Campsites near Jacksonville Beach, Florida span from oceanfront settings to wooded preserves across a 450-acre coastal terrain. This stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast experiences summer temperatures averaging 90°F with high humidity and milder winter conditions around 65°F. Camping options range from primitive tent sites with dense vegetation barriers between campers to full-service RV spots with 30/50-amp electrical connections.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: At Fort Clinch State Park's Atlantic Beach Campground, morning walks reveal abundant marine treasures. "About 5 miles of packed sand made an easy walk. Take your kite!" advises Denise O. who found the shoreline "like no other" with "beautiful untouched beach and driftwood."
Kayaking the intercoastal waterways: Dutton Island Preserve offers easy water access directly from campsites. "It has its own little spot to launch kayaks/canoes from. We were able to get in the water as soon as the conditions looked perfect," reports a camper who stayed at site 8. The preserve provides excellent vantage points where "you'll catch an amazing view of this northernmost city in Florida" especially from a kayak.
Hiking forest trails: Little Talbot Island State Park Campground maintains several hiking paths through maritime forests. "There are lots of easy biking and hiking trails and a nice beach," notes Tina L., adding that while "campgrounds can get busy and crowded," the park offers "beautiful scenery and super nice staff" with trails accessible "pretty much any season."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: North Beach Camp Resort creates natural barriers between camping spots. "Most RV sites are extremely private with plenty of vegetation between them," writes Sarah, who stayed during Thanksgiving week. Another camper describes the setting as "super pretty with oaks and palm brush creating privacy between sites" while praising the "GORGEOUS" beach access.
Military-exclusive amenities: Pelican Roost RV Park provides waterfront camping for military personnel with exceptional beach access. "Down the road, about a mile is beach access that was very nice. (I'm not an expert on beaches but the dogs were allowed and it wasn't crowded," reports Shelly S., who appreciated that "there a rock wall where several people were fishing."
Dual-water access: Having both ocean and river/intracoastal options at campsites rates highly. Sean A. celebrates North Beach Camp Resort for offering the "beautiful beach on the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful sunsets along the inter coastal" with "full hook ups, cable, most sites private and separated by vegetation also providing shade in the summer."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat creates specific camping challenges. At Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, "the campground is beautiful, nestled into lush tropical greenery with good privacy between sites" according to Kathy L., though mosquitoes can be problematic as Elizabeth E. warns: "Mosquitos at night here will eat you alive. Lots of canopy cover keeps everything really, really humid."
Variable site conditions: Campsite quality varies significantly across facilities. At Huguenot Memorial Park, Elizabeth E. notes "The water...smells like sewage. It's full of sulfur" while another camper calls the campground "desolate and unprotected. Some of the roughest camping I've done."
Space limitations: Many campgrounds have tight sites, particularly for larger RVs. At Little Talbot Island, Jessie T. cautions that "sites are very small and roads through campground are very narrow and curvy. Great for tents and small RVs." Similarly, at Hanna Park, sites can be "TIGHT boy. I drove a commercial truck for years and I had to switch to back us in because it was so tight."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom proximity planning: When traveling with children, select sites near facilities. At Anastasia State Park Campground, Kat G. recommends "site 33 which is amazing to let the kids play, you can see the playground but still have some privacy from it." The park receives praise for being "located in the middle of all that makes St Augustine amazing!"
Accessible activities for all ages: Choose campgrounds with varied terrain and water features. Sean A. calls North Beach Camp Resort "my families favorite campground. My young girls never get bored. Minutes from historic downtown st Augustine also."
Beach camping safety: Huguenot Memorial Park offers direct beach access but requires vigilance. Lauren reports "the beach driving ends at 6pm but you are still able to walk it" and mentions "lifeguards are there sun up to sundown" making it safer for family outings.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many Florida coastal campgrounds have uneven sites. Stuart K. warns about Hanna Park: "You would walk out the front door and had to squeeze between a tree and the trailer to get to the rest of the campsite" while advising to "bring plenty of leveling blocks because they're as essential here as sunscreen on the beach."
Road access challenges: Navigating narrow campground roads requires caution. At Little Talbot Island, Lee D. notes "the roads are narrow and there are no signs indicating they are one-way so if two vehicles meet, one of them will need to pull over! Again, this would be challenging or impossible for large RVs."
Hookup inconsistencies: Water and electric connections vary between and within campgrounds. At Huguenot Memorial Park, campers note that "all sites have electricity but no water," requiring planning for longer stays. This contrasts with North Beach Camp Resort where "full hookups" are standard at most sites, making it more accommodating for extended RV stays.
