Best Campgrounds near Hawthorne, FL

Recent Reviews near Hawthorne, FL

1073 Reviews of 257 Hawthorne Campgrounds

• J

  John P.

  Scout

  Jan. 10, 2026

  Whimcycle Trail Resort At Santos

  Great Commimication, Large Sites

  Beth was super responsive to questions I had before arrival. Easy access to large, flat, dirt/grass sites with hookups. I usually stay at Santos State Park nearby for lower cost, but this was available with less notice and a pleasant surprise. No Verizon service, so bring Starlink or AT&T. Will def consider WhimCycle again.

• 

  Sherry

  Scout

  Jan. 8, 2026

  Davenport Landing

  Small

  Small area, close camping so No privacy, I you are nearby the water, First come first serve spots, has walking trail in the area. Beware of Bears.

• 

  Sherry

  Scout

  Jan. 8, 2026

  Rodman Campground

  Peaceful

  Quiet, clean, well maintained, friendly people

• 

  Sandra L.

  Ranger

  Jan. 8, 2026

  Dogwood Campground — O'Leno State Park

  Beautiful historic park

  After exploring the museum, enjoying the nature trails, enjoy some fishing, or bird watching along the river. See where the river sinks( ends) and look for the turtles in the water. The campsites are shaded, level and qell kept. Bathrooms are clean, handicapped accessable, and conviently located. Pets welcome, families welcome. Big rigs may find the campground roads tight, but there are multiple sites available for big rigs. Be aware there are trees along the roads, so be aware of any lower branches.

• 

  Maria Mercedes M.

  Legend

  Jan. 7, 2026

  Lake Delancy West Campground

  Full-Throttle Campground Fun

  There’s a real sense of forest solitude when you turn off the pavement and roll into Lake Delancy West Campground, a wooded public campground tucked beside the lake’s quiet west shore and surrounded by massive oak and towering pine trees. This is a beautifully natural setting with EZ access to water play, fishing, hiking and woodsy exploration with the campground layout being simple and open with shaded tent sites and roomy RV spots that make you feel like you’re out in the woods rather than in a parking lot. That said, this peace doesn’t come without its lively side: the area is also a popular ride zone for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) during the day, which means you’ll often hear ATVs revving and roaring through the forest corridors nearby before things calm down at night, giving this campground an energy that’s a mix of wilderness quiet and outdoor playground bustle. The best sites are those closer to the lake’s edge where you can sit with a morning coffee and catch the light on the water before traffic stirs, although if silence is a priority you’ll want to plan your day’s adventures around the heavier daytime OHV hours. We’d recommend Lake Delancy West for families who appreciate lakeside access, plenty of outdoor recreation, and don’t mind a bit of daytime horsepower mixed in with their bird calls, but keep in mind that the lively noise from trail riders can be part of the experience if you’re here earlier in the day.

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• 

  Maria Mercedes M.

  Legend

  Jan. 7, 2026

  Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort

  Coastal Creek Vibes Connected to the Ocklawaha

  Pulling into Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost near Fort McCoy feels like arriving somewhere that doesn’t rush you, where the tall trees and wide river channels invite the kind of slow, unhurried breathing that only a riverside campground can. Nestled along the banks of the Ocklawaha River with direct access to the Silver River and Salt Springs Run, this place sets you up in a mix of shady tent sites and roomy RV spots that make it EZ to wake up to the sound of birds and fall asleep to nothing more than whispering water and occasional night critters exploring nearby. There’s a real sense of connection to the landscape here, with picnic spots and fishing docks near the river’s edge, canoe and kayak launches right inside the campground and the big new bathhouse and restroom facilities that strike the right balance of clean and rustic. One evening the boys and I packed some snacks, launched our canoe at the campground’s dock, and drifted out toward a bend in the river where we watched small ripples on the water as turtles bobbed up to greet us. This simple, shared moment became our favorite memory of the whole trip. From what we saw, the best sites are the ones tucked closest to the riverbank (which only tent campers can stay at) where you can hear the slow-moving river at night and step right out into the kayak without any fuss, which makes waking up here feel a bit like being handed a secret you didn’t know you were searching for. We would recommend Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost for families who enjoy water-based play, peaceful scenery and active days on a river for paddling, fishing, swimming or exploring, combined with campground facilities that feel thoughtfully placed and welcoming rather than too polished or commercial.

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• 

  Maria Mercedes M.

  Legend

  Jan. 7, 2026

  The Griffin Ranch

  Old-Florida Charm Meets Ranch-Life Calm

  Arriving to Griffin Ranch just outside Fort McCoy feels like stepping into a page of classic Florida history, where 30+ acres of shaded woods, ponds, pastures and trails invite you to slow down long before you ever unpack your bags. The ranch’s cabins, Airstream camper and cottage rentals, each with antique-inspired interiors, set the tone for a timeless, unhurried stay. The accommodations are rustic in the very best way: solidly built, thoughtfully equipped spaces that feel cozy rather than pretentious, and the hosts are genuinely welcoming, making you feel like part of the ranch family rather than just a guest. During our visit, we watched the kids wander out toward the pasture at sunset, chasing fireflies and laughing at the horses’ gentle nickers, while the sun dipped behind the trees in that golden light only old pastures seem to have. While this isn’t a ‘back-to-barebones’ campground in the primitive sense, it is more of a cabin-centric ranch stay than a full-service campground, so if you’re coming with a big RV or tent setup in mind, you’ll want to book one of the on-site cabins instead of relying on typical campsites. The best lodging options are the cabins tucked deeper into the woods or near the ponds, which offer the most serenity and EZ access to the ranch trails and wildlife watching. Nearby you can easily stock up on supplies in Fort McCoy or make short drives to local eats like Rocco’s Italian or a long list of options in nearby Gainesville.  Also, the closeness to Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs makes this a great base for exploration. We’d recommend Griffin Ranch for families who appreciate quiet evenings under ancient oaks, authentic old-Florida ranch character, space for kids and pets to run wild and host hospitality that turns a simple stay into lasting memories. This place is one part history, one part nature retreat and entirely welcoming.

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• 

  Maria Mercedes M.

  Legend

  Jan. 7, 2026

  Bass Champions Lodging and Rv

  Rustic Lakeside Hideaway Near Salt Springs

  We pulled into Bass Champions in Salt Springs expecting a simple outpost nestled near the lake, and while there were only two or three basic RV spots (which led our family to choose one of the cozy cabins instead), that choice turned out to be just right for our slow, Florida nature weekend. The setting along the oaks along with the quick and EZ access to nearby Lake Kerr and Salt Springs created that gentle, deep breath you hope for when camping away from the city. The layout here is understated and peaceful, with a handful of modest, but well-kept cabins and just a few RV pads tucked into shade trees, and though the RV spaces are limited, the cabins felt welcoming, clean and full of a relaxing vibe that instantly put us in vacation mode. It was a delight to find a bustling farmer’s market on Saturday morning right next to the property where the boys wandered with us between stalls filled with colorful produce, homemade treats and friendly locals, followed by lunch at a nearby local diner where the boys declared the burgers ‘epic.’ Later in the afternoon we drove over to Salt Springs itself, splashing in the clear, cool water and watching turtles bask on logs while dragonflies zigged and zagged overhead, a memory I know the boys won’t forget. The best cabins are the ones furthest from the nearby Salt Springs Highway, where noise is at the lowest. We’d absolutely recommend Bass Champions for families who value peaceful charm near Salt Springs and Lake Kerr, the joy of small community experiences and EZ access to swimming, paddling and nature exploration with just enough local activity to make each day feel full without ever feeling rushed.

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• M

  Mason B.

  Traveler

  Jan. 6, 2026

  Bootleggers Campground — Jennings State Forest

  Nice and Secluded

  Went on a last minute trip out here and it was nice! Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, charcoal camp grill (probably wouldn’t use if you didn’t have to), and a sectioned off tent spot. The proximity to Cecil Field meant planes flew overhead regularly, but it died down after sunset.