Best Tent Camping near Jensen Beach, FL
State parks and conservation areas surrounding Jensen Beach, Florida provide several primitive tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Jonathan Dickinson State Park, located just north of Jensen Beach, offers two tent-only primitive campgrounds: Scrub Jay and Kitching Creek. These hike-in sites require visitors to pack in their gear along park trails. DuPuis Campground, situated about 30 miles west of Jensen Beach, provides tent campsites in a more natural setting. For those seeking unique tent camping experiences, Peanut Island Campground in Riviera Beach offers boat-accessible tent-only sites approximately 30 miles south of Jensen Beach.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the Jensen Beach region have basic amenities. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at most sites, while toilet facilities vary from basic vault toilets to composting options. Water sources can be unreliable, with campers at Loop 4 reporting that the water pump produced water with "a purple tinge and smelling of Sulphur." Sites at Little Gopher have no water source on site, requiring filtering from nearby canals. Campers should be aware of wildlife, particularly alligators near water sources. Permits are required for many locations, with DuPuis Campground requiring registration through the South Florida Water Management District website to obtain gate access codes.
Tent-only sites in this region offer varied experiences based on location and access type. Kitching Creek Primitive Campground has been described by visitors as "beautiful and remote," making it ideal for those seeking solitude. Scrub Jay Campground, while "less pretty and less remote than Kitching Creek," is located only 5 miles from the park entrance, making it "perfect for beginner hikers or families with small children." Little Gopher campground provides accommodations for multiple tents and hammock setups with four wood benches surrounding a fire pit. During summer months, shade becomes a critical consideration, with several reviewers noting the intense Florida heat at exposed sites. Cell service is sporadic throughout the region's backcountry tent camping areas.