High Springs camping areas feature sandy soil with oak and pine shade cover, situated among multiple natural springs maintaining a constant 72-degree water temperature year-round. The area averages 65-85°F temperatures in spring and fall with higher humidity in summer months. Winter camping nights can drop to the 40s, requiring appropriate sleeping gear despite Florida's reputation for warmth.
What to do
Swimming at springs beyond Ginnie: Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park offers crystal-clear spring waters for swimming with fewer crowds than some neighboring springs. As one visitor notes, "Spring is really beautiful, and tubing all the way down was fun" though they mention "campground is far from the Spring you would have to drive there its not convenient to walk there."
Explore historic structures: O'Leno State Park features CCC-era buildings and a suspension bridge. A camper describes, "The bridges were pretty cool and the original recreated settlement is pretty awesome. All CCC construction." The park includes "a picnic area, a pavilion, a lodge, a museum, several other structures."
Wildlife observation: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers unique wildlife viewing including bison and wild horses. "We were able to see wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking," shares one visitor. The park has "8 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding."
Short canoe trips: The Santa Fe River provides beginner-friendly paddling routes. Several outfitters rent equipment, including Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins where "They offer canoes, kayaks, rafts and tubes for rent and shuttle you to and from to take all of the work out of it."
What campers like
Private camping spots: Magnolia Campground at O'Leno State Park features secluded sites. A visitor camping in "site #31" noted it "was nice and we had no neighbors to our left as it was the trail to the youth camping sites. Very peaceful and quiet campground."
Clear spring waters: Ginnie Springs Outdoors maintains crystal clear waters despite its popularity. One camper observes: "The biggest dichotomy of Ginny Springs is how can something with constant pressure and crowding over decades remain so incredibly beautiful?"
Winter wildlife viewing: Manatee Springs State Park offers seasonal manatee sightings. A camper advises, "Night walks down to the pier are a must," and mentions "You will definitely see some manatee but swimming up close is a no no."
Heated amenities in winter: High Springs RV Resort provides comfort during colder nights with "heated/airconditioned private bathouse to the concrete slabbed sites." Another camper appreciated that "bathrooms were clean" and had "heat" noting "You wouldn't think they would need heat in Florida but that weekend they did."
What you should know
Summer crowds at popular springs: Ginnie Springs becomes extremely busy during peak seasons. One camper warns: "Ginnie Springs is an absolute blast! The float is gorgeous and the springs are clear and the perfect temperature all year round. My only advice would be do not bring small children to Ginnie. It is more like a huge party with plenty of drunken antics all day and all night."
Wildlife precautions: At O'Leno State Park, ticks can be problematic on trails. A visitor cautions: "Tried going on a little family hike and all ended up with ticks so make sure you spray really good if this is on you agenda."
Campground accessibility: Some parks have challenging navigation for larger RVs. At Magnolia Campground, one camper noted: "The roads are very narrow and I was impressed watching some of the big rigs navigate through."
Check swimming conditions: Spring swimming areas may close seasonally. A visitor to O'Leno mentioned: "There is a swimming area (WHAT!!) which was closed when we visited due to high water levels."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Travelers Campground features rescue animals for children to interact with. A visitor shared: "An animal rescue is woven between the park and around the outside in such a thoughtful and beautiful way," adding it's "a therapeutic part of the park."
Morning spring visits: Schedule spring activities early to avoid crowds. At Ginnie Springs, a camper advises: "What most people don't realize is that if you get to the spring EARLY in the morning you can have it mostly to yourself and that includes the spring run and river too!"
Trail difficulty assessment: Consider elevation changes on trails with children. At Paynes Prairie, a parent noted: "We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes."
Off-season camping: Winter and fall visits offer more comfortable camping with fewer insects. A camper at Moonshine Acres noted visiting in colder months when "No tree coverage or shade, but a nice site" wouldn't be a disadvantage.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Moonshine Acres RV Park accommodates large vehicles better than some state parks. One RVer reported: "Site 19 has great privacy and view of woods. Only 2 miles from Itchetucknee. Would've been better if playground was a bit more present for littles. Very tiny setup. Pool house is fantastic and very nice for entertaining on rainy days. Love the gravel pads. Pulled 41 ft fifth wheel and had plenty of room."
Overnight conveniences: Travelers Campground offers simplified arrival for tired drivers. A camper appreciated that "The staff checks you in and then brings you to your location via a golf cart. Probably one of the best hospitality perks after a long day of driving."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. One RVer at Travelers Campground warned: "Not sure who said the internet coverage was good. It SUCKS. The campground is down a hill off the side of the interstate. Any signal probably just floats right by above you."
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