Best Campgrounds near Ocean Ridge, FL
The coastal region surrounding Ocean Ridge, Florida features several county and state park campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. John Prince Park Campground in Lake Worth offers waterfront sites with full hookups for both RVs and tent campers, situated on Lake Osborne with paved sites that accommodate large rigs. Further south, Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound provides a more natural camping experience with two distinct campgrounds: Pine Grove near the entrance and River Campground along the Loxahatchee River. Unique options include Bee Healthy Honey Farms with its small number of RV sites, Peanut Island Campground accessible only by boat, and several county parks like Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach that offers tent camping, yurts, and glamping opportunities.
Weather conditions significantly impact the camping experience in this part of Florida. Summer months (May through September) bring intense heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. As one camper noted about Jonathan Dickinson State Park, "The bugs are pretty bad. Bring your OFF and screened shelters. No-see-ums were bad in the evening, and flies were plenty all day." Winter months (November through March) offer more comfortable temperatures in the 70s and lower humidity, making it the peak season when reservations become essential. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though seasonal closures for maintenance occasionally occur, particularly after hurricane season.
Many campers highlight the proximity to water as a defining feature of camping in this area. At John Prince Park, "waterfront sites have the best views and most are situated on the lake," according to one reviewer. The campgrounds near Ocean Ridge provide excellent access to water activities, with paddling opportunities on Lake Osborne, the Loxahatchee River, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Wildlife viewing is another common experience, with campers reporting sightings of manatees, otters, tortoises, and various bird species. Highway noise can be an issue at some locations closer to I-95, while others like the River Campground at Jonathan Dickinson State Park offer more seclusion where "the only noise you'll hear is the rustling of the palm fronds in the breeze."