Camping areas around Starke, Florida include both private and state-managed campgrounds, with options ranging from rustic tent sites to full-service RV accommodations and cabin rentals. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, located about 15 miles south of Starke, offers cabin camping and developed sites within a natural setting, while the Starke-Gainesville NE KOA provides more amenity-rich options with 135 sites directly in town. Camp Blanding RV Park on the western side of Starke serves military personnel with lakefront access. Several campgrounds in the area feature full hookups for RVs, with a mix of seasonal and year-round availability.
North central Florida's subtropical climate makes camping accessible throughout the year, though summer months bring higher humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Most developed campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, with peak season running from October through April when temperatures moderate. "We spent Christmas Eve here on our way to south Florida. A crazy storm came through and the temperature dropped drastically, but awoke in the morning and continued our trip," noted one camper at the KOA. Road access to campgrounds near Starke is generally good, with paved approaches to most developed sites. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays and during winter months when "snowbirds" from northern states frequently fill campgrounds to capacity.
Waterfront camping receives particular praise from visitors to the area, with Camp Blanding's lakeside sites highlighted for their recreational potential. "Our site was right on the lake so the kids had a great time playing in the water. We could hang our hammocks and the paved roads allowed for the kids to ride their bikes," shared one visitor. Campgrounds with full hookups typically provide amenities such as shower houses, laundry facilities, and WiFi, though quality varies between locations. Privacy between sites differs significantly among the various campgrounds, with state park locations generally offering more natural separation than private RV parks. Some developed campgrounds near Starke have recently undergone management changes, resulting in mixed reviews about staff interactions and facility maintenance, particularly at the KOA, which has experienced both positive comments about spacious sites and complaints about management practices.
$20 - $100 / night
"The Florida State Trail passes through the park and is well marked. The ravines section is my favorite area in the park. In the greener months, it feels like a rain forest."
"The Florida Trail is my favorite part of my visits. The cabin we stayed in was small but nice. The ravines are gorgeous. You can access it with a vehicle, but you must walk down many stairs."
$34 - $58 / night
"Just left STARK FLORIDA KOA. No shade but a huge amount of space between sites and set up on an angle which increased the sense of space. Sites had full hook up, elec, water, sewer."
"KOA - Stark, FL: We spent Christmas Eve here on our way to south Florida. Bill greeted us, took us to our site, guided us in. Very friendly reception."
"The children loved the close proximity of the lake. We were approximately 10 feet away from the water. The area had two sets of swings nearby and a dock."
"Beautiful lake"
$9 / night
"Nice, quiet campground on the outskirts of Jacksonville. Had a nice time out there with my buddy and the pup. Would recommend!"
"This little campground is tucked away in Jennings forest. Everything is so peaceful back here!"
$18 / night
"The campsites are spacious, well shaded, and with in easy walking distance to the Bathhouse/Restrooms. The facilities are kept clean and neat."
"You know, like quintessential state or national park imagery where you would expect to see“Smoky The Bear” around the next bend."
$60 - $79 / night
"I recently stayed at the Island Oak RV Park in the beautiful town of Glen St Mary, Florida and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with the facilities and overall experience."
"Heated resort pool with tiki pool bar & music, beach front lake with a massive inflatable obstacle course, an on-site restaurant & ice cream shop, not to mention multiple fenced dog parks."
$18 / night
"Very close to the University of Florida. Nice campground recently renovated."
"There is a picnic table & a fir pit the fire pit was a little to close to the camper to have a fire. It is a very quiet and woodsy campground."
$34 - $55 / night
"They have a great location for vanlifers & roadtrippers to stop by when driving through Florida! Book your stay on the Dyrt and make sure to post some pictures of your stay!"
GuideThis is an RV resort, I was only there for an overnight but definitely a place to bring the family! They had a cool beach pond, pool, bar/grill, as well as very clean shower and laundry. They do allow custom built RVs as along as your power, water, and sewer are all self contained and hook to their standard systems. I will definitely be back for a longer stay!
GuideFriendly staff. Clean campground. Some pull-thrus. Not gated. We have stayed here multiple times in our 40' motorhome with slides on both sides plus our Jeep. No problems. Recommended
ScoutThe phone number listed directs you to a campsite just up the road, which actually shares the same name as this listing. However, most of the photos shown (up to around photo 22) are of a different campground than where you’ll end up if you book here.
If you follow the booking details, you’ll be taken to a more open RV-style site with many long-term renters, and it does not match the photos provided. The area itself is still nice, and there’s a convenience store nearby with basic supplies.
If you’re specifically looking for the campground shown in the photos, make sure to search for Ichetucknee Springs Campground on Google to find the correct location.
ScoutRelatively quiet campground on a lake (boats, jet skis, kids sounds). Camp hosts very friendly. Decent bathrooms, laundry, showers. Dog friendly! Site 33 (water only hook up) is right next to the beach area, bathrooms. It’s a very open site so if you want privacy this is not it. It’s on the water so nice view! I’m
ScoutThere is 5 tent only sites without water or electric. There is also RV sites with water and electric.
ScoutWe stayed Friday to Sunday and the property is quaint and clean and so so quiet ! Bathroom facilities are clean and spacious . The laundry facility was clean. 2 washers and 4 or 5 dryers . Change machine provided in laundry room. The pool was clean ! And it’s pet friendly. Kelly was amazing , we didn’t need for her anything but getting us reserved was hassle free!! We loved it there ! Wonderful pull through site ! We will definitely be back :)
GuideDelete night day with a nice spring. The website looks nice and clean for every size. But we have a small sprinter we didn’t need any water or electricity So we stayed in the tent area, which is much more nature. And the space in between camps are huge
LegendThere’s a kind of stillness at Catface Corner Campground that immediately lets you know you’ve stepped deep into real North Florida wilderness, where the tall pines sway gently and the forest seems to stretch endlessly in every direction. This tiny primitive campground sits within the Osceola Wildlife Management Area near Sanderson and offers just four simple campsites tucked along a sandy loop road, giving the place an incredibly peaceful and remote feel that’s hard to find these days. Amenities are almost nonexistent, with no restrooms, no running water, and no electricity ... just a basic clearing for tents and the quiet company of the surrounding forest, which certainly appeals to serious back-to-basics campers but can feel a bit too bare bones if you’re traveling with young kids. While we were drawn to the solitude and natural beauty, once we realized just how primitive things were, we decided this particular stop might be better suited for more rugged adventurers than our little crew. From what we saw, any of the four campsites offer similar levels of privacy, but the ones farther along the loop feel slightly more secluded from the entrance. In the end, while the peaceful setting was undeniably alluring, this young family of four opted to continue on to a campground with a few more creature comforts, making this one better suited for campers truly looking to rough it and fully unplug.
ScoutQuiet beautiful laid back, let's keep it that way!
Camping sites near Starke, Florida range from primitive tent camping to fully serviced RV resorts. Located in north-central Florida at an elevation of about 130 feet, the area features sandy soil and pine forests typical of the Florida inland region. Average temperatures remain mild through winter with nighttime lows in the 40s, making late fall through early spring the optimal camping season.
Paddling opportunities: At O'Leno State Park, visitors can enjoy kayaking on the Santa Fe River with rental equipment available. "There is a swimming section. The river goes underground but you can't kayak in this area. The river has a small rapids area, for Florida. Got to see a snake sunbathing next to two turtles while kayaking," notes one camper at O'Leno State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers eight distinct hiking trails where visitors can observe native Florida fauna. "This park has 8 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. We were able to see wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking," shares a visitor to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
Hiking trails: Jennings State Forest provides miles of marked paths through natural Florida landscapes. "We hiked the beach pioneer trail and really enjoyed ourselves. The campsite is about a mile in and has a picnic table and fire ring. There is a stream nearby for water. The trail is well marked and we only saw a few others while hiking," reports a camper at Jennings State Forest.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between campsites at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. "Very woodsy, plenty of walking trails, even a spring to take a dip in, if you dare!!" comments one visitor about the park's natural features.
Lake activities: Camp Blanding RV Park receives high marks for its waterfront sites and water recreation opportunities. "Some of the best camping in FL, beautiful lake, spread out camp sites, fire pit, grill and full hookups. All water sports, including fishing, boat launch, Jet skis, etc.. plenty of room to swim," notes one reviewer at Camp Blanding RV Park.
Clean facilities: Island Oaks RV Resort maintains well-kept amenities that appeal to campers seeking comfort. "The bathhouses were clean and well-maintained. The one we used has 4 stalls to it all with a private bathroom and shower in one. If I am nitpicking the water pressure was not great but it was nice and hot," shares a visitor to Island Oaks RV Resort.
Military connections: Camp Blanding RV Park requires specific credentials for access. "Even with base access, you can only camp with a military member as a guest or be in the military," explains a reviewer who stayed at the facility.
Hookup positioning: Some RV parks have design issues with utility connections. At Island Oaks, "When they designed the park, the hookups are on the wrong side of the spots. We needed 50 feet and our friends 80 feet of sewage hookups! The sewer connection is not sink and does not drain properly," warns a camper.
Pet restrictions: Some parks limit where dogs can access. "The biggest disappointment for this state park is that all of the things they advertise (and I was looking forward to) - bison, horses, wildlife - are all on trails where pets are not allowed," notes a visitor to Paynes Prairie.
Kid-friendly water access: Sites near lakes provide natural entertainment for children. "We camped here before things warmed up, but we enjoyed it. The children loved the close proximity of the lake. We were approximately 10 feet away from the water. The area had two sets of swings nearby and a dock," notes a family who stayed at Camp Blanding.
Historical education: Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park offers learning opportunities. "Camp staff knows much about the Native American heritage in this location," mentions one camper about the educational aspects of Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park.
Recreational amenities: Island Oaks RV Resort provides extensive facilities for families. "Heated resort pool with tiki pool bar & music, beach front lake with a massive inflatable obstacle course, an on-site restaurant & ice cream shop, not to mention multiple fenced dog parks. I cant say enough positives about this place!" shares an enthusiastic family camper.
Extension cords necessary: Some parks require additional equipment for hookups. "Just left STARK FLORIDA KOA. No shade but a huge amount of space between sites and set up on an angle which increased the sense of space. Sites had full hook up, elec, water, sewer," explains an RVer at Starke-Gainesville NE KOA.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on accessibility and amenities. "The best sites at Gainesville RV Park include: PO4 – 16 (basically all the pond front sites) as well as W1– W18, which is kind of surprising as they are the cheaper slots, but back up to the treeline and are furthest away from any roads / noise," advises one experienced RVer.
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Would have given 5 stars if internet was decent but it was awful. Our rig is 42' w/ 4 slides and had lots of space. Escorted to our site. Nice picnic tables. Pool area was clean and inviting," reports a camper at Island Oaks about the trade-offs to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Starke, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Starke, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 199 campgrounds and RV parks near Starke, FL and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Starke, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Starke, FL is Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Starke, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Starke, FL.
What parks are near Starke, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Starke, FL that allow camping, notably Osceola National Forest and National Forests in Florida.
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