Florida's Keystone Heights camping area sits 200 feet above sea level in a unique region dotted with small lakes formed by sinkholes in the underlying limestone. This area maintains milder temperatures than coastal regions during winter months, with overnight lows rarely dropping below 40°F. Many campsites near Keystone Heights, Florida offer access to freshwater springs with constant 72°F water temperatures year-round.
What to do
Boating opportunities: At Rodman Campground, visitors have direct access to Rodman Reservoir for various water activities. "Rodman Reservoir offers nothing short of AMAZING kayak and canoe adventures," notes a camper, adding practical advice: "If you come hauling watercraft, you'll have no shortage of great launches here."
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around camping spots near Keystone Heights provide excellent wildlife spotting. "We saw deer at dusk meandering through the woods," reports a Rodman Campground visitor. Another camper at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park mentioned that "La Chua trail was beautiful and we saw lots of gators."
Hiking: The trail systems offer varying difficulty levels suitable for different abilities. "Hiking trails, swimming area. Canoes for rental available in Park," notes a visitor to Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. At Paynes Prairie, a camper shared: "We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. At Starke-Gainesville NE KOA, a visitor noted: "No shade but a huge amount of space between sites and set up on an angle which increased the sense of space." Another camper agreed: "The space was great between sites - not on top of each other."
Clean facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned as a positive. "The bathhouse was clean and well kept," reports a Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park visitor. At Rodman Campground, a camper was impressed that "Bathrooms are so clean you could literally eat of the floors."
Lake access: The water features near campsites around Keystone Heights receive high marks. "Beautiful lake, spread out camp sites, fire pit, grill and full hookups. All water sports, including fishing, boat launch, Jet skis, etc.. plenty of room to swim," wrote a visitor to Camp Blanding RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Winter brings more visitors seeking warmer camping options. "This place is perfect for both the RV tribe as well as mi tent-pitching community. And I don't often get to say that," notes a Rodman Campground visitor, highlighting the diverse camping populations.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds may experience noise from neighboring properties. A Rodman Campground visitor warned: "IF there is an 'ALL HOURS WEEKEND' at the nearby Hog Waller Campground and ATV Resort (right across the river), then the trails remain open 24 hours and you will not have any tranquility or relaxation all night."
Site selection strategy: Different camping loops offer varied experiences. At Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, a camper advised: "If you are looking for a REAL camping experience... there are options! Within a 30 minute drive of here, I would recommend Mike Roess Gold Head Brand State Park."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water access: Look for campsites with easy lake access for children. "Our site was right on the lake so the kids had a great time playing in the water for something to to. We could hang our hammocks and the paved roads allowed for the kids to ride their bikes," shares a Camp Blanding visitor.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. "Had a great visit. Got 2 sites and had more family start camping with us. Kids loved the scenery for hiking and pictures," notes a Mike Roess Gold Head Branch visitor.
First-time camping: North Florida Christian Camp offers structured facilities good for novice campers. "I saw they had a lot of fun stuff. Zip lines and a incredibly beautiful beach. Also there was comfy cabins," reports a visitor, highlighting amenities that help ease first-time family campers into the outdoor experience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites require minimal adjustment. At Starke-Gainesville NE KOA, an RVer noted: "Our rig is 42' w/ 4 slides and had lots of space. Escorted to our site." Another camper mentioned that sites are "set up on an angle which increased the sense of space."
Internet access: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Would have given 5 stars if internet was decent but it was awful," reports a KOA visitor. At Rodman Campground, an RVer shared a specific limitation: "The only downside for me is I use Starlink for my internet and there's only one site in the park that would work for it (Site 1)."
