Best Cabin Camping near Starke, FL

Several rustic cabin options exist within short driving distance of Starke. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park offers comfortable cabins with electricity, heat, air conditioning, and essential furnishings. Staying just 20 minutes from Starke, the Starke-Gainesville NE KOA provides cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities. "The one we had is reserved for the disabled and has a large bathroom, a nice size and well equip kitchen, a fire place, and the screened porch with rocking chairs and a swing covers two sides of the cabin," noted one visitor about the Stephen Foster State Park cabins. North Beach Camp Resort and O'Leno State Park also maintain cabin facilities for those seeking shelter beyond traditional tent camping.

Cabin layouts near Starke accommodate different group sizes and comfort preferences. One-room and two-room configurations are available at certain locations, sleeping between 4-10 people depending on the facility. Prices range from basic rustic cabins starting around $45 per night to deluxe accommodations with full kitchens exceeding $150 nightly. Most parks enforce strict pet policies, with many cabin rentals prohibiting pets entirely. One camper remarked that Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost cabins offer "heat, A/C, furnished with bedding, towels, dishes, pots, pans, microwave, mini-fridge, small cook top and coffee pot" with "a porch offering semi-privacy to take your morning coffee."

While some cabins come fully equipped with linens, cookware and basic provisions, most require guests to bring their own bedding, towels, and food supplies. Basic cabins typically provide minimal kitchen setups—often just a microwave, mini-refrigerator, and coffee maker. Several campgrounds maintain small on-site stores for forgotten essentials, though selection varies significantly. During peak seasons (spring and fall), reservations become essential, with many locations booking 6-11 months in advance. Visitors planning extended stays should verify seasonal closures, as some parks limit cabin availability during summer months due to Florida's intense heat and humidity.

Best Cabin Sites Near Starke, Florida (42)

    1. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins

    32 Reviews
    Keystone Heights, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 473-4701

    $20 - $100 / night

    "You will pass the Equestrian Trail Head (that connects you to the Florida National Scenic Trail), following a well-paved lane that passes by Sheeler Lake (no fishing or swimming here BTW) on the right"

    "Good size campsites with fire ring, picnic table, water and electricity. Our camp site was partially shaded."

    2. Starke-Gainesville NE KOA

    13 Reviews
    Starke, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (904) 964-8484

    $34 - $58 / night

    "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. Big playground. Dog park was up in front by office so long walk when hot."

    "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."

    3. Dogwood Campground — O'Leno State Park

    39 Reviews
    Fort White, FL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-1853

    $18 / night

    "sites have water and electric only. Clean bathrooms, pet friendly. Hiking trails, kayaking and playground."

    "Campgrounds are shaded by beautiful trees with full hookup,picnic table and fire pits. The Santa Fe River trail was a gorgeous hike with a beautiful suspension bridge to walk over."

    4. Island Oaks RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Sanderson, FL
    22 miles
    Website

    $60 - $79 / night

    "The park is conveniently located off I-75 just outside of Jacksonville.

    The park itself is well-maintained - clean and has great amenities."

    "We never had to leave the park, they had EVERYTHING."

    5. North Florida Christian Camp

    1 Review
    Keystone Heights, FL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 247-3281

    "I mostly stayed near the softball field but I saw they had a lot of fun stuff.

    Zip lines and a incredibly beautiful beach.

    Also there was comfy cabins"

    6. Valhalla Estate Farm

    1 Review
    Middleburg, FL
    14 miles
    +1 (904) 294-4409

    $30 - $75 / night

    7. Magnolia Campground — O'Leno State Park

    17 Reviews
    High Springs, FL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 454-1853

    $18 / night

    "A wonderful state park. The showers and restrooms are exceptionally clean and spacious."

    "The park is about 20 min from I75. We've camped in the Magnolia loop. It is a small loop with private sites. They were definitely the size we needed to set up 2 tents, very leveled, and very clean."

    8. Camp Chowenwaw Park

    9 Reviews
    Fleming Island, FL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (904) 529-8058

    "Definitely Different and Unique for Florida. And the perfect place to review my icemulecoolers.com 

    Campground Review:

    Camp Chowenwaw is located in Green Cove Springs, FL adjacent to the St."

    "When I first researched this place, because of its name, I couldn’t believe what I was in store for. "

    9. Salt Springs Recreation Area

    57 Reviews
    Salt Springs, FL
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 685-2048

    $37 - $69 / night

    "We were walking distance to bbq and volleyball nets. So the common area to grill and play was nice and spacious.

    There were some beautiful trails for a hike."

    "Canoe rentals are available. Nearby in the town of Salt Springs you will find a grocery store, gas station, restaurants, post office and laundromat."

    10. North Beach Camp Resort

    47 Reviews
    St. Augustine, FL
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (904) 824-1806

    $67 - $245 / night

    "There are no ground fires allowed but luckily there is a community fire ring where we were Allowed to make a fire and get warm. )It went down to 42 degrees last night."

    "We were in the back sites which turned out to be great; it was wide, deep, with lots of trees and vegetation around to give our site privacy and a beachy feel. "

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Cabin Reviews near Starke, FL

385 Reviews of 42 Starke Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort

    Intimate Backwater Canoe Outpost w/ Trifecta of Camping Options

    Located at the southern tip of Rodman Reservoir, which is one of the major water tributaries that you can float around the NE perimeter of the Ocala National Forest, you’ll discover that this backwater camping outpost sits on 7+ acres of heavily forested woods and offers up 3 distinct types of camping opportunities: RV / 5th Wheeler, primitive tent-camping and cabin rentals. While apparently long a bastion of this particular area, dating back to the mid-80’s, Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost has been under new management for the past few years. Unlike many of the CG's in the area, this river-front, nature-embracing outpost is smaller than most with only 22 sites available.

    Situated just west of the tiny hamlet of Eureka in Fort McCoy, you will first spot the area designated for RVs, 5th Wheelers and trailers a moment or two before arriving to Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost as this spot sits alongside the roadway with 2-3 gravel pathway access points before actually making your arrival to the main office and beyond it, the main parking area. In all, there’s some 11 slots available with FHUs offering 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage connections along with a picnic table and fire ring at each site. Being next to a main artery of Rodman Reservoir, one always needs to be aware of elevation, in case of flooding, so what we noticed immediately, even before arriving to the Ocklawaha main office is that both the RV-designated area as well as the main office sit on more elevated land, which is a bonus in case of flooding. Unlike the cabin and primitive tent camping areas, the RV-designated area does not possess much of any shade. At $40 / night (and $45 / night including bath house) and $240 / week ($270 / week including bath house), we found the pricing here to be just about right.

    For those of you thinking about renting one of the 6 log cabins that exist here, what I liked most about this particular set-up is that all of these units are located in close proximity to one another – we’ll call this the cottage enclave – which combined, share the community amenities specific to this community. Bear in mind, these cabins are not pet-friendly, so leave your 4-legged friends at home, or look to one of the other 2 modes of camping here. You have your choice between a one- or two-room cabin, both of which offer heat, A/C, furnished with bedding, towels, dishes, pots, pans, microwave, mini-fridge, small cook top and coffee pot. Each cabin also comes with a porch offering semi-privacy to take your morning coffee as well as brand-new Weber charcoal grill that sits in front of each cabin along with an in-ground fire pit. At $134 / night for the single that sleeps 5 (with 7 being the max) and$154 / night for the double-cabin that also sleeps 5 (with 6 being the max), considering the location of where you are at, combined with the amenities provided and the relative quality of the cabins, I found the pricing to be fairly economical. The prices decrease substantially to $109 and $129/ night respectively if one books multiple nights, which makes this a no-brainer for even a short stay.

    With mi tent-pitchin’ bredren in mind, you’ll appreciate that of the 3 available types of camping here, the area reserved for setting up your own non-mobile, semi-permanent nylon camping haven will place you closest to the river, where within 50-60 yards you’ll easily be able to access the Rodman Reservoir from a decent-sized tributary. While obviously that’s a huge plus, you also want to be careful about knowing when it’s going to rain and for how long as this also would be the area that gets the most flooding if there was any. Another bonus is that the tent-sites ARE pet-friendly, so you can smile as those cabin campers stroll past your sites (while your mutt barks at them). As for the grounds themselves, there’s 2 different areas that the pathway to the river’s edge dissects in half with 4-5 sites being available on the one side and only 1-2 sites being available on the other, which will provide you with just slightly more privacy. There’s not a whole lot to these sites, where you’ll simply have a picnic table and fire ring, but you’ll be surrounded by a great tree line and solid brush, albeit you won’t have sheltered views between sites. You’ll also want to take note that, again, the pathway to the river runs through the primitive tent camping area, so while not heavily trafficked, you will certainly experience pedestrians and fellow campers coming and going. Cost per night for tent camping is an acceptable $25/ night (up to 4 people, and $5/ pp after that), which again, scouting the area and staying in a few other places, seems about right.

    Additional community amenities not already mentioned include: community bathhouses with impeccably clean restrooms and well-maintained showers, ping pong, recreation room with board games, corn hole, canoe & kayak rentals w/ shuttle service, horseshoe pit, kid’s playground and a small pond that is stocked for simple, yet enjoyable ‘catch & release’ as well as firewood available for sale @ $5/ bundle.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) This CG is right on the Ocklawaha River populated with dense wetlands, marsh and semi-tropical forests sprouting sable palms, swamp maples, the odd pencil-thin towering pines and submerged cypress, so the owners are very smart to have organized a few different river experiences that you should definitely take advantage of with 2 different outfitters being Gores Landing and Rays Wayside, both of which offer up canoe ($52 / $85), solo ($42 / $75) and tandem ($62 / $95) kayak rentals as well as transport ($25 / $60) with respective pricing and seasonal availability. There’s even overnight river trips that Ockalawaha will help you set up, where pricing depends upon the specific drop point and number of nights you might be interested in. Please note that all of the above runs everyday except Tuesdays; (2) While you of course can get on a kayak, canoe or boat to catch some fish, if you don’t want to, you can simply cross the road from Ockalawaha CG and access the Wildlife & Fishing Area that has its own set of public docks and piers that you can cast a reel from – and in fact, these spots are very well-maintained and offer up some magnificent views of the head of the 100-mile Ocklawaha River as she flows southernly from Rodman Reservoir; (3) If you want to indulge in one of Florida’s greatest treasures, you’ll need to visit a natural spring and the good news is that there’s several of the state’s best springs surrounding you here, including: Salt Springs, Homosassa Springs, Deleon Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Springs and Rainbow Springs; (4) If you’ve got fishing on your mind while in these parts, expect to be hauling in crappie, sunfish, small- and largemouth bass, catfish and bream; and (5) The owners Lance & Theresa are absolutely wonderful people that will do whatever it takes to ensure your stay is flawless!

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 30, 2023

    Cherry Blossom RV Resort

    Hilly RV Pasture Near Bass Fishing Capital of the World

    Located due north of Crescent Lake here in Putnam County within north central Florida and just off Highway 17, you’ll come across a very well-appointed RV gated community that sits atop a rolling hill with tons of tall needle pines, palms and ancient oaks shrouding this unassuming hidden oasis in both privacy as well as shuddering it from the nearby highway traffic. In fact, if you’re driving too fast, you might just miss this little hidden gem … but something tells me, that’s not really a concern for the good folks here at Cherry Blossom, who were completely booked up when we stopped by one sunny afternoon in January. 

    As for the layout of this place, it’s quite simple. To begin with, the moment you turn onto Cherry Blossom’s main entrance, you will be greeted by perfectly paved roads that feature on the right, the main office building, where you’ll check in, along with this RV resort's beautiful in-ground heated swimming pool as well as main restrooms and shower facilities (which are as immaculate as they come!), indoor and outside laundry facilities behind and to the side of the building. On the left, there’s a newly planted pickleball court, open air gazebo with freshly poured concrete (although you’ll have to bring your own chairs, table and BBQ), 2 sets of cornhole, which is all fenced in, providing for a nice doggie park environ. You’ll also discover a full-on propane service area before arriving to the key-guarded lift gates that provide a huge plus-up in security for this RV haven, which is located right on a fairly busy highway. 

    Once inside the compound, there’s a simple long and narrow loop to follow that is dissected in the middle, so after passing by the administration office, keep heading towards the right and you’ll circumnavigate the entire place. At the top of the loop, you can turn right, which is essentially a short lane with a dozen or so RV slots on the left and a half dozen cabin lodges on the right. While most of the slots on the periphery of the loop and the lane are fairly well-shaded and offer very good (not great) privacy, those slots located on the interior of the loop are fairly open with scant brush, save a few isolated palms or oaks, so needless to say, you and your camp will be in complete view of the entire campground. My personal recommendation, if you have the opportunity to do so (note below, there is no reserving specific sites, which seems absolutely Proletarian to me!), is to pick one of the RV slots that is located on the lane at the top of the loop – these are deluxe sites, have more space as well as greater privacy. 

    Prices for Standard RV slots are$55 ($350 / wk and $575 / mo), whereas the Deluxe RV sites are$60 ($400 / wk and $675 / mo), with the only difference being Standard has grass & gravel w/ cement patio, whereas the Deluxe features asphalt pads and in addition to picnic table and BBQ, offers up a fire ring. Me thinks for $5 more, it’s a deal go Deluxe and drop anchor on a solid patch of land, plus, who doesn’t love a fire ring?! All slots come with 30 / 50 amp, metered electric and complimentary cable TV& WiFi. Don’t have an RV? Not a problem, Cherry Blossom will rent you one of their 1BR/ 1BA lodges for $1,050 by the month (but read the fine print: no pets, no smoking, no kids and only 2 adults (so no fun!).

    Amenities: Back-In and Pull-Through RV Sites w/ Full Hook-Ups (30 / 50 electric, water & sewage), Doggie Park, Corn Hole, Pickleball Courts, Heated In-Ground Swimming Pool w/ Patio & Chaise Lounge Chairs, Indoor & Outside Laundr-O-Mat, On-Site Market, Club House with Foosball, Billiards Tables, Game Room and Exercise Room, Playground, Propane Fueling Station, Turtle-Gazing(there’s 3 beautiful tortoises named Browser, Crush and Rafael who guard Cherry Blossom RV Resort day and night!), Designated Trash & Recycling Bins 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you book at Cherry Blossom, they won’t guarantee you a specific site – you will only know exactly where you are staying when you arrive and are assigned a specific spot. My HUGE recommendation would be to arrive as early as you can so that you can understand what spots will become available that day, have yourself a little tour of the place and then go back to office and let them know which spot(s) you prefer; (2) You should note that the fee you’ll be paying for the night covers 2 people only and after this, a $2.50 per day or $30 per month fee charge is incurred; (3) There are no cancellation refunds here – once booked, you are immediately charged and that money is gone forever; but if you do need to cancel or postpone, you are offered a camping credit - major bummer IMHO!; and (4) When you get tired of trying to figure out what that next meal is and want to sample some local fare, just head due south to Crescent City, where there’s a few decent restaurants to choose from like 3 Bananas, Crescent City Diner and Palmeras. 

    Happy Camping!

  • HubertandPatty H.
    May. 16, 2018

    Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Campground

    Quiet spacious and clean. Wonderful cabins for the disabled.

    If you don't have a RV and can't stay in a tent, then reserve one of their wonderful camping cabins. The one we had is reserved for the disabled and has a large bathroom, a nice size and well equip kitchen, a fire place, and the screened porch with rocking chairs and a swing covers two sides of the cabin. It's only a short walk down a paved walk to the Suwanee River..

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Bass World Lodge & Marina

    Backwater Bayou Fishing Hole

    Located so close to the St. Johns River that if you were any closer to it, you’d be swimming in it! For those anglers that are looking for no frills accommodations – whether those be from the confines of your own RV or 5th Wheel… or in the event that you need to rent a place for the night – then Bass World Lodge & Marina has you covered by offering up one of the 4-5 RV slots it has or by renting you one of its basic cabin rentals (up to 10 people can be accommodated). Fishing is coveted in these parts that will place you on the northernmost tip of Lake George in the very itty bitty enclave of Georgetown, which if you want to discover what Old Florida looks like, then just stop on by here for a spell.

    Given the weather conditions in this part of Central Florida, you can check-in to Bass World Lodge & Marina year-round and within minutes of getting set up, you’ll easily have access to the St. Johns in no time by leveraging one of 2 boathouses that sit adjacent to the property here. If you’ve got angling on your mind, you’ll have no problems casting for big- and small-mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, pickerel, bluegill, lake trout, landlocked salmon, yellow perch, bluegill, panfish, northern pike and even American eel. While on the lake, you can enjoy all sorts of watersports like waterskiing, tubing, paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, canoeing, boating and even gator hunting (permit required).

    Amenities include: 2 individual boat houses, fish cleaning stations complete with running water, boat slips for rent, non-ethanol fuel, FHU’s offering water, sewage & electric, bait & tackle, community grills, makeshift car rim fire pits, fish cleaning stations, lakefront seats & benches, fishing pier, boat docking, boat rentals, scattered card tables, assorted dock seating and on-site market with souvenirs, cold beverages, beer, ice, snacks and all the fishing gear you can swing your fishing pole at. There’s even a guide you can hire here to show you around the nearby fishing holes.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While brackish, somewhat darker-than-usual waters makes for just mediocre (at best) swimming accommodations, you’re in luck if coming here as nearby, there are gorgeous springs like Silver Springs, Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs, which all 3 will offer crystal-clear snorkeling and swimming options unlike you’ve ever experienced; (2) Because Georgetown is tiny, there’s barely any restaurant options, although we were able to find nearby a few really good spots like Idle Awhile for Cajun Fried Pickles & Blackened Haddock chased down by Rum Runners, Fatboy’s Saloon for Peel & Eat Shrimp, Hawg Burners with iced Tall Boys and Renegades on the River serving up Gator Tail and the best Shepherd’s Pie on the St. Johns – all within reach of a proper Tiki Bar where the Mai Tais pour freely; (3) This RV outpost on the St. Johns River has been up and running by the same family for 3 decades, so when it comes to knowledge of where to cast your line or how to get to a secluded area and away from the crowds, you can ask any one of the family here for some spartan tips and recommendations; (4) IMHO the best RV spots are those closest to the inside loop (#6 and #7), while if you are wanting to rent a cabin, I actually rate those a bit further away from the main office / riverfront, where it is quietest (#3 - #5); and (5) If you’ve come without a boat to get on the water, no worries, Bass World Lodge & Marina has you covered by offering up Pontoon and Bass Boat rentals, which at $175 - $315 per day is incredibly affordable.

    Happy Camping!

  • Napunani
    Jun. 10, 2023

    Salt Springs Recreation Area

    Immaculate Wind Tunnel (see video)

    PROS

    A camp host came to our site immediately after we unhitched to advise that our one tow vehicle tire on the grass will get us a $250 fine from US Forest Service officer. Funny, we never ever saw a USFS officer patrolling the campground. 

    Entrance gates closed at 8pm requiring code to enter 

    Immaculately maintained park. A small army of maintenance staff always working. Even one night at 930pm in the bathroom. 

    Saved $156 with America the Beautiful pass 

    Site 32 shady 

    Asphalt parking pad surrounded with sandy gravel 

    Moveable metal picnic table 

    Pedestal BBQ grill 

    High sided metal fire ring with 2 unremovable cooking grates 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Campfire wood for sale at registration office 

    No street lights in campground so good dark sky viewing if neighbors have their rig lights off which most nights they were lit up which also lit up surrounding campsites 

    Able to get T-MOBILE signal on our T-MOBILE WIFI device 

    Many squirrels ate from our hand 

    CONS 

    In 8 days never saw a USFD vehicle drive thru the campground

    $8 fee to make on-line reservations 

    Site 32 not level 

    Absolutely no privacy from any other site 

    In 20 degree exterior temperatures, both campground bathhouses had windows open, whole house fans operating in full capacity and ceiling fans operating on high. Obvious park maintenance does NOT want anyone taking a shower when interior bathhouse temperatures were in the 30s and the bathhouse was a freezing wind tunnel! It was even difficult using the toilet. 

    Loud and rowdy campers all weekend long—day and night. Quiet hours not enforced

    Highway 19 traffic noise 

    USFD clearing project on east side of campground. Heavy equipment noise for 9 straight hours day after day!!! 

    No notice water outage for 2 hours 

    No park WiFi 

    No T-MOBILE cell service 

    No public phone for emergency calls

  • Tracy L H.
    Jul. 11, 2019

    Camp Chowenwaw Park

    Ranger Review: ICEMULE Cooler at Camp Chowenwaw Park Treehouse Point

    Florida has many many different camping options.  I was looking for something unique and different from what I'd done before and this place popped up on my radar.  Definitely Different and Unique for Florida. And the perfect place to review my icemulecoolers.com 

    Campground Review:

    Camp Chowenwaw is located in Green Cove Springs, FL adjacent to the St. John's River and on Black Creek.  It was a Girl Scout Camp for 70 years and is now owned and operated by Clay County, FL (https://www.claycountygov.com/departments/parks-and-recreation/camp-chowenwaw-park).  There are many different styles of camping available here with lots of privacy between the different sections.  

    I chose to camp in the Treehouse Point for a weekend where there are 9 Treehouses available for camping.  A group of us went and had Treehouse #4 and #5.  Each screened in non electric Treehouse slept 4 in bunk beds.  There were several central fire rings with a picnic table/benches throughout the unit.  A shared bathhouse with toilets, sinks, lights, and hot showers was available in the unit also.  There was a central dining hall for all of Treehouse Point with electric, lights, fans, inside fireplace, stove, refrigerator, sink area, and porch with outside charcoal grill and picnic table.  

    Even with sharing the dinning hall with other campers it was great since it was big enough and everyone was friendly.  The Treehouses are spread out with some trees in between so they are semi private.  The pool is available but doesn't open til 10 am where as we were all ready to go earlier since it was HOT.  It was very enjoyable but HOT in July with no electric in the Treehouses.  We had no issues with mosquitoes or yellow flies and the frogs serenaded us every night loudly, so that was a cool experience.  We had decided not to take kayaks since there was a bit of a walk into our area and we didn't want to leave them in the parking area on our vehicles, which turned out to be a good decision because the kayak launch was under repairs.  They are planning on upgrading a lot so it should be great soon.  They recently upgraded and replaced the fishing pier and its awesome.  We are planning to go again in the Fall when its cooler.  I would recommend this place for a unique experience.  On a side note:  Green Cove Springs has a pool also in a community park on the St. John's River that is spring fed and would be a cool stop.

    ........................................

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products.  A Camp Chowenwaw I tested the icemulecoolers.com.  I got the ICEMULE Pro XL (33L which equals 24 cans plus ice) in Camo.

    1.  What I loved about the ICEMULE was that I could wear it like a backpack and be comfortable and free my hands for something else.

    2.  I loved that the straps were wide and comfortable.

    3.  I also loved that the chest cross strap could be moved up and down to make it more comfortable for women to use the chest cross strap.

    4.  The straps had lots of room to make smaller or larger so it will be great fit  for a variety of people and body styles.

    5.  It kept my ice solid for three days in the FL heat.

    6.  It has a port to add air to enhance the coolers insulation.

    7.  It holds A LOT!!  I had 9 bottles of Propel water and 2 bags of grapes and 1 whole bag of ice.  It wasn't too heavy and there was room for much more.

    Only draw back I had was that the camo style is fabric and tends to sweat a lot.  The other colors are vinyl and don't seem to sweat.

    I'm ready to use my ICEMULE Cooler again.  I even want to take it kayaking and get some more accessories for it from their site like a dry bag and a waterproof box.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 28, 2023

    Hog Waller Mud Campground & ATV Resort

    Gettin’ Muddy Like a Hog

    I don’t think there’s anything like Hog Waller Campground & ATV Resort that I’ve ever come across (or even heard about) in all of my travels, so if gettin’ all muddied up is your idea of a yippee-kiyah good time, then look no further than due southwest of Palatka here in north central Florida. Basically, this 1,100 acre outdoor family fun park is for the outdoor recreational enthusiasts of the 4 wheeler type, where you’ll see all shapes, sizes and colors of ATVs and UTVs where everyone is hunkering down to see who can get the muddiest (note: trails are open only 9am to 5pm daily, so apparently no night muddin’!). 

    Here at Hog Waller, you’ll discover decent bathing and restroom facilities along with several vendors who show up every weekend to provide fresh smoked BBQ, clothing, any type of soda or snack you can think of, as well as, the prerequisite hawkers selling branded clothing and ATV / UTV parts. There’s also a general store (the ‘Hoggy Woggly’), dump station, proper garbage and recycling bins as well as even an on-site restaurant cleverly titled 'Hog Trough' (although the menu is quite limiting). In all, there’s 63 available sites here with 55 areas (not slots, mind you) earmarked for RV pull-through or back-in slots (with typical 20 / 30 / 50 amp electric and water), 9 tent sites and 8 rustic cabins that come with 2 sets of bunk beds (no mattresses included though, which I found odd) that sleep 4 and offer heat/ air, power, inside and outside lighting. 

    Note for tent campers like myself – Hog Waller is considered ‘dry camping,’ which was a new one for me. Basically, you can camp in any setup – car, bus, tent, dog house, whatever – but you have to stay 25 feet away from everything (roads, mud pit, buildings, etc.). The upside here is that you don’t need to make a reservation – you can just show up, pay the admission price and go find an empty place to camp for the night, but be sure to bring everything with you that you might need (e.g. water supply, generator). 

    Additional amenities include: complimentary WiFi (that isn’t terribly great, given the remoteness of the place), swimming pool and campfire nights with live music on the weekends. Everywhere is pet-friendly, so bring your four-legged friends. Speaking of pets, as local legend goes, if you hear the squealing of what sounds like a wild boar or hog around the witching hour, have no fear, it's likely the monstrous beast that Hog Waller is named after! The security here, outfitted by Putnam County Sheriff Deputies, is excellent and further complemented by an onsite paramedic and volunteer fire fighters for each event, so you’ll enjoy having fun while feeling safe the whole time. 

    Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you get tired of mudding it up on your ATV and prefer to go for a nice hike, check out Salt Springs Observation Trail in nearby Fort McCoy; (2) If you haven’t checked out Florida’s natural springs, you’re in luck as nearby Hog Waller is either Rock Springs or Silver Springs, both of which offer up glass-bottom kayak rentals that are pretty amazing if you haven’t had that experience yet; (3) If you come toting your kayak or canoe, you’ll have to go a bit further afield to drop your watercraft in Lake Ocklawaha – I recommend Rodman Recreation Area, just due south of Hog Waller, where they have a proper kayak launch near the dam; and (4) if you get tired of cooking up franks & beans, then head just due west down 310 (the 2 lane highway that runs in front of Hog Waller) and check out Hog Wild Country Café (yes, keeping with the 'hog' theme for as long as I possibly can here!) where I recommend the slab of ribs with cornbread or the smoked beef brisket (don’t miss out on the homemade cole slaw – some of the best I’ve had here in the South). 

    Happy Camping!

  • K
    Feb. 10, 2020

    Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort

    Sweet campground on the Ocklawaha River

    This is a friendly campground with canoe/kayak rentals and a shuttle service. The tent area is near the river and very wooded--lots of places to hang a hammock or pitch a tent, and has drive-in access. The campground also has cozy cottages great for families or groups, each with a small porch and a fire ring. The RV area is large and open, each site is spacious but not wooded so there is nothing screening you from your neighbors. There is a fair amount of road noise as the location is near a bridge over the river. Besides the kayaking and riverside location, the best thing about the campground is couple who own the place. They are a delight, friendly, helpful and working hard to make your stay enjoyable.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins

    Hidden Equestrian Campground Gem

    Should you find yourself in north central Florida where the sun melts the unrelenting scorching hot humid days into a bright inferno dusk before sprinkling the night sky with shining bright holes to heaven in a moonlit nocturnal ceiling of utter darkness and are looking for the perfect spot to experience what the great Sunshine State has to offer, then I would recommend a nice little respite called Trails End Outdoors RV Park& Cabins. But be forewarned, if you are driving just a bit faster than one ought to on Highway 20 just west of Palatka between the drive-by towns of Hollister and Interlachen, you might just miss this hidden gem. 

    To access Trails End Outdoors, you will head north on Willis Road and follow a series of quick turns and curves on this slow-moving jagged gravel road, but no worries, the good folks of this campground outpost have cunningly placed a sign to guide you along your way at any single point that you might drive in the wrong direction. After a few minutes of navigating what looks to be somewhat hidden residential areas with large country farm lawns and plenty of pasture for cattle and horses, you will eventually arrive at what looks like at first a country western ranch, where you’ll turn into the property. 

    Heading straight ahead, you’ll come across a massive open air hall-like structure that offers up an outdoor living room complete with chairs and lawn furniture, grills and BBQs as well as some rocking chairs. Just beyond this informal community gathering area to the left, you will see a raised pool that is quite inviting and has a nice wooden deck all the way around it- just the perfect escape from the blistering heat that this part of Florida is known for. The next two buildings will make you reminisce about the Wild West with its wooden facade country store-looking main office building, followed by a‘his and hers’ outhouse, the former of which is where you will check-in. And just beyond the main office to the north, you will glimpse vast open pastures full of farm animals hiding beneath the shade of ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish moss as though these trees had been growing long white beards for hundreds of years. 

    After checking in, depending upon what set-up you’ve signed up for, you’ll be directed back the way you came, where a small singular loop will take you around the property, first to the handful of scattered wooden cabins(cleverly named after famous cowboys like Wyatt Earp, John Wayne and Doc Holiday) that make up their own small cul-de-sac with each log cabin unit offering up a porch with rocking chairs and/ or patio chairs with nice tall lanterns in front of each cabin. If you continue down the lane, you’ll pass a number of conjoined trees that have fresh-cut wood, perfect for a roaring fire to be set later in the evening. Beyond the handful of cabins, you’ll arrive to the rest of the property that is reserved for RVs and 5th Wheelers. All of these spaces have a simple but effective layout with very long slots that have been freshly laid with larger black stone gravel, with the entire area very easy to navigate and pull into. Standard hook-ups are available with 30 and 50 amp electric along with septic and water. There’s no real privacy between all of the slots, so no matter where you go, while some slots have better shade than others, there will be unobstructed views between you and your neighbors. 

    Beyond the mobile camping parking area, there’s 20 or so open acres where you can pitch your tent. From an amenities standpoint, there’s a very good community bathhouse, just OK WiFi, as well as the communal areas that I described at the start of this review. Trails End Outdoors offers up a number of activities from fishing($35 per day), turn-key campfire set up(in 2 hour increments), ability to interact with horses and cattle as well as a(very) small pond with its own pontoon boat. 

    Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are looking for a nice slice of nature while at Trails End Outdoors, recommend heading north to Oak Hammock Camp / Rice Creek Preservation Area or Etoniah State Forest Campground, where you’ll find some pretty amazing paths to hike or some decent horseback riding trails to gallop on; (2) Should you be towing watercraft and are looking for some decent places to dip your canoe or kayak into, you’ll be delighted to know that you are surrounded by a number of small finer lakes, of which I highly recommend Lake Ida or Mirror Lake, both just due west on Highway 20 or Jewel Lake, just NW, which has a very good boat launch; (3) Should you be looking for some restaurants in the area, I suggest you try out Hog Wild Burgers& Shakes for a couple of scoops of great ice cream, Nanna’s Country Cafe for biscuits& gravy or True Grits, well, for grits, what else?!; and (4) Should you need just about anything while out this way camping, the small town of Interlachen should have you covered with a pharmacy, Ace Hardware, post office, Circle K gas station, CVS, Family Dollar store or groceries at Hitchcock’s Market. 

    Happy Camping!


Guide to Starke

Camping cabins near Starke, Florida offer a year-round outdoor escape in north-central Florida's unique ecosystem, where sandy soil and pine flatwoods dominate the landscape. The region maintains moderate winter temperatures averaging 50-65°F, making November through April ideal for cabin stays. Most camping sites sit at elevations between 100-150 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage that helps reduce flooding risks during summer storms.

What to do

Hiking wildlife trails: At Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, trails offer frequent wildlife sightings just 20 minutes from Starke. "Campsites w/ water and electric. Shaded campsites. Hiking trails, swimming area. Canoes for rental available in Park," notes one visitor. The park's ravine system creates unique elevation changes uncommon in Florida's typically flat terrain.

Kayaking and river exploration: O'Leno State Park provides river-based activities within 30 minutes of Starke's cabin accommodations. "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 with kayaking," shares a camper. The underground river phenomenon creates distinctive paddling routes not found elsewhere.

Swimming in natural settings: Salt Springs Recreation Area offers mineral-rich swimming opportunities worth the 45-minute drive from Starke. "The springs are a short walk from the campground or a quick bike ride," explains one visitor. The constant 72°F water temperature allows year-round swimming even during winter months when cabin heating becomes essential.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Cabins at North Beach Camp Resort provide natural screening between accommodations. "Most sites are extremely private with plenty of vegetation between them," notes a reviewer. The dense vegetation creates natural sound barriers, reducing nighttime noise interference between neighboring cabins.

Bathroom facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained restroom facilities at O'Leno State Park, noting "The bathhouse here is a perk. Clean and individual, large hot showers." Most cabin camping areas maintain central bathroom facilities within 2-3 minute walking distance from individual units.

Multiple water features: Island Oaks RV Resort earns praise for diverse water recreation options near Starke. "Heated resort pool with tiki pool bar & music, beach front lake with a massive inflatable obstacle course," explains one visitor. Water-based amenities typically operate March through November, with some heated pools available during winter months.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Summer brings intense heat and humidity to Starke area cabin camping from June through September, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. "We are planning to go again in the Fall when its cooler," mentions one Camp Chowenwaw Park visitor. Hurricane season (June-November) may impact cabin availability, with some parks closing during severe weather warnings.

Site layouts and hookups: KOA campers note specific site design challenges: "When they designed the park, the hook ups are on the wrong side of the spots. We needed 50 feet and our friends 80 feet of sewage hook ups!" Rental cabins typically position utilities more consistently than RV sites, but extension cords may still prove necessary for some layouts.

Reservation requirements: Many cabins require substantial advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "It's like walking on egg shells all winter," reports one long-term guest regarding availability. Most parks require 1-2 night minimum stays, with holiday weekends often requiring 3-night commitments.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Island Oaks RV Resort provides extensive family options near Starke. "Tons of amenities and lots of activities for the kids and full bar for the adults!" mentions a satisfied visitor. The resort offers organized weekend activities year-round, with additional programming during summer and holiday periods.

Pool regulations: Families should prepare for structured pool experiences at some facilities. "The children had to do swim tests and wear a necklace denoting which portion of the pool they could be in," notes a Camp Chowenwaw visitor. Most parks enforce afternoon pool closures during thunderstorms, which occur frequently during summer months.

Transportation considerations: Some campgrounds require significant walking between cabins and amenities. "The sites at the back are REALLY far from any amenity and I would not stay there unless you have a golf cart," advises one camper. Rental golf carts cost $35-60 per day when available, but often require advance reservation.

Tips from RVers

Power and extension needs: Starke-Gainesville NE KOA visitors advise bringing additional cables when staying in camping cabins. "Make sure you bring extra hook ups if you are in these sites at the front," recommends one experienced camper. Most cabins provide one interior and one exterior outlet, with amp capacity varying between locations.

Site selection strategies: Regular visitors recommend choosing cabins based on surrounding amenities rather than just site appearance. "I would recommend booking closer to the lake if you would like to swim and take advantage of the pool house once it's open," advises a camper. Corner cabin units typically offer additional outdoor space compared to interior locations.

Internet connectivity: Limited online access affects many cabin rentals near Starke. "They do provide WIFI but from my experience, it was not too reliable and we opted for using our mobile hotspot," shares one visitor. Cellular reception varies significantly between parks, with higher elevation sites typically providing better connectivity than creek-side cabins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Starke, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Starke, FL is Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Starke, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 42 cabin camping locations near Starke, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.