Tent camping near Port St. Lucie, FL features primitive sites within a subtropical environment where summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 10-25 feet above sea level, creating flat terrain that can result in standing water during the June-October rainy season. Access to several primitive camping locations requires either hiking through palmetto scrub or traveling by boat to reach island camping areas.
What to do
Snorkeling from island camps: Peanut Island Campground offers unique tent camping with excellent snorkeling opportunities. "Kayak and paddle board to snorkeling with beautiful fishes and manatee if you are lucky," reports Maimi T., who found the island "perfect for small kids to running around and felt very safe."
Bird watching at lakeside sites: Blue Cypress County Park provides access to extensive birding opportunities. "The lake is a birders paradise if you're into that. All along are big osprey nests in the trees," notes reviewer B+J S., who recommends bringing your boat or kayak to explore the large lake.
Hammock camping along trails: Multiple tent sites on the Ocean to Lake Trail accommodate hammock setups. J R. describes Little Gopher as having "two poles for hanging backpacks" and being "capable of housing multiple tents and hammock setups" with "plenty of firewood in the area."
What campers like
Secluded water access: Campers appreciate having nearby water sources, even when they require caution. At Loop 4, one camper mentions, "I opted to get my drinking water from the creek across from the camping area after filtering it. The creek farther down had adolescent gators, nothing to worry about. But I kept my eyes pealed for sudden movements when I got the water."
Free camping options: DuPuis Campground stands out for its cost value. "FREE stay, register at the SFWMD site and request a permit. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Various trees at the camp sites to provide shade," reports J R., who adds that "the sites surround a pond" and "will definitely stay again."
Boating-based camping experiences: Indian Prairie Canal RA offers boat-accessible camping that creates unique experiences. "This is very sweet free camping. There's maybe 10 sites here and you can quite literally take a boat to the campsite," explains Daniel S., who recommends exploring nearby: "You leave out and head up a little creek and arrive at an oasis...it's a bass and manatee frenzy there."
What you should know
Water source reliability: Potable water can be inconsistent at primitive sites. At Loop 4, one camper reports, "the water from the pump came out with a purple tinge and smelling of Sulphur," forcing them to filter creek water instead.
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have specific entry requirements. For DuPuis Campground, "You need the code for the combination lock to open the gate which is included with the permit," according to a reviewer who adds that only "two cars, two tents, 6 people max per camp site" are allowed.
Shade considerations: Summer camping requires shade planning. At Blue Cypress County Park, a camper warns, "There's no shade in the camping area," recommending campers "bring a pop up or shelter tent for the midday sun."
Tips for camping with families
Short hiking distances: For families with young children, select sites with manageable approach trails. Scrub Jay Primitive Campground is noted as appropriate for beginners: "Although less pretty and less remote than Kitching Creek, it is only 5 mi from the park entrance, which makes it perfect if you are a beginner hiker or have small children," according to Pavel T.
Island camping adventure: Peanut Island offers a controlled environment for families. "It was noisy at late night that sound came from Riviera Beach or WPB port area constantly hearing construction sound," notes one camper, but they still found it "perfect for small kids to running around and felt very safe."
Proximity to facilities: Consider bathroom access when camping with children. At Blue Cypress County Park, "The bathhouse has male and female sides with two toilets and a shower. It's not upkept terribly well, but they work just fine," reports one camper.
Tips from RVers
Primitive tent-only areas: Most locations near Port St. Lucie cater primarily to tent campers, not RVs. Little Gopher is "easily accessible from road. You don't need 4x4 to get there from bee highway," according to Alex P., though the site itself accommodates tents and hammocks, not RVs.
Parking constraints: Several camping areas have limited parking. At Little Gopher, a camper mentions, "We parked at lot N and hiked 4.3 miles to the camp," indicating vehicle restrictions at the actual camping location.
Camp store access: Limited supplies are available at some locations. One camper notes Blue Cypress has a small bait shop where "Inside the shop are drinks and snacks available" and "If no one is in the bait shop it says to help yourself to ice and bait until someone comes."
