Tent Camping near Jacksonville Beach, FL

Tent Camping Reviews near Jacksonville Beach, FL

745 Reviews of 27 Jacksonville Beach Campgrounds

• 

  Mary B.

  Traveler

  Nov. 3, 2026

  Anastasia State Park Campground

  We are in the tent section and the site is secluded with a forest feel. Rustic. The comfort station is clean and could use a little updating but works fine

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Nov. 1, 2026

  Pellicer Campground - Princess Place Preserve

  Pristine, Secluded Nature Getaway Hidden Away @ Princess Place Preserve

  What you will enjoy most about the Pellicer Campground is that it is the tiniest of all the camping areas here at Princess Place Preserve, offering up just 2 campsites. That said, IMHO Pellicer is the best of all the camping options here, for a few reasons. First of all, it’s size alone gives it a real sense of privacy along with that comes next to no noise (unless you count the constant drumming of the choir from the cicadas noise). If you don’t keep your eyes peeled, you will drive right by Pellicer Campground, so once you’ve entered Princess Place Preserve proper, meaning that you will have passed through an actual gate (likely open if during day hours) and you’ll go around the bend past the horse staging area on your left and just when you see the covered bridge, you will want to hang a left (if you cross the covered bridge, you’ve gone too far). 

  Camping here is fairly basic and primitive with just water spigots, fire ring and designated trash receptacles as well as a duo port-O-potty. Also, there is an eerie feeling of desolation when we visited as this part of the preserve had recently undergone a controlled burn, which simply adds to the mystique and uniqueness to the place in my mind. What I absolutely loved about Pellicer Campground is that either site#1 or #2 comes with its very own kayak / canoe launch and offers a really exclusive access point to the waterways you’ll discover here – whereas the main kayak / canoe launch across the bridge and closer to Moody CG will dump you out in the largeness of the Matanzas River,  But here at Pellicer, you’ll slowly slip into one of the many small tributaries that zig zag throughout Princess Place Preserve like a water snake. The other upside locating yourself here at Pellicer Campground is that you will be centrally located to everything that Princess Place Preserve has to offer, so nothing is too far out of reach.

  As far as Princess Place Preserve itself is concerned, there are more than 1,500 square acres to explore that will offer the best of both surf (with 3 conjoining rivers) & turf (which is simply fantastic marsh). On the surf front, you’ll have the trifecta of salt marshes from the Matanzas River, slow-moving currents of the Moody Creek and abundant fishing of the Pellicer Creek to contend with – all three of which make for perfect kayak, canoe and paddleboard exploration (just be on the watch for alligators!). Back on land, there’s plenty of hiking trails that provide a bevy of well-cleared fully-functioning foot paths … while on the other hand, you will discover trails that are in dire need of some decent pruning as well as those, due to recent rainfall, will be either flooded or too muddy to trudge through. 

  History sidebar: the name Princess Preserve comes from the widow Angela Cutting who remarried a Russian prince and assumed the title of princess (although there was no coronation). The entire park is managed by Flagler County Parks & Recreation, which I have to say (apart from the bathroom / shower facilities) have done an outstanding job at not just preserving this amazing nature destination, but the county is in overdrive in its restoration efforts of the place, as you will see with the main lodge and nearby buildings and horse stable that have recently received a very nice refurbishment.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Here at Pellicer Campground, you will not be impressed by the port-O-potty bathroom options, but if you cross the covered bridge, you can either head towards the main lodge where to the left is a fairly decent restroom facility, but if you’re looking for a nice hot shower, you will have to make your way over to the Equestrian Campground, so this is the one (fairly massive) downside to Princess Place Preserve – just one shower facility in the entirety of the Preserve, which I score just a 5 out of 10; (2) Everywhere you go the water is non-potable, so be sure to bring your own fresh water to drink; (3) Interested in taking advantage of the historic tours that are offered here? Just note that they are first-come, first-served, so upon arriving here, be sure to ask a Park Ranger for first availability – typically, the tours are offered each day around 2pm; (4) If you are a biker, like I am, you will definitely want to bring your wheels here, where all of the main roads and even most of the trails are simply perfect for riding on and the expansive nature of Princess Place Preserve will give you miles and miles to explore without biking on the same trail twice!; (5) When you want to get cleaned up and venture out to visit some of the nearby haunts, be sure to check out Rodie’s Place in Hammock Beach, which is a funky local cooking institution that has an amazing upscale menu of which I highly recommend the skillet baked brie, Nashville hot chicken sandwich and the homemade coleslaw; and (6) My pro-tip for Pellicer CG is this - call ahead to verify that the road into this CG or the surrounding roadways aren't flooded - I've been here half a dozen times and at least half the time, the roads are inundated with water from the rivers, so tread carefully (or wear boots!).

  Happy Camping!

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• G

  Grace F.

  Scout

  Oct. 30, 2026

  Katherine Hannah park

  Beautiful park, friendly staff, chill vibes, lots to do!

• 

  Stacey R.

  Guide

  Oct. 11, 2026

  Cary State Forest Campground

  Private site with thoughtful amenities

  The six sites available are spread out in the Cary State Forest. You can see the tops of some RV’s but they’re not close. The site has a very nice picnic table, fire pit,benches around the fire pit, a free standing grill, water, electric and a concrete pad to park on with a tent site behind the pad. Grass is freshly cut and the site is clean!

• B

  Brian B.

  Guide

  Sep. 23, 2026

  Faver-Dykes State Park Campground

  Best state park I stayed in

  This place is out nice roads getting in here as a brackish Creek great fishing boats very clean spots are spread out nicely, groomed, fire pits, and picnic tables easy access right off 95

• 

  John W.

  Scout

  Aug. 28, 2026

  Jacksonville North-St. Marys KOA

  Not up to KOA standards

  I have been a KOA member for more than 20 years and have generally had very good experiences. Unfortunately, this particular KOA was a major disappointment. My wife and I brought our two grandkids on an eight-day trip and specifically chose this campground because of several advertised amenities: a pool with a slide, a game room, and a DVD player in the deluxe cabin. We paid more than$900 for our stay. When I booked, the campground disclosed that it was undergoing water and sewer upgrades and warned guests to expect construction and possible“brief water/power interruptions.” That seemed reasonable, and I had no problem with it. Unfortunately, what we encountered went well beyond a brief interruption. The DVD player in our cabin did not work. I reported it to the office and was told the owner would be notified and someone would get back to me. No one ever did. We then received a text stating that the pool slide was not operating because of electrical upgrades. When we went to use the pool anyway, there was a considerable amount of debris that looked like dirt floating in the water, and the surface underneath the water was badly peeling. My grandkids didn't want to get in. We tried the game room next. It had no electricity, none of the games were operating, there was no air conditioning, and the room was extremely hot. At that point, we decided to leave and find a hotel that actually had the amenities we had expected. For a little over$100 per night, we found a very nice hotel and stayed there instead. We returned to the campground the following Saturday for our final night, and unfortunately, the same issues were still present. In the end, we used only three of the eight nights we paid for. I understand that construction and upgrades have to happen. What I don't think is reasonable is continuing to advertise amenities such as a pool slide and game room when they are going to be unavailable for an extended period, while still charging guests the full rate. A warning about possible“brief water/power interruptions” did not accurately describe what we experienced. After returning home, I contacted the KOA. I made it clear that I was not asking for a refund for the three nights we actually stayed there. Since one night was already planned for a hotel in Orlando, I simply requested a partial refund or other reasonable adjustment for the four unused nights after we left because the advertised amenities were unavailable or unusable. I even offered to provide our hotel receipts. I have received no response from the campground's management. That may be the most disappointing part of the experience. After more than 20 years as a KOA member, I expected at least the courtesy of a response. I chose this campground because I trusted the KOA name and wanted my grandkids to enjoy the amenities that were advertised. Unfortunately, they were probably the most disappointed of all. Hopefully this helps others considering staying here. Based on our experience, this campground did not meet the KOA standards I have come to expect over the past 20+ years.

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• 

  Thomas B.

  Ranger

  Aug. 28, 2026

  Walkabout Camp & RV Park

  Friendly and Thorough

  I enjoyed this stay quite a bit, but it was only about 24 hours for me.

  Friendly staff and chickens. Lots of amenities. Easy check-in and still close to surrounding areas. Plenty to do and ample resources to reload for your next camping trip.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Aug. 27, 2026

  Matanzas State Forest Group Campground

  Coastal Gem Hidden in the Thick Pines

  Nestled within the longleaf pine flatwoods of Matanzas State Forest just south of St. Augustine, the group campground here feels like stepping into a slice of Old Florida: untamed, tranquil and blissfully simple. Managed by the Florida Forest Service, this rustic site lies within the Pellicer Creek Corridor, where the air is thick with pine and salt, and the forest floor hums with life. The drive-in sets the tone where a canopy of oaks shrouded with Spanish moss gives way to open meadows and whispering wetlands before revealing the group camping area, which I must admit, is NOT the easiest place to find, but once you do, you’ll discover a wide, sandy clearing ideal for tents, both large and small as well as, of course, hammocks, which are perfect to absorb the shade that this space offers.

  So, insofar as getting to this location is concerned, basically, once you enter Matanzas SF on Double Gate Road from US1, you’ll essentially drive east until you have the opportunity to drive north before you wind up in the NE corner of the forest. There’s a lot of possible pathways you could take that will get you lost, but basically, you would have to be driving down non-cleared roads that have signs indicating you can’t drive on these pathways anyway. Your GPS will work out here and I would suggest you follow the roads on TheDyrt mobile app to guide you to this location as it is spot on. But when you do arrive, you’ll discover a simple parking lot with about 4 different pathways leading in opposing directions – so which one to take? That’s the greatest question you’ll find yourself asking. Here’s what you want to do – just stay in your car and keep driving north down the path that has tire marks on it and within 50 yards, it will drop you off at the Group Campground.

  Facilities are modest but well-kept: there’s an oversized fire ring with foldable grill as well as single oversized, double-sided stand-up BBQ grill, about a half dozen picnic tables (with half being delapidated and the other half brand spanking new), a single port-a-potty and no potable water or source of electricity. What this spot lacks in amenities though makes up for in serenity. This is the kind of place where your morning alarm is a woodpecker’s knock and your evening entertainment is a campfire under a sky thick with stars. The surrounding trails and forest roads connect to the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve and the Graham Swamp Trail System, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling and spotting wildlife like egrets, deer, and the occasional wild turkey.

  Although secluded, the campground is only about 20 minutes from Ancient City and 10 minutes from Palm Coast, making supply runs and day trips easy. For essentials, stop by the Publix Super Market on Palm Coast Parkway, the Shell gas station at US-1 and Old Kings Road, or the nearby Tractor Supply for ice and camping odds and ends. There’s no REI or Bass Pro Shop within 10 miles, but Academy Sports+ Outdoors is the best bet for outdoor gear and fishing tackle, although that's going to be a hike (er, long drive) from here.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The group site’s best tent placement is on the southern edge of the clearing where the pines provide late-day shade and natural wind protection; (2) Bring plenty of water as there’s no potable water here; (3) For kayaking or canoeing, head to the Pellicer Creek launch on nearby Old Kings Road for calm water and beautiful tidal scenery; (4) Trails in Matanzas can flood after heavy rain, so check conditions with the Forest Service before arriving; (5) Wildlife lovers should keep an eye out for gopher tortoises along the sandy roads and hawks circling above the pine canopy – on our visit, we were blessed to see an adolescent black panther; and (6) When it’s time to eat, reward yourself with a laid-back bite of a Surfin’ Cali burrito at nearby Jimmy Hula’s or an elegant dinner of steak pom frites at Le Bouchon Brasserie in the historic district of the country’s oldest city.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Thomas B.

  Ranger

  Aug. 26, 2026

  Anastasia State Park Campground

  Great for Smaller Rigs

  Had a short stay at Anastasia and it was a nice, shaded site that was pleasant for August. It is very busy and active and the beach is just a 5 minute walk away. I have a 50ft rig (30 ft trailer, 20 ft truck) and got caught in a really bad spot after going down the wrong road. Rig fits great it the site, just have to be very cautious. Some foliage blocked the sign I was looking for as I tried to accommodate the many cyclists. Also had the unfortunate experience of a neighbor with a highly aggressive dog. The place itself was very pleasant and much cooler than what we have been experiencing.