Looking for the best Lake City tent camping? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Lake City with tent camping. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Lake City, Florida's most popular destinations.
The Woods Ferry tract features a canoe launch and the first river camp on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The river camp provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent camping area. The Jerry Branch tract is a primitive recreation site. Visitors may enjoy biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads.
We are a 12.5 acre campground on the Sante Fe River.
We have cabins as well as primitive car campsites directly on the river as well. See the following distances:
Ginnie Springs - 6 miles
Blue Springs - 9 miles
Ichetucknee Springs - 4 miles
Gainesville - 38 miles
Rum 138 - 8 miles
Lake City - 27 miles
White Springs - 38 miles
Branford - 13 miles
High Springs - 12 miles
Dollar General - 3 miles
Publix - 15 miles
Bobs River Place - 20 miles
$45 - $105 / night
Primitive camping area on the north edge of the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.
Adams Tract is just a few miles upriver from Troy Spring State Park. It is located within a Suwanee River Water Management District Tract and provides ample hiking trails to explore throughout a longleaf pine community. There are some open, treeless areas of the camp that are ideal for stargazing with the nearest city lights miles away.
From Adams Tract, a 9.3 mile paddle will bring you to Branford.
On the Holton Creek tract, visitors may enjoy fishing, as well as biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads. Hunting is for persons who are mobility-impaired. The Holton Creek River Camp is the second river camp between White Springs and Branford and provides 5 screened shelters, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent-camping area.
On this primitive site, visitors may enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads. The Peacock Slough River Camp is the fourth river camp between White Springs and Branford and provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent-camping area.
This drive-up primitive campground has ten tent sites. A Clivus mulching toilet system is available behind site 5. A communal, 2-table pavilion, grills, and a campfire ring with benches is located across from site 6. No electric hook-ups. No potable water. Pets must be on a leash. Hunting occurs during scheduled hunt seasons, as listed at http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/. Trail users should wear day-glo orange during hunt seasons. Wildlife proof all food Forest is open for day use visitors from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
$9 - $10 / night
CABIN LOOP
$100 / night
The Dowling Park River Camp is the third river camp between White Springs and Branford and provides 5 screened shelters, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent-camping area.The Christian tract north river access point provides a canoe launch, and the south parking area overlooks Shirley Springs.
Visitors may enjoy fishing, as well as biking, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads.
A private treelined driveway leads to the back of the property to the primitive campsite where the deer have a regular route along with other forest animals. Goats, chickens (including a rooster), dogs and cats are domesticated nearby.
Birds especially love this area and the serenade gets better each year with a wide variety of bird songs. Owls reside nearby and bats have also been known to fly in the sundowning sky! Make sure to bring your blankets for sitting around the campfire and stargazing as temps still get into the 50s and 60s overnight.
Whether you're in need of forest bathing, a dip in real fresh spring water (always around 70F or 21C degrees year round!) or looking to explore by water or land, this is a great location for a base to launch from and enjoy nearby fresh water swimming, paddling, boating or fishing via public parks and private outfitters. Close to Gilchrist Blue Springs and Ichetucknee State Parks, Rum Island Park, and Ginnie Springs Recreation Park.
You can enjoy this private and serene primitive camping area in a forested riverfront neighborhood with a great public boat ramp a short walk away. The camping site is about one-half acre with cleared areas for tents and vehicles. A picnic table and two fire rings are provided; one has a grill. Spring well water access currently via hose. BATHHOUSE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Check out updated pictures from Moonlit Avenue here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10159430995895957&type=3
Booking includes:
One Car Pass to Rum Island Park available ($5 value). Suggestion: Bring cash if you have additional vehicles that need park access.
Remember, we only accept one reservation at a time so get with your family and friends and book a date for the woods!
THE AREA:
The location provides easy access to all the area's rivers and springs, to paddle, swim or fish as well as great shops and restaurants in nearby High Springs or visit our newest addition, The Collective Food Truck Park in nearby Fort White.
Check out one of our favorite neighbors, Rum 138 @ Rum138.com! They offer rentals for kayaks and canoes, provide shuttle services and have the latest info on best places to visit on the Santa Fe River. They also host live music and a farmers market on Sunday mornings. Whether you're looking for information or even local art work about the area springs and rivers, or just a cold beer on a hot afternoon, Rum 138 has it all!
If you're interested in the Ichetucknee River, visit the state park located near by where tubing, kayaking or just exploring the river forest area great experiences! https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ichetucknee-springs-state-park
Fort White, Florida was constructed in 1836 as a military fort during the Second Seminole War. The purpose of the fort was to protect the Cow Creek Settlement. Supplies were brought up the Santa Fe River by steamboat and were distributed from Fort White to other nearby forts and settlers.
The Town of Fort White is located directly off several main thoroughfares; US Hwy. 27, US Hwy. 47, and CR 18, near several State Parks, three (3) major rivers, and crystal-clear springs, some with underwater caves all of which provide many recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, swimming, diving, spelunking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, bird watching, hiking, biking, etc.
Nearby historic High Springs, with a population of about 6,000, is home to a thriving downtown, community parks and is better known as the gateway to the rivers and springs in the area. The area is also a prized location internationally for underwater cave diving.
Bones of prehistoric mammals and tools of paleo-Indians have been recovered from springs and rivers near High Springs. Hernando de Soto led his expedition through this area around 1539, and in the 17th-century Indian villages and a large Spanish mission flourished near the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers.
$30 / night
Guide
Separate tent camping from RVs. Also has a barn and pasture if you are horse camping. Good WiFi, pool and laundry.
Scout
Had a great time tent camping and hiking the various trails. Close to the itchnetuckee. It’s very woodsy so make sure you check yourself for ticks.
Scout
I've tent camped at Stephen Foster three times in the winter. The campsites are not jampacked on top of each other. The bathroom/shower facilities have always been clean.
Scout
My fiance and I came for a week tent camping. Very friendly staff, clean facilities. Cozy game room for when we got a little bored. Great stay!
Traveler
6 of us tent camped at site 1, Host was really nice and we stayed 2 nights. Bathhouse was really clean and served it's purpose. Wonderful place to get away and relax.
Traveler
Loved this primitive tent camping site. The sites are under the most beautiful live oaks and swimming in crystal clear spring water just steps away. Super pet friendly and clean bathhouse.
Guide
Nice camp ground. Most of the space were pull through for Rv/campers. They were pretty narrow spaces. Lots of trees and shade. The entire campground was dirt and some gravel. The bathrooms were ok. Not kept the cleanest, but not the worst I’ve seen.
Super close to the river for easy access. Be prepared it almost rains every day in Florida, so if tent camping be prepared for rain.
Guide
Very large unique campground it offers tent camping, RV camping, camping with horses & cabins. Most famous for their events & concerts. Most campers bring their golf cart & ride the trials. There is a restaurant/bar on site that has live music on on weekends; there is also a general store that has most anything you may need, as well as a Starbucks. Great weekend getaway if your in South Georgia/north Florida.
GuideSmall charming campground along the Santa Fe River where it sinks into the underground system and rises at the next state park called River Rise. Sand/dirt roads to the RV/tent camping loop, with pretty tight turns and sharp entrances to rather short sites. Lots of screening trees between sites make for narrow parking of your RV with lots of branches to watch out for, but it is very deeply wooded and lovely.
It was during a cold snap in early December when we were there for 3 days, and it was packed with both tent and RV campers. There is a bathhouse with restrooms in the center of the loop. Note: some men tent camping used the bushes around their site for a urinal - we know this because when we pass by the one way loop to go sightseeing or hiking, they were using it in plain sight, more than once.
Very fine trail and very nice if primitive campground. Would stay again.
Scout
We stayed for two nights tent camping. The sites and bathrooms were both clean. Lots of activities, we really enjoyed the boardwalk. Also very affordable rentals too, we took a boat out for two hours for some fishing. Staff was friendly! We saw tons of wildlife there.
GuideThis park was mostly rv's when we were there so we had the tent camping area to ourselves. Nice showers and bathrooms. They have a pool but we didnt use it, the spring is right down the road. They have tubes for you to take & float down the river, really nice people.
Scout
Had an enjoyable weekend tent camping here and small game hunting in the forest.
Bob the volunteer host was super nice, and the bathrooms were very clean.
The mosquitos were a little annoying right after sundown, but quickly left once we had a fire going.
Definitely camping here again and bringing the kayaks next time.
Legend
Reagan family working hard to restore this park...waterslide, bounce houses, arcade, pools, disc golf, etc ..they have something for everyone. We love the sites on one of the stocked fishing ponds. On site store fully equiped and great coffee and ice cream. This was first campground we went tent camping in!
Traveler
Beautiful campground on the water conveniently located. Lots of animals to see and the staff is outstanding, friendly and accommodating. They fed us dinner on Saturday and we’re so kind. Only two tent sites but they are huge and shaded. Very pet friendly.
Legend
Located in the town of Trenton, Florida is this gem of a spot loved by the locals and tourists alike. They offer Lodge Rentals, RV Sites, Tent Camping & Cabins, Heated Pool & Great access to Otter Springs and the Suwannee River. There is a day use area, canoe & kayak rentals, basketball and volleyball court, and canoe rentals available. You can fish in the spring run or on the Suwannee River. We chose to camp in site with water and electric so we were in an RV spot but they have a designated tent camping area with water access and no electric.
We enjoyed exploring the over 600 acres, river, springs, nature trails and loved getting ice cream in the store after! The camp store has just about all you might run out of. Be prepared with insect repellent at dawn and dusk. Sites are spacious enough - not too close together but not much privacy either. If you do not like noise choose a sight away from the pool! RV sites have Full hookup: Electric (30& 50 amp.), water, and sewer. Good Sams memberships are accepted.
This is a great place to host a local event and they are VERY Veteran Friendly offering 15% off on daily and weekly camping. There is Wifi is available in the Pool Pavilion.
Though this place is not brand new and shows some age, it has a wonderful, welcoming feeling. We really enjoyed our stay!
Traveler
This place is great whether you are a tent camper, trailer camper or have an RV. They even have A motel and cabins to rent. If you like activities there are plenty. Anything from kayaking and bike riding to pigeon races and fishing. A lot of the tent sites are along the Suwannee River. Great views! My only complaint is it can use some updating. But they are trying!
Scout
3 families camping over 2 nights at O'leno to enjoy Ichetucknee Springs. We had kids in age range from 18 months up to 11. We tent camped & stayed in the Magnolia Loop which had section fencing for each lot. There was a nice playground & many learning spots set up. The park says you can swim at your own risk, but it looks like harmful creatures are in the water without any proper fencing.
ScoutThis is a really family friendly campground. We try and go 4-5 times a year and each time NEVER disappoints. It not only sits on Convict Springs, but on the Suwanee River as well. In addition to having chicken poop bingo and pigeon races (yes, those are real things! LOL) They also have regular bingo, karaoke and live music. There are RV spots, tent camping, hotel rooms, motel rooms, cabins and houses.
GuideA primitive site with about a dozen tent sites or more. Trash cans and out toilets are on site, with pick nick tables each campsite. Dirt road access, dirt road/undeveloped area other than the tables, trash cans, and out toilets. Beautiful views to the east through missy covered cypress trees with palmetto and pine forest behind to the west.
Legend
There river camps along the Suwannee are about a days paddle apart and very cozy! Tent camping is available but each camp has 5 screen sleeping pavilions as well. All have electric, ceiling fans, corner tables and hooks for hammocks. bathrooms have showers, grills available, large covered pavilion along with picnic tables and fire pits. Camps are for river access only and most have camp host on property that may have ice and firewood available for purchase.
Guide
This is a very nicely kept campground. Clean full hookups or tent camping area. Nice layout and spaced spots. Clean pool and bathrooms great long board walk that leads to the Swanee River. Pet friendly with pet walk area. Staff was very friendly and accommodating small lake with catch and release fish got a few nice size cat fish and had a get visit by a baby gator Off the beaten path I would highly recommend staying here
GuideKayaking was our favorite part, but you definitely get very very close to all the wildlife including big gators. Boats are for rent if you prefer that. At night there is very little light pollution and you will see more stars than anywhere else around this area. It’s incredible. Our tent site was very close to the water, we could hear gator activity and noises all night.
LegendOne of 5 river camps along the Suwanee River and one of the nicest. This system of river camps currently is first come first served with no fee - but that could change soon and screened sleeping platforms may require reservations. Reservations can be made for groups and are suggested. Suwannee River camps are spaced a days paddle apart and are wonderfully convenient (especially in summer when afternoon rains come daily and bugs are everywhere).
Most of the time you will have a camp host on the property.
River camp has bath house with water and electric, grills, fire pits, tent camping area and screened sleeping platforms with electric, lighting and ceiling fans. Many units also have hooks to hang you hammocks. There are 5 sleeping pavilions typically will hold 6-8 persons and have small corner tables with small bench. Each has picnic table and fire ring. You will find a broom in each shelter - please sweep out and leave clean for next group. Camp host oftentimes has firewood available for sale.
There are trails to explore around springs and sinks. You can learn a lot about Florida's Aquifer and more staying at this and other camps. Spring fed pools around take out area are a refreshing 72 degrees year round!
Tent camping area has fire pit and picnic table to share with others
At high water access to stairs to take out and to camp can be difficult.
Note: Always take paddles, PFD's, fishing equipment, food items and valuables to your camping area - do not leave in boats. There are raccoons and other nocturnal creatures and an occasional bear passing through.
Traveler
Had a group of six people stay for three days four of us were in tents, two of us were in a trailer. The primitive camping or close enough to the trailers but far enough to actually be able to enjoy the tent! Campsites are clean pool is beautiful and the bar it’s just a walk away! Staff is friendly! Loved the live music and being so close to the water.
GuideA previous review stated this is a free site - no longer! Camp host came around and collected $10/night when we arrived
Traveler
This state park is booked out almost every weekend for months in advance, but it is definitely worth visiting. Sandy campsites are perfect for smaller RVs and tent camping. The sites are a close together, but everyone was respectful of each others space. Facilities are average, but clean. Easy walk to the spring and boat launch. Sites are right next to the day use area so it can be a bit loud by mid-morning. I’d recommend coming during the fall or on a weekday to avoid some of the crowds.
GuideBuddy camped next to our friends in a nice shady site. Lazy River pool and big big water slide was very refreshing after a long travel day. Had a lot of activities for families. This campground has cabin rentals, tent sites and RV camping. Also many water attractions such as a 60 foot water slide, lazy river, splash pad, Water Wars, Down Pour Derby, and zero entry swimming pool. Easy trip into historical Madison.
Tent camping near Lake City, Florida offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying well-equipped sites along the scenic Suwannee River. With a variety of campgrounds featuring unique amenities, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake City, FL is Woods Ferry River Camp — Suwannee River Wilderness Trail with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake City, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Lake City, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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