Best Campgrounds near West Palm Beach, FL
Campgrounds near West Palm Beach provide diverse experiences from established state parks to county-managed facilities. Jonathan Dickinson State Park, located in Hobe Sound about 25 miles north of West Palm Beach, features two distinct campgrounds: Pine Grove near the entrance and River Campground along the Loxahatchee River. Both offer tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with water and electric hookups. John Prince Park Campground in Lake Worth, just 5 miles from the beach, provides waterfront sites with power and water hookups for both RVs and tent campers. Lion Country Safari KOA in Loxahatchee offers cabins, glamping options, and yurts alongside traditional tent and RV sites with full hookups.
The subtropical climate shapes camping conditions year-round with hot, humid summers and mild winters making this region suitable for camping throughout all seasons. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during winter months when northern visitors seek warmer temperatures. One camper noted, "Really had a fantastic time at this campground, I'm typically a tent camper and had great facilities. The cost of camping in Florida isn't cheap though this one actually had the value in it given that you could also rent boats and paddle up river alongside manatees." Insect protection is essential, particularly during warmer months when mosquitoes and no-see-ums are abundant. Cell service is generally strong throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting 3-4 bars of coverage from major carriers, though coverage may vary at more remote sites.
Campers consistently highlight water-based activities as key attractions at campgrounds in this region. The Loxahatchee River at Jonathan Dickinson State Park receives praise for kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities, with several visitors mentioning manatee sightings. A visitor commented that the park offers "miles of paved and off road trails for biking and hiking, great bird watching, star gazing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing." Lake Osborne at John Prince Park draws positive reviews for fishing and paddling access. While waterfront sites are highly sought after, they typically offer less shade than more wooded areas. Several reviews mention noise concerns at campgrounds closer to major highways or train tracks, suggesting those seeking quiet should prioritize sites deeper within parks or farther from transportation corridors.
