Best Tent Camping near New Smyrna Beach, FL

Tent campers visiting New Smyrna Beach, Florida can find several primitive camping options within a short drive of the coastal area. Bissette Bay in Canaveral National Seashore offers boat-in tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables, while East Camp at Little Big Econ State Forest provides more accessible tent sites with multiple access options including hike-in and boat-in camping. Geneva Wilderness Area and Black Bear Wilderness Area both feature reservable primitive tent sites within natural Florida ecosystems.

Most tent campgrounds near New Smyrna Beach require advance reservations and feature basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Campers should bring adequate water supplies, as many sites offer only non-potable water or no water access at all. At Princess Place Preserve, "the water provided is non-potable so bring plenty," according to visitor feedback. Several primitive tent sites, particularly at Black Bear Wilderness Area, require hiking along narrow trails to reach the camping areas. Wildlife considerations are important when tent camping in this region, with alligators and snakes common near waterfront sites, and proper food storage essential.

Tent sites throughout the region provide authentic Florida wilderness experiences with varying levels of seclusion. Waterfront tent camping is available at several locations, with Hontoon Island State Park offering boat-in access to tent sites surrounded by natural Florida habitat. A review noted that at Black Bear Wilderness Area, "to get to this camp you will have to hike in along old levy's some just over a foot wide. Much of the trail is sloped to one side or the other." Walk-in tent sites at Geneva Wilderness Area feature a fire ring, picnic table, and primitive toilet facilities. Many tent campgrounds in the area are situated under oak hammocks providing natural shade, with some offering direct water access for fishing and paddling opportunities. Seminole State Forest primitive campsites provide particularly dark skies for stargazing from tent sites.

Best Tent Sites Near New Smyrna Beach, Florida (35)

    1. Bissette Bay — Canaveral National Seashore

    2 Reviews
    Oak Hill, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 428-3384

    $20 / night

    "There's no direct access to reach this primitive campground here in Bissette Bay.  "

    "Got a 6 man and a 2 man set up and could get a 4 man as well but who actually puts that many people in a tent, lol."

    2. Mangrove Cove RV Park

    1 Review
    Oak Hill, FL
    12 miles
    +1 (386) 345-1054

    3. East Camp — Little Big Econ State Forest

    8 Reviews
    Oviedo, FL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 971-3500

    "Hike out to this beautiful sight under the stars and dream of bygone eras...We started at the Barr Street Trailhead and hiked in to LE 39 where we found 2 fire rings."

    "I definitely wouldn't recommend recommend getting there at night to set up, but otherwise it's fairly easy to get around."

    4. Hontoon Island State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Orange City, FL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 736-5309

    "We did not stay over night but I did notice some nice looking cabins and primitive camping sites."

    "This is really getting away from it all. The only way to reach the island is via the ferry (free, and runs all day) or bring your own boat. There are boat docking facilities."

    5. Mullet Lake Park

    2 Reviews
    Geneva, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 665-2001

    $15 - $30 / night

    6. Lake Mills Park

    7 Reviews
    Oviedo, FL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 665-2180

    "This was a special use event so we used the big open field areas in the day use part of the park near the lake.  This was a very, very good and well run event on everyone's part.   "

    "The good: This is a beautiful clean campground attached to a nice community park. 14 sites total some closer to each other than others, but we had no neighbors."

    7. Geneva Wilderness Area

    2 Reviews
    Geneva, FL
    24 miles
    Website

    "There is one small hike in to primitive campsite on the far side of the lake from the nature center - on less than 2 mile loop trail. Site will hold approximately 5 guests comfortably."

    "There were restrooms at the pavilion but no showers.  The pavilion area had lights and a grill with a cooking area just off to the side. "

    8. Volusia County Park Gemini Springs Campground

    3 Reviews
    DeBary, FL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 736-5953

    $25 / night

    "However, I'm not sure if you can "drive" to the campsite. None of the other campers had their cars near, and with the set up of Campsites, it's unclear where you would resononably park."

    9. Seminole State Forest Primitive Campsites

    6 Reviews
    DeBary, FL
    30 miles
    +1 (352) 360-6675

    $9 - $18 / night

    "Jumper camp is a primitive area with a picnic table and a fire ring."

    "We packed light but not that light because we like to be comfortable; it took my BF and me about 3 trips each to get everything we needed to the site, including firewood, our 4 person tent, air mattress"

    10. Black Bear Wilderness Area

    1 Review
    DeBary, FL
    28 miles
    Website

    "To get to this camp you will have to hike in along old levy's some just over a foot wide. Much of the trail is sloped to one side or the other. Along the way you will see some beautiful sites!"

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Tent Camping Reviews near New Smyrna Beach, FL

666 Reviews of 35 New Smyrna Beach Campgrounds


  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Black Bear Wilderness Area

    Be ready for a hike

    To get to this camp you will have to hike in along old levy's some just over a foot wide. Much of the trail is sloped to one side or the other. Along the way you will see some beautiful sites! Many hike the loop trail as a day hike. but it is better enjoyed at a slower pace as there is so much to see if you open your eyes. The just over 7 mile trail takes you by orange trees cover in butterflies in spring, also wildflower lines trails and along the beautiful St Johns River.

    The camp site is used often by scouts and folks wanting to start training for longer hikes North of Florida. The campsite it self is very nice. there is a covered shelter, fire pit, benches and a picnic table. Many trees for hammock camping and lots of room for tents. Sadly with no toilet facilities back along the edges of the campsite you will find evidence of human use and abuse. PLEASE leave no trace. Also if you go take the time to pull a few of the invasive Caesar Weed plants that are trying to take over the camp (they are the ones with seeds that act like Velcro).

    You MUST have a reservation to camp here. If you have a pet it MUST be kept on a lease at all times and picked up after. there are feral hogs and snakes on the property....and you must practice bear safety using a bear proof container for food and hanging from tree at night. We saw no bear sign when we hiked - but that is not saying they are not around.

  • Tracy L H.
    Dec. 31, 2019

    Sawgrass Island Preserve

    Old Florida!

    Sawgrass Island Preserve is a unique piece of property.  I love hiking on the north side of the property it looks so much like Old Florida.  I like to go across the causeway and down the Bog Button Trail and over to the Hammock Trail and along the Cactus Trail and down around the ponds and back out the Bent Pine Trail.  This is around a five mile hike and can be stretched out by doing the North Loop Trail also .  I have seen several whitetail deer, sandhill cranes, lots of other birds, quail, and some turkeys while hiking.  I also saw a black bear up a tree in the marsh.  It is a hidden gem for sure.  The south side is nice but gets super sandy in places due to horseback riders.  And if you have horses the preserve allows riders and even has a spot or two with water for the horses and some picnic areas with hitching post to tie off horse and have some time to eat.  Some trails are narrow and give the feel of actually walking in, in the woods!  I haven't camped there but they have two primitive campsites on the Hammock Trail near the marsh with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern post.  There is also a horse campsite along the Cactus Trail down near the ponds and there is an open pole barn with two roomy stalls for horses and picnic tables and a fire ring with benches.  Also room to pitch tent under barn too.  There is no water available at any of the campsites.  Could be a fun adventure waiting in Old Florida.  There is a camping application to fill out on line at www.lcwa.org and a  small fee, but if everything checks out ok at the end of the stay after a Ranger has had a chance to check out the site your fee is refunded.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2022

    New Smyrna Beach RV Park & Campground

    Roadside RV Campground with Beach Commuting Access

    Warning: you are not actually on New Smyrna Beach at this RV wonderland, but rather, a good 15-20 minute drive to one of the most glorious drive-on beaches in all of Florida. So what you may sacrifice in terms of immediate beach access, you more than make up for in an affordable place to rock up your RV (max 50 feet length), rent a cabin (1BR or 2BR) or pitch a tent for the night. This destination marries ancient Oaks with swinging Palms and has a very nice forested feel encircling the place (and helping you forget all of that traffic that is whirring by just outside of the property). 

    As for the campground itself, all of the typical hook-ups (electric, water and sewage) are available for the mobile-inclined RV’ers out there. For those that prefer to camp au naturale, there’s a handful of spots, but honestly, you won’t feel as though you are out in nature whatsoever, as the noise in the place is pretty unsettling as the individual campsites are too close together. And if you have just rocked up in your car or SUV and are looking for an alternative to hotels, then you have just hit the lottery, as the cabins here, while small, are quaint and fairly new as well as offering a proper front porch swing. 

    New Smyrna Beach RV Park & Campground offers up amenities like a nice little swimming pool (at about 4pm, there were some pretty nice cocktails being poured poolside!) along with free WiFi, TV scattered relatively new picnic tables and stand-up BBQ grilles. 

    Insider’s tips? This spot is perfect whether you are heading to Daytona 500 or watching a rocket launch form Kennedy Space Center. I’d also highly recommend Central Florida Zoo, which has 116 acres of exotic animals and botanical gardens to explore. Of course, there’s 25 miles of pristine Atlantic shoreline encompassing the dunes and Mosquito Lagoon, which is one of the state’s longest stretches of undeveloped and protected preserve to explore. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2023

    Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park

    New Smyrna Beach Vibe Rollicks in this RV Park

    If you’ve landed on this review hopefully its because of a primary decision to visit one of the greatest beach communities in all of Florida – New Smyrna Beach. This super-slim archipelago boasts some of the most perfect white sugar sand beaches anywhere – plus, the best part is that this beach is a proper ‘drive-on’ beach, so whatever you would normally have to haul in a cart or wheeled by trolley to the beach, you can simply keep in the trunk or bed of your SUV / car / truck. And if you are here, hopefully you have planned to be here for some time – or, upon seeing how simply amazing New Smyrna Beach is, have decided that you need a place to stay ... but unfortunately, you and a couple thousand other people have come to the same conclusion. So what do you do? 

    Well, you look for simple and affordable accommodations nearby, and that’s what will attract you to Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park, which is conveniently located only 15 minutes drive or so from beachside bliss. While this is definitely an RV-laden outpost, the vibe here is quite contagious, with its main office greeting you immediately upon arrival, where just past this wooden log cabin structure pure hedonism awaits with vibrant bouncing beach balls popping up and down in this overgrown campside Florida shaped-pool bursting with loud southern country music (yee-haw!) and nearly everyone en towe brandishing a coozie with some cheap domestic beer and endless “hey y’all’s” and smiles to boot at the ‘Tiki Hut’ (warning – there’s nothing here that resembles a ’Tiki Hut’ apart from the drinks they pour, although even here, no umbrellas!). This place feels like Spring Break for the adults toting 2-3 kids with them as they dwell in their mobile manufactured temporary housing. 

    With all the proper hook-ups being provided (30 / 50 amp electric, sewer, water), this oversized RV menagerie feels like it’s been carved out of a forest of tall needle-pine trees sheltering its residents from the sweltering heat of NE Florida. The family-friendly restrooms and shower facilities are fairly clean and there’s picnic tables and BBQ grills sporadically littered all over the place. Sugar Mill Ruins also rents out very affordable cabins (12 x 20) with twin bunk beds and fold-out futon (nice) complete with mini-fridge, table, chairs, microwave and even a porch with deck chairs. There’s more than 200 sites to choose from complete with a playground for the kiddos, game room with 2 billiards tables, plus 3 acres of lake fishing along with a cool pavilion with games and events (this is the main building that you’ll first encounter). 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While not exactly a destination, Sugar Mill Ruins is so dang convenient to some of the best beach experiences you might ever encounter, depending upon your leaning, leave early and spend as much time as you can at New Smyrna Beach; (2) If you’re looking for a different place to soak some suds, I highly recommend Norwood’s Treehouse Bar, which has fantastic cocktails and local live music; and (3) For simply sublime food, check out Outriggers Tiki Bar& Grille, which has a pretty gracious happy hour where you can spot manatees and dolphins while biting down on some of the freshest catch in Florida, but with outstanding accoutrement, like key lime coconut beurre blanc and sticky bamboo rice or pineapple and peppadew rhum butter infused fish entrees. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Tom H.
    Sep. 15, 2019

    Encore Bulow RV

    Great RV Location in NE FL

    This was a very nice campground. No WiFi but the restrooms were clean, they have a bar if needed. Nice flat spots for my pop up. Bathrooms very clean. Will definitely return.

  • Shannon S.
    May. 28, 2023

    Moss Park Campground

    Finally, a quiet campground!

    Maybe it’s the no pets rule, but this campground was the quietest we’ve been to and we camp nearly every weekend.

    The sites are spacious with the fire rings being in the way back. This is a no alcohol park. They didn’t have any fire or ice, which is a negative. We love camping at spots that have that for purchase. The nearest Publix is about 5 minutes or so away and does have both.

    They don’t allow you to have anything on the trees, which I found a little off putting. We had solar lights hung from them, just wrapped around, not attached, and were told by the camp host (? Didn’t introduce himself) they needed to come down. Staff rode around a few times and said nothing but, okay.

    The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Lots of open space to run around, kick a ball, two playground sets, and a beautiful walk to Lake Mary Jane.

    Quiet hours were observed, which was so nice.

    I brought my T-Mobile home router and had plenty of signal to work, stream, etc.

    We will be back!

  • Carol B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2024

    Moss Park Campground

    Quiet, lots of trees, away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando

    This is a 54 site campground with hook ups at each site, fire ring, and picnic table. The trees provide a good amount of privacy from adjacent campers. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. This is about 15 min from the airport yet very removed from Orlando. Water on three sides, gates that close and lock from 6pm to 8 am (Nov-March) but an easy access code is given at check in to be able to come and go after hours. No pets, no alcohol, and quiet after 10. I will stay again! It was a mix of RVs, trailers, camper vans, car camping, and tents when I stayed. The personnel were very nice and helpful at check in.

  • Reeca P.
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Juniper Springs Rec Area - Tropical Camp Area

    Tent camping with small TT

    First camping trip at this location was a blast! We had an 8 person tent, a 10x10 canopy and a 15 foot travel trailer. Site included a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and bear box. Shower houses were clean, and close to most camp sites. Highly recommend yhis campground.The swimming area was so much fun too!

  • Aubrey O.
    Apr. 24, 2022

    Buck Lake Group Campground

    Primitive Lakeside Camping

    Perfect for group of friends, club, or scouting type outing. Super private with your very own lake! Picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.... Two dirt/gravel boat ramps... Vault toilets, and steel trash bins.

    *my verizon service worked well here


Guide to New Smyrna Beach

Tent camping near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Explore Scenic Waterways and Wildlife

  • Experience the tranquility of nature at Hontoon Island State Park Campground, accessible only by ferry, where you can enjoy hiking trails and spot local wildlife like manatees and alligators.
  • The Geneva Wilderness Area features a picturesque setting with opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts.
  • For a more primitive experience, Bissette Bay — Canaveral National Seashore offers secluded camping on an island, where you can fish and enjoy stunning sunsets.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Amenities to Enhance Your Stay

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Smyrna Beach, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Smyrna Beach, FL is Bissette Bay — Canaveral National Seashore with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near New Smyrna Beach, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near New Smyrna Beach, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.