Top Tent Camping near Hawthorne, FL
Looking for the best Hawthorne tent camping? Find the best tent camping sites near Hawthorne. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Florida tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Hawthorne, FL (22)
1. Gores Landing
5 Reviews•23 Photos•99 SavesGores Landing is located in northeast Marion County & offers primitive camping, a boat ramp, restroom and picnic tables on the Ocklawaha River. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This state-owned property is leased to the county commission, which has managed the facility since 1966.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$10 / night
2. Lake Delancy East NF Campground
3 Reviews•1 Photo•23 SavesLake area campground with 29 campsites along the eastern shore of Lake Delancy in the Big Scrub.
- Fires
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
3. Etoniah Creek State Forest
2 Reviews•18 Photos•3 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Alcohol
4. Jennings State Forest Hammock Campground
10 Reviews•21 Photos•99 SavesThis drive-up primitive campground has ten tent sites. A Clivus mulching toilet system is available behind site 5. A communal, 2-table pavilion, grills, and a campfire ring with benches is located across from site 6. No electric hook-ups. No potable water. Pets must be on a leash. Hunting occurs during scheduled hunt seasons, as listed at http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/. Trail users should wear day-glo orange during hunt seasons. Wildlife proof all food Forest is open for day use visitors from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$9 - $10 / night
5. Camp Chowenwaw Park
9 Reviews•82 Photos•81 SavesCamp Chowenwaw (Cho’-wen-waw), is a beautiful 150-acre site at the mouth of Black Creek, near its confluence with the St. Johns River. The Girl Scout Council of Duval County operated the site as a camp for over 70 years. The original cabins and the Big Cabin were built with federal aid using logs cut on site. The camp opened on July 1, 1933. Camp Chowenwaw has played an important role in the lives of three generations of young women in Northeast Florida. Thousands of campers have stayed at the Camp; many have gone on to be leaders in our community. In 2006, Clay County purchased the camp from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council with assistance from Florida Communities Trust using Florida Forever funds. It is now a public park offering a variety of recreation including trails, camping and overnight cabins, nature programs, fishing pier, canoe launch, picnicking, swimming pool, museum, playground, and meeting rooms. The Park is managed as a conservation, historic preservation, and outdoor recreation area.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
6. Shanty Pond Campground
2 Reviews•4 Photos•11 SavesShanty Pond is a campground in the heart of a longleaf pine eco system, located south of Salt Springs off SR 19. A favorite of equestrians and hunters, it is seasonally open from October 15 through April 15.
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
7. Bayard Conservation Area
3 Reviews•17 Photos•166 SavesThis conservation area’s importance is magnified by its closeness to the St. Johns River and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Its riverine bottomland hardwoods, pine flatwoods and sandhill communities protect approximately seven miles of the St. Johns River, which borders the east side of the property. In addition, the property provides storage of flood waters and preserves water and natural resources in the Lower St. Johns River Basin. One of the special highlights of this property is its two campsites within area 1 in the northern section of the property. Both are special spots. The Hammock campground is tucked back into the flatwoods with an ephemeral stream directly to the east of the camp site. The Riverside campsite is located directly along the St. Johns River with fantastic views of the cypress trees that flank the banks of the river. The Riverside campsite and the trail leading to it can be wet due to seasonal flooding.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
8. Black Creek Ravine
1 Review•6 Photos•36 SavesTrail Guide: https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/lands/trailguides/blackcreekravinestrail.pdf St. Johns River Water Management District lands are natural, wild and scenic places. While camping on district lands, you may have an opportunity to see various wildlife, sit under the stars, listen to a soft evening breeze rustling tree leaves and experience Florida much as some of the earliest settlers did. However, be prepared to rough it. Only primitive tent camping is allowed on district lands and only at designated locations. No travel trailers, campers or RVs are allowed. Most properties offer no amenities such as rentals, restrooms, potable water or shelters. Many of the campsites are in remote areas and can be reached only by hiking, bicycling, boating or horseback riding. Campers should use the designated campfire rings for fires and should carry out all garbage with them when they leave. Check the notices section of this website for updates on any current burn bans. First come/first serve and reservable camping sites are available at most district properties. Reservable campsites require a reservation and permit from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. All camping is limited to a maximum of seven days per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Picnic Table
9. Potts Preserve - River Primitive Campground (North Hooty Point Road)
6 Reviews•53 Photos•220 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
10. Trout Lake Primitive Sites
1 Review•16 Saves- Tents
- Dispersed
Showing results 1-10 of 22 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Hawthorne
804 Reviews of 22 Hawthorne Campgrounds
- J
Jill P.
Scout
Ocala RV Camp Resort
No tent camping allowed
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
James P.
Legend
Starke-Gainesville NE KOA
Better than average KOA
Large sites. Very nice pool. First rate laundry facilities. Great playground and dog park.
Alexandra E.
Guide
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Right across Florida Trail and cold but gorgeous spring
Very convenient campground to go for a hike along the florida trail and cool off in the gorgeous blue spring waters. It does get crowded so plan accordingly.
Nicole H.Scout
Silver Springs RV Park
Camper
Quiet and friendly place. Better for campers.
Julian G.
Traveler
Pine Island RV & Marina
Great staff and wonderful view
Friendly staff and well maintained Park and facilities with great fishing and an amazing view of Lake George.
Danton T.ScoutSilver Springs RV Park
A great place to stay
My wife and I decided last year to full time RV. We were already living in Ocala and we wanted to remain in the area. We discovered Silver Springs RV and are so glad we did. Everyone here, especially the staff, was so welcoming and friendly. SSRV is definitely going to be home for a long time.
Lorilee S.
Ranger
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Pretty and quiet
This campground is really dark, quiet and pretty. The bathhouse was always clean. You can smell the well water in the bathhouse. Brings me back to my childhood memories. We rode our bikes to the observation tower, but we were not lucky enough to see any bison or wild horses. Still nice to see the open prairie. We had a big rainstorm and the back of our site did become a lake, but it was gone overnight. The bugs lit us up all hours, so make sure you different bug sprays.
Stuart K.Legend
Rodman Campground
Hidden Gem for Primitive Camping Solitude w/ Amenities & Reservoir Access
Maybe it was that the light was falling at just the right time as I moseyed into Rodman Campground a good hour or so before dusk became official here just due south of Palatka, the Sunshine State’s ‘Unofficial Farmer’s Market’ and a pretty decent stretch from the endless miles of pristine white sand beaches on the Atlantic Coast or the overwhelming non-stop entertainment options of a city built on 'Mouse Magic.’ Whatever it was, there’s something that struck us as incredibly special about this particular campground outpost. I think what we left with was a surreal understanding that no matter what you come packing with, you’re gonna have just one helluva amazing camping experience here at Rodman Campground.
This place is perfect for both the RV tribe as well as mi tent-pitching community. And I don’t often get to say that. As for the campground itself, while there’s 64 sites to choose from in all, there’s basically 3 distinct areas that you should be aware of. The first area is what I would call the VIP RV Lots, given its proximity to the Rodman Reservoir, while I’m not an RV enthusiast, but this spot feels like you’ve hit ‘the jackpot’ as it’s a single lane with 6 or so sites on either side and provides you with direct and easy access to a very well-maintained restroom and shower facility. The second area is exclusively carved out for my tribe – those that are packing their experience with them and like to unroll their version of protection from the elements while staring straight up at the blessed star-crossed sky while completely surrounded by the thick of nature and tall needle-like trees. And while Rodman Campground calls this the ‘primitive campground,’ I’ll affectionately refer to it as ‘Pitch-A-Tent Heaven.’ Admittedly, I’ve never set up camp so close to RVs that still made me feel like one with nature. The third and final campground option here at Rodman is what I will characterize as ‘RV Pavement Parking Lot Hell,’ where if you have an RV (and can’t get into the VIP RV spot, then, well, you’ll be parking yourself here, but hopefully the freshly poured flat concrete will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Regardless of the camping neighborhood that you end up arriving at, Rodman Campground will impress upon you what an amazing place it is, first and foremost, by offering up what is, no doubt, some of the best FL SP staff you will ever encounter – they are friendly, helpful and incredibly proud of this patch of land that they call home. Secondly, the Rodman Reservoir offers nothing short of AMAZING kayak and canoe adventures. The amenities are pretty top notch: back-in and pull-through RV sites with full-hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), scattered picnic tables, fire rings and BBQ grills, paved bicycle paths (and miles of additional pavement via Rodman Dam Road, boating within the 9K acre Rodman Preserve, designated dump stations, five reservable pavilions and an excellent boat ramp, freshwater fishing (license required), 5.1 miles of trail hiking (actually part of the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs adjacent to Rodman Campground, picnicking at waterfront pavilions (need to be reserved). If you’re a wild nature enthusiast, you’re in luck, because here at Rodman Campground, you’ll easily be able to spot: bald eagle, foxes, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, hawks and owls, osprey and the American alligator.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If I was an RV’er (and let’s be clear, I’m not) and I was looking to book a spot here at Rodman Campground, I would absolutely be looking at the VIP RV Lots wherein I would chose any of the spots that are backed up against the wilderness (that would be on the west), which offer a greater degree of connectivity with nature (and thus additional privacy) where, in particular, I would book one of these amazing sites: #2, #5, #9, #10 and #12. While the other sites in this spot aren’t bad, they just don’t offer the amount of privacy that these other 5 sites do; (2) For mi tent-pitching bredren, while almost all of these camp sites offer you a pristine au naturale experience (apart from the few sites that are front-facing (#14-17; #38) you’ll want to prioritize any other site (#18-37) as best you can; (3) If you come bringing your boat, please be aware that there’s submerged logs and other underwater obstructions to be aware of, so motor with caution!; (4) When you get tired of staring down the bottom of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or the emptiness of your on-board fridge, and want to try out some of the local fare, then look no further than Hog Wild Country Café back in Interlachen (no, we’re not in Switzerland, but if you head back NW, you’ll find this spot on County Road 310) where all the traditional BBQ plates are being served (smoked brisket, smoked turkey, smoked pork, OK, smoked EVERYTHING) along with killer southern sides like mac-n-cheese, potato salad, slaw and, my favorite, Vidalia onion rings!; and (5) If you come hauling watercraft, you’ll have no shortage of great launches here at Rodman Campground, but if you are looking to dip your canoe or kayak in some different places, I would highly recommend Marjorie Harris Carr (just follow the Kenwood Boat Ram Road till it reaches a parking circle, from which you’ll easily see the boat launch) or over across the reservoir as well as just heading a bit further west to Rodman Recreation Area where you can drop in there or over at the Rodman Dam Kayak Launch, which has tons of tributaries to navigate.
Happy Camping!
Timothy G.Scout
Ross Prairie Campground
Great place to camp or rv
Had no problems, calm and cool surroundings.
Jeff E.GuidePaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Immersed in Nature.
Quiet, lots of wildlife (wild horses, bison, alligators, deer, birds, turtles); plenty of hiking and biking trails with beautiful sunsets on the lake. Restroom facilities are showing some age but clean. Walk-in tent sites are pretty close to the Restrooms.
- Lorilee S.Ranger
Santos Trailhead & Campground
Very nice
This campground is the perfect size. Our site had shade about 95% of the day! We had the perfect size of an area behind our RV. Loved hearing all of the birds chirping. You can hear traffic since it’s right off of the highway. There are plenty of trees around. The bathroom was very clean. It’s nice and dark at night!! We did the hike to see the historical part of the Island. That was neat to read about. We also took the biking trail to say we went above i75 on the bridge. That was a round trip of 15.5 miles, if anyone is interested. It’s a really nice campground, especially if like doing trails and biking.
Greg B.Traveler
Ocean Pond Campground
Ocean Pond Spot 9
Nice quite campground. Well maintain. Clean bathrooms and working laundry machines (1 each) 1.75 for wash and 1.75 for dry. Lake and beach access are nice and maintained.
- AAmanda W.Guide
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Amazing kayaking & trails
Campground is basic, very few sewer spots but there is a dump station. Big rig friendly, several pull thru spots, easy paved entry, gravel sites, I think all are 50/30. Plenty of space between sites. Clean bathroom, washer/dryer, soda machine. Very dark at night which I love. No lights except the bath house. Dog poo bag stations. Very friendly staff (Melinda & John, camp hosts were amazing) 1 mile from amazing kayaking. Great, woodsy hiking trails. Maybe 3 miles to Publix/Wawa.
Eleanor the Airstream R.RangerPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Wooded and quiet
Great state park well off the main road. Quiet and wooded with limestone pads.
Ali P.Guide
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Quick 2 night stay
Beautiful place, nothing to complain about
Haley L.Guide
Juniper Springs Rec Area - Tropical Camp Area
Jungle camp
Nice spots for tent camping. Got surprisingly cold when I visited. Would’ve been 5 stars if it weren’t for obnoxiously loud and rude neighbors that were yelling/screaming until midnight. If you camp here, expect to hear lots of partying.
- MMaggie C.Legend
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Beautiful campground
Loved this campground. We had sites 22 & 24. Site 22 has lots of sun; site 24 was full shade all day. I thought site 20 was the best. All campsites are very roomy. Bring your paddleboard or kayak. We drove to Silver Springs park and put in. Lazy river ride for 2 miles where we got out at the River trail. If you do this, bring your kayak wheels as it is a 1 mile walk back to the campground (or 1/2 mile to the River Trail trailhead). Then went to pick up truck where we started. Highly recommend this campground. There are also lots of trails to hike, but it was so hot when we were there we did not do any but the river trail.
- DDennis B.Scout
Holiday Trav-L-Park RV Resort
Short overnight stay
Easy to find, close to I-75 Freeway. Older RV park with many permanent sites. Pull through, full hook ups with cable TV. Not too quiet but building on East side blocks much of the Freewaynoise. Large shade trees. Intermixed temp and permanent sites. Didn't see a store nor sites showers and restrooms. Pool is closed. Looks permanent.
Erin M.TravelerPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Fantastic camp sites
There aren’t many bad sites. Great trails and walking. BRING BUG SPRAY. I wish I had time to stay longer to see everything the park had to offer. I will be back!
Amy P.Traveler
Magnolia Loop - O Leno State Park
Great Park, but mind the ticks!
This is the second time that we've been back to the state park and we love it more every time. Bath houses are clean, lots of wooded spaces, plenty of trails for biking or hiking. Appreciated the history of the old town which is within walking distance of the campsites. We also enjoyed the geological mystery of a river vanishing before our eyes!
There are signs at the bathhouse about ticks. Take heed of them! I am sure we are in the height of season, but it was really bad if you went on any of the trails. Thankful the dog is on tick meds!
We cycled from OLeno to Ichetukee Springs. 30 miles round trip! Next time we will leave early, bring swim gear and enjoy a float trip in that area.
David G.TravelerPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Great park!!!
This is now my top 2 in parks for camping. The tent only spots are nice and secluded. You do have to walk maybe 100-200 ft from your car to the campsite. I was in site #24. Nice and open with a lot of trees for protection. Great fire pit. No power or water at this site… site #25 has those. The whole grounds were well kept and the trails were easy. At the observation tower you can see a lot of the prairie and if you’re lucky you can see wild horses.
B M.LegendSilver Springs State Park Campground
Amazing Place
This campground is nice the sites are nice sized and level. The campground is not located at the head springs where the glass bottom boats are and kayak rentals. This makes it even better. The campground is quiet. It's a 15 minute drive to the head springs.
We had our own Kayaks so we put in at the head springs and paddled down to the campground. It's a 2 to 2 1/2 hour trip or more because of all the beautiful landscape and the wildlife. At the campground exit to get out of the river you have to have wheels to transport the kayaks back to the parking lot. It's about a 1 mile hike pulling the kayak.
You can also do a longer trip an paddle further to Rays Wayside. It's less busy paddling that part of the river. You will need to leave a vehicle parked at Rays Wayside to get back to the headsprings. There is a company for $10 per person that will pick you up there and brings you back. Silver Springs charges $55 per person.
I was in site 53 and there are trails you can hike from behind many of the campsites. There is a cracker house village and a great museum with artifacts and giant skeletons of big creatures. Lots of fossils and arrowheads. The Museum is only open on weekends.
The bath houses are very clean and if cold out nice hot heaters. There is a washer and dryer at the bath houses too.
They sell firewood and ice at the campground. You use a QR code scanner to purchase it. The wood is nice and burns like wood should.
I went to Silver springs as a kid and always thought of it as a tourist trap. I never had a desire to camp there yet I will say I have changed my mind and have already booked for next year.
Florida residents have a one month booking advantage which started this past January. If your a Florida senior resident you get 1/2 off the price. The campsite hang tag gets you into the headspring for free.
The park is nice I will visit again.
- sskylar T.Guide
Ocala Sun RV Resort
Great campsite!
After hours check in was EASY and we were able to call and speak with someone at 5:30pm. Friendly and kind hosts who care about their camp and their guests. The dog park was amazing! The cite was grass pull through but spacious! I loved the feel of this place.
- DDustinTraveler
Big Scrub Campground
Camp ground host
Camp ground host was a pure dick over a matter that could have been handled differently.
- QQuinton C.Traveler
Rodman Campground
Great and Busy Campground
This campground has a ton of campsites and is fairly busy with people camping. It’s in some sparse woods and isolated enough to give that camping feel. There’s some great fishing places nearby, and the woods offer up firewood if you didn’t bring your own. Overall, a great place to camp!
- MMike B.Guide
Travelers Campground
Great Overnight Stop
Nice place and nice people. Lucky for us it wasn’t that busy. Otherwise you would be packed in. Over all a nice place. Lots of road noise from the interstate.
- QQuinton C.Traveler
Potts Preserve
Great Free Spot
This is a great spot! There’s two camping areas, one off of North Dee and one off of Hooty Point. It’s primitive/equestrian camping and Hooty Point is far better in my opinion because it has water access for fishing.
I stayed at the North Dee Road site and it was still great despite not having immediate access for fishing. First off, it’s free to reserve, and then the campgrounds comes with a firepit, bench, and non-potable water. This was my test run for starting to camp again and I don’t think I could’ve picked a better place.
Guide to Hawthorne
Camping near Hawthorne, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
What to do
- Explore the Springs: Check out the stunning natural springs nearby. At Ginnie Springs Outdoors, one reviewer said, "This is clearly one of the best natural springs in all of Florida complete with 250 wooded acres of pure Florida wilderness." It's a great spot for swimming and kayaking.
- Bike and Kayak: Rent a kayak or bike to enjoy the local scenery. A visitor at Florida Manatee Springs State Park Campground mentioned, "The springs are amazing and full of wildlife," making it a perfect place for outdoor adventures.
- Visit Historic Sites: Take a trip to St. Augustine, just a short drive away. One camper noted, "Bike to the Old City or see it from the water in your kayak," highlighting the area's rich history and beautiful views.
What campers like
- Shady Campsites: Many campers appreciate the shaded spots available at Anastasia State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Beautiful campground in St Augustine. Very shady spots," making it a comfortable place to relax.
- Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A visitor at Florida Salt Springs mentioned, "The bathhouse by us was always clean," which adds to the overall camping experience.
- Wildlife Encounters: Campers enjoy seeing local wildlife. One reviewer at Florida Manatee Springs State Park Campground shared, "A few armadillos hung out under our tarp overhang," making for a memorable stay.
What you should know
- Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Salt Springs Recreation Area noted, "Absolutely no privacy from any other site," so be prepared for a more communal experience.
- Limited Cell Service: Expect spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Florida Manatee Springs State Park Campground mentioned, "Cell service was very bad," which might be a concern for those needing to stay connected.
- Reservation Policies: Be aware of strict reservation policies. One frustrated camper at North Beach Camp Resort said, "I would like to see all the sites with gravel but the dirt won’t keep us away!" indicating some dissatisfaction with the booking process.
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds that offer activities for kids. A reviewer at Ginnie Springs Outdoors said, "This spot isn’t far from St. Pete and is great for group camping!" making it a fun option for families.
- Plan for Wildlife: Teach kids about local wildlife. One camper at Florida Manatee Springs State Park Campground shared, "The campsite was made of small gravel," which can be a fun adventure for kids to explore.
- Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and gear for cooler nights. A visitor at Juniper Springs Recreation Area noted, "It got surprisingly cold when I visited," so be prepared for temperature changes.
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Silver Springs State Park Campground mentioned, "Big rig friendly, several pull-thru spots," which is great for larger vehicles.
- Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with good facilities. One reviewer at O'Leno State Park said, "The bathhouse was clean," which is essential for a comfortable stay.
- Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are. A visitor at Florida Salt Springs mentioned, "In 8 days never saw a USFD vehicle drive thru the campground," so be prepared for self-sufficiency.
Camping around Hawthorne, FL, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hawthorne, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hawthorne, FL is Gores Landing with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hawthorne, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Hawthorne, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.