Best Tent Camping near Grand Island, FL

Tent camping near Grand Island, Florida provides access to several natural areas with primitive and established sites within the Ocala National Forest and surrounding state lands. Sawgrass Island Preserve offers walk-in tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables along the Hammock Trail, while Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites provide secluded tent camping opportunities about 20 miles south of Grand Island. Trout Lake Primitive Sites and Freak Creek Dispersed Camping offer more rustic tent camping experiences for those seeking solitude in natural settings.

Most tent campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, with some sites accessible only by hiking trails. Sawgrass Island Preserve requires completing an application at lcwa.org with a small refundable fee. Seminole State Forest sites feature a quarter-mile walk from parking areas to campsites, which can become muddy during wet seasons. Basic amenities at most primitive tent sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though potable water is rarely available. Insect repellent is essential, particularly during warmer months when mosquitoes are abundant. Bear safety precautions are recommended, including proper food storage in bear-proof containers.

The backcountry tent camping experience in this region offers opportunities to observe diverse wildlife and access to hiking trails. According to reviews, Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites provide excellent stargazing opportunities and quiet surroundings. One camper noted, "We packed light but not that light because we like to be comfortable; it took about 3 trips each to get everything we needed to the site." At Crooked River Campground in Withlacoochee State Forest, tent sites are nestled in dense undergrowth providing natural privacy between campsites. The Florida Trail passes through several of these areas, making them ideal for hikers wanting to explore sections of this long-distance trail. During summer months, early morning and evening hiking is recommended due to Florida's heat and humidity.

Best Tent Sites Near Grand Island, Florida (56)

    1. Lake Dorr Cabin

    3 Reviews
    Altoona, FL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 669-3522

    $290 / night

    "Super cute secluded cabin directly on the lake. You have your own private boat slip, 100ft long dock for fishing & swimming, canoes/paddles/life jackets on site."

    "It worked out well as some family members like the cabin experience and others were able to stay in tents near the cabin. There are lots of places to sleep (bunk beds, queen, etc)."

    2. Sawgrass Island Preserve

    1 Review
    Grand Island, FL
    5 miles
    Website

    "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. "

    3. King's Landing

    5 Reviews
    Sorrento, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 886-0859

    $30 / night

    "The camp spaces are on a large field and each has its own fire ring. It has a very cozy communal vibe. Saturday nights they host a large fire down by the boat launch for everyone to join."

    "To begin with, there’s nearly 1,000 crystal clear springs throughout the state of Florida, so when you find one that’s pretty spectacular, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack."

    4. North Shore Relic Ranch

    2 Reviews
    Astatula, FL
    13 miles
    Website

    $20 - $35 / night

    "The hiking near by is great and plenty of trails near by. Also a spot to go paddling but we didn’t this trip. We will deff be back!"

    "It was great getting to learn about the north shore ranch and the abundance of trails in the area for exploring!  Stop by and leave a review with some pictures of your favorite views!"

    5. Trout Lake Primitive Sites

    3 Reviews
    Ocklawaha, FL
    13 miles

    "Set of primitive spots near lake. Main road entry is packed dirt; smaller access road to sites is two-track about 1/4 mile through woods — very narrow tree clearance. 4WD recommended."

    "Very narrow trails but really easy access, you will leave with some new pinstripes"

    6. Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites

    6 Reviews
    DeBary, FL
    18 miles
    +1 (352) 360-6675

    $9 - $18 / night

    "Jumper camp is a primitive area with a picnic table and a fire ring."

    "We packed light but not that light because we like to be comfortable; it took my BF and me about 3 trips each to get everything we needed to the site, including firewood, our 4 person tent, air mattress"

    7. Freak Creek Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Paisley, FL
    18 miles

    "Sites are primitive. I would not attempt bringing a camper unless it's really small. Great place to put a kayak in the water."

    8. Ocala National Forest Farles Prairie Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Astor, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 669-3153

    "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."

    9. Crooked River Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    38 Reviews
    Nobleton, FL
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 797-4140

    "Crooked River Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando County), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75."

    "Tent camping only, with a picnic table, fire ring and water faucet. You have a bath house you can get to by walking and it has hot water in the fall and winter months."

    10. Bluff Landing

    2 Reviews
    Paisley, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 625-2520

    "Places to tuck off and set up camp that are private. I would have said 5 stars but when choosing my options on what I was looking for I said rv accessible. Well it is for a half mile maybe."

    "This is a good spot just off the road/trail. Small and kind of tight in the official camping area with three spots kind of spread out. Tight in here, so would not recommend a trailer."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Grand Island, FL

1332 Reviews of 56 Grand Island Campgrounds


  • L
    Feb. 28, 2020

    Salt Springs Recreation Area

    Great campground in Ocala National Forest

    Fantastic campground and recreation area. Over 150 campsites, one area full hookups with all amenities and other area for tent camping. Sites have lots of space and majority have shade trees with moss flowing in the breeze. All sites have picnic table, lantern pole, grill, and fire ring. We have 2 golden retrievers and had plenty of space to spare. Beautiful stars out at night. Bathhouses are large, clean, hot showers. Trailer sites were full and only a few tent campers this time of year. Tent sites are complete with Bear boxes at each site. Camp hosts and management were very friendly and helpful.
    Saw manatees kayaking in the spring and river on premises. Spring area has a boardwalk around it. People swam with them too. Saw bald eagle catching fish, lots of birds, some fish, etc. Has a small boat launch and marina. Can tent kayaks. Great place for bikes. A few hiking trails were well maintained.
    Convenient location to lots of springs to visit and things to do. Visited Silver Springs, Blue Springs, Juniper Spring to name a few. All within 1 hr drive.
    Not sure how summer time is, but this late February time was Awesome. 40-50 at night and 60s in the day! This is a must stay place.

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Black Bear Wilderness Area

    Be ready for a hike

    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.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 10, 2023

    Salt Springs Recreation Area

    Immaculate Wind Tunnel (see video)

    PROS

    A camp host came to our site immediately after we unhitched to advise that our one tow vehicle tire on the grass will get us a $250 fine from US Forest Service officer. Funny, we never ever saw a USFS officer patrolling the campground. 

    Entrance gates closed at 8pm requiring code to enter 

    Immaculately maintained park. A small army of maintenance staff always working. Even one night at 930pm in the bathroom. 

    Saved $156 with America the Beautiful pass 

    Site 32 shady 

    Asphalt parking pad surrounded with sandy gravel 

    Moveable metal picnic table 

    Pedestal BBQ grill 

    High sided metal fire ring with 2 unremovable cooking grates 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Campfire wood for sale at registration office 

    No street lights in campground so good dark sky viewing if neighbors have their rig lights off which most nights they were lit up which also lit up surrounding campsites 

    Able to get T-MOBILE signal on our T-MOBILE WIFI device 

    Many squirrels ate from our hand 

    CONS 

    In 8 days never saw a USFD vehicle drive thru the campground

    $8 fee to make on-line reservations 

    Site 32 not level 

    Absolutely no privacy from any other site 

    In 20 degree exterior temperatures, both campground bathhouses had windows open, whole house fans operating in full capacity and ceiling fans operating on high. Obvious park maintenance does NOT want anyone taking a shower when interior bathhouse temperatures were in the 30s and the bathhouse was a freezing wind tunnel! It was even difficult using the toilet. 

    Loud and rowdy campers all weekend long—day and night. Quiet hours not enforced

    Highway 19 traffic noise 

    USFD clearing project on east side of campground. Heavy equipment noise for 9 straight hours day after day!!! 

    No notice water outage for 2 hours 

    No park WiFi 

    No T-MOBILE cell service 

    No public phone for emergency calls

  • Tracy L H.
    Dec. 31, 2019

    Sawgrass Island Preserve

    Old Florida!

    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.

  • James A.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Colt Creek State Park Campground

    Tired Tree Primative Site

    Okay, so I didn’t do a ton of research, but I have driven around here before so I decided to get one of the primitive sites and do a little gear testing.

    -$5+ per person/night -Bundles of firewood available for purchase (located at the site) -$5 arm loads -Fire ring, Picnic Table, Bench, and Garbage pail at the site

    Walked the long way in (3.25miles), instead of the 1 mile route. The entire hike is through typical open grass “roads” cut and maintained in the Florida brush. The site itself had a nice vibe and is far away from any other sites at the park. A large open clearing could easily allow for a dozen tents, unfortunately, I brought my hammock,.. and this site is not set up for hammock camping.

    With a little rigging and placement over a dried up gator hole, I found a spot that I could hang my hammock and shelter for the night.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the spot, other than the lack of clearing for a hammock, and the mosquitos were absolutely unbearable... I am aware that it was rainy season in Florida, near a WMA named Green Swamp, but I went home with hundreds and hundreds of bites, despite my preparedness.

    I would camp here again, maybe when it’s a little cooler and more dry, and also would hike in with a tent, or potentially take the shorter route and pull a wagon full of gear, to enjoy a bit more “glamped” feel.

  • A
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Hog Island Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    Spacious camp sites!

    We loved the large sites. And pretty private. Wooded areas between sites. Nice clean restrooms and showers. Only 2 showers in the ladies bath house. It's old but clean. But it's sapose to be no pets. And a camper near us had a very large dog in a cage that barked all day. Very annoying. Bad area for ticks. Rangers check sites several times a day and are very nice. Also there is water but no electricity. We will go back. No generator after 10pm.

  • Alex M.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Mutual Mine Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    Wide open spaces, very quiet!

    We hiked extensively in this tract and used Mutual Mine campground as one of our stop-overs. Very nice, open, flat areas to pitch tents and close to hiking trails. Fire ring at each site, options to hang your hammock. Bathrooms but no showers. Free potable water. You can also pull in a trailer but this is not a full-commercial type campground. More a cross between that and primitive camping…….perfect for backpackers!!

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 7, 2020

    Green Swamp — West Tract

    Peaceful and free!

    Stayed here for a night in November of 2020. We stayed at the Ashley campsite. It is free but had to register at watermatters.org - (Southwest Florida Water Management). They provide you with a code to unlock the gate once registered. At the campsite there were about 15 sites. Most had non-potable water. All had a picnic tables and fire ring. My site had a covered picnic table. A vault toilet was also provided and was pretty clean. The campsite was about half full when I was here and it was pretty quiet even though you can see your neighbors. You are permitted to collect fire wood as long as it has fallen from the tree. For a free campsite, I can’t complain. I would stay here again.

  • Carol B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2024

    Moss Park Campground

    Quiet, lots of trees, away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando

    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.


Guide to Grand Island

Tent camping near Grand Island, Florida provides access to diverse forest environments within the Ocala National Forest ecosystem, where elevations range from 40 to 100 feet above sea level. The subtropical climate supports a mix of pine scrub, oak hammocks, and freshwater ecosystems that create distinct camping environments. During winter months (November-March), temperatures average 50-70°F with lower humidity, creating comfortable camping conditions.

What to do

Paddle clear springs: King's Landing offers kayak access to Rock Springs at Kelly Park. A camper noted, "Once in the water, you want to make sure you head back towards Kelly Park to experience the Emerald Cut, which is the most beautiful part of the river, and heading in the other direction, it's an 8.5 mile paddle to Wekiva Island."

Fish in forest lakes: Lake Dorr Cabin provides fishing opportunities with dock access. "The lake is beautiful! We used the canoes that come with the cabin multiple times as well as trying our luck fishing on the dock," shared one visitor who used the cabin as a base for family activities.

Explore forest trails: The Florida Trail passes through Farles Prairie Recreation Area. A reviewer mentioned, "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."

Off-road adventure: Access to primitive sites often requires appropriate vehicles. At Freak Creek, "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."

What campers like

Private, secluded sites: Crooked River Campground in Withlacoochee State Forest offers isolated camping spots. "The spacious, private campsites were a plus. It truly felt like we were camping alone in the forest and the kids loved getting to explore," explained a first-time tent camper.

Natural swimming areas: Multiple forest locations feature swimming holes and springs. At Bluff Landing, a camper reported, "Has a small zip line over the creek and a rope swing. Doesn't look deep but there's a super deep hole you aim for... Water is clear and cool."

Wildlife viewing: North Shore Relic Ranch offers excellent opportunities to observe native species. "The hiking near by is great and plenty of trails near by. Also a spot to go paddling but we didn't this trip," reported a satisfied camper.

Cabin amenities: For those wanting more comfort while tent camping near Grand Island, Lake Dorr Cabin provides enhanced features. "You have your own private boat slip, 100ft long dock for fishing & swimming, canoes/paddles/life jackets on site," shared a visitor.

What you should know

Access challenges: Many sites require specific preparation. At Trout Lake Primitive Sites, "Main road entry is packed dirt; smaller access road to sites is two-track about 1/4 mile through woods — very narrow tree clearance. 4WD recommended."

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across sites. A Trout Lake camper noted, "Poor cell service even with booster. Plan on returning after antenna upgrade."

Wildlife precautions: Beyond bear awareness, consider other wildlife. At Seminole State Forest, one camper mentioned, "Be aware that folks are 'running their hounds' and you may hear them through the night."

Water quality issues: Some locations have treatment concerns. A King's Landing visitor warned, "The water to shower with smells terrible, I recommend you bring your own water to shower with or you can go to Publix (10 mins away) and buy those 86 cent water bottles."

Tips for camping with families

Look for water features: King's Landing provides safe swimming options. "The springs are crystal clear, especially when you're the 1st one out there in the a.m. which is a huge perk of camping here. The line to get in for non-campers gets really long fast."

Prepare for weather fluctuations: Florida's climate requires planning. One Crooked River visitor shared, "My only 'complaints' are that it flooded very quickly during the few thunderstorms we experienced and there was some poison ivy in an easy to run into area."

Consider shaded sites: Summer heat makes shade critical. At King's Landing, "The camping sites have zero shade which is not a good thing in the FL summer heat. There is 1 site in the very back that offers the best shade possible but it's first come, first serve."

Wildlife education opportunities: Forest camping provides learning experiences. A camper at Sawgrass Island Preserve reported, "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."

Tips from RVers

Site size limitations: Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites require careful planning. "We packed light but not that light because we like to be comfortable; it took my BF and me about 3 trips each to get everything we needed to the site, including firewood, our 4 person tent, air mattress, camp stove, cooler, etc."

Road conditions: Forest roads pose challenges for larger vehicles. At Bluff Landing, a camper warned, "I have a 36ft 5th wheel and it sounded like I'd have the ability to get it there. Well, I did, with a few broken dishes and messing up the camper a bit."

Walk-in requirements: Many sites aren't directly accessible by vehicle. At Seminole State Forest, "The walk from where you can park to the actual site is also not that long (about a quarter mile away), but it can be prone to flooding, so I would wear waterproof hiking boots."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Grand Island, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Grand Island, FL is Lake Dorr Cabin with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Grand Island, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Grand Island, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.