Searching for a tent camping spot near Hilliard? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Florida tent camping excursion.
Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland Island National Seashore. The park includes a designated Wilderness area, undeveloped beaches, historic sites, cultural ruins, critical habitat and nesting areas, as well as numerous plant and animal communities. The national seashore also offers a wide variety of camping opportunities. Watch the "Camping on Cumberland Island" video for information to help you plan an d prepare for your trip. Campgrounds Cumberland Island offers five campgrounds , which include designated campsites at Sea Camp and Stafford Beach; and Wilderness campsites at: Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise and Brickhill Bluff. Camping is only permitted in these five campgrounds. A permit is required to camp in any of these five camping areas. Getting There Visitors must take a boat to the island. Most visitors arrive via the Cumberland Island Ferry from St. Marys, Georgia (see Park Concessioner Services below). The ferry does not transport automobiles or RVs. Check the ferry schedule prior to reserving your Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permit unless you are traveling by private boat. The ferry does not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December through February. Island Information Cumberland Island is 18 miles (29 km) long and .5 miles (.8 km) to 3 miles (5 km) wide. Bring your cell phone if possible. Use airplane mode to reserve battery power. There is electricity at the Sea Camp Ranger Station, Sea Camp Campground, and Stafford Beach Campground for recharging devices. Dial 911 to report emergencies and disturbances. There are no stores, restaurants or other amenities on the island. After arriving on the island, campers must hike, walk or bike from the dock to the campgrounds and transport all gear. There is no transporation service. The distance ranges from .5 miles (.8 km) to Sea Camp to 10.5 miles (17 km) to Brickhill Bluff. Carts of any kind and wheeled coolers are not allowed north of Sea Camp Campground. Hammocks permitted only with hammock stands. New for 2021. See Superintendent's Compendium Be prepared for extreme weather, sun exposure, and a variety of insects. Ticks, no see-ums, and mosquitoes are prevalent during summer months; protect yourself accordingly. Understand your limitations; the island has no conveniences; be prepared for a remote setting and a harsh environment. Bicycle and Carts For information on using carts and camping with bicycles visit the Cumberland Island Camping Page For information on bicycle and cart rentals, as well as transporting your bike to the island visit Cumberland Island Ferry webpage . Ferry Reservations, Bicycle and Cart Rental, and Tour Reservations - Contact: Cumberland Island Ferry at www.cumberlandislandferry.com or call (877) 860-6787. Cumberland Island Ferry passengers must check-in at the Cumberland Island Mainland Visitor Center in Saint Marys at least 30 minutes prior to their ferry departure time: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/be-ready.htm Campers must deboard the ferry at the Sea Camp Dock (not at the Dungeness Dock).
There are over 50 miles of trails and roads as well as 18 miles of beach. Hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, and beachcombing are popular activities on the island.
The island is home to more than 17 miles of undeveloped beach, a maritime forest of oak hammock and long leaf pine, tidal creeks, and marshland. Visitors can see an abundance of wildlife from deer, turkey, alligators, and bobcats, to snakes, tortoises, lizards, and hundreds of migratory birds.
City of St. Marys, GA - St. Marys, Georgia, the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a small coastal village located in southeast Georgia remains one of Georgia's best kept secrets, a place rich in history, natural beauty and Southern hospitality. St. Marys and Cumberland Island National Seashore provide a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - In southern Georgia and northern Florida there is a very special place, one of the oldest and best preserved freshwater systems in America. Native Americans called it Okefenoka, meaning Land of the Trembling Earth. Now this place, where earth, air, fire and water continuously reform the landscape, is preserved within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1937 to protect wildlife and for you to explore. St. Marys Submarine Museum - This museum is a great place to learn about the "Silent Service". A wide variety of Submarine artifacts, memorabilia and information are available for viewing, and you can view the beautiful St Marys waterfront through a real periscope. Crooked River State Park - Located on Georgia's Colonial Coast, this park offers cozy facilities in a beautiful setting. Campsites are surrounded by Spanish moss-draped oaks, while most cottages overlook the river. Hikers can explore the nature trail, which winds through a maritime forest and salt marsh. A boat ramp is popular with anglers who often take to the water before sunrise. Fort Frederica National MonumentTimucuan Ecological & Historic PreserveCity of Jacksonville, FL
Refund and Cancellation Policy Cancellations 10 days or more before the start date of the reservation will result in a refund of the permit cost minus a 25% cancellation fee. Cancellations less than 10 days from the start date of the reservation will result in a refund of the permit cost minus a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted for cancellations one day prior to the start date of the reservation. When a reservation is cancelled, those dates will be made available for other campers at a random time within 24 hours. Changes Before Permit is Printed: The Refund and Cancellation Policy will be applied to all changes to the reservation. The start date of the reservation cannot be changed without cancelling the reservation. A new reservation must be made. Cancellation fees apply and fees associated with making a new reservation apply. Changes may be made to the number of people (maximum 6 per site) with the same dates and trip itinerary. Changes can be made by logging accessing your reservation on recreation.gov or by contacting the Call Center. Reservations are non-transferable. After Permit is Printed: Changes cannot be made to permit once it is printed. Changes will require a cancellation of the permit and reserving a new permit, if space is available. All cancellation fees and new reservation fees apply. Permits can only be printed within 10 days of the arrival date. You cannot change your site assignment. All permits must be honored as they are. Ensure every person on the camping permit has reserved a round-trip ferry ticket or has transportation via private boat. No-Show Policy If you do not cancel and decide not to use your reservation, no fees will be refunded. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it as this opens space for others.
$9 - $40 / night
Stafford Beach Campground requires a three and a half mile hike from Sea Camp. All sites are walk-to, tent sites and campers are responsible for transporting all gear. Carts of any kind or wheeled coolers cannot be used to haul gear. The site has flush toilets, cold showers, and water spigots with potable water. The sites include fire rings with grills. Food storage lockers (bear boxes) are available. Sites are $12 a night, good for up to 6 people.
$12 / night
This 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.
$9 - $10 / night
The only way to get to the island is by passenger ferry (not a car ferry) or private boat. For information about making a reservation with the National Park Service official concessionaire operated ferry visit the https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm or visit https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/.
$9 / night
The only way to get to the island is by passenger ferry (not a car ferry) or private boat. For information about making a reservation with the National Park Service official concessionaire operated ferry visit the https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm or visit https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/.
$25 - $125 / night
The only way to get to the island is by passenger ferry (not a car ferry) or private boat. For information about making a reservation with the National Park Service official concessionaire operated ferry visit the https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm or visit https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/.
Cabins and tent sites are accessed by walking trails. Push carts available to transport gear. Visitors are responsible for bringing their own linens, cookware, and dishes. Camping-style mattresses provided in cabins and treehouses. RV or car camping is not permitted in the park.
Camp 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.
Primitive camping area on the north edge of the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.
Guide
Cumberland Island is a beautiful pristine National Seashore accessible by ferry off the coast of Georgia. We tent camped there in the middle of June 2021. It was a hot time of year but under the canopy of the live oak trees where the tent sites are located (Sea Camp) was easily 10+ degrees cooler than elsewhere. However, be warned, it was extremely humid. You might consider taking a small battery-operated fan. If I return, I will try to visit during a more cool season of the year.
The tent sites are large, roomy, and equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, pole for hanging stuff, and a big metal lockable wildlife-proof box. There is no electricity or water except at the shower/restroom building that is near the campsites. You can borrow a cart to take your tent and supplies from the boat to the campsite (Seacamp only - the more distant campsites (on the north side of the island) are hike & carry only). You can also bring your own wagon/cart on the boat (we did). You can rent a bicycle on the island at the ranger station or bring your own. The ferry charges $10 to transport your own bike). Otherwise, the approximately 45-minute ferry ride costs $15 per person. You need to make a reservation in advance online (https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/st-marys-cumberland-island-ferry/). You will need to reserve the campsite well in advance (they fill up quickly) and pay online (https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/camping.htm). You may pay the national part fee (parking fee?) of $20 at the park station in St. Marys prior to boarding the ferry or you can pay it online in advance as well. I paid in advance online but the rangers reimbursed me after I got there because, to my surprise, it just happened to be National Park Week and the parking fee was waived as part of the celebration. Lucky me.
The island is absolutely beautiful with miles of pristine beach with lovely waves and a luscious live oak forest. You can swim. Watch out for jellyfish. I flew a kite, too. Watch the sunrise in the morning and at night, you might get an unpolluted view of the stars. Expect to see wild horses on the beach and the trails. You should not try to approach them or feed them but they came pretty close to me anyway. So it is easy to get a good look at them. A harmless armadillo visited our campsite one day.
The rangers were super nice. We enjoyed an outdoor lecture on sea turtles outside the ranger station when we were waiting for the ferry on our departure day. The rangers also provide tours of the south side of the island and the Dungeness Ruins (the remains of Lucy Carnegie’s island mansion).
I highly recommend camping (or even just visiting for the day) on Cumberland Island, Georgia.
Legend
This is one of the BEST state parks we have been to in Florida. As a family of 5 it was an amazing time and the kids want to go back. The fort is informative and the kids had a blast discovering it. The beach is clean and secluded. The River Campground is amazing. If tent camping, I suggest you don’t camp at the tent only sites.
Scout
Really enjoyed tent camping here and the hiking/ biking trails were gorgeous and well maintained. Stayed a week to renew our spirits. Hot showers and great camphosts!
TravelerWe rolled in last night, with 2 more nights to go. Easy beach access, great little camp store and clean lots with fire rings, water and electric, even on tent sites.
Scout
We stayed for two nights tent camping. The sites and bathrooms were both clean. Lots of activities, we really enjoyed the boardwalk. Also very affordable rentals too, we took a boat out for two hours for some fishing. Staff was friendly! We saw tons of wildlife there.
Ranger
They allowed me to put a truck camper in a tent site. Full hook ups. Swimming pool (not clean or heated). Showers were ok. Free breakfast. Basic but free. 😊 Easy drive to St Mary’s
Traveler
My friends and I have tent camped at LTI no fewer than 7 times over the last few years. The sites are nice and tucked away, birds are plentiful and the bathrooms are always very clean. Beach access is a drive (or bike ride) across the street.
GuideFrom hiking trails two camping fishing kayaking cycling and disc golf!!! Primitive tent camping RV camping or cozy cabins great for the whole family. Reasonably priced. The very friendly staff. A great starter camping location or Family Getaway. I give four stars because the restrooms are not up kept.
LegendWelcome to Amelia Island and Fort Clinch State Park, which is just about the only campground on the island (more on that later), where rich Floridian history is complemented by one of the more popular seaside beach destinations in the state – and with 825 miles of oceanfront here in sunny Florida, that’s saying something! As you arrive to this prized Florida state managed park – and let me add that with all of my journeys exploring all of the amazing SPs the Sunshine State has to offer, this is definitely one of the finest – you will be almost immediately captivated by the never-ending maze of ancient Oaks with their signature cascading Spanish Moss that appear to have been hanging on for dear life for centuries, if not millennia.
At first, the idea of camping out on or near a gloriously flat endless blue horizon of gentle lolloping white-crested waves set against the singular frontline of pastel-colored umbrella-strewn beaches like what is found on the northern edge of Amelia Island sounds so idyllic, what with its sunsets, white powder beaches and fairly uncrowded beaches … but then, when you put that to the test, well, it’s another thing altogether. To begin with, the month is July and our location, lest you forgot, is northern Florida where 100 degree weather and cloudless skies, coupled with the southern reaches of Georgia, with its swamp-like, muggy humidity, combined can make for a sweltering hot outdoor experience, to say the least. So while shoulder seasons like spring and autumn might be more favorable than the middle of summer, if you do plan on camping at this particular campground here at Fort Clinch, then you will want to ensure your RV has A/C and if you are tent camping, you better bring plenty of shade with you, because for some unknown reason, the good folks at Florida State Parks saw fit not plant any shade whatsoever in the tent camping area.
As for the campground itself, you will discover Atlantic Beach Campground is quite small and sits on the northeastern most corner of Amelia Island offering just 6 tent campsites, which will be the first half dozen sites you see on the left as you approach the campground, following by a small oval loop with only 21 slots, definitely earmarked for the RV driving or 5th Wheel toting campers. There’s just a dump station that separates the RV parking oval from the tent camping area. In the center of the RV parking oval is a very good-sized restroom and shower facility that is spartan-clean and also features coin-operated washer and driers. On the eastern side of the RV oval is the beach access point which has a very nice, well-maintained beachwalk offering both a shower (for rinsing that sand and salt off after you leave the beach, which I have to admit, is a HUGE bonus as most beaches in Florida don’t have this, which makes all the difference when you’re trying to keep sand out of your RV or tent) that will welcome you to a most glorious beachfront with white powdered sand waiting for your footprints.
Insider’s tips? Here’s quite a few: (1) If possible, time your stay here to coincide with the first weekend of every month when a soldier garrison re-enacts battlefield movements and skills by firing off cannons and offering up some hands-on storytelling of what it was like to live centuries ago when this area was a key military outpost; (2) You will want to note that there are several oceanfront beach access points that unfortunately lead to ocean water that apparently you are prohibited from swimming in – according to the signs at least, due to rough currents, which seemed odd as there weren’t even waves in those parts – so if actually getting in the ocean is an important factor to you actually deciding to come here (let alone camp here) in the first place, then I would STRONGLY recommend you call the Rangers Station ahead of driving or reserving here to confirm that swimming is actually allowed and if so, specifically where; (3) I was absolutely blown away by the bicycle wonderland that exists here at Fort Clinch SP – with more than 6 miles of off-road, bush-wacking, hill rolling and dune descending, oak tree canopy covered multi-use bike trails that are just begging for your wheels to leave their mark here – the best bit? Unlike the beachheads, these maritime forested bike trails are completely covered by shade, so while you can escape the heat and humidity, at least you won’t get sunburnt as you pedal throughout this park. Do note that this multi-use trail is also used by hikers, which can move in both directions, but bikers may only be pointed in one direction and helmets must be worn at all times; (4) Don’t have a bike or forgot yours at home? Not a problem, the good people at the visitor center will rent you one (if there are any left) but as this is a very popular activity here, be prepared to get here early (or better, call ahead and reserve one); (5) If you are here to experience the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, you’ll be delighted to know that there’s more than 100 species that are protected here from Red-tailed hawks and great horned owls to purple sandpipers, barred owls and painted buntings, to name but a few; and (6) My best tip is saved for last (who are still reading) – as I am a tent camper, when I first came here to Fort Clinch, I was certain that I would fall in love with the Atlantic Beach Campground, but honestly, with absolutely ZERO shade, coupled with the timing of our visit being in July, we were completely miserable with the heat, humidity and unrelenting heat. After several hours of doing our best to enjoy ourselves, we ultimately contacted the Ranger Host and asked to be moved over to the Amelia River Campground, which is also here at Fort Clinch (and you thought there was only 1 campground here, didn’t you?!). After moving to this location, complete with tons of shade … as well as its very own access to the beach, we were much happier. Just something to bear in mind – know the difference between where you want to hang out for a few hours, like a super sunny hot beach location, and where you want to spend several hours relaxing and ultimately spending the night. We definitely learned our lesson and just want to pay that forward here.
Happy Camping!
Scout
Had an enjoyable weekend tent camping here and small game hunting in the forest.
Bob the volunteer host was super nice, and the bathrooms were very clean.
The mosquitos were a little annoying right after sundown, but quickly left once we had a fire going.
Definitely camping here again and bringing the kayaks next time.
TravelerWe enjoyed our visit to Fort Clinch. We tent camped which placed us in the west side of the park, the riverside which we preferred. That side is shadier due to the large oak trees. The bathrooms and showers were squeaky clean and the staff were very helpful. The park is stunning in its beauty. Highly recommended.
RangerThe green tunnel oak canopy and Spanish moss over the roadway is your welcome to this state park, an anachronistic island surrounded by quiet suburbs on Amelia Island. High profile vehicles need to watch overhead clearance, due to the canopy.
The eponymous 19th century third system fortification and museum has a wealth of information and interactive living history volunteers describing its operational span of Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War Two. Hiking, biking, wildlife, fishing, and birding are the other major activities here. There is a beach for swimming and surfing, Note St. Mary’s inlet is an active shipping channel with strong currents. Camp store and souvenir shop, special event and wedding planning. This is a major stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, with some 100 avian species represented.
Group Primitive Campground favors youth groups with up to 11 month advance reservations, 30 days for adult groups if available. Three sites with capacity for 75. One of the best in the state parks system.
42 established tent sites in oak and Spanish Moss. Climate controlled bathrooms.
RV camp 21 back in sites with another six tent sites near the dunes. Renovated bathroom and laundry facilities, dump station.
GuideMore of an RV park. If you are tent camping be aware that you are going to be pretty close and exposed to your neighbors. Our first night we had a large, loud group right next to us. The next night we had a new large group that decided to watch a movie outside. Plus they kept the lights they had strung up on all night, so no relief from those lights in our tent. They did all quiet down at night, which was nice. If you are tent camping, these sites had somewhat of a buffer: Sites #41,45,46,53. On the bright side you have easy access to the beach, hiking trails and fort. The fort is pretty cool. Bathrooms were nice and clean. It is very affordable. Customer service was a mixed bag. Upon entry they were super nice and helpful, subsequent days they were not as much. We wanted to extend our stay and asked about possible cancellations as the online booking looked full. They were short with us, told us to go online to check, meanwhile we saw sites sit empty the entire time we were there. If you are traveling with teenagers who don’t find old forts cool, there is a basketball court and skatepark right outside the park.
ScoutLove this place. Great setup for tent camping. Make sure you check the privacy level of your site when you book. It ranges from a decent enough amount of privacy to right up in people's business. Easy walk to the beach, which was mostly abandoned for the entirety of my stay. The staff was super friendly, and they have pretty much anything you could need in the store on-site. Can't wait to to back!
GuideA primitive site with about a dozen tent sites or more. Trash cans and out toilets are on site, with pick nick tables each campsite. Dirt road access, dirt road/undeveloped area other than the tables, trash cans, and out toilets. Beautiful views to the east through missy covered cypress trees with palmetto and pine forest behind to the west.
GuideKayaking was our favorite part, but you definitely get very very close to all the wildlife including big gators. Boats are for rent if you prefer that. At night there is very little light pollution and you will see more stars than anywhere else around this area. It’s incredible. Our tent site was very close to the water, we could hear gator activity and noises all night.
ScoutFort Clinch has beaches, woods, with excellent hiking trails, and a civil war eara fort. The tent sites were a bit pricy, considering they don't have electricity. But they are in a very convient location, you can see lots of stars and hear the waves at night while you're sleeping. There were very few bugs. I would reccomend it if you are in the Jacksonville area.
Scout
We tent camped here in May, beautiful scenery, birds woke us up beautifully in the morning. Bugs weren't bad for us. May was the perfect weather, not too hot yet. Easy walk or short drive/bike ride to the pier for fishing and the beach. Driftwood Beach is gorgeous! Easy in, easy out. Would definitely go again. We did get a little intimidated by some raccoons in the middle of the night and some of the RV parking looked a little tight, but other than that it was a 10/10 experience.
GuideWe stayed at the Atlantic beach campground in the tent section. Our site was super sandy and had no shade. Bring a dining tent for shade! It was quite windy, but you could hear the ocean crashing on the beach at night. You do have to park and walk a little in to your site. You’re nearby your neighbours but a long walk away from the RVs and the washrooms. The restroom was super clean and very new. Each tent site had its own potable water tap. Definitely going to return! Such a unique area and campground!
GuideA previous review stated this is a free site - no longer! Camp host came around and collected $10/night when we arrived
GuideTent campsites are nice, but close together. Each site has a picnic table and firepit. The campground also has a lot of RV sites. The restrooms were really nice, with large showers, and washer and dryer. You can walk to the beach access, or drive to a larger beach access a short distance away. There were a lot of deer that ran close to the campground.
TravelerWe had a great weekend camping at Fort Clinch! We stayed at a tent site near the beach. The bathrooms were nearby and very clean. The campsite included a fire pit, picnic table and potable water. There are no trees/shade at the campsite and lots of gnats and mosquitos if the wind isn’t blowing so be sure to bring repellent.
We toured the fort, hiked some trails, went to the beach and saw lots of deer. It was a great weekend getaway!
LegendLocated in Jacksonville, Florida this state park is one of the most impressive places we’ve stayed. The surroundings make you feel as if you’re staying in a jungle. The park is massive and offers cabins, RV sites and tent sites. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well kept. The park offers a variety of activities including mountain biking trails, access to a lake and several beaches. We spent one day fishing and had a great time! Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table, along with full hook ups. The store has everything you could possibly need and sells firewood and propane. Book online to see photos of what each site looks like to make sure you get as much space as you need for your size rig.
GuideKind of on the crowded side. Caters more to RV crowd and has the tent sites far in the back. Did not look anything like the picture on their website. Though it had electric throughout ( why the price was high) but didn't. Paid for 2 nights ( min) but was so dissapointing ( noisy, too far, showers were actually painful to use) that I packed up after only a few hours. Had planned this trip for months but was not going to force myself to be miserable. Only slightly cool thing was seeing Driftwood beach. But even that excitement died when I realized it smelled heavily of dead crab and the beach was actually jagged rocks and roots. Very crowded !!Not worth the 8$ toll to get on the island.
LegendThe campground is a real gem. It's beautiful!
Many nice sites that look like camping in the jungle. Water & electric sites. Some are small- more like tent sites.
Sites- 1-25 seem larger. you could get a bigger rig into them.
Sites 26-58 seemed smaller.
Site 39 was very small. tent only.
Sites 59-64 are pull throughs. The rest are back in.
We had site 41 which was plenty big for us. It was also near the bathroom.
If you like being close to the facilities, 40/41/42 are the spots to choose.
There's 2 comfort stations. The bathroom/showers are individual units. They were very clean for a state park in the swamp!
It was buggy & we were there the end of April.
Thursday night was dead quiet, but the weekend was busy.
The dump station has only one dump.
This is a small state park- only 120 acres, but camping here is definitely worthwhile.
TravelerMy first solo tent camping trip, February 2019. So quiet, beautiful, that even whispering sounded to loud. Check in was easy, the ranger was friendly gave me easy directions to site #39. The camp grounds are on intercostal side of the park. The beach is the other side of the road.
My site was secluded and surrounded by lush natural vegetation and huge oak trees. Water, electric, fire pit with grill. After setting up my tent and unloading the car, took a walk around the camp grounds. Nicely maintained, not really designed for large RV’s road are narrow. Very few empty spots. The bathrooms were spotless and large. Nice playground for children. Excellent open space to launch kayaks. Camp sites were sandy with some shells, so if tenting, putting a tarp under your tent would be prudent. Thru out the night the rangers had regular patrols. There is a naval station nearby, so there helicopters patrolling as well. I felt safe and slept like a baby.
The beachside is like no other. A short stroll over the dunes on a well marked path leads a beautiful untouched beach and driftwood. About 5 miles of packed sand made an easy walk. Take your kite!
Will plan to visit again!
Legend
I can’t think of a better camping option for those that want to flee the noise and distractions of city dwelling for that of a blissful, nature-strewn, ocean-front camping destination that is Huguenot Memorial Park. Replete with 10 designated waterfront tent camping spots overlooking the St. Johns River that give campers beach-front fishing access along with undisturbed views of the Mayport Naval Base.
If you’re hauling a mobile campsite on wheels, then you’re also in luck as Huguenot also offers two other options – one that is more remote and intimate, but roadside, and a second that is more like a traditional RV parking lot, albeit with sand-dusted pathways. This first spot is sidelined on the roadway leading to the beachhead with alternating spots on either side of the roadway with the northernly side facing sand dunes and Fort George River inlet, while the southernly side overlooks the same vista as the designated tent camping area.
As for the latter RV parking lot, it’s shaped like a football field with a singular roadway that encircles the place, dissected with three distinct lanes and RV slots / campsites are organized with diagonal slips. The two inner lanes will have pull-through sites, while the outer lanes require your RV to be either front- or back-loaded. Here in this RV circus is where the main restroom and shower (indoor and outdoor) facilities, potable water areas as well as the RV dump station, picnic areas, children’s playground, nature center and group shelters (available by permit only).
Regardless of where you decide to pitch your tent or park your RV, the real attraction here is the white sand beaches that can be accessed by everyone at Family Beach. Here, you’ll find an incredibly peaceful strand of white powder sand encircling the Fort George River inlet, punctuated by Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, which plays host to 237 species of birds like Swallow-Tailed Kite, Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Plover and Wood Stork, along with the ever-present white egrets. Further afield, you’ll discover kayak and boat launches, several fishing piers, a number of hiking trails and a handful of isolated picnic areas.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few. First, remember that point about being directly opposite of Mayport Naval Base? While seriously cool for military enthusiasts who want to see massive demonstrations of our naval might on full display, for those that are looking for peace & quiet, you’ll here the constant whir of helicopters coming and going, so if you don’t mind that – and I must admit, I didn’t – then great. But if you are looking for absolute clandestine silence while camping, I might suggest you head a bit further north to Little Talbot Island SP (see my other review on this campground for more details on this little gem). Second, as a drive-on beach, ensure that your vehicle is AWD or 4WD otherwise you’ll be spending your time digging out of the sand trap. Third, if you’re packing pets, note that in all areas, they are required to be on a leash and are not allowed on the beaches. Lastly, if you make it to the clear end of this peninsula called ‘The Point’, you’ll encounter incredibly choppy waters and headwinds that attract the most advanced kite surfers.
Happy Camping!
Tent camping near Hilliard, Florida offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with several well-reviewed campgrounds providing a range of amenities and activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hilliard, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hilliard, FL is Sea Camp Campground — Cumberland Island National Seashore with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hilliard, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Hilliard, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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