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
Tent Camping near Georgetown, FL
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Tent camping options near Georgetown, Florida include several primitive sites scattered throughout the Ocala National Forest and surrounding conservation lands. Lake Delancy East NF Campground offers tent-only camping with picnic tables, vault toilets and fire rings, while Haw Creek Preserve State Park provides dispersed tent camping accessible by a wooden plank pathway leading to an open camping area. Both offer immersion in Florida's natural ecosystems without developed amenities.
Most tent sites in the region feature minimal facilities and require self-sufficiency. Campers accessing primitive areas should bring adequate water supplies, as drinking water is scarce at most locations. Lake George Conservation Area provides tent camping with picnic tables but lacks toilets and potable water. According to reviews, "Great for hunters. Not a lot there for hiking campers. Very primitive." The access roads to many tent camping areas consist of dirt or sand trails that may require higher-clearance vehicles during wet weather. Sites typically include fire rings, and some conservation areas enforce seasonal fire restrictions during dry periods.
Tent campers in the Georgetown area can enjoy direct access to the Florida Trail and numerous waterways for paddling and fishing. Many tent sites provide shade from Florida's intense sun under oak and pine canopies. A review of Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area noted, "This very unassuming county-run wildlife area sits on 13,000+ acres of thick wilderness and wetlands offering a number of different hiking trails." Primitive tent sites at Princess Place Preserve offer waterfront camping with wooden platforms for tent placement. Wildlife sightings are common at these natural settings, with campers regularly reporting encounters with deer, turkey, and various bird species. Most walk-in tent sites provide greater seclusion and natural surroundings than their drive-in counterparts, offering a more immersive wilderness experience for those willing to carry their gear short distances.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Georgetown (50)
1. Lake Delancy East NF Campground
"Very nice Primitive campground . Great shade trees and tent spots. Has vault bathrooms that are kept pretty clean. No running water but has a hand pump well."
"The Florida trail is close by."
2. Jumping Gully Campsite - Lake George Conservation Area
3. Buddy Martin Road Campsite - Lake George Forest WMA
"Beautiful campsite right on Lake George. No bathrooms or electrical hookups. Gorgeous views and easy kayak access"
from $15 / night
Check Availability4. Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area
"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"
5. Haw Creek Preserve State Park Dispersed
"So here’s a strong call out to all of those primitive campers that want to rock it out in nature without a SINGLE soul within spitting (or hearing) distance. But you know what?"
6. Johns Landing Primitive Campground — Welaka State Park
from $9 / night
Check Availability7. Barrs Hammock Group Campground - Lake George Conservation Area
8. River Road Campground — Lake George State Forest
"Well kept primitive camping site. No road noise, and nice bear cabinets, picnic tables, grill and fire ring."
from $9 / night
Check Availability9. Pine Island Group Campground - Lake George Conservation Area
10. Sned-Acres Family Campground Florida
Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Deltona, FL
- 1 hr 15 min from Gainesville, FL
- 1 hr 28 min from Ocala, FL
- 1 hr 40 min from Wildwood, FL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Georgetown, FL
42 Photos of 50 Georgetown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
River Road Campground — Lake George State ForestM
Bluff LandingB
Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp
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Moody Campground - Princess Place PreserveL
Princess Place Preserve
Cedar Creek Campground — Matanzas State Forest
Youth Primitive Campground - Tomoka State Park
J.P. Hall Bayard Conservation AreaN
Black Bear Wilderness Area
King's Landing
Camp Chowenwaw Park
Tent Camping Reviews near Georgetown, FL
1250 Reviews of 50 Georgetown 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!
Eric K.GuideLake Dorr Dispersed
Lake Dorr Dispersed Camping
Spent two nights here again. Sept. 27th and 28th. During the day time there were a lot of Love Bugs. My camping kitty loved chasing them. At night or at sun down I was bombarded with bugs. Even if I tried to attract them to a higher light and I was in the dark, didn't help. So this time of the year, sunset = go inside.
Also, the description above is wrong.
This dispersed camping area within Ocala National Forest DOES NOT provide water hookups, restrooms, and picnic tables along with standard amenities like trash service and campfire permissions.
The campground DOES NOT maintain water availability throughout the site and DOES NOT HAVE ANY clean restroom facilities.
Other than that, I will be back.
- Eric K.Guide
Lake Dorr Dispersed
Lake Dorr Dispersed camping
Spent two nights here again. September 27th and 28th. This is a great dispersed camping area. You only need to know your limits with soft sand. During the day there were a lot of love bugs and the water was great. As soon as the sun sets, at this time of the year the bugs were terrible. Even if you tried to attract them up in the air with a Devos light you will be bombarded. Sunset = go inside. Other than the night time bugs, it's a great place. I will be back.
- 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.
Jessica S.ScoutDaytona's Endless Summer Campground
Daytona
Beautiful. Friendly and fun
Guide to Georgetown
Tent campsites near Georgetown, Florida scatter throughout the surrounding Ocala National Forest and conservation lands, with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. The region's sandy soil provides decent drainage during Florida's frequent summer thunderstorms, though some primitive sites become muddy after heavy rainfall. Most camping areas feature oak and pine forests that offer natural shade crucial for dealing with temperatures that routinely exceed 90°F from May through September.
What to do
Kayak or canoe from your site: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for paddlers. At Princess Place Preserve, "Launch your boat from your site, fish and enjoy. There are creeks meandering all through the preserve for paddleboard and or kayaking," reports Scott S. The dock campsites are especially convenient for water access.
Hike the Florida Trail: The Florida National Scenic Trail runs through multiple camping areas. At Ocala National Forest Farles Prairie Recreation Area, Peggy M. notes it's ideal "if you're hauling water gear or want to hike/backpack a section of the Florida Scenic Trail (FL Keys to GA state line), this is a lovely place to hang out on the small lake."
Wildlife viewing: The conservation areas host diverse native species. Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management 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," according to Stuart K.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: The dock sites at Princess Place Preserve give campers exclusive water access. "This campground has 2 dock sites... The site has a place to launch kayaks or a canoe. All sites are pet friendly. Dock Site 2 had water on 2 sides of the site, and had a steady breeze during our whole visit," shares Kippy N.
Solitude and space: The camping areas typically offer well-separated sites. At Freak Creek Dispersed Camping, Adamm A. appreciates that "It's super secluded and quiet. Depending when you stay there's at times people who show up to party and then leave."
Natural shade: The forest canopy provides relief from summer heat. Lake Delancy East NF Campground offers "Very nice Primitive campground. Great shade trees and tent spots," according to Daniel S., making hot summer camping more bearable.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Many sites lack potable water. At Haw Creek Preserve State Park Dispersed, Stuart K. notes there's "a running water line with hose, where you can use as much of the non-potable water as you desire," but advises bringing drinking water.
Access challenges: Some sites require appropriate vehicles. For Freak Creek, Hilary G. warns "The main road in has huge deep ruts, the other road has a water crossing that was over my bumper on my lifted Mojave... If you don't have 4wd and recovery gear I wouldn't risk it."
Reserve early for prime spots: The most desirable campsites book quickly. Regarding Princess Place Preserve, Taylor mentions, "I stayed at Princess Place Preserve from 10/23-10/27 and cannot wait to return... I stayed in equestrian site 1 (EQ1) and was amazed by how much space there was and how far we were from others."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with bathroom facilities: While primitive, some campgrounds offer basic facilities. At Lake Delancy East NF Campground, Kristin T. notes it's "a campsite with restrooms close by, honor system payment method (e.g. cash only). It's only a few miles from Salt Springs so if you forgot a toothbrush, you're in luck."
Look for educational opportunities: Many preserves feature historical sites or nature programs. Princess Place Preserve has "gorgeous Live Oak trees with Spanish Moss hanging down, an adorable wild field full of white butterflies and an Eagles Nest Viewing Area," according to Tina M.
Prepare for wildlife encounters: Animal sightings are common but require proper preparation. At Lake Delancy East, Daniel S. mentions, "Have seen Black Bears but no problems," highlighting the importance of proper food storage and wildlife awareness when tent camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Check road conditions first: Remote campsites often have challenging access. When considering tent camping areas that might accommodate small trailers near Georgetown, note that Adamm A. cautions about Freak Creek: "I would not attempt bringing a camper unless it's really small."
Consider season carefully: Florida's weather patterns significantly impact camping conditions. Summer brings intense heat and afternoon thunderstorms, while winter offers more comfortable temperatures but potentially crowded conditions as seasonal visitors increase.
Bring sufficient water: With limited facilities, water planning is crucial. Alma H. advises about Lake Delancy East: "We found the pitcher pump for water, but wouldn't bring up water. So come prepped with your own."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Georgetown, FL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Georgetown, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Georgetown, FL is Lake Delancy East NF Campground with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Georgetown, FL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Georgetown, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 tent camping locations near Georgetown, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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