If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Sanderson, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
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
Primitive camping area on the north edge of the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.
Cabins and tent sites are accessed by walking trails. Push carts available to transport gear. Visitors are responsible for bringing their own linens, cookware, and dishes. Camping-style mattresses provided in cabins and treehouses. RV or car camping is not permitted in the park.
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.
The Woods Ferry tract features a canoe launch and the first river camp on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The river camp provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent camping area. The Jerry Branch tract is a primitive recreation site. Visitors may enjoy biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on administrative roads.
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.
We are a 12.5 acre campground on the Sante Fe River.
We have cabins as well as primitive car campsites directly on the river as well. See the following distances:
Ginnie Springs - 6 miles
Blue Springs - 9 miles
Ichetucknee Springs - 4 miles
Gainesville - 38 miles
Rum 138 - 8 miles
Lake City - 27 miles
White Springs - 38 miles
Branford - 13 miles
High Springs - 12 miles
Dollar General - 3 miles
Publix - 15 miles
Bobs River Place - 20 miles
$45 - $105 / night
Primitive camping year-round, available only to hunters during general gun season in the fall.
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.
Guide
Separate tent camping from RVs. Also has a barn and pasture if you are horse camping. Good WiFi, pool and laundry.
Scout
Had a great time tent camping and hiking the various trails. Close to the itchnetuckee. It’s very woodsy so make sure you check yourself for ticks.
Scout
I've tent camped at Stephen Foster three times in the winter. The campsites are not jampacked on top of each other. The bathroom/shower facilities have always been clean.
Traveler
6 of us tent camped at site 1, Host was really nice and we stayed 2 nights. Bathhouse was really clean and served it's purpose. Wonderful place to get away and relax.
Guide
Nice camp ground. Most of the space were pull through for Rv/campers. They were pretty narrow spaces. Lots of trees and shade. The entire campground was dirt and some gravel. The bathrooms were ok. Not kept the cleanest, but not the worst I’ve seen.
Super close to the river for easy access. Be prepared it almost rains every day in Florida, so if tent camping be prepared for rain.
Guide
Very large unique campground it offers tent camping, RV camping, camping with horses & cabins. Most famous for their events & concerts. Most campers bring their golf cart & ride the trials. There is a restaurant/bar on site that has live music on on weekends; there is also a general store that has most anything you may need, as well as a Starbucks. Great weekend getaway if your in South Georgia/north Florida.
GuideSmall charming campground along the Santa Fe River where it sinks into the underground system and rises at the next state park called River Rise. Sand/dirt roads to the RV/tent camping loop, with pretty tight turns and sharp entrances to rather short sites. Lots of screening trees between sites make for narrow parking of your RV with lots of branches to watch out for, but it is very deeply wooded and lovely.
It was during a cold snap in early December when we were there for 3 days, and it was packed with both tent and RV campers. There is a bathhouse with restrooms in the center of the loop. Note: some men tent camping used the bushes around their site for a urinal - we know this because when we pass by the one way loop to go sightseeing or hiking, they were using it in plain sight, more than once.
Very fine trail and very nice if primitive campground. Would stay again.
Scout
We stayed for two nights tent camping. The sites and bathrooms were both clean. Lots of activities, we really enjoyed the boardwalk. Also very affordable rentals too, we took a boat out for two hours for some fishing. Staff was friendly! We saw tons of wildlife there.
GuideThis park was mostly rv's when we were there so we had the tent camping area to ourselves. Nice showers and bathrooms. They have a pool but we didnt use it, the spring is right down the road. They have tubes for you to take & float down the river, really nice people.
Scout
Had an enjoyable weekend tent camping here and small game hunting in the forest.
Bob the volunteer host was super nice, and the bathrooms were very clean.
The mosquitos were a little annoying right after sundown, but quickly left once we had a fire going.
Definitely camping here again and bringing the kayaks next time.
GuideA primitive site with about a dozen tent sites or more. Trash cans and out toilets are on site, with pick nick tables each campsite. Dirt road access, dirt road/undeveloped area other than the tables, trash cans, and out toilets. Beautiful views to the east through missy covered cypress trees with palmetto and pine forest behind to the west.
Scout
3 families camping over 2 nights at O'leno to enjoy Ichetucknee Springs. We had kids in age range from 18 months up to 11. We tent camped & stayed in the Magnolia Loop which had section fencing for each lot. There was a nice playground & many learning spots set up. The park says you can swim at your own risk, but it looks like harmful creatures are in the water without any proper fencing.
GuideKayaking was our favorite part, but you definitely get very very close to all the wildlife including big gators. Boats are for rent if you prefer that. At night there is very little light pollution and you will see more stars than anywhere else around this area. It’s incredible. Our tent site was very close to the water, we could hear gator activity and noises all night.
Legend
There river camps along the Suwannee are about a days paddle apart and very cozy! Tent camping is available but each camp has 5 screen sleeping pavilions as well. All have electric, ceiling fans, corner tables and hooks for hammocks. bathrooms have showers, grills available, large covered pavilion along with picnic tables and fire pits. Camps are for river access only and most have camp host on property that may have ice and firewood available for purchase.
Traveler
Had a group of six people stay for three days four of us were in tents, two of us were in a trailer. The primitive camping or close enough to the trailers but far enough to actually be able to enjoy the tent! Campsites are clean pool is beautiful and the bar it’s just a walk away! Staff is friendly! Loved the live music and being so close to the water.
GuideA previous review stated this is a free site - no longer! Camp host came around and collected $10/night when we arrived
Traveler
There are two loops for campers, both very nice - one is near the lakes but not directly accessing the water (you’ll get more RVs in that area) and the tent camping loop backs up against the woods. Great access to water sports, the ravine hiking trails, dirt roads leading out the back entrance for motorcycles to easily access the nearby forest roads, and the amenities are spare but clean. The staff are always friendly and understanding, and other campers tend to be seasonal, return groups and families - pets are more than welcomed.
Traveler
This state park is booked out almost every weekend for months in advance, but it is definitely worth visiting. Sandy campsites are perfect for smaller RVs and tent camping. The sites are a close together, but everyone was respectful of each others space. Facilities are average, but clean. Easy walk to the spring and boat launch. Sites are right next to the day use area so it can be a bit loud by mid-morning. I’d recommend coming during the fall or on a weekday to avoid some of the crowds.
LegendThis is off the beaten path a bit, just out of High Springs Florida. The RV campsites are relatively small with little space between them. The campers there were quiet and respectful. The tent sites, however, are tremendously spacious by comparison. The whole area is beneath shady live oak trees. There is a little camp store that was not open during my visit there. Kayaks were available for rent. The rangers were wonderful folks and very helpful. They told me that I was there during a "very wet time" with a lot of standing water = MOSQUITOS! They are not normally a bother at this campground, but they were when I was there.
LegendThis is one of the busiest campgrounds in Florida. Their HUGE festivals draw in matching crowds so check their schedule before booking so your experience is one that matches your desires. We camped along the river - primitive tent camping. We were told to just go out and pick a spot and we got a nice one. there was a lot of golf cart traffic into the evening - they offer rentals and this location is very large so to see it all folk cruise around the trails on them. We were only staying one night and launching from there for an over night kayak trip on the Suwannee River. Lots of places to explore and sights to see when exploring! great staff and concession center. they also have tree house rentals, RV spaces and cabins.
Traveler
GInnie springs is great for tubing and kayaking. The springs are gorgeous! During my most recent visit I tent camped at sites 9 and 11. 9 was a long site with trees and privacy on both sides. Site 11 is on the side and was along the side of the road. It worked out well for a group of us camping. Both sites are a short walk to the main spring. Ginnie has a reputation for being a party place. I've never had issues, it can be noisy at night but the springs are worth it.
GuideThere are backcountry tent sites to full hookups; or if you prefer you can rent a cabin or tree house. There's a pool and game room if you like, or if you want to rent a canoe and float the beautiful Suwannee River, that's available at the canoe outpost. Horses and riding lessons are available at the stables.
Live Music is a presence at the park which hosts weekend shows at the restaurant and bar, and the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is host to several big music festivals of all genres.
ScoutVery nice. Very well maintained. Lots of sites but it was very empty. Bathrooms and laundry were very clean. Tenting sites right on the water.
GuideWe stayed in this park in the month of November and although the weather was cool we really had a great time in the River. It’s a small park and RV sites are shared with tent sites. It’s has a beautiful spring that you can either swim in or go down the River in kayaks or canoes( bring your own or rent at the park). Please note that there are daily visitors and can get crowded during the day. Only one bathroom on the site that is shared with daily visitors. Great trails and beautiful nature walks.
LegendThis is a very large are to visit. So much to see right along the river, the Carillon Tower, great campsites, so many craft and arts shows, Christmas season here is a delight with all the holiday lights. I can't say enough about this wonderful park! Beautiful pavilions right on the river are popular for small wedding party photos, easy stop from the river if kayaking by. Nearby town of White Springs is fun to explore to! Not far from Big Shoals, another great spot on the river! Visit American Canoe Outfitters for a day or multi day trip on the river and Fat Bellies has some great BBQ! AS with all parks - the busy season is BUSY! RV sites fill up most - tent camping is much more relaxed and more private of an area. Nice clean bathrooms. Firewood usually available at the gate
Legend
One of 5 river camps along the Suwanee River and one of the nicest. This system of river camps currently is first come first served with no fee - but that could change soon and screened sleeping platforms may require reservations. Reservations can be made for groups and are suggested. Our outfitter American Canoe Adventures makes our reservations for us. We stay here at least 2 times a year as the Suwannee River river camps are spaced a days paddle apart and are wonderfully convenient (especially in summer when afternoon rains come daily and bugs are everywhere).
Outfitters have road access to help with deliveries of gear and supplies - Road access not open to the public. Most of the time you will have a camp host on the property.
River camp has bath house with water and electric, grills, fire pits, tent camping area and screened sleeping platforms with electric, lighting and ceiling fans. Many units also have hooks to hang you hammocks. Sleeping pavilions typically will hold 6-8 persons and have small corner tables with small bench. Each has picnic table and fire ring. You will find a broom in each shelter - please sweep out and leave clean for next group. Camp host oftentimes has firewood available for sale. There are trails to explore and if you look closely you will find remains and signs of old turpentine harvesting in the area close to the camp in the forest. Chuck-will's-widow, owls and frogs will serenade you at night.
Tent camping area has fire pit and picnic table to share with others
There are canoe racks off platform visible at lower water levels or you can tie boat up under ramp. At high water you will be able to paddle up walkway to get out. - please turn boat to side of railing and secure as far up ramp as possible to leave room for others coming in to get their vessels up. There are also canoe racks at top of walkway. Always take paddles, PFD's, fishing equipment, food items and valuables to your camping area - do not leave in boats. There are raccoons and other nocturnal creatures and an occasional bear passing through.
Legend
What a nice local campground! Many amenities! Lots for the kids to do, pond with ducks, playground, nice store, Camping for everyone - tents, cabins, RV's. You can even hang a hammock (with tree safe straps) in a few places! Staff was wonderful. Bathrooms have code to access an are very clean. Nice Laundry facility that costs $1.50 per wash and same to dry. We stayed in May. Ground was very soft in tent camping area - do not drive vehicle past parking pad (we saw where folks before us got stuck). Please is VERY well lit at night, if you need it dark to sleep you will want to be prepared.
Very close to many local attractions like White Springs, Suwannee River State Park, Stephen Foster State Park, and more. Many wonderful local restaurants, and antique shops to! We use ACA Canoe Outfitters in White Springs for our paddling trips and LOVE Fat Bellies BBQ - both 15 min away in White Springs. If you go don't miss visiting the "spring house"!
Tent camping near Sanderson, Florida offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sanderson, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sanderson, FL is Jennings State Forest Hammock Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Sanderson, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Sanderson, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
