Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Olustee? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
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
Primitive camping area on the north edge of the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.
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
Cabins and tent sites are accessed by walking trails. Push carts available to transport gear. Visitors are responsible for bringing their own linens, cookware, and dishes. Camping-style mattresses provided in cabins and treehouses. RV or car camping is not permitted in the park.
Camp Chowenwaw (Cho’-wen-waw), is a beautiful 150-acre site at the mouth of Black Creek, near its confluence with the St. Johns River. The Girl Scout Council of Duval County operated the site as a camp for over 70 years. The original cabins and the Big Cabin were built with federal aid using logs cut on site. The camp opened on July 1, 1933. Camp Chowenwaw has played an important role in the lives of three generations of young women in Northeast Florida. Thousands of campers have stayed at the Camp; many have gone on to be leaders in our community. In 2006, Clay County purchased the camp from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council with assistance from Florida Communities Trust using Florida Forever funds. It is now a public park offering a variety of recreation including trails, camping and overnight cabins, nature programs, fishing pier, canoe launch, picnicking, swimming pool, museum, playground, and meeting rooms. The Park is managed as a conservation, historic preservation, and outdoor recreation area.
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.
Trail Guide: https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/lands/trailguides/blackcreekravinestrail.pdf St. Johns River Water Management District lands are natural, wild and scenic places. While camping on district lands, you may have an opportunity to see various wildlife, sit under the stars, listen to a soft evening breeze rustling tree leaves and experience Florida much as some of the earliest settlers did. However, be prepared to rough it. Only primitive tent camping is allowed on district lands and only at designated locations. No travel trailers, campers or RVs are allowed. Most properties offer no amenities such as rentals, restrooms, potable water or shelters. Many of the campsites are in remote areas and can be reached only by hiking, bicycling, boating or horseback riding. Campers should use the designated campfire rings for fires and should carry out all garbage with them when they leave. Check the notices section of this website for updates on any current burn bans. First come/first serve and reservable camping sites are available at most district properties. Reservable campsites require a reservation and permit from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. All camping is limited to a maximum of seven days per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year.
Primitive camping year-round, available only to hunters during general gun season in the fall.
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.
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.
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.
Guide
Quiet, lots of wildlife (wild horses, bison, alligators, deer, birds, turtles); plenty of hiking and biking trails with beautiful sunsets on the lake. Restroom facilities are showing some age but clean. Walk-in tent sites are pretty close to the Restrooms.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
LegendExcept for the noise of the highway, you would never guess you were 10 minutes from a major metropolitan city. The campground is very private with lots of trees and palms separating sites, especially in the tent loops. The tent sites are walk in, with some closer than others. I took site #23 for the night, which was set back just enough to the private, but not so far as to really haul my gear. Each tent site has a numbered parking space as well. There seemed to be about 10-12 tent only sites and the remainder of the 50 sites had hook-ups for RVs. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and well taken care of.
A two mile hike will take you the visitors center, from which you can climb the observation tower to look over the prairie and have access to several trails. It was really wet when I was there which meant that several trails were partially closed. But I still managed to hike several miles over several trails. I never did see the Cracker Wild Spanish Horses or the bison, but did see lots of signs in the form of poop. I also didn’t see any gators, but did get to see lots of birds of various size and variety.
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.
Traveler
There are two loops for campers, both very nice - one is near the lakes but not directly accessing the water (you’ll get more RVs in that area) and the tent camping loop backs up against the woods. Great access to water sports, the ravine hiking trails, dirt roads leading out the back entrance for motorcycles to easily access the nearby forest roads, and the amenities are spare but clean. The staff are always friendly and understanding, and other campers tend to be seasonal, return groups and families - pets are more than welcomed.
Scout
This private RV and tent campground has a gorgeous hot spring on site which flows into the Suwannee River. Recreation includes swimming, canoeing, hiking, biking and birding. Full hook ups, BBQ grills, showered and laundry available. There are also 3 cabins and an historic stilt house available for overnight stays.
LegendThis is off the beaten path a bit, just out of High Springs Florida. The RV campsites are relatively small with little space between them. The campers there were quiet and respectful. The tent sites, however, are tremendously spacious by comparison. The whole area is beneath shady live oak trees. There is a little camp store that was not open during my visit there. Kayaks were available for rent. The rangers were wonderful folks and very helpful. They told me that I was there during a "very wet time" with a lot of standing water = MOSQUITOS! They are not normally a bother at this campground, but they were when I was there.
Nestled in the heart of Florida, Olustee offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Olustee, FL is Jennings State Forest Hammock Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
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