Best Tent Camping near Geneva, FL

To get to this camp you will have to hike in along old levy's some just over a foot wide. Much of the trail is sloped to one side or the other. Along the way you will see some beautiful sites! Many hike the loop trail as a day hike. but it is better enjoyed at a slower pace as there is so much to see if you open your eyes. The just over 7 mile trail takes you by orange trees cover in butterflies in spring, also wildflower lines trails and along the beautiful St Johns River.

The camp site is used often by scouts and folks wanting to start training for longer hikes North of Florida. The campsite it self is very nice. there is a covered shelter, fire pit, benches and a picnic table. Many trees for hammock camping and lots of room for tents. Sadly with no toilet facilities back along the edges of the campsite you will find evidence of human use and abuse. PLEASE leave no trace. Also if you go take the time to pull a few of the invasive Caesar Weed plants that are trying to take over the camp (they are the ones with seeds that act like Velcro).

You MUST have a reservation to camp here. If you have a pet it MUST be kept on a lease at all times and picked up after. there are feral hogs and snakes on the property....and you must practice bear safety using a bear proof container for food and hanging from tree at night. We saw no bear sign when we hiked - but that is not saying they are not around.

Sawgrass Island Preserve is a unique piece of property.  I love hiking on the north side of the property it looks so much like Old Florida.  I like to go across the causeway and down the Bog Button Trail and over to the Hammock Trail and along the Cactus Trail and down around the ponds and back out the Bent Pine Trail.  This is around a five mile hike and can be stretched out by doing the North Loop Trail also .  I have seen several whitetail deer, sandhill cranes, lots of other birds, quail, and some turkeys while hiking.  I also saw a black bear up a tree in the marsh.  It is a hidden gem for sure.  The south side is nice but gets super sandy in places due to horseback riders.  And if you have horses the preserve allows riders and even has a spot or two with water for the horses and some picnic areas with hitching post to tie off horse and have some time to eat.  Some trails are narrow and give the feel of actually walking in, in the woods!  I haven't camped there but they have two primitive campsites on the Hammock Trail near the marsh with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern post.  There is also a horse campsite along the Cactus Trail down near the ponds and there is an open pole barn with two roomy stalls for horses and picnic tables and a fire ring with benches.  Also room to pitch tent under barn too.  There is no water available at any of the campsites.  Could be a fun adventure waiting in Old Florida.  There is a camping application to fill out on line at www.lcwa.org and a  small fee, but if everything checks out ok at the end of the stay after a Ranger has had a chance to check out the site your fee is refunded.

Campground Review: GCI  Outdoors Slim Fold Cook Station at Geneva Wilderness Area

I took part in helping with a Camp Out for 10 families with 41 people at Geneva Wilderness Area in Seminole County, FL which covers 180 acres. This event used the group camp site with a good size pavilion.  This area was quite big for our group and perfect.  We had at least 10 tents in the big group area and four more in a smaller area off to the side for those of us that had to get up at the crack of dawn to cook breakfast, that way we didn't wake people up.  There were restrooms at the pavilion but no showers.  The pavilion area had lights and a grill with a cooking area just off to the side.  And there was a fire ring in the camping area for the families to hang out around and have S'mores at night.  This was a very, very good and well run event on everyone's part.   We had free time with some outdoor games, fishing nearby, and dutch oven cooking, cobblers, yum.  This is the perfect place for a weekend camp out.  I am so ready to take a group of friends there for a weekend.  The group area is just a short walk to the lake and the fishing pier.   Most of the kids in the group tried to fish, some for the first time.  We used worms and…..cut up hot dogs……shhhhh.   We caught 7 fish in the short amount of time we were there before dinner.  The fishing pier was very nice and set on a small lake, one of several on the property.   There is an Education Center: Ed Yarborough Center on the property near the group site that was open for our group and was an amazing.   Everyone in our group….all 41 enjoyed the park immensely.  We also did a night hike around one of the lakes that went past the primitive camp area.  I went back out the next day and was amazed at how nice that area was.  There is a fire ring, picnic table, benches, and a very small covered bench or kitchen area.  And even fire wood.  Lots of room for several tents and it was on the backside of another lake so what a view.  There is also a wildlife viewing blind that was built by an Eagle Scout right there too.  And I did notice a few feet away there seemed to be a small simple shower blind too.  Continuing around the lake brought you to the H.E. Buddy Long Memorial Chapel which was right on the water and very neat.  It had a little chapel and benches built by a Boy Scout group.  Great view and a good spot to relax and think.  A great place to visit.  I absolutely loved it and was amazed it was right there and what all was there.

https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/locations/Geneva-Wilderness-Area-And-Ed-Yarborough-Nature-Center.stml

You can access Little Big Econ State Forest through trail hiking from Geneva Wilderness Area (yellow trail).  There is an equestrian stable nearby and a couple of air boat outfitters and guides.  Titusville would be a good area to go to afterwards to spend time on the coast.

Overall, I loved the park and I think everyone in the group enjoyed all the park had to offer.  I think the many lakes on the property make it super unique.  

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Product Review:  GCI Outdoors: Slim Fold Cook Station

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At Geneva Wilderness Area I tested The Slim Fold Cook Station.

https://www.gcioutdoor.com/tables-camp-kitchens/slim-fold-cook-station/

This cook station is an easy fold one piece design.  It can be set up and folded down in seconds.  It has multi use side tables which can be used to hold your beverage, wine glass, paper towels, garbage bags, or cooking utensils.  It has a storage rack under the top shelf for a cooler and other dry good storage and holds up to 35 lbs.  It has a heat resistance aluminum top that is perfect for camping grills and stoves and can hold up to 48 lbs.  It folds flat for easy portability and has a carrying handle.  It also weighs less than 19 lbs.  

1.  I loved that I had an easy time setting this up for the first time,  I was pleased with the ease.

2.  I loved the fact that I was pleasantly surprised about how sturdy it was and the fact that it did not weight a lot.  Even a seasoned camper commented on how sturdy it was and how great it was to have on this trip.

3.  I really loved how well the aluminum top held up to a camp stove.

4.  It was so easy to use and fold back up.  And easy to clean too.

5.  And it can be used tailgating easily.  

6.  And the price was the best thing….it wasn't super expensive as far as camping equipment goes….. and I can tell you it is worth so much more than they are charging.

I can't wait to use it again on my own small family camping trip.  I am so happy I got this product to try.  I was debating it because I thought it might not be very sturdy for the price.  BUT I was proved wrong and love it.  I am so glad I got it.

Maybe it’s the no pets rule, but this campground was the quietest we’ve been to and we camp nearly every weekend.

The sites are spacious with the fire rings being in the way back. This is a no alcohol park. They didn’t have any fire or ice, which is a negative. We love camping at spots that have that for purchase. The nearest Publix is about 5 minutes or so away and does have both.

They don’t allow you to have anything on the trees, which I found a little off putting. We had solar lights hung from them, just wrapped around, not attached, and were told by the camp host (? Didn’t introduce himself) they needed to come down. Staff rode around a few times and said nothing but, okay.

The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Lots of open space to run around, kick a ball, two playground sets, and a beautiful walk to Lake Mary Jane.

Quiet hours were observed, which was so nice.

I brought my T-Mobile home router and had plenty of signal to work, stream, etc.

We will be back!

This is a 54 site campground with hook ups at each site, fire ring, and picnic table. The trees provide a good amount of privacy from adjacent campers. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. This is about 15 min from the airport yet very removed from Orlando. Water on three sides, gates that close and lock from 6pm to 8 am (Nov-March) but an easy access code is given at check in to be able to come and go after hours. No pets, no alcohol, and quiet after 10. I will stay again! It was a mix of RVs, trailers, camper vans, car camping, and tents when I stayed. The personnel were very nice and helpful at check in.

The park was full. We got one of the last two spots left, which were the only two that were full sun so it was very hot! We checked in around midnight and they had security at the gate that just kept an eye on things. Our whole purpose of camping is to fish so although they had a nice pier to fish off of, you could see straight through the 1’-2’ deep water with no drop off in sight. All you can catch really are horseshoe crab and rays. This was very disappointing for us. To make it up, there is a pool on site which was great for the kids. The bath houses were clean and always had soap and toilet paper and parking also so you don’t have to walk. Unfortunately there was a bad apple there that decided to vandalize one of the game tables while we were there but management posted updates on the main doors of the office about what activities were available or unavailable. It was a good place to watch the shuttle launches. If you go to the right of the pier there are benches under the palms so you can sit and watch. Go to spaceflight.com for launch info. We did notice they have a dog park with waste bag stations but nobody was in there. Primitive tent camping is closer to the water but not waterfront while RV camping is behind the tents. You are only allowed one shade structure per RV, no tents on RV sites. The sites are really squished together so I felt like I was walking in the backyard of the RV next to us every time I went outside. We used the 30 amp electric and water hookups without problems. They do have picnic tables at each site. Fires are allowed but have to be off the ground, no fire rings. Our site backed up to the drainage ditch which was full of shrubs and no water whatsoever. Overall it was a good trip. The kids rated it 4 stars each (I’m sure because of the pool) but we do not plan on returning any time soon as we want to explore more fishing options. However we will return if we just want to get away and the kids can swim their little hearts out!