Best Tent Camping near Palatka, FL
Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Palatka? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Palatka. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Florida tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Palatka, Florida (25)
1. Princess Place Preserve
10 Reviews•47 Photos•230 SavesPalm Coast, FloridaTent 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 - Treehouse Point
9 Reviews•82 Photos•84 SavesGreen Cove Springs, FloridaCabins 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.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Cabins
3. Etoniah Creek State Forest
2 Reviews•18 Photos•5 SavesFlorahome, Florida- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Alcohol
4. Lake Delancy East NF Campground
3 Reviews•1 Photo•24 SavesSalt Springs, FloridaLake area campground with 29 campsites along the eastern shore of Lake Delancy in the Big Scrub.
- Fires
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
5. Matanzas State Forest
5 Reviews•14 Photos•49 SavesSt. Augustine, Florida- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$15 - $20 / night
6. Bayard Conservation Area
3 Reviews•17 Photos•170 SavesGreen Cove Springs, FloridaThis 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.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
7. Jennings State Forest Hammock Campground
11 Reviews•21 Photos•104 SavesMiddleburg, FloridaThis 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. Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area
1 Review•10 Photos•1 SaveWelaka, FloridaCaravelle Ranch camping is available for permitted hunters at designated primitive sites. Be cautious after heavy rains as they might close to protect the roads.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
9. Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
2 Reviews•11 Photos•32 SavesPalm Coast, Florida- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$20 - $25 / night
10. Haw Creek Preserve State Park Dispersed
1 Review•10 Photos•2 SavesBunnell, FloridaPermit Required - boat access only -
The boardwalk leads back to an open field area where there is tent camping allowed. The walk takes you over some wetlands, it's a beautiful site all around, and it's shaded by the natural canopy created by the trees.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
Recent Tent Reviews near Palatka, FL
844 Reviews of 25 Palatka Campgrounds
- Kandi G.
Guide
Rodman Campground
Closely gathered camp sites, without water or electric. Clean.
Closely gathered tent camp sites, without water or electric at the site. Water is stationed within walking distance, tastes weird. Nonpotable?Clean sites. Bath house with hot water, boat ramp for large and small boats. Current is very fast for kayaking. Go tot he dam instead which offers World renowned fishing. Lots of alligators. Go to Rodman damn for the fishing and quiet waters to kayak in. A minagerie of wildlife is available to view. No phone service. Dog friendly camping. Isolated. Bring what you need.
- LLiz H.
Ranger
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Great campground in Ocala National Forest
Fantastic campground and recreation area. Over 150 campsites, one area full hookups with all amenities and other area for tent camping. Sites have lots of space and majority have shade trees with moss flowing in the breeze. All sites have picnic table, lantern pole, grill, and fire ring. We have 2 golden retrievers and had plenty of space to spare. Beautiful stars out at night. Bathhouses are large, clean, hot showers. Trailer sites were full and only a few tent campers this time of year. Tent sites are complete with Bear boxes at each site. Camp hosts and management were very friendly and helpful.
Saw manatees kayaking in the spring and river on premises. Spring area has a boardwalk around it. People swam with them too. Saw bald eagle catching fish, lots of birds, some fish, etc. Has a small boat launch and marina. Can tent kayaks. Great place for bikes. A few hiking trails were well maintained.
Convenient location to lots of springs to visit and things to do. Visited Silver Springs, Blue Springs, Juniper Spring to name a few. All within 1 hr drive.
Not sure how summer time is, but this late February time was Awesome. 40-50 at night and 60s in the day! This is a must stay place. - Brandie B.
LegendSalt Springs Recreation Area
Oldest National Forest east of the Mississippi River!
Salt Springs Recreation Area is part of the Ocala National Forest. It’s the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River and protects the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest. The Salt Springs gets its name from the magnesium, sodium and potassium levels in the water, giving it a slight salinity. We made our reservations online at www.recreation.gov you can also call 877-444-6777 the local office is(352) 685-2048. We’re a married couple in our forties traveling with two dogs and a cat in our 37 foot motorhome. We stayed at Salt Springs campground for about a week in February. It was$34 for full hookups or$23 for tent camping. American Land& Leisure does a great job managing this recreation and camping area, the staff are professional and friendly. It’s a very safe and well lit campground. Activities include spring swimming, basketball courts, horseshoe pit, fishing, snorkeling, hiking, boating and kayaking. Canoe rentals are available. Nearby in the town of Salt Springs you will find a grocery store, gas station, restaurants, post office and laundromat. Don’t expect big box stores to shop in, this is a very small town and a place to get away from the world. We stayed in a full hookup site and had lots of space to ourselves, at least 25 yards to our neighbor on either side and about 40 yards to the next loop behind us. It was a flat site and very easy to level our motorhome. Sites are fully equipped with fire ring, grill, lantern post and picnic table. The tent sites include a bear locker. We loved the recycling opportunities at each trash container. They recycle plastic, glass and aluminum. The bathhouses are a gem, extremely clean and well taken care of. For campers in tents they offer a kitchen sink area to clean your dishes. Overall we loved our stay here, we went swimming multiple times with our snorkel gear and drove down to Silver Springs on two separate days(one for the glass bottomed boats and a second day to go kayaking).
- JJill 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.
Nathan H.
Traveler
St Johns River Campground
St johns river campground
Not good for tent camping. Clean park. Friendly staff.
Brian and Janet S.Guide
Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida
Off the beaten path
This is a beautiful campground with proximity to the Florida Scenic Trail. Ideal for tent camping, as the forest service roads were a little rough for our RV. Campground is along a beautiful and unique wet prairie. No cell service, no electric or water hookups. Worth a stay in a tent! Recommend using entrance off route 19 via forest service road 86.
Christian D.LegendSalt Springs Recreation Area
Camping in Ocala National Forest
Close to a nice spring (not the most beautiful of the area). Tent site are fine. Very friendly staff.
Susan P.Scout
Gores Landing
Remote and natural!
Can flood but there is dry ground to camp on. Sulfur water in the outdoor showers, great tent sites right off river.
Daniel S.Ranger
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Beautiful place
One of our favorite places to visit. The springs are amazing. Camping facilities are nice. Would be 5 stars if they had some sites with electric hookups. Outside of that a great place for tent camping.
- Brandie B.Legend
Anastasia State Park Campground
Awesome state park
Great park for tent camping and small motorhomes. We are 37 feet and only 5 sites were able to accommodate us mainly due to tree branches and large overhanging limbs. It's quiet and there's a large amount of vegetation between sites.
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.
- AAnthony A.Scout
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Weekend getaway
The kids had a blast swimming in the spring and kayaking in the lake. Tent campsites weren’t spread out and zero privacy
- KKim A.Scout
Anastasia State Park Campground
Cozy among the coquina
The facilities at this camp ground are nearly immaculate. The beach access is spacious and pristine. Water sport equipment rental and snack shack on site. Highly recommended to the beach enthusiast. Caution: concerts at the amphitheater can be heard from some sites if you're tent camping.
- JJustin W.Guide
Rodman Campground
Nice State Park
Rodman campground was very clean and well maintained. The bathrooms were spotless. The tent sites were very large, adequately spaced with varying degrees of privacy. The boat ramp is well kept and there is ample trailer parking nearby.
Dan X.Ranger
Riverside Camping — Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
Solid spot for turtle watchin'
Stopped for a night here on the drive down the coast. Lots of turtle nest sites blocked off and an empty beach. RVs are wall to wall with tent sites so bring your earplugs if you're a tent camper or you'll be hearing generators all night.
Jeff E.Guide
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground
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.
Erica S.Guide
Encore Bulow RV
Pretty and spacious if you can handle road noise
Another nice stop on our East Coast bike tour! Spacious sites with picnic tables and water. Charge phone in the bathroom. No hot water for shower the night we were there though, and the tent camping area backs up to the main road into the neighborhood, so we heard car noise throughout the night.
A Guy from EarthGuideAnastasia State Park Campground
My Favorite Campground in Florida
Many campgrounds in Florida offer either a beach or tree canopy campsite but not both. Anastasia is one of the few that has both and is very well maintained.
Most of the campsites in this State Park have oak tree canopies with the hanging spanish moss that give it a soothing shady feel.
The beach is a short car ride away (or decent walk but not too far).
My visit was for tent camping but the sites have full hookups and there is a dump station for RVers.
- Ranae C.Guide
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Hate to see it when they are busy.
Nice area and staff. Site 142 is big and slightly more separated than the rest of the tent sites. Also closest to the kayak launch. The other sites holy crap no privacy or separation between most of them. Wouldn't want to camp here when they are busy.
George V.GuideAnastasia State Park Campground
Perfect camping
Anastasia park is one of the cleanest parks. Friendly rangers . Camp sides nice in woods. Beach so close that u can hear splash waves. Bathrooms clean. Mix tent sites and RV. Close to St. Augustine but if u are inside park u dont even think u r that close
- Scott S.Guide
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Great FL State Park campground
We stayed here over the winter and we were pleasantly surprised! The spaces were relatively private, and the bathrooms were neat and tidy and there was water and trash on site. We tent camped and after enjoying the springs we went and had dinner 5 minutes away! This is a great spot because you feel secluded but you can run to a lot of nice restaurants and grab groceries nearby! We will be back. 
David G.Guide
Santos Trailhead & Campground
Biking paradise
Ended up at this campground since we couldn’t find anything else open at the time. Sure glad we went. The campground is one loop in a field. With camping along the edge in the woods and also in the field with some trees. Lots of open tent camping also. The bathrooms are huge and modern and super nice.
The attraction here is the biking. It’s an international destination for mountain biking! While there are no mountains in Florida, there are many man made ramps and jumps and turns. It’s remarkable to see. There is also a wonderful cross Florida trail that is paved, is super smooth and it meanders through old plantations, woods, and horse farms. It’s gorgeous. It was a great place to visit.- Ryan S.Guide
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Nice Campground
This is a very well kept campground unless you are looking at a hosts site. Host sites are very cluttered and messy. This really brings down the look of this campground. The spring area stays well kept and the boat ramp is convenient. There is a Marina but you have to leave the campground to get to it. Full hookups at every RV site and primitive tent camping has potable throughout. I paid $32 with my national parks access pass.
- Kasey M.Ranger
Encore Bulow RV
Wooded but busy
We loved how private our site felt within the big oak trees, but we noticed they had a lot of other sites that weren't as private. They did have buddy sites, tent camping, and cabins. There was a cop almost every night patrolling. The area is nice, it is next to a historic sugar mill, and not far from the beach. I know it's a small thing, but the laundry had the CSC app which is super convenient to pay on.
Annie C.LegendPaynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground
Private with great wildlife viewing close to the city
Except 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.
Kristin T.Traveler
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins
Nice Layout, Very Popular
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.
Aubrey O.Guide
Lake Dorr Cabin
Rustic Shangri-La
Super cute secluded cabin directly on the lake. You have your own private boat slip, 100ft long dock for fishing & swimming, canoes/paddles/life jackets on site. You'll need to bring your own towels and linens but all Cook wear, dishes, etc are supplied. Cabin sleeps 6/8 comfortably and has 2 tent sites as well. 2 bundles of firewood are included at time of check in......Peaceful doesn't even being to describe it! Totally wort the nightly rate!
Guide to Palatka
Tent camping near Palatka, Florida offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the serene landscapes of the region. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents and explore.
Local Activities for Tent Campers
- Experience the beauty of the Florida Trail at Lake Delancy East NF Campground, where you can enjoy hiking and easy access to dirt trails.
- At Etoniah Creek State Forest, you can bike along the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike Trail and discover the scenic beauty of the area.
- Enjoy fishing and kayaking at Princess Place Preserve, where the diverse waterways provide ample opportunities for water activities.
Tips for Tent Camping Near Palatka
- Bring your own water to Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground, as there is no potable water available on-site.
- Be prepared for primitive camping at Matanzas State Forest, where amenities are limited, but the natural surroundings offer a peaceful retreat.
- Keep an eye out for wildlife at Black Creek Ravine, where you can spot deer and various bird species while enjoying the tranquility of the area.
Local Attractions for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Explore the scenic trails and lush landscapes at Haw Creek Preserve State Park Dispersed, perfect for hiking and wildlife observation.
- Visit the historic sites and enjoy the natural beauty at Camp Chowenwaw Park - Treehouse Point, which offers unique treehouse camping experiences.
- Discover the charm of the Bayard Conservation Area, where you can enjoy riverside camping and a variety of hiking trails, all while being surrounded by abundant wildlife.
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 25 tent camping locations near Palatka, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring