full-hookup RV resorts, with most offering direct water access.

What to do

Springs exploration beyond swimming: At Ginnie Springs Outdoors, visitors can experience underwater activities beyond basic swimming. "Ginnie Springs is by far my favorite all time Inland camping. Scuba dive. Enjoy the many Springs and surrounding Springs. Fish on the Santa Fe River," notes Noah R., highlighting multiple water-based activities.

Hiking through varied terrain: The Magnolia Campground at O'Leno State Park offers hiking experiences with unexpected elevation changes. One camper reports, "There are nice elevation changes which makes it feel like your in the Carolinas or Georgia," making this a distinctive hiking opportunity compared to Florida's typically flat landscape.

Riverside camping: Set up camp directly on waterfront sites at multiple locations for fishing and wildlife watching. "The sites along the river are the best," mentions a Ginnie Springs visitor, while another camper at Ellie Ray's notes, "We got a River spot and loved it. Perfect spot on the Sante Fe with the Ichetucknee and Suwanee rivers super close."

What campers like

Natural features: The underwater river at O'Leno State Park fascinates visitors. "Santa Fe River goes underground in this area and you can check it out along the trails, going in and coming out again," notes Shelly S. This geological feature creates a unique camping destination where visitors can observe a river disappear and reappear.

Spring clarity: Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park draws campers specifically for its water clarity. "Beautiful clean and clear water," writes Andres P., while another visitor states simply, "Clearest water I have ever swam in. So beautiful, words can't describe just have to visit!"

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many Fort White area campgrounds offer excellent wildlife spotting. "We saw a large family of deer while walking our dogs but weren't quick enough for a photo. Saw lots of birds including finches, red hawk, and an owl," reports Angela M. at Magnolia Campground.

What you should know

Early arrival strategy: Springs fill quickly, especially on weekends. "What most people don't realize is that if you get to the spring EARLY in the morning you can have it mostly to yourself and that includes the spring run and river too!" advises a Ginnie Springs visitor, providing a crucial tip for avoiding crowds.

Varying bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely between campgrounds. At Moonshine Acres RV Park, "Facilities (bathrooms, game room, and general store) were very nice and clean," according to Mike H., while at other locations, facilities may be more basic.

Campsite surface conditions: Most campsites in the area have sand-based pads rather than gravel or concrete. "Camping loops and pads are hard sand. Sites vary in size and level," notes Chris A. about O'Leno State Park, which reflects the standard terrain at many of the best places to camp near Fort White.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins caters specifically to families with activities beyond water recreation. "The office has pool tables and games for kids to enjoy. There's also a lot of friendly animals that live on the property, such as goats, a donkey, chickens, dogs and cats," reports Miguel.

Swimming options for different ages: Various springs offer different swimming experiences suitable for different age groups. "The Swimming area around the spring was nice and sandy and graded, not just rocky and/or deep some of the other near by springs," notes Denise G. about Gilchrist Blue Springs, making it particularly suitable for families with younger children.

Camp location proximity: Choose campsites strategically based on distance to water features. At Gilchrist Blue Springs, "The proximity to the spring is what did it for me! We stayed in site 1 and it could see the spring from our RV," reports Ashlee R., which can be particularly valuable when camping with children.

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: At High Springs RV Resort, "Magnolia loop would be the best loop for RVs, but spots can be had. Sites vary in size and level. Separation between sits is not bad but suffered in hurricane damage. Some sites appear a bit tight with overhanging trees," advises Chris A., highlighting the importance of careful site selection.

Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds have partial hookups only. "The electrical boxes are limited to amp hookup," notes Jenn B. about Gilchrist Blue, while another camper mentions, "Site 1 in particular requires a looooooong hose. The hookups are all over the place and we couldn't even use water because of that."

Water quality issues: Some RVers note water quality varies by campground. One cabin visitor at Ellie Ray's reports, "Water in cabin was brown - so showering was strange. Bring bottled water/water storage," suggesting RVers should arrive with filled freshwater tanks as a precaution when camping near Fort White.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Fort White campground located?

Fort White is located in north central Florida, approximately 30 minutes from Gainesville. While Fort White itself is a small town, nearby campgrounds include Kate's Fish Camp, a waterside retreat in the northern Florida region, and Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins which is specifically near Fort White. This area is known for its proximity to beautiful springs, rivers, and natural Florida landscapes, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

What amenities are available at Fort White campground?

Campgrounds near Fort White offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Hart Springs Park provides clean, well-maintained facilities including a swimming pool, beautiful springs for swimming, and boardwalks. The park features separate paths leading to springs that have been enhanced for recreation. At Camping out in Country, you'll find large, shaded sites with ready-to-use fire pits, clean bath houses with hot water, and a peaceful country atmosphere away from busy roads.

Do I need reservations for Fort White campground?

Reservations are highly recommended for campgrounds in the Fort White area, especially during peak seasons. Old Florida RV Resort (formerly Water's Edge Oak RV Park) has only 34 full hookup sites, making advance booking essential. Similarly, Dogwood Campground — O'Leno State Park has spacious, well-shaded sites that are popular and fill up quickly. For the best camping experience, secure your spot by making reservations online or by phone before your trip to avoid disappointment.