Tent camping near Quincy, Florida ranges from lakeside sites to dispersed hunt camp locations, typically with elevations between 100-200 feet above sea level. The region features sandy soil with pine and oak forests surrounding Lake Talquin, a 10-mile-long reservoir created in 1927. Most camping areas remain accessible year-round, though summer humidity levels frequently exceed 80%.
What to do
Fishing at Hall Landing: Access shoreline fishing directly from Hall Landing Campground with catfish, bass and bream being common catches. "There are lots of day use traffic with boaters coming and going," notes one camper, adding that the location includes "walking along the boat docks and board walk" for recreation.
Wildlife viewing at Lake Talquin State Forest: The forest's trail system offers abundant bird and wildlife watching opportunities around primitive campsites. "We got a visit from your friendly neighborhood alligator in the middle of the night, which when I realized after the fact what the sound was was terrifying," reports Edward W. about Fort Braden Tract Primitive Campsites.
Farm animal interaction: Unique camping experiences include direct contact with farm animals at certain locations. One visitor to Goat House Farm mentioned, "The owner of the farm was so welcoming and accommodating. She even gave us a tour of the farm in the morning and we were able to play with a ton of goats and chickens!"
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Pope Still Hunt Camp provides peaceful surroundings with limited occupancy. According to one camper, the area features "2 areas next to each other for dispersed camping. About 10-15 campers total when we were there... Quiet."
Affordability: Budget-conscious camping options abound near Quincy. Hall Landing Campground provides tent sites at approximately $11 per night including tax, with one camper calling it a "good deal" while noting the campground has "free hot showers" despite the bathhouse not being particularly clean.
Isolation opportunities: Fort Braden Tract Primitive Campsites provides seclusion for those seeking distance from crowds. A reviewer emphasized its advantages for hammock camping, stating: "Thickly treed so hanging hammocks and bear lines was no problem. Brilliant quiet spot."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Campground water supplies may require filtration or treatment. One camper at Hall Landing observed, "Water spigots at each site, but we filled up our jug with it and dumped it back out, water had a brownish tinge."
Wildlife precautions: Alligators inhabit shorelines throughout the region, and venomous snakes populate wooded areas. Campers should store food properly and maintain distance from wildlife. Reviews mention this is "prime copperhead territory" around Lake Talquin.
Trail navigation: Finding specific camping areas can be challenging with limited cell service. A camper at Pope Still Hunt Camp mentioned, "The last 2 miles of the entry road is unpaved," highlighting access difficulties at some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Animal experiences: Goat House Farm provides unique interactions for children. "The kids absolutely loved it. They cried when it was time to leave and told all the animals bye," reports one family, adding practical advice: "Be sure to keep your tents closed or they [goats] will sleep with you too."
Space limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate limited group sizes, with specific exceptions. One visitor noted Fort Braden Tract has a "group site in between that was very nice and we were told was often used by youth groups."
Trail difficulty considerations: Hiking distances to campsites vary significantly between locations. Fort Braden features "nice elevation changes (refreshing for Florida hiking)" according to reviewers, with sites located approximately one mile from parking areas.
Tips from RVers
Limited designated RV options: Few traditional tent camping areas accommodate recreational vehicles. One RVer staying at Hall Landing Campground reported, "This campground is for tents only, however, due to a mix up with our reservation at Walker Landing, they moved us to this campground even though we are in an RV. Most sites are big and level enough for an RV so it may be worth asking."
Solar considerations: Tree cover impacts solar panel effectiveness at most sites. "Lots of tree cover so our solar panels were struggling to get enough sun," noted an RV camper at Hall Landing, suggesting alternative power sources may be necessary.
