Tent campsites near Pomona Park, Florida range from remote sites along blackwater streams to elevated platforms with water access. The area's sandy soil transitions to cypress wetlands with elevation changes of less than 100 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons when overnight lows dip into the 60s.
What to do
Kayak launching from campsites: At Princess Place Preserve, campers can access waterways directly from their sites. According to one visitor, "Princess Place Preserve is a beautiful campground for short overnight camping or even longer stays. PPP's camp sites have docks where you can pull a boat up if you are fishing. Some of the tent campsites are directly on one of the small rivers that empties into the Intercostal."
Hiking through diverse ecosystems: The Florida Trail passes within 200 yards of Lake Delancy East Campground, offering multi-day hiking opportunities. One camper noted, "The Florida trail is close by. Several walking trails to choose from. Be cautious around hunting season, as Delancey West appears to be where the hunters all camp with their atv's."
Wildlife photography opportunities: Dawn and dusk provide optimal lighting conditions for photographing the region's diverse wildlife. At Haw Creek Preserve State Park, visitors find "six distinct natural wonders, including: forests, hammocks, flatwoods, marshes, swamps and a blackwater stream. And if you are an angler, you'll be delighted to find shellcracker, largemouth bass, speckled perch and catfish are easy for the taking in these parts."
What campers like
Complete seclusion from crowds: Several primitive camping areas offer extreme isolation for those seeking solitude. At Cedar Creek Campground in Matanzas State Forest, one reviewer experienced "Hermit Living in Maze-Like Camping Outpost" noting, "I have yet to find any place that you can feel so lost within just a 10 minute drive from one of the busiest highways in America than Matanzas State Forest."
Historical sites within preserves: Some camping areas include access to preserved historical structures. At Princess Place Preserve, a camper mentioned, "The Ranger who was working when we were there was really helpful. He gave us a private tour of the historic buildings because no tour was scheduled during our stay."
Star visibility away from light pollution: Rural campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing conditions. A Cedar Creek Campground visitor reported "Amazing stars -- great view of incredible moon. As one of the other commenters wrote --- its amazing you are 10 minutes from a major highway yet feel like you are 1000 miles from anywhere."
What you should know
Non-potable water availability: Many campgrounds provide water that isn't safe for drinking but can be used for other purposes. At Etoniah Creek State Forest, visitors will find a primitive camping area with an "enclosed camping shelter is one part simple 4-walled wooden framed open-air lodge that is one half (lower) wood and one half (upper) metal screen encased unit all with a fortified roof and solid foundation."
Sandy access roads require preparation: Many campgrounds have unpaved access points that may challenge some vehicles. One camper at Matanzas State Forest mentioned, "Took some rough dirt roads to get to this campsite. If you value peace and quiet you will love this campsite."
Seasonal hunting activities: Several wildlife management areas and state forests permit hunting during designated seasons. A Lake Delancy East visitor advised, "Very Primitive grounds, No electric or running water, but not a lot of crowds. Want electric bring generator. Have seen Black Bears but no problems."
Tips for camping with families
Shelter options during rain: Look for campgrounds with covered structures for weather protection. At Haw Creek Preserve State Park, "the biggest downside to primitive camping is no where to go when the rain comes (and trust me, here in northern Florida, the rain's gonna come, so you best prep for this eventuality), so here at Haw Creek, you have plenty of shelter if you'd like to indulge in primitive camping."
Campgrounds with enclosed structures: Some tent camping areas feature permanent structures that provide additional security. Etoniah Creek State Forest offers the Iron Bridge shelter, which has "a wooden loft built inside the structure that allows for 2 people to sleep comfortably well-above the floor as a well as a proper porch."
Bike-friendly options: Several camping locations connect to trail systems suitable for family cycling. One camper at Haw Creek Preserve advised, "If you have bicycles, bring 'em! This place (and surrounding areas) have so many incredible places to explore by bike, that if you love to 'ped' than you are in luck – plus, all of the wooden pathways are perfect for biking on!"
Tips from RVers
Equestrian-friendly camping: Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area offers spaces that accommodate horse trailers and RVs. A visitor described the area as having "a semi-permanent covered structure (great, in the case of rain), and if you don't, you'll find yourself heading straight into someone's private property (mind the signs) or taking a right and meandering down a long winding gravel road to nowhere."
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Pomona Park offer primitive camping with few or no hookups. At Caravelle Ranch, visitors will find "a potable water station, cleaning table and an odd hanging hook configuration that is for cleaning game that has been caught. There's also a spray hose as well as what looks to be like a small open-air cleaning kitchen of sorts complete with countertops and lighting."
Generator policies vary: Some sites restrict generator usage while others permit them during certain hours. At Lake Delancy East Campground, one camper advised, "Want electric bring generator."
