Campgrounds surrounding Newberry, Florida feature a mix of state parks and private facilities, many centered around the region's natural springs and waterways. Within a 30-mile radius, visitors can access established sites like Ginnie Springs Outdoors and O'Leno State Park, which offer both tent and RV camping options. Several campgrounds in the area provide cabin accommodations, including Hart Springs Park and Dogwood Campground at O'Leno State Park. The concentration of spring-fed rivers and lakes creates numerous opportunities for water-based recreation at most camping areas.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the year, with Florida's humid summers bringing higher temperatures and increased insect activity. "Although in a populated area of Ocala, this campground is positioned in the trees and makes you feel like you are miles from civilization. The sites are spacious and most are shaded," noted one visitor about Santos Campground. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during winter months when northern visitors seek warmer weather. Facilities at most developed campgrounds include water and electric hookups, with some offering full sewer connections. Cell service varies by location, with stronger signals near larger towns and limited coverage in more remote camping areas. Most campgrounds maintain shower and restroom facilities, though cleanliness and maintenance standards differ between state-managed and private operations.
The natural springs represent the primary draw for campers in the Newberry region. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Manatee Springs, and Ginnie Springs all provide direct access to crystal-clear spring water for swimming, snorkeling, and paddling. A camper described Hart Springs Park as "a county park in Gilchrist County in Bell, FL. It's our go-to place near some of our favorite Florida Springs when they are not available." Wildlife viewing opportunities include manatees during cooler months, various bird species, and occasional deer sightings. Campground layouts typically feature spacious sites with varying degrees of privacy, from open field settings to more secluded spots tucked among live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Proximity to the Santa Fe River and various springs makes these campgrounds popular with paddlers and those seeking refreshing swimming opportunities during Florida's warmer months. Newberry camping offers excellent access to some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs, making it an ideal destination for campers looking to combine water activities with traditional camping.
$45 - $60 / night
"This is clearly one of the best natural springs in all of Florida complete with 250 wooded acres of pure Florida wilderness."
"Favorite springs in Florida and one of my favorite places to camp and spend a few days in Florida or the country in general. Awesomely maintained, plenty of sites."
$18 / night
"The campsites are spacious, well shaded, and with in easy walking distance to the Bathhouse/Restrooms. The facilities are kept clean and neat."
"You know, like quintessential state or national park imagery where you would expect to see“Smoky The Bear” around the next bend."
"This spring is one of the newer State parks in Florida. The bathrooms need updating. The sites are small. The electrical boxes are limited to amp hookup. The spring is AMAZING!!!"
"While quite a few of the natural springs you’ll find here in Florida contain a Disneyworld-like level of crowds and subsequent infrastructure, here at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, you’ll discover"
$20 - $75 / night
"Local weekend entertainment, pool, hot showers, and additional places to explore within walking distance. We will be back."
"The location is really convenient and close to Gainesville, so if you want to spend some time being active in the water during the day but want to chill and go see a movie in a theatre at night, you can"
$18 / night
"Very close to the University of Florida. Nice campground recently renovated."
"There is a picnic table & a fir pit the fire pit was a little to close to the camper to have a fire. It is a very quiet and woodsy campground."
$20 / night
"Easy access to the park and quick and painless check-in process with reservations. The main road in the campground is fine but the roads to the sites are gravel with potholes."
"Step into a world of deer, manatee, and unknown river surprises at Manatee Springs State Park."
$18 / night
"Grounds are well kept as are most Florida parks. Short drive to several other park and springs in the area. Clean bathrooms."
"There is a check in booth at the entrance. They gave us a call to let us know they will be closed when we arrive and we had to pick up our camp pass outside."
$69 - $99 / night
"We stopped in here on our way to Stone Mountain, coming from south Florida. It is conveniently located right off of I-75N with some restaurants nearby. Pull through full hook up site with cable."
"Found this location here on Dyrt and I'm so glad we did. We were tired along our drive and needed a place to park and rest."
$45 - $250 / night
"It’s our go to place near some of our favorite Florida Springs when they are not available. This park is clean and well maintained with a swimming pool."
"Large sites with beautiful Florida nature trails. We were camping here in March and we were not able to enjoy the springs because they were having a brown out."
"This is a relatively small, privately owned RV campground just off of I-75 in northern Florida. We felt that it was a little pricey at $40 (with a Good Sam discount) for its location."
"Located halfway between UF Gatorland in Gainesville and Lake City right of I75, High Springs Campground is an ideal location that puts you smack dab in the middle of all of the state’s northernmost natural"
TravelerThe park is said to have had damage from a storm. It is a very nice campground but seems to need attention with the bathhouse facilities. They are cleaned but dated with some nonworking fixtures. Drought is very evident at the river. I believe this could be a high rated place with some investment.
GuideFriendly staff. Clean campground. Some pull-thrus. Not gated. We have stayed here multiple times in our 40' motorhome with slides on both sides plus our Jeep. No problems. Recommended
ScoutThe phone number listed directs you to a campsite just up the road, which actually shares the same name as this listing. However, most of the photos shown (up to around photo 22) are of a different campground than where you’ll end up if you book here.
If you follow the booking details, you’ll be taken to a more open RV-style site with many long-term renters, and it does not match the photos provided. The area itself is still nice, and there’s a convenience store nearby with basic supplies.
If you’re specifically looking for the campground shown in the photos, make sure to search for Ichetucknee Springs Campground on Google to find the correct location.
ScoutRelatively quiet campground on a lake (boats, jet skis, kids sounds). Camp hosts very friendly. Decent bathrooms, laundry, showers. Dog friendly! Site 33 (water only hook up) is right next to the beach area, bathrooms. It’s a very open site so if you want privacy this is not it. It’s on the water so nice view! I’m
ScoutThere is 5 tent only sites without water or electric. There is also RV sites with water and electric.
ScoutWe stayed Friday to Sunday and the property is quaint and clean and so so quiet ! Bathroom facilities are clean and spacious . The laundry facility was clean. 2 washers and 4 or 5 dryers . Change machine provided in laundry room. The pool was clean ! And it’s pet friendly. Kelly was amazing , we didn’t need for her anything but getting us reserved was hassle free!! We loved it there ! Wonderful pull through site ! We will definitely be back :)
GuideThis is a MH and RV Park. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. They have a pub on site for resident’s serving beer and wine along with pool tables. A nice touch while enjoying the newly redone pool and cabana. There is a window at the pool to order drinks. Park is family run so they are on site constantly to provide assistance when needed. Beer and wine prices are amazingly cheap. Draft beer is $2.50. We had a beer and two wine spritzers and the total was $9.00. The RV lots offer full hookup. Most are a simple grassy area. There is a new DG Market a three minute walk from the park. No roads to cross so it is extremely convenient. The bath house was dated although very clean. There are two showers each in the men and women’s. There is a 8’ wide paved bicycle trail that runs along the park property line. I was told it stretches for over twenty miles. We only road a short distance.
ScoutChecked in Tuesday at the specified time 3 o’clock, hit our billing with directed to our site, which is very close to the office. Unit has a pool and pool tables (2) with a bar which serves beer and wine. There is a clubhouse and propane and wood for fires pull through spot was very adequate with electrical 30 and 50 amp water and drain for black water. Probably the only negative that we have found so far is you’re getting a little bit of noise at night from 19 and if you park close to the clubhouse people coming in and out in the evening are a little loud.
ScoutQuiet beautiful laid back, let's keep it that way!
Camping near Newberry, Florida offers access to a network of freshwater springs connected by the Santa Fe River system. The region sits at a relatively flat elevation with scattered limestone karst formations creating Florida's unique spring landscape. Winter camping from November through March provides the most comfortable temperatures, typically ranging from 50-75°F with lower humidity than summer months.
Scuba diving at springs: Devil's Den Spring offers a unique underwater cave system for certified divers. "The spring was an amazing experience. The campground was maintained but the bathroom needed to be attended to. Overall, great experience!" shared one visitor at Devil's Den Spring.
Wildlife observation along boardwalks: Walk designated paths at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park to spot native species. "We were able to see wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking," reports a camper at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground.
Night sky viewing: The darker skies in rural areas around Newberry create opportunities for stargazing. "Great location with plenty of dark skies. The spots are well spaced in the woods, with plenty of room," notes a visitor about Paynes Prairie Preserve.
Swimming in 72-degree water: Hart Springs offers a constant year-round water temperature that's refreshing in summer but comfortable on warmer winter days. "The Hart Spring has one of the largest swimming area with year-round 72-degree Fahrenheit water temperatures," explains a camper.
Family-friendly water recreation: Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park provides accessible water activities for all ages. "The spring is MAGNIFICENT! We swam, floated, dove, and played in the sand. The Swimming area around the spring was nice and sandy and graded, not just rocky and/or deep some of the other near by springs," shares a visitor at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Campground.
Proximity between campgrounds and springs: At many locations, camping puts you within walking distance of swimming areas. "The best part of this park is the short trail to Hart Springs directly from the campground. It takes you through shaded Florida swamp and marsh and opens up on the Hart springs recreation area," explains a camper at Hart Springs Park.
Clean bathroom facilities: Most state park campgrounds maintain well-kept restroom areas. "Sites are easy to back in and we was almost level where we put our camper. It seems pretty quiet in the evenings and everyone is very friendly that we have seen," reports a Hart Springs visitor.
Pool amenities: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools as an alternative to natural springs. "Nice pool with bathrooms and a big pavilion with picnic tables and two grills for cooking at the pool," notes a Hart Springs camper.
Seasonal crowds impact experience: Spring and summer months bring much higher visitation rates. "This spring is one of the newer State parks in Florida. When you camp here you can use the spring before and after those who come for day use (there are a lot). In the evenings we had the spring to ourselves," advises a Gilchrist Blue Springs camper.
Road conditions vary significantly: Some campgrounds have more developed access than others. "There is a long dirt road to get in but was very manageable. Same with the sites(sand) which made us a bit nervous looking at it that we would get stuck, but no issues," reports a visitor about Gilchrist Blue Springs.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Not sure who said the internet coverage was good. It SUCKS. The campground is down a hill off the side of the interstate. Any signal probably just floats right by above you," notes a camper at Travelers Campground.
Alcohol policies differ: Some parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "Although Hart springs was closed while we were there due to flooding and construction but should be open for spring 2019, but it looks like an incredible swimming spot with ample space, tables and pavilions," mentions a visitor.
Swimming safety measures: Monitor children closely at natural springs where depths can change suddenly. "The spring gets packed with tubers, floaters, coolers, kayaks, canoes, scuba divers and every other human powered vessel as well but that just gives Ginny it's vibe. What most people don't realize is that if you get to the spring EARLY in the morning you can have it mostly to yourself," advises a camper at Ginnie Springs Outdoors.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "This park also has a splash pad, volleyball and basketball court. Beautiful ½ a mile-long boardwalk along the springs and the Suwannee River," describes a Hart Springs visitor.
Family gathering spaces: Many sites include communal areas for group activities. "The middle sites seem more level than the outer ring of sites. WiFi connection is quite good and you are able to stream Netflix and Prime tv," shares a camper at Hart Springs.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds feature educational wildlife opportunities. "Found this location here on Dyrt and I'm so glad we did. An animal rescue is woven between the park and around the outside in such a thoughtful and beautiful way," notes a Travelers Campground visitor.
Site selection considerations: Choose locations based on shade coverage and accessibility. "The Magnolia campground is the only one we will stay at when going to O'Leno. The campground is about 20 minutes from Ichnetucknee and several other springs," recommends a visitor at Magnolia Campground — O'Leno State Park.
Water hookup logistics: Prepare with proper equipment for various site layouts. "We stayed in site 1 and it could see the spring from our RV. The staff was friendly and the park host was so full of information. One note: site 1 in particular requires a looooooong hose," warns a camper at Gilchrist Blue Springs.
Navigation challenges: Be aware of tight turns and tree obstacles in older campgrounds. "We are 35' and are in the Magnolia loop but nearly hit a tree backing in. The park doesn't have much in the way of amenities no septic nor washer or dryer," cautions an O'Leno State Park camper.
Leveling preparation: Sandy sites often require additional stabilization. "Did have some issues trying to level. The sites were close and in 'corrals' but something about it made it feel nicer. Can't explain it. Just great feel to this park," shares a visitor about Gilchrist Blue Springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Newberry, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Newberry, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 233 campgrounds and RV parks near Newberry, FL and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Newberry, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Newberry, FL is Ginnie Springs Outdoors with a 4.2-star rating from 54 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Newberry, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Newberry, FL.
What parks are near Newberry, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Newberry, FL that allow camping, notably National Forests in Florida and Osceola National Forest.
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