Ponte Vedra Beach camping options extend throughout northeast Florida's coastal region, where the elevation ranges from sea level to around 10 feet above. The area sits on a barrier island formation with freshwater marshes on the inland side and oceanfront on the Atlantic side. Spring and fall camping seasons offer temperatures between 60-85°F with lower humidity, making these the most comfortable months for tent campers especially.
What to do
Kayaking at Dutton Island Preserve: Access multiple waterfront launch points directly from the campground. A camper noted this is "a magical place where you can see an amazing cityscape of Jacksonville from just the right spot" when floating in a kayak pointed southward.
Beach exploration at Fort Clinch State Park: Walk the 3-mile undeveloped beachfront to collect shark teeth and shells. "The beach along the river was a nice walk and accessible from our campsite. People often find shark teeth but we weren't as lucky," reports a visitor.
Off-road biking at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park: Navigate the extensive trail network with varying difficulty levels through coastal hammock. "Miles of biking/hiking trails at this park. Great quick getaway for those living in the Jacksonville metro area," mentions one frequent visitor.
Visit historic St. Augustine from North Beach Camp Resort: Camp 10-15 minutes from downtown historic district with its Spanish colonial architecture. "North Beach campground is super pretty with oaks and palm brush creating privacy between sites... Location is about 10-15 minutes from old town so just know you have to drive and find parking."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer natural vegetation barriers. At Little Talbot Island State Park Campground, "The camp grounds are on intercostal side of the park. The beach is the other side of the road. My site was secluded and surrounded by lush natural vegetation and huge oak trees."
Dual water access: Several parks offer both ocean and river/intercoastal access. One camper at North Beach Camp Resort appreciated that it "has a river on the backside and the Atlantic Ocean on the front of the resort. Restaurants all around."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Coastal marshes host diverse birds and marine life. "There are many options for kayaking, bird watching and fishing. For kayaking, I recommend using Kayak Amelia. The staff were super helpful and gave us a lot of tips on where to go and what we would see."
Uncrowded beaches: Several campgrounds offer more secluded beach access than public beaches. A visitor to Huguenot Memorial Park noted the "ocean side was BEAUTIFUL. Lots of birds, little shells and wildlife. We saw horseshoe crabs, crabs and clams. Beach is full of razor clams."
What you should know
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow, winding access roads. At Little Talbot Island, "Sites are very small and roads through campground are very narrow and curvy. Great for tents and small RV's."
Military installations require proper ID: Some of the best-maintained campgrounds are on military bases. At Pelican Roost RV Park, "this is on a military base, so limited access" and "you will need proper military ID to access the base."
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