Best Tent Camping near Jupiter, FL
Jonathan Dickinson State Park provides secluded tent camping opportunities near Jupiter, Florida with two notable primitive tent sites — Kitching Creek and Scrub Jay campgrounds. These primitive sites are accessible only by hiking trails within the park and feature basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Additional tent camping options include DuPuis Campground and Loop 4, both offering more remote experiences for tent campers seeking solitude.
Most tent sites in the Jupiter area require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal. Water sources vary significantly between campgrounds — Loop 4 has a pump that sometimes produces water with a sulfur smell, while Little Gopher has no water source on site. According to one visitor, "You need to filter water from nearby creeks, which sometimes have adolescent alligators." Fire rings are common at most sites, though Peanut Island prohibits fires. Permits are required for some areas, particularly at DuPuis Campground where campers must register with South Florida Water Management District and obtain a gate code.
The terrain throughout Jupiter's tent camping areas provides varied experiences depending on proximity to water. Sites surrounding Peanut Island are accessible only by boat, offering a unique camping option for paddlers. A visitor noted that "it was peaceful for small kids to run around and felt very safe" despite occasional noise from nearby Riviera Beach. Little Gopher campsite features recently renovated facilities with new poles for hanging backpacks and benches around the fire pit. During dry seasons, campers can expect reasonable privacy, though proximity to the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail means backpackers occasionally pass through some sites. Cell service remains sporadic throughout most primitive camping areas, allowing for a more disconnected experience.
