Jacksonville-area campgrounds offer year-round accessibility with average temperatures ranging from 65°F in winter to 90°F in summer. The region features a mix of coastal and inland camping opportunities within 30 minutes of downtown, with most campgrounds situated near water bodies like the Atlantic Ocean, St. Johns River, or inland lakes.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Little Talbot Island State Park Campground, campers can explore diverse ecosystems. "There's very few SPs in Florida that will put you right on or near the ocean as Little Talbot Island SP does," says Stuart K. The park offers excellent bird watching as well, though some campers note the wildlife can be surprisingly scarce: "In our week there we only saw a handful of birds and a squashed dead pygmy rattlesnake."
Beach exploration: Huguenot Memorial Park provides direct access to Atlantic beaches. "You're right on the water which is nice and the ocean side was BEAUTIFUL. Lots of birds, little shells and wildlife. We saw horseshoe crabs, crabs and clams. Beach is full of razor clams," reports Elizabeth E. The beach access makes up for some of the park's limitations.
Kayaking and paddling: Many Jacksonville campgrounds offer water access for non-motorized watercraft. "Key-coded security gate provides solid safety, especially being located right next to A1A, where the opportunity for random, wandering visitors exist. Bring your own kayak and canoe as there are access points to launch from right near the campground," notes Stuart K. about Little Talbot Island.
Biking options: Several campgrounds maintain trail systems for cycling enthusiasts. "Approximately 4 miles of excellent paved biking/walking on the Timucuan Trail that runs parallel to A1A," mentions Stuart K. Some parks like Cary State Forest also offer "Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!!!" according to David S.
What campers like
Private sites: Cary State Forest Campground receives praise for site spacing. "Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!!!" writes David S. Another camper noted "When we arrived we were thrilled. Less than 10 sites all tucked in the woods, seemed like paradise. Sites are huge and private."
Lake amenities: Flamingo Lake RV Resort offers water recreation options beyond beach access. "The clear water of the lake and the inflatable slides make up for it. The kids go absolutely crazy and can't get enough of the water park area," says Sean B. The lake provides additional recreational opportunities within the campground itself.
Clean facilities: Many Jacksonville-area campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "The bathrooms are the best of any campsite I've gone to. The bathrooms are very clean and air conditioned," writes Maethea R. about Fort Clinch State Park. This attention to maintenance extends to other parks like Sunny Oaks RV Park, described as "Very clean and well kept rv park in Jacksonville" by Hannah F.
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to urban areas, many campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. CrossLake RV Park receives praise as a "Very peaceful park with beautiful views and extremely helpful staff!! Would definitely recommend for anyone wanting a peaceful, secluded stay while still being minutes away from everything," according to Cavelle R.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Jacksonville's climate affects camping comfort. Summer campers should prepare for heat and humidity. As one visitor to Little Talbot Island noted: "Heat index was over 100 so didn't do much hiking, but this was a really nice place to spend a few nights."
Insect preparation: The combination of water proximity and vegetation creates significant insect pressure. "Mosquitos, midges and bugs exist here in swarms that never go away... so bring your repellent as well as smoke fogger machine!" warns Stuart K. Another camper at Cary State Forest advises, "TAKE BUG REPELLENT... MOSQUITOES ARE BAD."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. About Huguenot Memorial Park, Elizabeth E. notes: "The helicopters are really, really loud. Like pausing conversations when they fly over and it goes on 12/15 hours a day." Similar issues affect Pecan Park RV Resort, which is "one exit from the airport, so expect alot of plane noises and flyover by the airforce."
Water quality: Some campsites have water issues worth noting. One camper at Huguenot Memorial Park reported: "The water...smells like sewage. It's full of sulfur and I sanitized our water system after leaving just because of how bad it was."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation planning: When camping with children, prioritize campgrounds with swimming options. "Flamingo lake is a blast, most notably for the inflatable slides. The kids go absolutely crazy and can't get enough of the water park area," notes Sean B. This provides entertainment without leaving the campground.
Site selection: Choose sites away from traffic areas. At Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, campers found: "The amount of families and kids having fun and exploring nature was so refreshing!" However, site placement matters as "The sites are also very narrow or oddly shaped. This really ruined it for us to be honest."
Seasonal timing: For families, shoulder seasons offer better experiences. "We stayed here in early February and almost no one on the beach. Beautiful!!!" reports Kathy L. about Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, suggesting lower crowds improve the experience.
Safety considerations: Look for campgrounds with security features. One camper at Little Talbot Island appreciated that "Key-coded security gate provides solid safety" while another noted "Thru out the night the rangers had regular patrols."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Jacksonville campgrounds vary in pad quality. At Big Tree RV Park, "The sites have a very large cement pad, gravel for your rig and nice grassy area," reports Darlene C. Meanwhile, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park presents challenges where "The sites are very narrow or oddly shaped."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. As one RVer noted about Huguenot Memorial Park, "The road to the campground is half washed out, I am not sure how it would be possible to have two folks meet on the road without one backing all the way up risking sliding off the washed out area."
Hookup reliability: Check electrical services before setting up. At Cary State Forest, one camper experienced problems where "When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping." This can cause serious issues during hot weather.
Daily waste service: Some campgrounds offer convenient trash removal. At Flamingo Lake RV Resort, "We loved that they have trash pick up daily right at your spot. They have dog walking bag stations with trash cans," making pet waste management more convenient for those traveling with animals.
