Camping near Hobe Sound, Florida encompasses a mix of waterfront and inland sites along the subtropical eastern coast. The area sits at the convergence of the Atlantic coastal ridge and Loxahatchee River basin, with elevations ranging from sea level to 86 feet at nearby Hobe Mountain, Florida's highest natural point south of Lake Okeechobee. Tent sites in this region often feature sandy soil that drains quickly after rain but can make staking challenging during dry periods.
What to do
Paddle the waterways: The St. Lucie Canal provides boating opportunities at St Lucie South, where "kayakers were out this trip. Wildlife and remember no feeding the gators," according to Mike Y. The lock system allows boaters to navigate between different water levels.
Mountain biking: Some of the best trails in South Florida are found at Pine Grove Campground — Jonathan Dickinson State Park, with Edward R. noting, "We live the mountain biking trails. Perfect for all levels and ages." Trails range from beginner-friendly paved paths to technical off-road sections.
Beach access: Most campgrounds are within 30 minutes of ocean beaches. Jeff P. from Phipps Park Campground reported, "We stayed in one of the electrical sights along the river. We made use of the fire pit and enjoyed the sunset," demonstrating how campers can enjoy water views even without being directly on the beach.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and common areas receive consistent praise across campgrounds. At Savannas Recreational Park, "Restrooms showers are 3 star. Nice laundry facilities. TV antenna good reception," notes Mike Y., highlighting the practical amenities many campers appreciate.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife watching. Janet H. at Jonathan Dickinson State Park shared, "We've seen otter, tortoise, birds, eagles so far," demonstrating the diversity of wildlife encounters possible without venturing far from camp.
Lock and dam viewing: A unique feature at St Lucie South is watching vessels navigate the lock system. Lorilee S. remarked, "It's awesome to watch the boats come and go," describing how this engineering feature becomes an unexpected camping entertainment.
What you should know
Limited shade at some sites: Tropical sun can be intense on exposed sites. At Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Arnaldo N. cautions, "The campground is amazing, but due to not having many trees we don't have shade in the campsites. Just one another have trees, unfortunately. Coming in the summer was a bit tough staying here without an RV with air conditioning."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise. Wolfram B. warns about Ocean Breeze Resort: "The campsite is right by the train tracks to Miami, and it feels like the train is barreling through your van. This goes on all night, thanks to a few railroad crossings with plenty of honking!"
Water safety: Alligators inhabit most freshwater bodies. Dean from St. Lucie South shared a specific encounter: "Our last morning at the site, we saw a 3-5 foot alligator trolling around just off our site," reinforcing why swimming restrictions exist at many locations.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for kids: Choose sites with easy bathroom access and play areas. At River Camground — Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Claudette W. notes, "I stayed at campsite 140. Little to no privacy. Very convenient to the restrooms and trash," showing how convenience sometimes outweighs privacy for family camping.
Wildlife education opportunities: Turn animal sightings into learning experiences. AileenJoyce experienced this at River Campground: "Saw a pair of sandhill cranes, on our way into our camp. They were huge! Lizards everywhere, rabbits, birds. No alligators though. Would've like to see 1 or 2."
Biking with children: Multiple paved trails provide safe cycling for youngsters. Michael S. from Jonathan Dickinson State Park shared, "Great park for mountain bikeing," with many families noting the variety of trail difficulties suitable for different ages and skill levels.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad advantages: Level, paved sites minimize setup time. At Juno Ocean Walk RV Resort, T N T reports, "Nice paved roads with meticulously kept grounds and flat cement pads," making it easier to level and stabilize larger rigs.
Extra cord/hose length: Site layouts can require additional hookup gear. Mike Y. advises about Savannas Recreational Park: "Odd number sites you are going to need extra length power cords, hose and sewer connection. With a class A little easier as you just pull in rather then back in."
Cell service quality: Work-from-road campers need reliable connectivity. T N T notes at Juno Ocean Walk RV Resort: "Our spot had over 90 digital channels of TV service and private (super fast) WIFI... ATT and Tmobile service 5 bars," detailing the connectivity options critical for digital nomads.
