Searching for a tent camping spot near St. Augustine? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of St. Augustine, Florida's most popular destinations.
Tent Camping Only (No RV's). Tent Camping is allowed at designated campsites in the Princess Place Preserve. Princess Place Preserve, with its rich history and 1500 pristine acres, attracts nature enthusiasts from near and far. It provides a glimpse of old Florida. Visitors can take in its splendor while on one of the many hiking trails, fishing the salt marshes along the Matanzas River and Pellicer Creek, or camping out under the stars. The preserve is a popular spot for horse enthusiasts, with an equestrian campsite and plenty of trails that make it is easy to embrace nature while enjoying a ride. This beautiful 1,500-acre preserve is situated in the northern part of Flagler County. It was purchased by Henry Cutting in 1886 and passed on to his widow Angela Mills Cutting Worden, who eventually married Boris Scherbatoff, an exiled Russian prince. Angela assumed the title of princess and it was then that the once named "Cherokee Grove" came to be known as "Princess Place." The original lodge, built by Henry Cutting, stills stands as Flagler County's oldest intact structure. It is also home to Florida's very first in-ground swimming pool. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. There are Lodge tours Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. on a first come first serve basis. There is no reservations for the tours, simply meet the Rangers at the Lodge at 2pm. Camping check-in is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ranger Station. For more information about camping or pavilion rentals, call Parks and Recreation at 386-313-4020.
$20 / night
Camp Chowenwaw (Cho’-wen-waw), is a beautiful 150-acre site at the mouth of Black Creek, near its confluence with the St. Johns River. The Girl Scout Council of Duval County operated the site as a camp for over 70 years. The original cabins and the Big Cabin were built with federal aid using logs cut on site. The camp opened on July 1, 1933. Camp Chowenwaw has played an important role in the lives of three generations of young women in Northeast Florida. Thousands of campers have stayed at the Camp; many have gone on to be leaders in our community. In 2006, Clay County purchased the camp from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council with assistance from Florida Communities Trust using Florida Forever funds. It is now a public park offering a variety of recreation including trails, camping and overnight cabins, nature programs, fishing pier, canoe launch, picnicking, swimming pool, museum, playground, and meeting rooms. The Park is managed as a conservation, historic preservation, and outdoor recreation area.
$15 - $20 / night
This conservation area’s importance is magnified by its closeness to the St. Johns River and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Its riverine bottomland hardwoods, pine flatwoods and sandhill communities protect approximately seven miles of the St. Johns River, which borders the east side of the property. In addition, the property provides storage of flood waters and preserves water and natural resources in the Lower St. Johns River Basin. One of the special highlights of this property is its two campsites within area 1 in the northern section of the property. Both are special spots. The Hammock campground is tucked back into the flatwoods with an ephemeral stream directly to the east of the camp site. The Riverside campsite is located directly along the St. Johns River with fantastic views of the cypress trees that flank the banks of the river. The Riverside campsite and the trail leading to it can be wet due to seasonal flooding.
$20 - $25 / night
This drive-up primitive campground has ten tent sites. A Clivus mulching toilet system is available behind site 5. A communal, 2-table pavilion, grills, and a campfire ring with benches is located across from site 6. No electric hook-ups. No potable water. Pets must be on a leash. Hunting occurs during scheduled hunt seasons, as listed at http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/. Trail users should wear day-glo orange during hunt seasons. Wildlife proof all food Forest is open for day use visitors from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
$9 - $10 / night
$25 - $125 / night
Trail Guide: https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/lands/trailguides/blackcreekravinestrail.pdf St. Johns River Water Management District lands are natural, wild and scenic places. While camping on district lands, you may have an opportunity to see various wildlife, sit under the stars, listen to a soft evening breeze rustling tree leaves and experience Florida much as some of the earliest settlers did. However, be prepared to rough it. Only primitive tent camping is allowed on district lands and only at designated locations. No travel trailers, campers or RVs are allowed. Most properties offer no amenities such as rentals, restrooms, potable water or shelters. Many of the campsites are in remote areas and can be reached only by hiking, bicycling, boating or horseback riding. Campers should use the designated campfire rings for fires and should carry out all garbage with them when they leave. Check the notices section of this website for updates on any current burn bans. First come/first serve and reservable camping sites are available at most district properties. Reservable campsites require a reservation and permit from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. All camping is limited to a maximum of seven days per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year.
Permit Required - boat access only -
The boardwalk leads back to an open field area where there is tent camping allowed. The walk takes you over some wetlands, it's a beautiful site all around, and it's shaded by the natural canopy created by the trees.
Legend
Large sites. Very nice pool. First rate laundry facilities. Great playground and dog park.
Scout
I tried to get reservations on the state park website and kept getting an error message. On further investigation it appears they closed in Feb 2024 because of erosion. I'll keep checking and will update this review if/when they reopen.
Traveler
Friendly staff and well maintained Park and facilities with great fishing and an amazing view of Lake George.
Scout
This is public park. So not only campers allowed in. Nice campground. Very private sites. Lots of things to keep busy. Bathroom ammeties need to be updated. Unfortunately, they have a problem with the homeless stalking camps day and night. We noticed several people roaming around that didn't look to be camping or there for the day. Had a bike stolen from our site at 7 in the morning while we were in our camper. Very unsettling to know you are being stalked, especially with children... Homeless camp less than a mile away. We will not be returning.
Legend
We had site 111, which we picked up last minute as there was a cancellation. Great site with plenty of room to spread out. Just big enough for our 33’ Class A. The beach was a 7 minute walk and easy. Nice gift shop and restaurant if food is needed and very close to the amphitheater.
Tons of spiders (nature). The bathrooms and showers are right at average. Ranger was very nice.
Legend
Maybe it was that the light was falling at just the right time as I moseyed into Rodman Campground a good hour or so before dusk became official here just due south of Palatka, the Sunshine State’s ‘Unofficial Farmer’s Market’ and a pretty decent stretch from the endless miles of pristine white sand beaches on the Atlantic Coast or the overwhelming non-stop entertainment options of a city built on 'Mouse Magic.’ Whatever it was, there’s something that struck us as incredibly special about this particular campground outpost. I think what we left with was a surreal understanding that no matter what you come packing with, you’re gonna have just one helluva amazing camping experience here at Rodman Campground.
This place is perfect for both the RV tribe as well as mi tent-pitching community. And I don’t often get to say that. As for the campground itself, while there’s 64 sites to choose from in all, there’s basically 3 distinct areas that you should be aware of. The first area is what I would call the VIP RV Lots, given its proximity to the Rodman Reservoir, while I’m not an RV enthusiast, but this spot feels like you’ve hit ‘the jackpot’ as it’s a single lane with 6 or so sites on either side and provides you with direct and easy access to a very well-maintained restroom and shower facility. The second area is exclusively carved out for my tribe – those that are packing their experience with them and like to unroll their version of protection from the elements while staring straight up at the blessed star-crossed sky while completely surrounded by the thick of nature and tall needle-like trees. And while Rodman Campground calls this the ‘primitive campground,’ I’ll affectionately refer to it as ‘Pitch-A-Tent Heaven.’ Admittedly, I’ve never set up camp so close to RVs that still made me feel like one with nature. The third and final campground option here at Rodman is what I will characterize as ‘RV Pavement Parking Lot Hell,’ where if you have an RV (and can’t get into the VIP RV spot, then, well, you’ll be parking yourself here, but hopefully the freshly poured flat concrete will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Regardless of the camping neighborhood that you end up arriving at, Rodman Campground will impress upon you what an amazing place it is, first and foremost, by offering up what is, no doubt, some of the best FL SP staff you will ever encounter – they are friendly, helpful and incredibly proud of this patch of land that they call home. Secondly, the Rodman Reservoir offers nothing short of AMAZING kayak and canoe adventures. The amenities are pretty top notch: back-in and pull-through RV sites with full-hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), scattered picnic tables, fire rings and BBQ grills, paved bicycle paths (and miles of additional pavement via Rodman Dam Road, boating within the 9K acre Rodman Preserve, designated dump stations, five reservable pavilions and an excellent boat ramp, freshwater fishing (license required), 5.1 miles of trail hiking (actually part of the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs adjacent to Rodman Campground, picnicking at waterfront pavilions (need to be reserved). If you’re a wild nature enthusiast, you’re in luck, because here at Rodman Campground, you’ll easily be able to spot: bald eagle, foxes, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, hawks and owls, osprey and the American alligator.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If I was an RV’er (and let’s be clear, I’m not) and I was looking to book a spot here at Rodman Campground, I would absolutely be looking at the VIP RV Lots wherein I would chose any of the spots that are backed up against the wilderness (that would be on the west), which offer a greater degree of connectivity with nature (and thus additional privacy) where, in particular, I would book one of these amazing sites: #2, #5, #9, #10 and #12. While the other sites in this spot aren’t bad, they just don’t offer the amount of privacy that these other 5 sites do; (2) For mi tent-pitching bredren, while almost all of these camp sites offer you a pristine au naturale experience (apart from the few sites that are front-facing (#14-17; #38) you’ll want to prioritize any other site (#18-37) as best you can; (3) If you come bringing your boat, please be aware that there’s submerged logs and other underwater obstructions to be aware of, so motor with caution!; (4) When you get tired of staring down the bottom of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or the emptiness of your on-board fridge, and want to try out some of the local fare, then look no further than Hog Wild Country Café back in Interlachen (no, we’re not in Switzerland, but if you head back NW, you’ll find this spot on County Road 310) where all the traditional BBQ plates are being served (smoked brisket, smoked turkey, smoked pork, OK, smoked EVERYTHING) along with killer southern sides like mac-n-cheese, potato salad, slaw and, my favorite, Vidalia onion rings!; and (5) If you come hauling watercraft, you’ll have no shortage of great launches here at Rodman Campground, but if you are looking to dip your canoe or kayak in some different places, I would highly recommend Marjorie Harris Carr (just follow the Kenwood Boat Ram Road till it reaches a parking circle, from which you’ll easily see the boat launch) or over across the reservoir as well as just heading a bit further west to Rodman Recreation Area where you can drop in there or over at the Rodman Dam Kayak Launch, which has tons of tributaries to navigate.
Happy Camping!
GuideBike to the Old City or see it from the water in your kayak. A beautiful beach is just minutes away by foot or bike. Was quiet at night. Super clean bathhouse. A few raccoons so take necessary precautions with trash and food storage.
Scout
Camp sites are very nice. It’s right across the street from the beach. The problem I had was for the price you would think the bath houses would be I better condition. I guess they were clean but in such bad condition I couldn’t be sure.
Guide
Beautiful place, nothing to complain about
GuideWe stopped in on our way to Lakeland, FL. Beautiful campground and well maintained. When we booked online it said only 2 spots to choose from but the park was 50% empty. Would definitely stay here again if we have the chance.
Guide
Took some rough dirt roads to get to this campsite. If you value peace and quiet you will love this campsite. It’s more primitive than anything in my opinion. Star gazing out here is absolutely immaculate. The sites here are pretty large. You could fit several tents in these sites. Some limited service.
Scout
I asked my parents to book this RV site because it has a pool and WiFi. First things first, you have to pay for WiFi. I spent $15 on WiFi for ONE DAY for 7 people because if you make only one account it allows only 3 devices to sign it with it. Doesn’t mention anything about that on their website or on here. The plants here and the views are really pretty. The pool was okay, and the one day and night we stayed there we met some friendly people who were staying there as well. The next morning, (40 minutes before checkout time) they were already calling my mom and asking us when we were leaving. Are you serious? Put an earlier check-out time on your business if you want people to leave earlier. It sucks because I recommended this site to my parents, and they treated my mom very crummy. We won’t be back here again.
TravelerBeach is beautiful. Lots to do in the area. Ride your bike all day. Relax on the beach. Lots of history to learn. Don’t forget the farmers market on Saturday. Sites are a little too close.
TravelerThe lush tropical vegetation and nearby incredible beaches, trails and other facilities, plus the welcoming, professional staff make Hanna Park a GREAT experience. What an amazing asset for the City of Jacksonville! This was our 3rd visit, and we stayed 3 nights -- now we hope for more time on our next visit! The website is informative and includes good descriptions of each campsite to assist in making reservations. The campground is clean, quiet and relaxing. Our campsite was level, private and convenient. Be sure to stroll on the beaches at sunset!
GuideSites here have a good amount of shade which is great for summers in Florida. Check-in process is easy and park is clean and quiet. Close to beach and trails. A little bit of an obstacle course for bigger RVs with all the trees and narrow roads. This particular site is a little odd shaped. We have a 34' TT so I think a smaller rig would have an easier time setting up and more room. Even the 40' sites on this loop seem a little more narrow than our last one we stayed in between D and E. I would stay within those sites next time but still not a bad visit.
Traveler
This is an excellent place to pitch a tent and spend time in nature without traveling far. Great hiking trails and the Pelicer Creek is available for fishing. Bring a kayak.
The camp sites are huge. The tent sites are elevated which should help keep the soil dryer in case of rain.
Keep in mind that there is no water available at the camping sites or the entire park for that matter. Potable or non potable so you have to bring in all drinking water and water for washing dishes if you plan on doing some cleanup. Also, there are bathrooms but they’re pretty far. The campsites do have nearby porta potties.
GuideThe camp is located in a great location between the beach and the river. There are many shaded camping spots. The showers/restrooms were a little dated but clean. Easy check-in process including an after hours check-in. Camp is set up well to make it easy to navigate and get set up. We will definitely stay here again and highly recommend to others. There are two restaurants within walking distance as well.
TravelerThis campground has a ton of campsites and is fairly busy with people camping. It’s in some sparse woods and isolated enough to give that camping feel. There’s some great fishing places nearby, and the woods offer up firewood if you didn’t bring your own. Overall, a great place to camp!
RangerAwesome city campground in Jax Beach. Lots of trees and natural camp sites. One of our new fav places to stay. Quiet and relaxing.
Full hook ups (electric/water/sewer). Close to park beaches and lake. Nature trails nearby for walking or biking. Large camp store and food truck near front.
Sites and roads due flood in heavy rains (see pics), so try to find some that are on higher ground or at least run off the back of the site instead of flooding in front of it.
Scout
Very secluded and quiet. Great place to get away from Jacksonville for a weekend.
TravelerBeautiful campground in St Augustine. Very shady spots.
GuideThe beach is biking or walking distance! We caught the sunrise, so beautiful. The park just keeps going with many beach pull offs. The sites are close together, but campers are respectful and the staff were so helpful in booking our same day reservation. Great for the price, with electric and water hookups.
Guide
This is a beautiful campground with proximity to the Florida Scenic Trail. Ideal for tent camping, as the forest service roads were a little rough for our RV. Campground is along a beautiful and unique wet prairie. No cell service, no electric or water hookups. Worth a stay in a tent! Recommend using entrance off route 19 via forest service road 86.
ScoutTop
GuideWe had a great time here with friends and one of our grandsons. Site 50 is completely private and plenty big enough for our camper, truck, gazelle and dog pen. Only negative is all the sites are dirt, including the roads so you will have dirt and dust. For the price they charge, I would like to see all the sites with gravel but the dirt won’t keep us away! Going for a full week next month!
TravelerWith almost 300 sites this is a very busy Park. Its close to City of Jacksonville so gets a LOT of campers. The campground has very close-by access to miles of beautiful ocean-front beaches that we enjoyed fully! There are also lots of biking and hiking trails. Some sites are more level than others, and sizes vary as well. Also some sites have more privacy provided by the lush vegetation. (Park website has some description on each site to help with selection.) Access through the campground gate requires a special punch-in code so that adds a level of security.
We stopped overnight as a break from driving I-95, and the main negative was the distance and urban traffic to reach the Park. The campground has narrow 2-way access roads to the sites which must be a challenge for the big rigs.
We stayed in sites 026 and 174, on February 9 and February 23. Our nights were peaceful except for a heavy wind and rain storm.
We would stay again!
Traveler
Just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby. Etonia Creek is a couple miles from camp but a beautiful destination on its own
Camping near St. Augustine, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and family-friendly fun. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near St. Augustine, Florida, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to find a spot that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near St. Augustine, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Augustine, FL is Princess Place Preserve with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near St. Augustine, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near St. Augustine, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
