Cabin rentals are a great way to see Palm Coast without the hassle of setting up a tent. Find the best information on cabin camping near Palm Coast, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each cabin rental offers quick access to one or more of Palm Coast's most popular destinations.
Located in a shady hammock near the Tomoka River, each of the park's 100 campsites has a picnic table, grill, electric hook-up and water. A dump station is located within the park. Three restrooms with hot showers, two of which have accessible facilities, are located in the campground.
$24 per night plus tax, plus a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee. Includes water and electricity.
Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a Social Security disability award certificate or a 100-percent disability award certificate from the federal government are permitted to receive a 50-percent discount on current base campsite fees. Proof of eligibility is required.
Well-behaved pets are allowed in the campground in accordance with our Pet Policy.
Maximum recreational vehicle (RV) length is 34 feet.
For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.$24 / night
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name. Plenty of outdoor activities keep campers and day-use visitors busy, including swimming in the springs, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and boating. Salt Springs is located between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers, 35 miles east of Ocala, Florida. The national forest spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest.
The natural springs, nearby Lake George and many surrounding rivers and streams provide ample opportunity for water recreation. Anglers can try a good fishing spot on Salt Springs Run, downstream of the swimming area, boat ramp and marina. Boat rentals are nearby. For those who wish to explore on land, the facility has basketball courts and a horseshoe pit. Hikers have easy access to the Bear Swamp Trail and a segment of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail.
The semi-tropical region gives the campground a mixture of pines and palms, with lush greenery and warm temperatures. Within the recreation area, a natural spring rises from cracks deep within the earth. The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters a slight salinity - hence the name Salt Springs.
Salt Springs is very close to Lake George, a great fishing destination.
$34 - $65 / night
North Beach Camp Resort is dedicated to offering you a memorable North Florida beach camping stay. Enjoy our resort amenities, complete RV Park, tent campground & cabin rentals and easy access to our area activities. Enjoy the shade and privacy afforded by our tall, moss-laded oaks and palmettos. We have outstanding sunrises and sunsets.
North Beach Camp Resort is located on 30-heavily-wooded acres on a barrier island between the saltwater North River and the Atlantic Ocean, just 4.5 miles north of historic downtown St. Augustine and 24 miles south of Jacksonville Beach. Our prime northeast Florida beach camping location makes us the destination of choice for in the know campers!
$67 - $245 / night
With 1,500 linear feet of Atlantic Ocean beachfront for your enjoyment, Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort is one of the few RV resorts situated directly on a seawall along the beach. Located directly in the middle of St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city 32 miles to the north, and Daytona Beach, 30 miles to the south, there are nearby attractions for everyone. We are truly a year-round premier camping destination.
$25 / night
Take a trip to Old Florida at Sun Outdoors St. Augustine, formerly known as Compass RV Resort. As one of the best RV parks near St. Augustine, Florida, you'll discover great site options, including full hookup sites, patio sites, and buddy sites.
Our three sections, The Grove, The Pond, and The Oasis, each deliver a different experience. Guests can enjoy a spacious dog park, swimming pool, fitness center, laundry room, a nature trail that winds through the resort, and a friendly community with fun planned activities. Discover all that our St. Augustine RV park has to offer.
Tent 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.
$20 / night
Bulow RV Resort is the perfect location for those who appreciate an unspoiled Florida environment. Nestled on the banks of Bulow Creek, many of our guests enjoy boating, fishing, hiking and cycling. With direct access to Bulow Creek or a short drive to the Intracoastal Waterway, Bulow RV Resort is a water lover's paradise. Staying at an Encore Flagler Beach-Palm Coast RV resort gives you incredible access to a number of outdoor recreational activities in Flagler Beach, Daytona Beach and St. Augustine - including six golf courses nearby. Closer to home, Bulow RV Resort guests enjoy a small-town feeling in our community, complete with an on-site shop, bar and activities center. You'll feel right at home among your friendly neighbors. A water lover's paradise at a Flagler Beach, Palm Coast RV resort Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Bulow RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Blue Spring State Park has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the Blue Springs camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy. ADA Accessible sites at Blue Springs State Park camping are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls. Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485. Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park’s wonders, visitors can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. Visitors can also launch a canoe or kayak (rentals are available at the park) or take a guided river boat cruise.
$24 - $95 / night
$85 - $104 / night
Scout
Spot 25, direct view to the ocean. At the beach in seconds. Nice pool on the other side of hotel. Will be back!
Legend
One thing’s for certain, this camping outpost located just outside the itty bitty village of Georgetown couldn’t be any closer to the mighty St. Johns River, which if you don’t know, is one of the largest and most prolific fishing rivers in all of Florida. Should you find yourself in north-central Florida and / or near Lake George and looking for a spot to call ‘home for the night’ (or many as it might be) then you’ll definitely want to plan a stay here at Rivers Edge RV Park, which is a little know campground jewel in the rough, but be sure to reach out well in advance, as with only 50 or so slots, this place books up quick.
Apart from the very close proximity to St. Johns River – so close that Rivers Edge RV Park actually offers up boat launch and slips exclusively for its guests, so if you have a boat, whether with motor or not (like those of us towing canoes and kayaks), be sure to call ahead and enquire about available boat slips – this is one very pristine, well-kept and easily organized campground. There’s a decent amount of top-grade amenities including spartan-clean restrooms, shower & laundry facilities with brand new washers & dryers, propane refueling station, a pup playground, trash stations and waterfront nature walk path.
What I appreciated most was that Rivers Edge RV Park offers up a distinct tent area, which places mi tent-pitchin’ bredren in our own canvassed-erected environ that is actually the closest camping option to the St. Johns River here. As for the RV or 5th Wheel crowd, the standard hook-ups are offered here including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage back-in and pull-through sites with concrete patios. Complimentary WiFi is offered everywhere and actually isn’t too bad (although our ability to stream was slow). Most sites offer up picnic tables and fire-rings and there are community offerings like a riverside pavilion (also with another set of restrooms and showers), lawn games, horseshoes, pickleball court and enough space for a good game of jarts or frisbee.
As for the campground itself, you’ll access Rivers Edge RV Park simply by following Road 309 and just as this small country road bends making way for Drayton Island, you’ll want to turn in heading westerly, wherein you’ll be greeted by the main office where you’ll check in at the office immediately on the right. The layout for the campground is a simple loop, about the size of a junior football field with sites #1-28 on the right and the other sites through #54 on the interior of the loop. Should you not have a tent or an RV, no worries, the very good folks at Rivers Edge even have a handful of cabins that they’ll rent you. Overall, I found the pricing to be VERY affordable here – no matter what type of camping you might be interested in.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Rivers Edge RV Park offers up firewood for sale for a decent price, which I always like to flag, because if you don’t need to find additional space to haul firewood with you, it frees up space for other things, right?; (2) If you’ve got kids and need a much bigger space to let them run around, nearby this campground is a very nice kid’s playground as well as a soccer field; (3) For anyone wanting a bit of an off-the-grid adventure, just south of Rivers Edge is the Drayton Island Ferry (just take your second right after the US post office), where you can cross the channel over to Drayton Island for some decent off-the-trail biking & biking as well as zip-lining, which you can access on the far western side of the island at Grands Island Resort, which is a very cool camping outpost in its own right; and (4) Should you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler or mini-onboard fridge, you’ll only find meager options near you that include Mel’s River Pub Italian Grille & Liquor Store that offers up a very diverse menu featuring pasta, sandwiches and pizzas, The Oaks Golf Club Café serving up glorified bar fare such as burgers, po-boys, wings, fried baskets, tacos & quesadillas and southern comfort food or Renegades on the River, which is actually another campground, but offers up a super-cool restaurant featuring pizzas, wings, peel & eat shrimp and fried foodstuffs like pickles and gator bites as well as a Tiki Hut pouring some mighty strong Daquiris and Mai Tais.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Ever fantasized about parking your RV so near the ocean that you could feel the salt spray coming off those Atlantic ‘white caps’? Well, look no further than Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort, which depending upon the specific RV slot you are fortunate enough to book here, you too could be kicking back and living life in the 'slow lane’ right in front of idyllic white sand beaches against a backdrop of an endless aquatic blue horizon. Located just 8 miles / 20 minutes south of St. Augustine (a.k.a. Ancient City), Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort resides on the famous A1A, but down in this neck of the woods, you will find that you have escaped the whir of traffic, busyness of everyday life and won’t have to put up with the touristy side of this northernmost Floridian outpost.
As for this location itself, Bryn Mawr boasts the largest family pool in the county (which I cannot independently verify here), although there are actually 2 swimming pools, along with a spa and private walkways with beach access to some of the finest ocean views along the eastern seaboard. Boasting some 236 RV slots, Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort is a massive RV oceanfront wonderland, hidden in the shades of the palms, wherein you’ll enter the compound through a very well appointed security gate after first being greeted by the good folks at the main office building. Once inside, you’ll swerve a bit around the bend to the right before heading straight, wherein on both sides of this RV ‘main street’ you’ll intersect four different perpendicular lanes (Sea Bird, followed by Sea Coast, then Sea Dog and finally Sea Eagle) before reaching a T intersection (at Sea Eagle) where you’ll have to either turn left or right in order to access the 9 (yes, count ‘em, 9) vertical RV slotted lanes (and unfortunately, yes, all of them also begin with the word ‘Sea’, making it very difficult to remember which ‘Sea’ lane you are in) that from north to south are called: Sea Fan, Sea Gull, Sea Horse, Sea Jetty, Sea Anchor, Sea King, Sea Ladder, Sea Millie and Sea Nettle.
Nomenclature aside, it all doesn’t really matter if you are looking for simply the best, which are the oceanfront RV slots (that run parallel to the beach along Sea Otter lane), whose numbered sites are #219– 238. Trust me, whatever the premium is to pay and park in one of these 20 RV slots is ABSOLUTELY worth it, given the proximity to the beach, as well as the additional distance from traffic that you’ll have back here in the furthest reaches of Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort. Oh, and then there's the priceless oceanfront views you'll have - but to be clear, that really only works out if your particular RV has a rear-facing panoramic view, otherwise, you'll have to get outside your vehicle and post a few picnic chairs to enjoy the view.
Amenities: dog park / pet walking area, basketball court, lighted tennis / pickle-ball courts, shuffleboard, complimentary WiFi and cable, main office with marketplace store, spartan showers & restroom facilities (there are multiple units spread throughout the RV campus), laundr-O-mat, activity center, horseshoe pitch, propane refill station and children’s playground. Of course, all RV sites come with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric along with water and sewage) and concrete pads. There’s also scattered picnic tables, BBQ grills and fire rings.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While I’ve already HIGHLY recommended the oceanfront slots of #219– 238, I would also recommend the following locations (if being near the ocean is important to you): 82, 96, 110, 123, 135, 249, 143, 154, 167, 168, 250, 181, 195, 209 and 218; (2) This place is one of the most pet-friendly RV outposts I’ve come across, so don’t be shy about bringing all your pets – I couldn’t find a single RV’er who didn’t have at least 1 dog, if not an entire entourage of cats, iguanas, fish and even an alpaca en towe!; (3) While next to the ocean is great, you will feel a substantial lack of privacy with the spaces being quite close to one another, so if that bothers you (and let’s be honest, it should), then when booking, ask for what available spots there are to determine which of those offer up the most amount of either space or privacy; (4) When you get tired of trying to figure out what that next meal is going to be when staring down at your mini-fridge or Cordova roto-molded cooler, then check out some local haunts, like Salt Water Cowboy (where anything from the Land, Sea and Swamp section like fried Alligator is pretty amazing), World Famous Oasis Restaurant or Connolly’s Shore Grill for fresh caught seafood; (5) If you are looking for a decent place to do some great hiking, then look no further than due southwest of Bryn Mawr where you can check out Matanzas State Park, that has miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trails with virtually the entire place to yourself (save the deer and gators that you might come across); and (6) Carrying watercraft and looking for a nice spot to hit the water? Then I HIGHLY recommend Princess Place Preserve AND Faver-Dyke SP that offers access to the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers as well as Pellicer Creek.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Here at Sand Pine Campground inside of Blue Springs State Park, you’ll find that while this is a fairly large campground, the substantial amount of vegetation, along with the flow of how the campground is organized, the individual campsites give off a vibe of privacy, intimacy and solitude. Upon entry to this SP, you’ll meet likely some of the friendliest park rangers of any FL state park (although, honestly, the very GREAT rangers @ Rodman Campground ultimately win the battle!), who will provide you with all of the great information you need to have a great experience here.
As for the pet-friendly campground specifically, each of the 51 sites has its own picnic table, water and electric as well as fire ring, while the ground itself is laden with powdery grey sand (so leave your boots or flip flops at the door of your tent or RV). The individual slots are somewhat tight and narrow to navigate, but most RVs should be OK to back into these sites. What you will appreciate the most about Sand Pine is that just about every site offers a substantial amount of privacy with solid, thick Floridian jungle putting decent distance between you and your neighbors. The only downside is that it is a solid hike from this campground to the spring itself, which will require you to drive there or take a decent bike ride.
The amenities are pretty amazing with the two bathroom and laundry room facilities appearing to be nearly brand new and there are designated dump stations scattered throughout making disposal of trash and recyclables EZ. The restroom facilities had vending machines as well. As for the sand pine scrub nature you are surrounded by, but the real gem here of course is the fresh crystal spring that is teaming with manatees, which are best to view and swim alongside between the winter months of November and February. For my float-seeking friends, there’s a solid kayak / canoe launch and if you don’t want to get some oaring in, you can partake in a guided river boat cruise.
If you’re looking to get away from it all and enjoy some privacy, then this is a great little campground for you to consider. And if you miss anything from the non-natural world, have no fears, a short drive into town to grab a pizza or load up on groceries is easy enough to manage. What I love most about camping here at Blue Springs SP is that during heavier tourist season, a reservation will guarantee you access to the spring, which sometimes gets full and therefore requires the rangers to stop traffic flow into the park, so if you've got a place guaranteed for the night, then, well, you need not worry about the morning rush when most will just worry about getting in the park.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you find yourself out-of-luck in finding an available campground site to reserve, try your luck at booking one of the 6 often overlooked cabins, which BTW, come with their own set of parking spaces; (2) When you grow weary of digging through your onboard mini-fridge or roto-molded Cordova cooler, then check out some of the local fare where nearby in town, there’s a sweet little Argentinian joint called Rincon del Sabor, classic pie palace called Blue Springs Pizza and another ethereal dive called Taste of Soul – neither of which you’ll wanna write home about, but will definitely give you a break from ‘frank & beans’ for the night. And if neither of those places do the trick for you, there is also a few other restaurants you might wanna check out like Gram’s Kitchen for low country breakfast cooked up all day, Mi Tierra Authentic Mexican as well as Fire on the Bayou for some nice, spicy Cajun; (3) Should you need to stock up on any supplies, nearby Blue Springs SP has a 'grade A' Publix as well as a Walmart nearby, so you should have no problems being stocked up while staying here; and (4) When the kiddos get restless and the pristine nature that you find yourself surrounded by isn’t enough of a distraction, then head due east to Family Fun Town, which is a family-friendly amusement center with batting cages, mini-golf, arcade games and go cart racing. Yahoo!
Happy Camping!
Scout
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.
Guide
Beautiful place, nothing to complain about
Scout
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.
Traveler
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.
GuideThe camp is located in a great location between the beach and the river. There are many shaded camping spots. The showers/restrooms were a little dated but clean. Easy check-in process including an after hours check-in. Camp is set up well to make it easy to navigate and get set up. We will definitely stay here again and highly recommend to others. There are two restaurants within walking distance as well.
ScoutTop
GuideWe had a great time here with friends and one of our grandsons. Site 50 is completely private and plenty big enough for our camper, truck, gazelle and dog pen. Only negative is all the sites are dirt, including the roads so you will have dirt and dust. For the price they charge, I would like to see all the sites with gravel but the dirt won’t keep us away! Going for a full week next month!
GuideVisited to see Manatees from the land. Cooler temps best for manatee numbers.
Campground sites feel secluded with vegetation but can be challenging for backing up into spots.
Had electric and water but trash is upon exit along with dump station
Nice paved road around campground and short trail to main park area. Canoe and kayak rentals available.
Scout
TL/DR:*My review is primarily for families with children*
- ANYONE WITH MINOR CHILDREN– AVOID AT ALL COSTS
- THINKING ABOUT BECOMING AN ANNUAL MEMBER- RECONSIDER, HAVE A BACKUP PLAN AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
- TRAVELERS- STAY AT YOUR OWN RISK– LOCK UP EVERYTHING!
My personal experience with Rose Bay RV Park dates from May 2020 to January 2024 with Jeannie Magill as the office manager.
**As of this posting, I have NOT been refunded for the prepaid days that I was not a resident.
Top things to know if considering Rose Bay RV Park:
-Advertised as an“all ages, family-friendly park” but that is NOT true. This was previously a 55+ park and that mentality remains. Children are NOT welcome and that is made obvious by the additional charges for them, the ever-growing restrictions on them, and the overall treatment by a large portion of the residents and staff.
-Children are charged an additional $5 per day, per child over the age of 11(as of the date of this posting).
-Children are not allowed in the clubhouse, to ride bikes, or to do much of anything without expecting a follow-up complaint. Their solution is to“take your children to a local park”, which is certainly not in line with being a family-friendly park. I will say again, THEY DO NOT WANT CHILDREN LIVING IN THIS PARK.
-NEVER use their address for your mail through USPS. You CAN NOT forward your mail to another address and Jeannie and Jenny personally go through every piece of mail and will use their discretion to decide if you will receive your mail, if they want to return it to sender, or if it just vanishes. They will claim that it is not allowed for mail to be delivered for someone who isn’t on the lease(ex: my children’s father provides health insurance and other needs and those papers come in his name even though I explained they are for the children). Still, several other people receive mail for individuals who are not on their lease. USPS is aware of this issue but cannot correct it since Rose Bay is considered a campground, even though it is primarily for permanent residents.
-Make sure you document everything that occurs there for your protection.
-The office staff will rarely correct any issue that you are having, whether it be a nuisance dog, safety concern, or any other issue. They will always reply with“Call the police”. I would use caution when doing so since that can be used against you and lead to your removal from the park.
-Know that you will be stripped of your freedom of speech in this park. Residents tolerate a lot of things that they shouldn’t simply because they are afraid of an eviction. Park rules are not there to help you but rather they are used as something for her to hide behind if she wants to use them against you.
-LOCK UP EVERYTHING. Your things will get stolen, especially if you are traveling and have the dates of your stay advertised in your front window.
-Be aware that rules are subjective and that Jeannie will make demands or tell you to do something that she doesn’t enforce with other residents. Examples: subletting, all residents must be on lease, visitors must check-in, speeding is punishable by removal from the park, and no conducting business. The list goes on and on but if you choose to live here, you will quickly understand what I am talking about.
-If you do decide to try to move in, background/credit checks seem to be impossible to pass. There is a rather large portion of applicants who pay the fee for a background check but are suspiciously denied.
-Don’t expect the park to take care of the lot that you are residing on. Concrete pads are broken and are a tripping hazard and most lots turn to mud pits.
-BE CAREFUL WITH THE ELECTRIC and use a surge protector.
-The water is randomly shut off.
-Trash is almost always overflowing
-Be aware of your legal rights as a resident of a campground in the state of Florida. Most residents are from other areas or new to the RV lifestyle. I strongly encourage you to educate yourself and to be aware that Florida is not a tenant-friendly state, especially for those in campgrounds.
My list was much longer but I am limited to how much I can type. Stay elsewhere and you'll be much happier! Trust the other reviews that also say to not stay at Rose Bay.
Scout
We spent a week at Harris Village RV Park and the owners were very helpful and the campground was a quiet respite during my visit. I plan to return when I have the opportunity again. Thanks to Phil for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Marilyn
TravelerWe stayed in site 12 with a beach view. It was an awesome stay! The bath house isn't the cleanest, but it gets the job done.
LegendOK, granted, we were in Daytona Beach during Bike Week and had very few options to chose from, but … and I’m sure this is how every story begins while contemplating a stay at Harris Village RV Park. Once you catch a glimpse of all the roadside bars (with names like The Beaver Bar, Broken Spoke and Iron Horse Saloon) featuring free bike parking and 2-for-1 specials, from a camping standpoint, you should have several ‘red flags’ flying high. Obviously, this is literally and figuratively a ‘drive-by’ area, but when you’re in a crunch and there’s a thousand other RV’ers behind you that have the same bright idea you have and there’s scarce place to park your 30 footer, then you MIGHT consider Harris Village, but I will plead with you – make this the last possible choice to choose from.
While proximity to some amazing biker bars is a firm reality, what you will need to compromise of yourself is not really acceptable on almost any level. While we never felt at risk from a security standpoint, it took nearly two hours for us to slowly inch our long, meandering RV into this very tight space, that only accommodates about 20 slots anyway in a very short semi-circle of a loop. While there were all the typical hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), we were so tightly packed into our slot that we could hear our neighbors all night – not to mention the loud wailing of the local biker bars (and all of the bikes being revved up at every single second of the day).
Insider’s tips? Depending upon what brings you to this part of Florida to begin with, I would give you the following: (1) This is definitely not a destination, but rather a layover, so unless your dream is staying up late listening to all sorts of ruckus noise and behavior, I would encourage you to keep driving in search of nearby locations that offer more of a respite from the mayhem you’ll find here; (2) If you are looking for some pretty great local fare, I would recommend River Grill on the Tomoka, which is both an amazing feast for the eyes (as this river is legendary) as it is for the senses, wherein I highly recommend either the jambalaya or the citrus bourbon salmon, both served with grits, because, you know, that’s how we do down this way; and (3) If you come hauling your own watercraft (canoe, kayak, etc.) then I recommend Riverbend Nature Park with a great launch and easy access to the Tomoka River (where I would recommend you head north towards the state park).
Happy Camping!
Legend
Should you find yourself in north central Florida where the sun melts the unrelenting scorching hot humid days into a bright inferno dusk before sprinkling the night sky with shining bright holes to heaven in a moonlit nocturnal ceiling of utter darkness and are looking for the perfect spot to experience what the great Sunshine State has to offer, then I would recommend a nice little respite called Trails End Outdoors RV Park& Cabins. But be forewarned, if you are driving just a bit faster than one ought to on Highway 20 just west of Palatka between the drive-by towns of Hollister and Interlachen, you might just miss this hidden gem.
To access Trails End Outdoors, you will head north on Willis Road and follow a series of quick turns and curves on this slow-moving jagged gravel road, but no worries, the good folks of this campground outpost have cunningly placed a sign to guide you along your way at any single point that you might drive in the wrong direction. After a few minutes of navigating what looks to be somewhat hidden residential areas with large country farm lawns and plenty of pasture for cattle and horses, you will eventually arrive at what looks like at first a country western ranch, where you’ll turn into the property.
Heading straight ahead, you’ll come across a massive open air hall-like structure that offers up an outdoor living room complete with chairs and lawn furniture, grills and BBQs as well as some rocking chairs. Just beyond this informal community gathering area to the left, you will see a raised pool that is quite inviting and has a nice wooden deck all the way around it- just the perfect escape from the blistering heat that this part of Florida is known for. The next two buildings will make you reminisce about the Wild West with its wooden facade country store-looking main office building, followed by a‘his and hers’ outhouse, the former of which is where you will check-in. And just beyond the main office to the north, you will glimpse vast open pastures full of farm animals hiding beneath the shade of ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish moss as though these trees had been growing long white beards for hundreds of years.
After checking in, depending upon what set-up you’ve signed up for, you’ll be directed back the way you came, where a small singular loop will take you around the property, first to the handful of scattered wooden cabins(cleverly named after famous cowboys like Wyatt Earp, John Wayne and Doc Holiday) that make up their own small cul-de-sac with each log cabin unit offering up a porch with rocking chairs and/ or patio chairs with nice tall lanterns in front of each cabin. If you continue down the lane, you’ll pass a number of conjoined trees that have fresh-cut wood, perfect for a roaring fire to be set later in the evening. Beyond the handful of cabins, you’ll arrive to the rest of the property that is reserved for RVs and 5th Wheelers. All of these spaces have a simple but effective layout with very long slots that have been freshly laid with larger black stone gravel, with the entire area very easy to navigate and pull into. Standard hook-ups are available with 30 and 50 amp electric along with septic and water. There’s no real privacy between all of the slots, so no matter where you go, while some slots have better shade than others, there will be unobstructed views between you and your neighbors.
Beyond the mobile camping parking area, there’s 20 or so open acres where you can pitch your tent. From an amenities standpoint, there’s a very good community bathhouse, just OK WiFi, as well as the communal areas that I described at the start of this review. Trails End Outdoors offers up a number of activities from fishing($35 per day), turn-key campfire set up(in 2 hour increments), ability to interact with horses and cattle as well as a(very) small pond with its own pontoon boat.
Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are looking for a nice slice of nature while at Trails End Outdoors, recommend heading north to Oak Hammock Camp / Rice Creek Preservation Area or Etoniah State Forest Campground, where you’ll find some pretty amazing paths to hike or some decent horseback riding trails to gallop on; (2) Should you be towing watercraft and are looking for some decent places to dip your canoe or kayak into, you’ll be delighted to know that you are surrounded by a number of small finer lakes, of which I highly recommend Lake Ida or Mirror Lake, both just due west on Highway 20 or Jewel Lake, just NW, which has a very good boat launch; (3) Should you be looking for some restaurants in the area, I suggest you try out Hog Wild Burgers& Shakes for a couple of scoops of great ice cream, Nanna’s Country Cafe for biscuits& gravy or True Grits, well, for grits, what else?!; and (4) Should you need just about anything while out this way camping, the small town of Interlachen should have you covered with a pharmacy, Ace Hardware, post office, Circle K gas station, CVS, Family Dollar store or groceries at Hitchcock’s Market.
Happy Camping!
Guide
This park is built on a foundation of fine sand with campsites carved out of palmettos and tall palm trees for lots of shade and visual privacy. Really liked it and would go back any time.
Couple of downers, though, particularly for those contemplating an extended stay: (1) Laundry machines only take coins, which the concession stand does not provide; have to drive several miles into town to get quarters. (2) There are no plastic bag dispensers for dog cleanup, so bring plenty of your own.
Other observations are that there is LOTS of critter wild life -- coons, mice, and ferrule cats. Shower facilities are delapitated but the water pressure is good and the water hot.
Legend
What I love about Ocean Grove is that it puts you smack dab due south of St. Augustine (a.k.a. Ancient City), but far enough away where you can get away from the noise, traffic and otherwise touristy area of the country’s oldest city. While the downside is that this roadside RV stand is, well, located roadside and in fact, right on the AIA, it does place you within a few minutes’ drive to some of the best beaches, like Crescent Beach, which is only 4 blocks away. Given that this is a fairly well-known attractive area known for its beaches and southern way of seaside life, there’s also no shortage of tiki bars, fish shacks and taco stands to choose from, all within walking distance.
As for the RV Resort itself, Ocean Grove lives up to the word ‘resort’ given all the amenities that you’ll find here, especially the very well-maintained, amazingly massive heated in-ground pool, gargantuan paved patio deck (with separate area for dining) complete with patio chairs, umbrellas and lounge chaises, along with the overgrown group-sized bubbling hot tub, in addition to offering a very well-stocked market store, restaurant and bar (can anyone say “Mai Tais poolside, por favor?!”) as well as perhaps its most impressive asset, offering direct water access to the Intracoastal (along with kayak rentals, in case you forgot yours).
Additional amenities include: basketball and bocce ball courts, coin-operated laundr-O-mat (complete with community book exchange / library), billiards and foosball tables, propane refilling station, pull-through and back-in RV slots complete with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, sewer and water), perfectly level paved RV pads to park on, picnic tables, horseshoe ring, fishing pier on the San Julian river, lagoon with turtle watching, children’s playground, doggie park with designated dog run, boat ramp, RV / boat / jet ski storage area, complimentary WiFi, large picnic pavilion, cable TV (additional charge), golf cart parking, designated dumpsters, community fire pit (the only place on the premises where fires area allowed), recreation hall with A/C and oversized wall-mounted TVs, heated and air-conditioned bath houses with showers. Extra points here for Ocean Grove providing a gated entry point with actual staff that adds additional layers of security, important given the proximity to the AIA.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best spots here at Ocean Grove are those that are waterfront: F138–F141 next to the fishing pier or J100–J126; (2) One of the very few detractors at this place is that of the 208 RV slots available, you will notice that Ocean Grove attempts to make every square inch count, so no matter where you are parked, there won’t be a ton of privacy and your hook-ups will feel very crowded (sewage line right next to the picnic table, hmm, not very enticing to say the least!); (3) When you get tired of trying to figure out what that next meal is going to be when staring down at your mini-fridge or cooler, then check out some local haunts, like Salt Water Cowboy (where anything from the Land, Sea and Swamp section like fried Alligator is pretty amazing), World Famous Oasis Restaurant or Connolly’s Shore Grill for fresh caught seafood; and (4) If you are looking for a decent place to do some great hiking, then look no further than due southwest of Ocean Grove where you can check out Matanzas State Park, that has miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trails with virtually the entire place to yourself (save the deer and gators that you might come across).
Happy Camping!
Legend
This RV parking pad is located in north central Florida, just due southwest of Palatka (a.k.a. the Sunshine’s State Farmer’s Market) where you’ll find southern charm hanging from more than the moss off the ancient Oaks here, which underscores one of the best highlights of Cooper Lake RV Community: its abundance of shade. Conveniently located right off (and I mean in front of) Highway 20 about 4 miles just due west of Interlachen, you’ll discover the eponymous Cooper Lake (for which this RV stand is named after) is located just behind the small body of fresh water and offers up some decent catch & release fishing, albeit this lake is more of a pond. If you cross the highway, due south and just a couple of stone’s throws away, there’s much bigger Lake Galilee to contend with and is much better for boat fishing IMHO.
As for the pet-friendly campground itself, there’s about 50 or so pull-through and back-in RV slots complete with full hook-ups (50 amp electric at every site along with water and sewage) along with a gathering area complete with horseshoes, shuffleboard, community fire pit, frisbee golf, gazebos, picnic tables and BBQ grills. While the bathrooms are very well-maintained, when we visited there were no showers per se (although in speaking with the management, some are in the works to be built, so I would definitely call ahead if this is a deal-breaker). There’s WiFi here (but it’s not so good), designated dumpsters, vehicle storage as well as a fairly decent laundr-O-mat near the clubhouse. Rates for Cooper Lake RV Community: $45-$55/daily; $250-$300/weekly; and $650-$700/monthly.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While Cooper Lake RV Community is not a destination in and of itself, this is a really nice place run by very well-meaning folks and while this RV spot is definitely new it’s definitely worth the stop if you find yourself out this way; (2) When you get tired of staring into your onboard mini-fridge and/ or want to try out some of the local cuisine, head on over to True Grits, well, for the grits of course, Nanny's Country Café for simple breakfasts or Smokedogs Bar-B-Q for quite possibly some of the best brisket and homemade cole slaw in the world!; and (3) If you are looking for some great water to dip your kayak or canoe in, head south to Lake Ocklawaha where there’s a half dozen or so spots where you can launch from.
Happy Camping!
LegendWhether you like to get on the water in a kayak, canoe or fishing boat, whatever your mode of water transportation, you are in for a treat here at Tomoka State Park, which offers up more than 2,000 acres of a dynamic, diverse natural playground. This state park gem located in the center of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean east coast, Tomoka is a nature-lover’s paradise offering countless areas to launch your choice of watercraft, multiple miles of hiking trails, splendid fishing spots to cast a line from, semi-private shaded areas perfect for a secluded picnic as well as, of course, an idyllic spot to pitch a tent or park your RV camper and enjoy some outstanding experiences underneath the stars.
To begin with, what’s with that name ‘Tomoka?’ Well, this unique name heralds from the Timicuan native American tribe that once dwelled here (and can be traced as far north in Florida as Jacksonville – look for Timucuan Preserve). This indigenous tribe thrived in this area due to the abundance of fishing and hunting that abounds as well as being just a perfect spot to establish and build an Intracoastal-led community. Once you get on the water, you’ll be sure to enjoy the 13 mile kayak / canoe trail that is so popular here.
As for the campground itself, it’s a simple thin, but long and narrow 1-way loop intersected in 3 places that you will discover here at Tomoka SP that offers up some 97 spots for camping. All sites come with a picnic table (some in better condition that others), water and electric lines, wooden T-post w/ 2 hooks perfect for holding a garbage bag in one hook and recycling in the other as well as in-ground fire ring all set upon level sites with hard packed sand. There are 3 very clean and well-organized community restroom / shower facilities, which seemed like just the perfect number, given the total of sites in the campground, with each offering up coin-operated washers and driers as well as vending machines. There’s also a visitors program building that offers up educational seminars and group activities that change week-to-week. A proper dump station is also located at the front of the loop.
Don’t have a kayak or canoe? Forget something? Need some advice on where to float your boat? Want to get some good local advice on where to go and what to do? Then look no further than Tomoka Outpost, which you’ll come across about halfway through the state park. This cantina-like river-front mini-mart has you covered with both groceries and sundries as well as kayak and canoe rentals. If ever I saw a missed opportunity for a bar / restaurant, Tomoka Outpost would be it. All you need to do is look at the Intra-coastal (or Tomoka River) waterfront real estate that this place occupies, along with its nearly exclusive ability to serve up food & drink for at least a 10 mile radius, before you begin scratching your head wondering why they haven’t set up a proper restaurant and bar. With a near 100% occupied campground space here, along with the day-trippers, it is astounding to me that this hasn’t been though of before now (and forgive me if it has, but not realized for reasons I don’t understand).
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal from what remains inside your RV mini fridge or from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler, then check out the few restaurants that exist for you to try out, wherein I recommend River Grille on the Tomoka for Cajun-inspired seafood or Houligan’s, which is basically glorified bar food; (2) If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive to get there, you’ll want to head to Ormond Beach where you should check out Jimmy Hula’s for arguably the best tacos in all of Florida, Lagerheads Bar & Grill, which is a neighborhood joint which is a down-to-earth seafood eatery or Lulu’s Oceanside Grill that offers up some pretty amazing live music on the weekends; (3) For the best sunset, head on over to Tomoka Outpost and have the Captain pull you a pint of their fresh draught, made especially for them, and munch on some boiled peanuts; (4) Don’t forget to stop by the northern stretch of the peninsula, where you can spy the Tomokie statue, which depicts Oleeta, an Indian war princess who is taking aim at Chief Tomokie with murderous intent as the chieftan had defied the sacrilegious prohibition of imbibing from the sacred Cup of Life, or so the legend goes; (5) As there is sand everywhere here in Tomoka SP, I highly recommend that you bring a box or matte that you can leave all your shoes and flip flops at outside of your tent or RV, otherwise, you’ll end up with sand everywhere inside; and (6) Hats off to the Ranger staff here at Tomoka SP – you are easily the best group of nature professionals I have ever had the pleasure of engaging with while camping. Keep up all your great work!
Happy Camping!
Legend
For those of you who find yourself hauling your vacation behind you and / or looking to rent a cabin in a small corner (er, intersection, actually) in the country’s oldest city, and don’t mind a completely pre-fabricated outdoor experience in the midst of an otherwise strip mall environ, then look no further than St. Augustine KOA. While there’s a lot of qualifiers here, I understand, one of the huge upsides to this otherwise overcrowded 2-lane 115 slot filled faux campground RV-slanted outpost is that it places you closest to St. Augustine’s greatest treasure (and no, that wouldn’t be the fabled ‘Fountain of Youth’) – it’s beautiful Atlantic coastline with white powder sand and shark-tooth strewn beaches.
As for this KOA campground itself, you’ll find this urban jungle outpost on the corner of Pope & AIA, which you’ll stumble across just a block south after taking Highway 312 from St. Augustine proper to Anastasia Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Matanzas River. But don’t worry, for any of you who break out in hives at the thought of leaving civilization when upgrading for a night underneath the stars (which BTW will be drowned out by the light pollution here at this KOA), you will be comfortably surrounded by all the creature comforts of the materialistic surrounding you (pretend) thought you were trying to escape, as there’s a CVS, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and Domino’s Pizza in a single stone’s throw of where you are ‘camping out in nature’ here at St. Augustine KOA.
Amenities? Well, it’s KOA, so get ready for the massive download on what this camping theme park has to offer: heated pool w/ neon color lounge chairs & umbrellas, 50 max amp back-in RV slots, cable TV, KampK9 (that’s a doggie park in KOA speak), laundr-O-mat, thin tree lines, tetherball, picnic tables, dilapidated wooden fence, fishing (don’t ask me where or how good), firewood (for sale, of course), BBQ, ticks, fire frills, WiFi, propane refilling station, gift shop, tour shuttle, playground, little moat, paddle boats, fleas, banana bikes, automatic key-card security gate, designated trash dumpsters, showers & restrooms (quite in need of some decent cleaning and refurbishment IMHO), micro-swamps, deluxe cabin rentals (a dozen or so) and (the ever so marked-up KOA) convenience store.
Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) This is easily the most outdated, run-down KOA I have ever had the unfortunate experience to visit. While I would EASILY recommend MANY other places to ‘drop anchor for the night’ and to have a REAL outdoors camping experience (just drive 3 minutes away to Anastasia Island SP or 15 minutes away to North Beach Campground), if it’s late at night, you’re tired of looking around and are excited to be this close to the beaches, then check-in, grab a coozie and chill at the pool until sunrise when you can leave; (2) While you may be tempted by some of those pretty un-amazing fast food or ‘hole-in-the-wall’ local joints, I would encourage you to drive just a little bit for some otherwise excellent restaurants, including Fillin’ Station, Beachcomber, La Cocina or Sunset Grille; (3) If you’re a tent camper like myself, you’ll be incredibly disappointed by this place, although they do offer up 10 or so designated tent sites (inconveniently located right near all the swooshing car traffic and honking on Pope Road; (4) While you might be living the blues while staying at this KOA, you can actually just head up the street and listen to the blues at probably one of the coolest outdoor venues in the country at St. Augustine Ampitheater; and (5) Make the most out of the fact that you are literally only ¾ mile from St. Augustine Beaches, so while this KOA is not ideal (to say the absolute least), you will relish the fact that you can leave it as early and return as late as you want to experience one of the best white sand beaches in the Sunshine State.
Happy Camping!
LegendBlue Spring State Park Campground(Sand Pine Scrub), Orange City, FL: A great park for viewing manatees this time of year. There are many very nice private sites . (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Overall Rating: 4.5 Usage during visit: Pretty full, just following Thanksgiving weekend SECURE GATE : Arriving after hours: call for the code. Site Privacy: Exceptional Site Spacing: Good Site surface: Blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: None, removed from even the day use access road Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: At sites Bathroom: Flush toilets Showers: Yes Cell Service (AT&T):Pretty good Setting: Thick low growth forest Weather: High 50s on this day, but warming up. Bugs: None Host: Yes Rig size: 40’ or so max Sites: Most sites are exceptionally private sites especially those sites found on the outside of the loop. Here are some of the better sites we would be very happy with: 1,2,3,5,6,9 - 17, 18*, 19-22, 24, 25,26,27*,34,36,38* 43,45. .
GuideOur tow vehicle broke down 4 days before our scheduled arrival, stranding us until it would be ready. We called to change our dates and were told we would lose our deposit and have to make a new reservation. The deposit would not be applied to a new reservation, it would be lost. When we asked for an exception under these unexpected circumstances(particularly because we still planned to stay with them for the same amount of time, just later when our truck was repaired), we were told that they only make exceptions for hurricanes and that we agreed to these terms& conditions when we made our reservation. I said that we didn't know when we made the reservation that our truck would break down and have no way to get there. The woman hung up on me. My subsequent email pleading for an exception went unanswered.
In 8 months of full-timing, we have not encountered such a strict, intractable policy or a more rude, less empathetic person. Just like the people at North Beach, I'm also a business owner so I definitely understand the need to protect one's bottom line, but unlike North Beach, I also understand the value of a little kindness, understanding, and just basic customer service.
TravelerWe enjoyed our weekend! Walked to the beach in the morning for the sunrise and walked to the dock at the resort for sunset! The campsites were nice, but there are no fire pits or ground fires allowed.
Scout
We stopped for one night from our trip from Orlando to Tallahassee. Super friendly team members. Close to downtown. Amenities were very clean and easy to find. We don’t own an RV but we are so happy to find this place and definitely would return. Thank you Vickie for all the help with booking.
ScoutWhat a peaceful and relaxing visit to this beautiful campsite. Dog friendly! Really nice fishing spots to relax by the water. Oh but wait… if you forgot an essential, the outpost is sure to have it.
I really wish one thing! That someone would repair the Indian statue!
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Palm Coast, FL is Tomoka State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 51 reviews.
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