Cabin camping near Jacksonville Beach, Florida provides diverse options for staying under tree canopy yet close to the shore. Most sites are within a 30-minute drive of the beach in areas that maintain average summer temperatures around 90°F with high humidity. These cabins can serve as base camps for exploring both coastal waters and inland forests across Northeast Florida's flat terrain.
What to do
Hiking trails at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park: The park offers several miles of biking and hiking trails through coastal woodlands. "There are lots of hiking and off-road biking trails through the greenery. And… just steps to the Atlantic ocean, with dogs welcome on the beach," notes Kathy L. after her February stay.
Watersports at Little Talbot Island State Park: Located about 30 minutes north of Jacksonville Beach, the park offers kayaking, canoeing and beach activities. "A water lovers paradise in Florida. Little Talbot Island campground is a great place for anything water related and a nice retreat from the crowds at Fernadina Beach," according to Shannon C.
Visit Cumberland Island: Many cabin campers make the short trip to this historic barrier island. "If you are looking for a simple and fun weekend to just hang out with your family, this is a winner! We drove to the Okefenokee Swamp (about 30 minutes away) and spent a good part of the day touring the facility and learning a lot about alligators," shares Susan R. about trips from the St. Marys area.
Miniature golf at Crooked River State Park: This Georgia park surprisingly offers a unique amenity rarely found at state parks. "There was also putt putt golf course as well which made for a fun time!" says Alyssa M. The park provides clubs and balls at nominal fees.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin areas feature natural vegetation creating secluded settings. "North Beach campground is super pretty with oaks and palm brush creating privacy between sites. The beach is GORGEOUS and right across the street with a great restaurant, The Reef," reports Maria E. about her stay at North Beach Camp Resort.
Water access points: The ability to launch kayaks or canoes directly from camping areas rates highly. "Large well maintained campground. All sites are large, well maintained and site specific. Many have full hook ups. New family style bath house and an older bathhouse, both were very clean. Nice walking trails, plenty of playgrounds and very nice boat ramp and mini golf," says Cathy C. about her experience at Crooked River.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note the maintenance level of bathroom facilities at North Beach Camp Resort. "The bathrooms are outdated but the were clean most of the time," explains Kurtess R. This sentiment repeats across many reviews, where cleanliness outweighs age of facilities.
Unique sleeping arrangements: The elevated treehouse cabins at Camp Chowenwaw Park provide a distinctive experience. "We found this fun family friendly location from a facebook post about Tree house camping and had to check it out. The tree houses were so fun to stay in and being higher up gave us chances of a breeze," shares Jeanene A.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise that campers should anticipate. "The campground is very close to the air port so there were planes flying over all the time but it wasn't bad. I was worried about not being able to sleep but had no issues," notes Ashley W. about Pecan Park RV Resort.
Connectivity limitations: Despite many parks advertising WiFi, actual service varies significantly. "The location is very nice but there is no reliable WiFi (even in the office) nor phone reception despite that's how it's advertised," warns Gosia D. about her North Beach Camp Resort experience.
Hot weather strategies: Summer camping requires preparation for heat and humidity. "The Treehouses are spread out with some trees in between so they are semi private. The pool is available but doesn't open til 10 am where as we were all ready to go earlier since it was HOT," shares Tracy H. about Camp Chowenwaw Park.
Beach access logistics: Getting to beaches often requires crossing busy roads. At Flamingo Lake RV Resort, you'll find alternatives to ocean beaches. "The clear water of the lake and the water jungle gym" provides on-site swimming according to Kurtess R., who adds "We loved the restaurant and I actually ended up working there for a bit."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options beyond beaches: "This resort is a fun trip to take with the kids. The sites are packed and close together but the amenities and incredible water slides make up for it," explains Jenn B. about Flamingo Lake RV Resort, which features a swimming area with inflatable water equipment.
Educational experiences: "My only complaint was the camp site were a little close together. Other than that, it's a beautiful park, with hiking and kayaking/canoeing opportunities! There was also putt putt golf course as well which made for a fun time!" shares Alyssa M. about Crooked River State Park's family-friendly amenities.
Playgrounds and activities: "We had a wonderful week at North Beach Camp Resort. The campsites are private and quiet. Lots of shade. Full hookups. The staff in the office were very nice and welcoming. The beach is directly opposite the campground entrance, and is clean and not crowded," reports Martin J.
Pool restrictions: "The only downside was the fact that they are very strict at the pool. The children had to do swim tests and wear a necklace denoting which portion of the pool they could be in," notes Jenn B. about Camp Chowenwaw Park's YMCA-operated swimming facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At St. Augustine Beach KOA, site choice matters significantly. "The pull thru sites seem like they could accommodate large class A's. But they were very tight. Something else to note:...some of the pull thru site had a decent incline hill/drop at one end or the other. I seen some guys using fully extended leveling gear and 4-8 leveling blocks to fill the voids to get level," advises Doug E.
Utility placement: RVers note that some parks have unusual utility configurations. "The sewer line was 4 inches off the ground, and at a 90-degree angle, gravity doesn't work well with this setup," explains Darren F. about challenges at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.
Navigation challenges: Some parks have confusing layouts. "When you come in, they give you your site number and a convoluted map no direction at all... Also, finding your way out is a challenge. I saw 1 exit sign after driving in seemingly circles for 20 minutes," warns Darren F. about Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.
Interior road conditions: "All roads throughout the park are compacted sand, we had good traction throughout in both our Class A and MINI Cooper. The signs directing traffic throughout the resort are dark and may be difficult to see at night or by people with poor eyesight," observes Brandie B. about road conditions at North Beach Camp Resort.