RV camping near Penney Farms, Florida offers several options within a 30-mile radius of this small Clay County community. Located in the northeastern region of Florida where elevation rarely exceeds 35 feet above sea level, the area experiences mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Summer humidity levels frequently exceed 90% from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Lake swimming: Blanding Lake at Camp Blanding RV Park provides clear water recreation during warmer months. "The water is nice and clear. Safe friendly place, I would move here if I could," notes Danielle K., who found the setting ideal for families. Military ID required for access.
Wildlife viewing: 15-minute drive northwest of Gainesville RV Park leads to Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Sanctuary where visitors can observe jaguars, cheetahs, lions and other exotic animals. Stuart K. confirms you can "meet up with jaguars, cheetahs, lions, tigers, pumas, lynx, caracal and even a leopard."
Water sports: Multiple options at Camp Blanding include kayak and paddleboard rentals. Greg S. describes it as "Some of the best camping in FL, beautiful lake, spread out camp sites... All water sports, including fishing, boat launch, Jet skis, etc.. plenty of room to swim."
What campers like
Clean, maintained facilities: Most RV parks near Penney Farms receive positive reviews for cleanliness. Island Oaks RV Resort features "bathhouses [that] were clean and well-maintained. The one we used has 4 stalls to it all with a private bathroom and shower in one," according to Robert V.
Security features: Gated entrances provide peace of mind at several locations. Stuart K. notes that Gainesville RV Park "gets HIGH points for offering up a highly secured RV camping outpost – upon arrival, you will be greeted by a well-fortified sliding gate that only guests will be able to access with a respective key code."
Weekend entertainment: Many resorts schedule regular activities. At Stagecoach RV Park, Lawrence Robert T. reports "Behind the resort 'beyond the fence' was an area the is use for flying remote control planes and they were fun to watch." Island Oaks features "live music on Saturday and so far it's never been disappointing," according to Victor D.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter months see northern travelers increasing demand. For Compass RV Park, Mack W. advises "Reservations recommended!" especially during peak travel seasons.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies significantly between locations. Robert V. reports at Island Oaks RV Resort, "They do provide WIFI but from my experience, it was not too reliable and we opted for using our mobile hotspot. We have AT&T, the 5G signal was great, and were able to get 60-90 Mbps down."
Site layout issues: Some campgrounds have design flaws. At Island Oaks, Kristen S. warns "When they designed the park, the hook ups are on the wrong side of the spots. We needed 50 feet and our friends 80 feet of sewage hook ups! The sewer connection is not sink and does not drain properly."
Tips for camping with families
Inflatable water attractions: Island Oaks RV Resort offers unique water recreation with "beach front lake with a massive inflatable obstacle course," reports Jeremy R., who adds "We never had to leave the park, they had EVERYTHING."
On-site playgrounds: Multiple parks provide dedicated children's areas. Camp Blanding offers "two sets of swings nearby and a dock," according to Sean B., while Jenn B. mentions "the paved roads allowed for the kids to ride their bikes."
Variety of activities: Compass RV Park provides multiple recreation options as Catherine A. describes: "Nice pool, ping pong table and corn home games. If you really want to get around and don't have a toad, you can buy a trolley ticket at the park ($24.00 for the day)."
Tips from RVers
Extended utility cords: Pack longer-than-standard hookup equipment. At Island Oaks, dean G. advises "If staying in the front section of the resort be sure to have extra sewer line and power cord extension."
Check site positioning: Request specific information about utility locations before booking. Brooke explains that at Island Oaks, "most of the first sites installed have the electrical and sewer hookups positioned towards the front of the pads. Clearly an oversight in the development of the sites."
Military facilities: Jacksonville RV Park at Naval Air Station offers unique advantages for qualified visitors. FAIR WINDS RV F. points out it has "a commissary/exchange/gas station with propane fills only a few blocks away" and is "Located on the St. John's River with simple views of the river along side a community pavilion."
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