Best Tent Camping near Juno Beach, FL
Jonathan Dickinson State Park offers several primitive tent camping options within 20 miles of Juno Beach, Florida. The park features two hike-in tent-only campgrounds: Kitching Creek Primitive Campground and Scrub Jay Primitive Campground. Peanut Island Campground in nearby Riviera Beach provides a unique boat-in tent camping experience with all sites designated as tent-only. Additional primitive tent camping can be found at Little Gopher and Loop 4, which are situated along the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail and provide secluded backcountry tent sites.
Most tent campgrounds in the Juno Beach region have basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Peanut Island requires boat transportation but offers modern facilities including showers and restrooms adjacent to the campground. Primitive sites at Jonathan Dickinson State Park typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with toilets available but limited water sources. Loop 4 features a water pump, though campers report the water may have a sulfurous odor, prompting many to filter water from nearby creeks instead. DuPuis Campground requires a permit with gate access code, and accommodates up to two tents and six people per site. During summer months, heat can be intense at most locations, with limited shade at some sites.
Tent campers at Little Gopher appreciate the recently renovated site with its multiple tent spaces, fire pit, wooden benches, and backpack hanging poles. According to reviews, the campground is well-maintained by the Florida Trail Association. At Peanut Island, visitors note that while the tent sites are close together, the unique island setting offers opportunities for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and possibly spotting manatees. One camper mentioned that Loop 4 can accommodate large groups of up to 30 people and features abundant trees for hammock camping. Scrub Jay Primitive Campground is noted as being less remote than Kitching Creek but more accessible for beginners and families with children, located just 5 miles from the park entrance. Cell service is sporadic at most backcountry tent sites, offering a genuine disconnect from urban life.