Rustic camping options surround Jasper, Florida, situated along the dark waters of the Suwannee River in north Florida's pine forests. The area's multiple river camps connect paddlers to primitive and developed camping opportunities throughout the 246-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Seasonal water levels significantly impact access to springs and beaches along the river corridor.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: The river system offers paddling routes with convenient camping stops. At Holton Creek River Camp, "Swimming and fishing are nice here. Lots of places to explore," according to a reviewer who recommends taking "paddles, PFD's, fishing equipment, food items and valuables to your camping area - do not leave in boats."
Spring exploration: North Florida's limestone foundation creates crystal-clear springs along the river. At Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort, campers can "take the 2 hour guided boat ride and get a feel for the swamp" or rent boats to "visit the variety of natural springs in the area."
Hiking trail networks: Multiple state parks offer wooded paths through diverse ecosystems. A visitor to O'Leno State Park noted, "The park had nice hiking trails, but I enjoyed the kayaking most of all. The river goes underground but you can't kayak in this area. The river has a small rapids area, for Florida."
What campers like
Screened sleeping platforms: River camps provide protection from insects while maintaining open-air camping. A camper at Holton Creek River Camp reports, "This river camp has lots of tent camping space, a small bath house with water and electric, grills, fire pits, and screened sleeping platforms with electric, lighting and ceiling fans."
Dark sky viewing: Limited light pollution makes stargazing exceptional. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park offers "nice campground by the Suwannee River! Plenty to do including canoeing, kayaking, biking, a nice playground for kids!"
Yurt camping Jasper, Florida area: While traditional yurts aren't common, similar alternative shelters exist. A visitor to Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground described it as offering "backcountry tent sites to full hookups; or if you prefer you can rent a cabin or tree house. There's a pool and game room if you like, or if you want to rent a canoe and float the beautiful Suwannee River."
What you should know
Spring/summer insects: Biting insects can be intense during warmer months. One camper advised, "You will find a broom in each shelter - please sweep out and leave clean for next group" and noted that "in summer when afternoon rains come daily and bugs are everywhere" the shelters are "wonderfully convenient."
Wildlife precautions: Bears and other wildlife visit campsites. A reviewer mentioned "raccoons and other nocturnal creatures and an occasional bear passing through" and advised taking precautions with food storage.
Water level variations: River conditions change dramatically with rainfall. At Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort and Campground, a visitor noted that "at high water this ramp can be tricky to unload from in a strong current (we have seen it with no beach visible)."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Several parks offer organized recreation. At Ragan Family Campground, a visitor shared, "This place is awesome. A kids dream. Water park, lazy river, a park, fishing, and family activities. 10/10. Will be back."
Noise considerations: Sound travels between campsites at many locations. One camper warned, "It is a noisy park and where we stayed our campsite was pretty much a parking lot in the evening due to the traffic from the office and restaurant."
Weather safety planning: North Florida experiences severe storms. A visitor to Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort explained, "Our second night ended up being pretty scary with tornado warnings but the staff came down to get us and opened up the lodge after hours for us to shelter in during the storm."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. A visitor to O'Leno State Park warned, "Super tight if you got a big rig, lots of sand but was very happy with the stay overall."
Seasonal crowds: Plan for busier conditions during winter months and festivals. A reviewer at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park advised, "As with all parks - the busy season is BUSY! RV sites fill up most - tent camping is much more relaxed and more private of an area."
Hookup locations: Utilities aren't standardized across campgrounds. At Eagles Roost RV Resort, a camper noted, "the sewer hookups were at the very back of the site. Even with 2 ten foot hoses I could not reach the hookup and ended up having to find a dump station later."
