Top Tent Camping near Palatka, FL
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Palatka? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Palatka with tent camping. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Palatka, FL (26)
1. Princess Place Preserve
10 Reviews•47 Photos•219 SavesTent Camping Only (No RV's). Tent Camping is allowed at designated campsites in the Princess Place Preserve. Princess Place Preserve, with its rich history and 1500 pristine acres, attracts nature enthusiasts from near and far. It provides a glimpse of old Florida. Visitors can take in its splendor while on one of the many hiking trails, fishing the salt marshes along the Matanzas River and Pellicer Creek, or camping out under the stars. The preserve is a popular spot for horse enthusiasts, with an equestrian campsite and plenty of trails that make it is easy to embrace nature while enjoying a ride. This beautiful 1,500-acre preserve is situated in the northern part of Flagler County. It was purchased by Henry Cutting in 1886 and passed on to his widow Angela Mills Cutting Worden, who eventually married Boris Scherbatoff, an exiled Russian prince. Angela assumed the title of princess and it was then that the once named "Cherokee Grove" came to be known as "Princess Place." The original lodge, built by Henry Cutting, stills stands as Flagler County's oldest intact structure. It is also home to Florida's very first in-ground swimming pool. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. There are Lodge tours Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. on a first come first serve basis. There is no reservations for the tours, simply meet the Rangers at the Lodge at 2pm. Camping check-in is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ranger Station. For more information about camping or pavilion rentals, call Parks and Recreation at 386-313-4020.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
$20 / night
2. Camp Chowenwaw Park
9 Reviews•82 Photos•81 SavesCamp 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.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
3. Etoniah Creek State Forest
2 Reviews•18 Photos•3 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Alcohol
4. Lake Delancy East NF Campground
3 Reviews•1 Photo•23 SavesLake area campground with 29 campsites along the eastern shore of Lake Delancy in the Big Scrub.
- Fires
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
5. Bayard Conservation Area
3 Reviews•17 Photos•166 SavesThis conservation area’s importance is magnified by its closeness to the St. Johns River and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Its riverine bottomland hardwoods, pine flatwoods and sandhill communities protect approximately seven miles of the St. Johns River, which borders the east side of the property. In addition, the property provides storage of flood waters and preserves water and natural resources in the Lower St. Johns River Basin. One of the special highlights of this property is its two campsites within area 1 in the northern section of the property. Both are special spots. The Hammock campground is tucked back into the flatwoods with an ephemeral stream directly to the east of the camp site. The Riverside campsite is located directly along the St. Johns River with fantastic views of the cypress trees that flank the banks of the river. The Riverside campsite and the trail leading to it can be wet due to seasonal flooding.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
6. Gores Landing
5 Reviews•23 Photos•99 SavesGores Landing is located in northeast Marion County & offers primitive camping, a boat ramp, restroom and picnic tables on the Ocklawaha River. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This state-owned property is leased to the county commission, which has managed the facility since 1966.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$10 / night
7. Jennings State Forest Hammock Campground
10 Reviews•21 Photos•99 SavesThis 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$9 - $10 / night
8. Matanzas State Forest
4 Reviews•14 Photos•43 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$15 - $20 / night
9. Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
2 Reviews•11 Photos•22 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$20 - $25 / night
10. Shanty Pond Campground
2 Reviews•4 Photos•11 SavesShanty Pond is a campground in the heart of a longleaf pine eco system, located south of Salt Springs off SR 19. A favorite of equestrians and hunters, it is seasonally open from October 15 through April 15.
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
Showing results 1-10 of 26 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Palatka
850 Reviews of 26 Palatka Campgrounds
- J
Jill P.
Scout
Ocala RV Camp Resort
No tent camping allowed
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
James P.
Legend
Starke-Gainesville NE KOA
Better than average KOA
Large sites. Very nice pool. First rate laundry facilities. Great playground and dog park.
Alexandra E.
Guide
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Right across Florida Trail and cold but gorgeous spring
Very convenient campground to go for a hike along the florida trail and cool off in the gorgeous blue spring waters. It does get crowded so plan accordingly.
Nicole H.Scout
Silver Springs RV Park
Camper
Quiet and friendly place. Better for campers.
Julian G.
Traveler
Pine Island RV & Marina
Great staff and wonderful view
Friendly staff and well maintained Park and facilities with great fishing and an amazing view of Lake George.
Joe R.Legend
Anastasia State Park
So close to the beach!
We had site 111, which we picked up last minute as there was a cancellation. Great site with plenty of room to spread out. Just big enough for our 33’ Class A. The beach was a 7 minute walk and easy. Nice gift shop and restaurant if food is needed and very close to the amphitheater.
Tons of spiders (nature). The bathrooms and showers are right at average. Ranger was very nice.
Danton T.ScoutSilver Springs RV Park
A great place to stay
My wife and I decided last year to full time RV. We were already living in Ocala and we wanted to remain in the area. We discovered Silver Springs RV and are so glad we did. Everyone here, especially the staff, was so welcoming and friendly. SSRV is definitely going to be home for a long time.
Lorilee S.
Ranger
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Pretty and quiet
This campground is really dark, quiet and pretty. The bathhouse was always clean. You can smell the well water in the bathhouse. Brings me back to my childhood memories. We rode our bikes to the observation tower, but we were not lucky enough to see any bison or wild horses. Still nice to see the open prairie. We had a big rainstorm and the back of our site did become a lake, but it was gone overnight. The bugs lit us up all hours, so make sure you different bug sprays.
Stuart K.Legend
Rodman Campground
Hidden Gem for Primitive Camping Solitude w/ Amenities & Reservoir Access
Maybe it was that the light was falling at just the right time as I moseyed into Rodman Campground a good hour or so before dusk became official here just due south of Palatka, the Sunshine State’s ‘Unofficial Farmer’s Market’ and a pretty decent stretch from the endless miles of pristine white sand beaches on the Atlantic Coast or the overwhelming non-stop entertainment options of a city built on 'Mouse Magic.’ Whatever it was, there’s something that struck us as incredibly special about this particular campground outpost. I think what we left with was a surreal understanding that no matter what you come packing with, you’re gonna have just one helluva amazing camping experience here at Rodman Campground.
This place is perfect for both the RV tribe as well as mi tent-pitching community. And I don’t often get to say that. As for the campground itself, while there’s 64 sites to choose from in all, there’s basically 3 distinct areas that you should be aware of. The first area is what I would call the VIP RV Lots, given its proximity to the Rodman Reservoir, while I’m not an RV enthusiast, but this spot feels like you’ve hit ‘the jackpot’ as it’s a single lane with 6 or so sites on either side and provides you with direct and easy access to a very well-maintained restroom and shower facility. The second area is exclusively carved out for my tribe – those that are packing their experience with them and like to unroll their version of protection from the elements while staring straight up at the blessed star-crossed sky while completely surrounded by the thick of nature and tall needle-like trees. And while Rodman Campground calls this the ‘primitive campground,’ I’ll affectionately refer to it as ‘Pitch-A-Tent Heaven.’ Admittedly, I’ve never set up camp so close to RVs that still made me feel like one with nature. The third and final campground option here at Rodman is what I will characterize as ‘RV Pavement Parking Lot Hell,’ where if you have an RV (and can’t get into the VIP RV spot, then, well, you’ll be parking yourself here, but hopefully the freshly poured flat concrete will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Regardless of the camping neighborhood that you end up arriving at, Rodman Campground will impress upon you what an amazing place it is, first and foremost, by offering up what is, no doubt, some of the best FL SP staff you will ever encounter – they are friendly, helpful and incredibly proud of this patch of land that they call home. Secondly, the Rodman Reservoir offers nothing short of AMAZING kayak and canoe adventures. The amenities are pretty top notch: back-in and pull-through RV sites with full-hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), scattered picnic tables, fire rings and BBQ grills, paved bicycle paths (and miles of additional pavement via Rodman Dam Road, boating within the 9K acre Rodman Preserve, designated dump stations, five reservable pavilions and an excellent boat ramp, freshwater fishing (license required), 5.1 miles of trail hiking (actually part of the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs adjacent to Rodman Campground, picnicking at waterfront pavilions (need to be reserved). If you’re a wild nature enthusiast, you’re in luck, because here at Rodman Campground, you’ll easily be able to spot: bald eagle, foxes, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, hawks and owls, osprey and the American alligator.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If I was an RV’er (and let’s be clear, I’m not) and I was looking to book a spot here at Rodman Campground, I would absolutely be looking at the VIP RV Lots wherein I would chose any of the spots that are backed up against the wilderness (that would be on the west), which offer a greater degree of connectivity with nature (and thus additional privacy) where, in particular, I would book one of these amazing sites: #2, #5, #9, #10 and #12. While the other sites in this spot aren’t bad, they just don’t offer the amount of privacy that these other 5 sites do; (2) For mi tent-pitching bredren, while almost all of these camp sites offer you a pristine au naturale experience (apart from the few sites that are front-facing (#14-17; #38) you’ll want to prioritize any other site (#18-37) as best you can; (3) If you come bringing your boat, please be aware that there’s submerged logs and other underwater obstructions to be aware of, so motor with caution!; (4) When you get tired of staring down the bottom of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or the emptiness of your on-board fridge, and want to try out some of the local fare, then look no further than Hog Wild Country Café back in Interlachen (no, we’re not in Switzerland, but if you head back NW, you’ll find this spot on County Road 310) where all the traditional BBQ plates are being served (smoked brisket, smoked turkey, smoked pork, OK, smoked EVERYTHING) along with killer southern sides like mac-n-cheese, potato salad, slaw and, my favorite, Vidalia onion rings!; and (5) If you come hauling watercraft, you’ll have no shortage of great launches here at Rodman Campground, but if you are looking to dip your canoe or kayak in some different places, I would highly recommend Marjorie Harris Carr (just follow the Kenwood Boat Ram Road till it reaches a parking circle, from which you’ll easily see the boat launch) or over across the reservoir as well as just heading a bit further west to Rodman Recreation Area where you can drop in there or over at the Rodman Dam Kayak Launch, which has tons of tributaries to navigate.
Happy Camping!
Jeff E.GuidePaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Immersed in Nature.
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.
- Jeff E.Guide
Anastasia State Park
Old City, Bike, Kayak & Beach!
Bike to the Old City or see it from the water in your kayak. A beautiful beach is just minutes away by foot or bike. Was quiet at night. Super clean bathhouse. A few raccoons so take necessary precautions with trash and food storage.
- Lorilee S.Ranger
Santos Trailhead & Campground
Very nice
This campground is the perfect size. Our site had shade about 95% of the day! We had the perfect size of an area behind our RV. Loved hearing all of the birds chirping. You can hear traffic since it’s right off of the highway. There are plenty of trees around. The bathroom was very clean. It’s nice and dark at night!! We did the hike to see the historical part of the Island. That was neat to read about. We also took the biking trail to say we went above i75 on the bridge. That was a round trip of 15.5 miles, if anyone is interested. It’s a really nice campground, especially if like doing trails and biking.
- LLouise C.Scout
North Beach Camp Resort
Nice park bad bath house
Camp sites are very nice. It’s right across the street from the beach. The problem I had was for the price you would think the bath houses would be I better condition. I guess they were clean but in such bad condition I couldn’t be sure.
- AAmanda W.Guide
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Amazing kayaking & trails
Campground is basic, very few sewer spots but there is a dump station. Big rig friendly, several pull thru spots, easy paved entry, gravel sites, I think all are 50/30. Plenty of space between sites. Clean bathroom, washer/dryer, soda machine. Very dark at night which I love. No lights except the bath house. Dog poo bag stations. Very friendly staff (Melinda & John, camp hosts were amazing) 1 mile from amazing kayaking. Great, woodsy hiking trails. Maybe 3 miles to Publix/Wawa.
Eleanor the Airstream R.RangerPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Wooded and quiet
Great state park well off the main road. Quiet and wooded with limestone pads.
Ali P.Guide
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Quick 2 night stay
Beautiful place, nothing to complain about
- RRon G.Guide
Anastasia State Park
Beautiful campground
We stopped in on our way to Lakeland, FL. Beautiful campground and well maintained. When we booked online it said only 2 spots to choose from but the park was 50% empty. Would definitely stay here again if we have the chance.
Haley L.Guide
Matanzas State Forest
Rural Campground not far from st augustine
Took some rough dirt roads to get to this campsite. If you value peace and quiet you will love this campsite. It’s more primitive than anything in my opinion. Star gazing out here is absolutely immaculate. The sites here are pretty large. You could fit several tents in these sites. Some limited service.
- Haley L.Guide
Juniper Springs Rec Area - Tropical Camp Area
Jungle camp
Nice spots for tent camping. Got surprisingly cold when I visited. Would’ve been 5 stars if it weren’t for obnoxiously loud and rude neighbors that were yelling/screaming until midnight. If you camp here, expect to hear lots of partying.
- MMaggie C.Legend
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Beautiful campground
Loved this campground. We had sites 22 & 24. Site 22 has lots of sun; site 24 was full shade all day. I thought site 20 was the best. All campsites are very roomy. Bring your paddleboard or kayak. We drove to Silver Springs park and put in. Lazy river ride for 2 miles where we got out at the River trail. If you do this, bring your kayak wheels as it is a 1 mile walk back to the campground (or 1/2 mile to the River Trail trailhead). Then went to pick up truck where we started. Highly recommend this campground. There are also lots of trails to hike, but it was so hot when we were there we did not do any but the river trail.
- SSerena S.Scout
Encore Bulow RV
Pool was okay, but the staff wasn’t.
I asked my parents to book this RV site because it has a pool and WiFi. First things first, you have to pay for WiFi. I spent $15 on WiFi for ONE DAY for 7 people because if you make only one account it allows only 3 devices to sign it with it. Doesn’t mention anything about that on their website or on here. The plants here and the views are really pretty. The pool was okay, and the one day and night we stayed there we met some friendly people who were staying there as well. The next morning, (40 minutes before checkout time) they were already calling my mom and asking us when we were leaving. Are you serious? Put an earlier check-out time on your business if you want people to leave earlier. It sucks because I recommended this site to my parents, and they treated my mom very crummy. We won’t be back here again.
- LLisa D.Traveler
Anastasia State Park
Tons to do
Beach is beautiful. Lots to do in the area. Ride your bike all day. Relax on the beach. Lots of history to learn. Don’t forget the farmers market on Saturday. Sites are a little too close.
- DDennis B.Scout
Holiday Trav-L-Park RV Resort
Short overnight stay
Easy to find, close to I-75 Freeway. Older RV park with many permanent sites. Pull through, full hook ups with cable TV. Not too quiet but building on East side blocks much of the Freewaynoise. Large shade trees. Intermixed temp and permanent sites. Didn't see a store nor sites showers and restrooms. Pool is closed. Looks permanent.
Erin M.TravelerPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Fantastic camp sites
There aren’t many bad sites. Great trails and walking. BRING BUG SPRAY. I wish I had time to stay longer to see everything the park had to offer. I will be back!
David G.TravelerPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Great park!!!
This is now my top 2 in parks for camping. The tent only spots are nice and secluded. You do have to walk maybe 100-200 ft from your car to the campsite. I was in site #24. Nice and open with a lot of trees for protection. Great fire pit. No power or water at this site… site #25 has those. The whole grounds were well kept and the trails were easy. At the observation tower you can see a lot of the prairie and if you’re lucky you can see wild horses.
B M.LegendSilver Springs State Park Campground
Amazing Place
This campground is nice the sites are nice sized and level. The campground is not located at the head springs where the glass bottom boats are and kayak rentals. This makes it even better. The campground is quiet. It's a 15 minute drive to the head springs.
We had our own Kayaks so we put in at the head springs and paddled down to the campground. It's a 2 to 2 1/2 hour trip or more because of all the beautiful landscape and the wildlife. At the campground exit to get out of the river you have to have wheels to transport the kayaks back to the parking lot. It's about a 1 mile hike pulling the kayak.
You can also do a longer trip an paddle further to Rays Wayside. It's less busy paddling that part of the river. You will need to leave a vehicle parked at Rays Wayside to get back to the headsprings. There is a company for $10 per person that will pick you up there and brings you back. Silver Springs charges $55 per person.
I was in site 53 and there are trails you can hike from behind many of the campsites. There is a cracker house village and a great museum with artifacts and giant skeletons of big creatures. Lots of fossils and arrowheads. The Museum is only open on weekends.
The bath houses are very clean and if cold out nice hot heaters. There is a washer and dryer at the bath houses too.
They sell firewood and ice at the campground. You use a QR code scanner to purchase it. The wood is nice and burns like wood should.
I went to Silver springs as a kid and always thought of it as a tourist trap. I never had a desire to camp there yet I will say I have changed my mind and have already booked for next year.
Florida residents have a one month booking advantage which started this past January. If your a Florida senior resident you get 1/2 off the price. The campsite hang tag gets you into the headspring for free.
The park is nice I will visit again.
- LLouis B.Traveler
Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
Beautiful place
This is an excellent place to pitch a tent and spend time in nature without traveling far. Great hiking trails and the Pelicer Creek is available for fishing. Bring a kayak.
The camp sites are huge. The tent sites are elevated which should help keep the soil dryer in case of rain.
Keep in mind that there is no water available at the camping sites or the entire park for that matter. Potable or non potable so you have to bring in all drinking water and water for washing dishes if you plan on doing some cleanup. Also, there are bathrooms but they’re pretty far. The campsites do have nearby porta potties.
Guide to Palatka
Camping near Palatka, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
What to do
Kayaking and Canoeing: The Tomoka State Park Campground is perfect for water lovers. One reviewer mentioned, "Whether you like to get on the water in a kayak, canoe or fishing boat, you are in for a treat here." The park has a 13-mile kayak/canoe trail that is popular among visitors.
Biking: At Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, biking is a great way to explore the area. A camper shared, "Bike to the Old City or see it from the water in your kayak. A beautiful beach is just minutes away by foot or bike."
Fishing: The Salt Springs Recreation Area is known for its fishing spots. One visitor noted, "The springs were beautiful. The pizza place across the street was really good," highlighting the convenience of nearby amenities after a day of fishing.
What campers like
- Privacy and Space: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Blue Spring State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The individual campsites give off a vibe of privacy, intimacy, and solitude."
- Clean Facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of the facilities. One camper at Silver Springs State Park Campground said, "The bathhouses are very clean and if cold out nice hot heaters."
- Natural Beauty: The scenery is a big draw. A visitor at O'Leno State Park remarked, "The park itself is absolutely lovely," emphasizing the beauty of the natural surroundings.
What you should know
- Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. At Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, a camper warned, "A few raccoons so take necessary precautions with trash and food storage."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A visitor at Florida Salt Springs noted, "In 20-degree exterior temperatures, both campground bathhouses had windows open," indicating that some facilities may not be as comfortable as expected.
- Access Issues: At Juniper Springs Recreation Area, a camper mentioned, "The canoe/kayak launch was closed," so check ahead for availability of activities.
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. Tomoka State Park Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, making it a great choice for families.
- Plan for Safety: One parent at Rainbow Springs State Park cautioned about tubing safety, saying, "There are absolutely NO park rangers patrolling the river while people are tubing to assist anyone having issues."
- Pack Essentials: A camper at O'Leno State Park suggested, "Bring your paddleboard or kayak," highlighting the importance of bringing your own gear for family fun.
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: RVers should pay attention to site sizes. A reviewer at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park mentioned, "This particular site is a little odd shaped," indicating that some sites may be tricky for larger rigs.
- Be Prepared for Dust: At North Beach Camp Resort, a camper noted, "All the sites are dirt, including the roads," so expect some dust during your stay.
- Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at Tomoka State Park Campground appreciated the "full hook ups (electric/water/sewer)," making their stay more comfortable.
Camping around Palatka, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the specific campground details and reviews to ensure a great experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Palatka, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Palatka, FL is Princess Place Preserve with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Palatka, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Palatka, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.