18 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camp Chowenwaw Park's pet-friendly cabins and campsites offer a relaxing natural retreat just minutes from Green Cove Springs. Dogs must be leashed throughout the park, with exception areas clearly marked. The park features nature trails through forested areas, primitive campsites, treehouses, and standard cabins—all accommodating pets with proper supervision. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins provides another pet-friendly option with electric hookups and water access for visitors with dogs. Tent campers find designated pet areas with picnic tables and fire rings, while cabin guests must follow specific pet guidelines. Pets should be current on vaccinations and owners must clean up after their animals throughout both parks.
Hiking trails at Camp Chowenwaw provide excellent exercise opportunities for both pets and owners, with boardwalks extending through natural Florida habitats and access to Black Creek for water activities. The park sits adjacent to the St. Johns River with kayak and canoe access points where leashed dogs are permitted to join their owners. During summer months, mosquitoes can be numerous so bringing appropriate pet-safe repellent is recommended. The treehouse camping area requires a short walk from the parking area, so packing light is advisable when bringing pets. Nearby Jennings State Forest offers additional pet-friendly hiking trails with toilets and picnic facilities. Some tent sites at Black Creek Ravine Conservation Area accommodate hikers with pets willing to trek approximately 2.4 miles to reach primitive riverside camping.
"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."
Available this weekend
from $28 / night
"Johns River in Green Cove Springs. When I first researched this place, because of its name, I couldn’t believe what I was in store for. "
"Florida has many many different camping options. I was looking for something unique and different from what I'd done before and this place popped up on my radar. "
"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"
Available this weekend
from $20 - $100 / night
"Pets are allowed but with breed restrictions. They are allowed in all areas of the campground except the store, bathrooms, and pool."
"Very shady spots and plenty of space for long walks on the paths, along the river or across the street at the beach. I had 2 dogs & appreciated the doggy stations with poo bags and garbage."
from $67 - $245 / night
"Very close to the beach for total serenity. Pets are allowed. Lots of mountain biking in the park, which is a popular place for people to go to in Jacksonville."
"This park as everything you need from kayaking canoeing to a beautiful beach and bike/hiking trails! You can bring your whole family including your pets."
from $12 - $30 / night
"This RV park is in a great location near the outlet malls. All sites were pull through gravel full hook ups. For as crowded as the place was it was very quiet."
"While not the most amazing from an actual camping experience, Stagecoach will impress because of its EZ on/off access to I-95. It’s literally less than a 3 minute drive off this main highway artery."
from $64 - $72 / night
"Nice, quiet campground on the outskirts of Jacksonville. Had a nice time out there with my buddy and the pup. Would recommend!"
"This little campground is tucked away in Jennings forest. Everything is so peaceful back here!"
Available this weekend
from $9 / night
"It was close to the beaches and all major attractions. The pool was nice and there was a basket ball court, corn hole and table tennis as well as a small playground."
"The pull through sites were quite close to each other where the back in sites provided more room, this was especially true near the front of the CG."
"Overall, met my intent as a basic campsite my family of 5 with kids from 3 to 9 years old could walk into and get the simple outdoor experience."
"This campground is 3 miles from the historic district with tour tickets and shuttle service included with tour purchase, short walk or bike ride to the beach, restaurants within walking distance and grocery"
"Beach is dog friendly, there is a pier, and several restaurants nearby. Also close to the Castillo de San Marco and historic sites in Saint Augustine"
from $25 / night
GuideThe 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!
GuideA 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!
GuideThis 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
LegendNestled 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!
RangerHad 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.
GuideI stayed here six nights and already planning to book again for next year. Incredibly friendly staff, lovely beach, pretty salt marsh and because there isn't much else to do, doesn't get overrun by kids or idiots. Clean bathrooms.
The campground is across a busy street from the park/beach, you must check in before office closes on arrival date, but then you get a gate code for 24 hour access- including beach permission, which is exclusive to campers after hours.
There's no crosswalk and it's about a 15 minute walk to the beach, if you want to be closer to the ocean or have limited mobility, Ft. Clinch to the north is a better bet. There are also like four parks in between that are dog friendly.
All sites are close to bathrooms. The ones by the marsh have nice sunset views. The ADA lots are paved concrete, others are gravel.
Contrary to the Dyrt listing, cell service isn't great. I had no Verizon and, based on this listing, bought an ATT SIM, which got me two LTE bars and once in a while one 5G. Enough to browse a little, but not work or streaming.
ScoutI love this campground very clean and has nice big sites.
GuideSurrounded by trees quiet and peaceful
LegendTucked away just outside Keystone Heights, North Florida Christian Camp feels like a place designed more for connection than convenience, where winding sandy roads lead you beneath tall pines and into a peaceful, purpose driven setting that immediately feels set apart from the everyday rush. The campground sits on a large, wooded property with a mix of open gathering spaces and shaded pockets, and while it is primarily designed for organized church groups and retreats, individual campers can still find a quiet place to land among the trees. The overall vibe is relaxed, intentional, and grounded in simplicity, with nature doing most of the heavy lifting.
Facilities here are more functional than flashy, with a combination of cabins, bunkhouses, and open camping areas alongside basic bathhouses, communal gathering pavilions, and activity fields. You will not find resort style amenities, but you will find clean, usable facilities, wide open space for kids to run, and a layout that encourages group activities, campfires, and shared meals. The grounds are easy to navigate, and while RV hookups may be limited depending on where you stay, the setting works well for families who are comfortable with a more rustic, community-oriented experience.
The surrounding area offers a nice balance of quiet nature and small town convenience, with Keystone Heights just a short drive away for groceries, fuel and casual dining. Hitchcock’s Market is a reliable stop for supplies, and local favorites like Cedar River Seafood provide an easy, family friendly meal after a day outdoors. Nearby lakes and trails give you opportunities for paddling, fishing, or simply stretching your legs under the Florida sky, making it easy to build a full day without ever straying too far.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The best camping areas are those set slightly deeper into the pines where you will find more shade and a bit more privacy from larger group spaces; (2) If visiting during a scheduled retreat or camp week, expect more activity and less solitude, so plan accordingly; (3) Bring bikes or scooters for kids, as the open grounds and sandy roads are perfect for riding; (4) Pack bug spray, especially in warmer months, as the wooded setting can bring out mosquitoes at dusk; and (5) If you are seeking a quieter experience, aim for midweek stays outside of peak group bookings.
Happy Camping!
Nestled between the St. Johns River and Black Creek, Green Cove Springs offers several pet-friendly camping options within a subtropical climate zone. The area receives around 52 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures averaging 90°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations below 30 feet above sea level, creating unique wetland ecosystems perfect for wildlife viewing.
Creek paddling adventures: Black Creek provides excellent kayaking opportunities near Camp Chowenwaw Park. "Great cheap camping and free spot to hike and drop your kayak," notes Jenn B., who frequents the area. Many visitors appreciate the easy water access for day trips.
Wildlife photography: The wetland areas at Jennings State Forest offer excellent bird watching and nature photography. "The forest is just beautiful and the creeks also," writes Wayne C., who camps there regularly. The forest spans 23,000 acres with approximately 30 miles of trails through diverse ecosystems.
Mountain biking trails: For more active visitors, the trail systems at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park provide challenging terrain. "Miles of biking/hiking trails at this park," explains Chad P. The park features varying difficulty levels suitable for beginners through advanced riders, with most trails shaded by dense tree canopy.
Treehouse camping: The elevated sleeping platforms at Camp Chowenwaw Park offer a unique camping experience. "The treehouses were so fun to stay in and being higher up gave us chances of a breeze," shares Jeanene A. Each screened-in treehouse sleeps four people in bunk beds with central fire rings and picnic tables throughout the area.
Riverside solitude: For those seeking quieter experiences, Black Creek Ravine provides primitive camping with water access. "My family hiked about 2.4 mi in to this campsite and stayed one night. We liked that you have to hike in, there is no car access," explains Nate D. The site includes a fire ring with grill grate, picnic table, and direct river access.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural spacing at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. "Very woodsy, plenty of walking trails, even a spring to take a dip in, if you dare!!" reports Kim M. Sites feature water and electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables with ample vegetation between camping areas.
Summer heat preparation: Temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September with high humidity. "It was very enjoyable but HOT in July with no electric in the Treehouses," reports Tracy L H. about Camp Chowenwaw Park. Battery-operated fans are highly recommended for tent and cabin camping during summer months.
Seasonal flooding risks: Low-lying areas may experience flooding after heavy rains, particularly during hurricane season (June-November). At Jennings State Forest, trails include "fording places for canoe/kayak on two different creeks," according to Wayne C., which can become impassable after storms.
Fire ring availability: Most established campgrounds provide fire rings, but primitive sites may not. "There's a fire ring with a grill grate on it that we were able to easily cook our food over," notes Nate D. about Black Creek Ravine's campsite. Always check fire restrictions before planning cookouts, especially during drought conditions.
Swimming options: St. Augustine Beach KOA offers convenient water access for families. "It's nice to feed the ducks while you're sitting on the porch swing having your coffee. It's a short distance to town, and also the beaches," shares L B. The campground includes paddleboat rentals for their small pond.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs for children. "Camp staff knows much about the Native American heritage in this location," mentions Chad P. about Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, making it ideal for family learning experiences.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "Families first camping trip," notes Mason B. about Mike Roess Gold Head Branch. The park offers canoe rentals, hiking trails suitable for children, and swimming areas that provide entertainment options for younger campers.
Site leveling challenges: RVers should be prepared for potentially uneven sites at some campgrounds. At Compass RV Park, "They now have a pool and work out room. The sites were large and easy to access," reports Deb P., who visited during Thanksgiving. Most sites offer full hookups with water, electric, and sewer connections.
Navigation to remote areas: Some campgrounds can be difficult to locate with standard GPS. "GPS will not get you there. Go to Middleburg. Take Long Bay Rd. Left on Old Jennings Rd. Follow signs," advises Lisa S. about finding Jennings State Forest. Download offline maps before traveling to remote camping areas.
Dump station availability: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park provides full hookups including "sanitary-dump, sewer hookups, showers, toilets, trash, water hookups," according to their amenities list, making it convenient for longer RV stays with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Green Cove Springs, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Green Cove Springs, FL is Anastasia State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 122 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Green Cove Springs, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 152 dog-friendly camping locations near Green Cove Springs, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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