Lee W.
Scout
ScoutNova Campground
Friendly and quiet!
We love this campground. It's quiet and clean and the staff is very friendly.
Camping near San Mateo, FL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The San Mateo area in Florida provides access to a variety of camping experiences within the surrounding region. Campers can find established campgrounds like Salt Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest, which offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Other nearby options include Rodman Campground near Palatka with both tent and RV sites, and North Beach Camp Resort in St. Augustine featuring oceanfront camping. The region encompasses both freshwater and coastal camping opportunities, with sites ranging from primitive to full-service. Many campgrounds in this area provide direct access to water activities on St. Johns River, Lake Crescent, and various springs. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near San Mateo for detailed information on amenities and availability.
"This campground is in Ocala National Forest, which is always beautiful. The campsites are large, we fit 3 4+ person tents," noted one visitor about Alexander Springs Recreation Area. Florida's climate allows for year-round camping in the San Mateo region, though summer months bring high humidity, frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and mosquitoes. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during winter months when snowbirds flock to the area. Water levels can affect accessibility at some locations, particularly after heavy rainfall. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near larger towns like Palatka and St. Augustine. Many campgrounds feature sandy soil typical of the region, which drains quickly after rain but can be challenging for tent stakes.
Several visitors highlight the region's natural springs as standout features. Clearwater Lake Campground receives praise for its "water conditions typically providing excellent visibility to the mostly sand-bottomed swimming area." Campers frequently mention the abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including manatees in colder months at Salt Springs. The proximity to historic St. Augustine is another draw, with Anastasia State Park described as "magnificent" with "abundant shade and privacy" cut from the jungle. Campgrounds closer to highways like I-95 tend to be more developed with full hookups but offer less seclusion than those deeper in forested areas. Sites near water bodies fill quickly during peak seasons, with reviewers consistently recommending advance reservations for waterfront locations.
Best Campgrounds near San Mateo (255)
1. Salt Springs Recreation Area
"There are no laundry facilities but if you exit park and drive left there is a laundromat, local food, dollar store, bait tackle."
"Located in the center of the state, you’ll have near equal access to both the Atlantic Ocean to the east as well as the Gulf shores to the west."
from $38 - $70 / night
Check Availability2. Anastasia State Park Campground
"You really can have it all at this campground - with its 'next door' proximity to one of the most amazing beachheads on Florida's Atlantic coastline and quick access to the country's oldest town (St."
"Great location & in close proximity to St. Augustine. One of my favorite places to visit in Florida. If you've never been to St."
from $28 / night
Check Availability3. Rodman Campground
"Sites 1-39 are not near the Florida Trail but it was not a bad walk to the other side of the campground to get to the trail. Would stay again."
"This peaceful campground provides a serene setting surrounded by towering pines and lush Florida foliage."
from $12 - $22 / night
Check Availability4. Half Shell Resort
"Close to town for all your needs. It's right on the St John's river. We made some awesome friends while we were their. Can't wait to get back"
"Nice restaurants nearby. No picnic table at campsites. Everyone very friendly."
from $55 / night
Check Availability5. Faver-Dykes State Park Campground
"Far down a dirt road and very quiet you wouldn't know you were that close to the interstate. Only complaint would be the distance the dumpsters are from the CG"
"Close to saint Augustine and Daytona."
from $18 / night
Check Availability6. 4 Lakes Campground
"It’s quiet and away from any tourists. St Augustine is 30 minutes away."
"We stayed at 4 Lakes for 6 months for work and it was really nice! Staff are super friendly and helpful and make you feel like family."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. North Beach Camp Resort
"We stayed in number 18 and we were very close to the bathroom area (which has AC) and close to the Pool."
"Very shady spots and plenty of space for long walks on the paths, along the river or across the street at the beach. I had 2 dogs & appreciated the doggy stations with poo bags and garbage."
from $67 - $245 / night
Check Availability8. Compass RV Park
"The pull through sites were quite close to each other where the back in sites provided more room, this was especially true near the front of the CG."
"You just leave the trash bag out anytime and the park staff pick it up during one of their normal rounds around the park. The whole park including all the sites were very well maintained."
9. Davenport Landing
"Pulled in around 9:30 pm. Big open spot. Last 100 yards driving back in were very bumpy but no problem with our van. Not sure about a larger RV. But great Tent/van spot."
"Had no one around and nice and cool in the forest"
10. Closed
"Close to the beach, this is the perfect pitstop. Check them out and leave them some love here!"
from $20 - $40 / night
Drive Time
- 53 min from Gainesville, FL
- 58 min from Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hr 9 min from Ocala, FL
- 1 hr 12 min from Deltona, FL
Recent Camping Photos near San Mateo, FL
309 Photos of 255 San Mateo Campgrounds
Stuart K.
St Johns Campgrounds
laura H.
Half Shell Resort
Jen S.
Closed
Stuart K.
Welaka Lodge & Resort
Stuart K.
Welaka State Forest
Allen C.
Dude Off Grid's Tent Sites
Matthew H.
Rodman Campground
Stuart K.
Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp
Courtney C.
Ocala National Forest Lake Delancy East
Maria Mercedes M.
Lake Delancy West Campground
Stuart K.
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Cara S.
Lake Oklawaha RV Park
Recent Reviews near San Mateo, FL
1277 Reviews of 255 San Mateo Campgrounds
- R
Robbie J.ScoutRiverside Camping — Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
Beautiful and Peaceful
Gamble Memorial RV Park was awesome. The park is very large the scenery is beautiful. They have a butterfly garden, a walking trail and a beach and river as side they Also have river to fish in. Washers and dryers are available. As well as a bath house. They have security as well as 2 camp host. I highly recommend camping at Gamble.
- EElizabeth W.Scout
Tomoka State Park Campground
Great water access
Nicely wooded sites. Has a boat launch, bike trail and very cool grounds with the Timucuan village site. Even a camp store.
Eric K.
GuideLake Dorr
East side DISPERSED CAMPING
Reading the reviews, people are confused. The east side of Lake Dorr is DISPERSED CAMPING. This dispersed camping area within Ocala National Forest does NOT provide water hookups, restrooms, or picnic tables and does NOT have standard amenities like trash service and campfire permissions.There are two Lake Dorr camping areas. The west side of Lake Dorr is called Lake Dorr Campground. The east side of Lake Dorr is Ocala National Forest Lake Dorr DISPERSED CAMPING. There are NO amenities here. There is soft sand ares due to the ATV use. Spent 4 nights here with no problems.
Nancy W.
LegendWorld Equestrian RV Resort
Great for horse lovers
This campground is located on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center– a premier equestrian facility in the US located in Ocala. The campground is large (300 sites) campground and capable of fitting any size RV. The roads in the park are really easy to navigate and easy to back into for any size RV. All sites are back-in with 50/30A full hook-up. Sites 600-733 have more space between them and would be my preferred sites. There is really no check-in lane, you just stop on the road going into the campground and other have to go around you. The laundry is open 24-hours but be aware that people are washing horse blankets, dog beds, and other pet items, so stay away if you are allergic. Conveniently located before the campground is a fuel station (with gas and diesel). The campground is located on a venue that primarily holds equestrian events but also accommodates other sporting events. Some of the venues are quite a long walk away and parking can be difficult. Golf cart rentals are available at the campground. The camp store is nice and more of a gift shop but has a great selection of a range of items from clothes to drinks to food and RV items. They have a coffee bar and also sell alcohol. Restaurants on-site ranging from a coffee shop with pastries to fine dining and everything in between. Our site was long and level and the WIFI worked well. We had nice space between us and our neighbor and were treated to nice sunsets. Overall, we really liked this campground and would come back. We were there when equestrian events were going on and liked that we could watch them for free. Downtown Ocala is about ten minutes away and a cool town. We had lunch, walked around the square and checked out the painted horses. Lunch at the airport restaurant was great!
Stuart K.LegendNorth Florida Christian Camp
Faith, Fellowship and Fresh Air
Tucked away just outside Keystone Heights, North Florida Christian Camp feels like a place designed more for connection than convenience, where winding sandy roads lead you beneath tall pines and into a peaceful, purpose driven setting that immediately feels set apart from the everyday rush. The campground sits on a large, wooded property with a mix of open gathering spaces and shaded pockets, and while it is primarily designed for organized church groups and retreats, individual campers can still find a quiet place to land among the trees. The overall vibe is relaxed, intentional, and grounded in simplicity, with nature doing most of the heavy lifting.
Facilities here are more functional than flashy, with a combination of cabins, bunkhouses, and open camping areas alongside basic bathhouses, communal gathering pavilions, and activity fields. You will not find resort style amenities, but you will find clean, usable facilities, wide open space for kids to run, and a layout that encourages group activities, campfires, and shared meals. The grounds are easy to navigate, and while RV hookups may be limited depending on where you stay, the setting works well for families who are comfortable with a more rustic, community-oriented experience.
The surrounding area offers a nice balance of quiet nature and small town convenience, with Keystone Heights just a short drive away for groceries, fuel and casual dining. Hitchcock’s Market is a reliable stop for supplies, and local favorites like Cedar River Seafood provide an easy, family friendly meal after a day outdoors. Nearby lakes and trails give you opportunities for paddling, fishing, or simply stretching your legs under the Florida sky, making it easy to build a full day without ever straying too far.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The best camping areas are those set slightly deeper into the pines where you will find more shade and a bit more privacy from larger group spaces; (2) If visiting during a scheduled retreat or camp week, expect more activity and less solitude, so plan accordingly; (3) Bring bikes or scooters for kids, as the open grounds and sandy roads are perfect for riding; (4) Pack bug spray, especially in warmer months, as the wooded setting can bring out mosquitoes at dusk; and (5) If you are seeking a quieter experience, aim for midweek stays outside of peak group bookings.
Happy Camping!
- CCristie L.Scout
Champions Run RV Resort
This place is fantastic!
I would highly recommend Champions Run. Sites are wide, clean and beautiful. Staff were friendly and helpful. Pool area is spacious, clean and beautiful. Drinks at the tiki bar were delicious.
- RRalph P.Scout
Riverside Camping — Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
Room to Breathe and Relax
Well maintained campsites, grounds and facilities. Rangers and hosts are great. Sites on the riverside are reasonably spaced apart and several offer a privacy on the camping side because they are adjacent to the nature. preserve or are tucked back and away. The car / motorcycle tent camping sites look really nice and cozy. I did not visit the coastal side campground.
Cory R.ScoutLakeside haven rv park
Garbage
WARNING: DO NOT STAY HERE. Absolute Slum Conditions & Toxic Management. If I could give Lakeside Haven RV Resort negative stars, I would. Do not be fooled by the beautiful pictures they post online—those are from years ago when the park first opened. Today, this place is a neglected, hazardous dump run by a toxic, completely unprofessional management team. We moved in on December 27th, renting a lot and an 18-foot camper for $750/month. We were assured it was "move-in ready." That was a blatant lie. On our first day, I opened the fridge/freezer combo, and hundreds of German cockroaches fell out of it like Niagara Falls. It required three separate bug bombs just to make the place semi-livable. On top of that, Mario, the manager, left a whole turkey in the freezer that thawed out and leaked putrid turkey juices all over the appliance. There was also absolutely no hot water because the water heater had a massive crack in it. It leaked so severely that it saturated the floor, causing the kitchen floor to visibly sag. When they finally came to "fix" the water heater, they smashed a massive hole in the side of the camper and just left it wide open. Because of their negligence, my cat escaped, and my girlfriend and I spent three agonizing days waiting for him to return. Thankfully, he did. The windows were also broken and just covered with cardboard and tape, and the sink was completely backed up because the previous tenant had dumped a hoard of pennies down the drain. When I confronted the manager, Mario, about these biohazards and structural failures, he didn't offer to fix them immediately. Instead, he coldly offered a refund. He knew exactly what he was doing—he put us in a position where we either had to live in a roach-infested, broken camper or be homeless. We had to stay and watch them take their sweet time doing bare-minimum repairs. When anyone has a legitimate issue with the park, Mario gets incredibly rude, nasty, and aggressive. If you express how unhappy you are with the conditions, management's official response is literally: "Don't like it? Move." Management is rarely even on-site—maybe once or twice a month—but they sure know how to cause drama. They constantly spread lies around the park claiming we weren't paying our bills, which is defamation. We have every single receipt proving we have paid on time, every single month. Furthermore, the utility situation is a massive rip-off. There is only one meter for the entire park. Management leaves the lights on and the AC blasting at 68 degrees constantly in common areas, and because of the single meter, the tenants are forced to split the bill for their energy waste. You are also paying out of pocket for "amenities" like a laundry room that should be covered. The park looks like absolute shit. The boat dock is in such disrepair it will literally ruin your boat if you try to use it. Worse than the infrastructure is the total lack of safety. They will let anyone move in here, including active drug users and people with violent, dangerous criminal records. To give you an idea of how dangerous this place is, I accidentally butt-dialed the police once. When the cop arrived, he literally told me that they get so many emergency calls for this park—ranging from domestic abuse to drug issues—that they are forced to come out and physically verify everyone is okay, even for a confirmed accidental dial. The police are fully aware of how awful this place is. There is also zero confidentiality. Management acts friendly to get your money, but once you are locked in, they treat you like garbage and spread your personal business. They literally told brand-new tenants intimate, private medical details about a resident living here with cancer. It is deeply disrespectful, unethical, and disgusting behavior. They trap you, lie about you, neglect the property, and treat you like absolute shit. For the love of God, stay the hell away from Lakeside Haven RV Resort and Mario.
Guide to San Mateo
Camping options near San Mateo, Florida span both freshwater and coastal environments within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at low elevation between 5-25 feet above sea level, creating a landscape dominated by pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and riverfront terrain. San Mateo's central location provides access to the St. Johns River system as well as Atlantic coast beaches, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F with high humidity from June through September.
What to Do
Kayaking and canoeing: Salt Springs Recreation Area offers excellent water exploration opportunities. "We decided to change the primitive camping to an easier drive in and loved it. The spot and people were perfect. The natural springs and area was amazing," notes Jj R. about Salt Springs Recreation Area.
Beach activities: North Beach Camp Resort offers direct ocean access with privacy from crowds. "The campground was perfectly designed by someone who knows what campers want. Each site was separated from the neighbor by high brush and trees to make it seem really private. A river on the backside and the Atlantic Ocean on the front of the resort," explains Nicole C. about North Beach Camp Resort.
Fishing: Multiple access points for freshwater fishing exist throughout the region. One camper at Rodman Campground noted, "Great access to the lake. Pull through, back in and buddy sites are available," highlighting the convenient water access at this location.
What Campers Like
Private campsites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Anastasia State Park Campground, "These campsites offer a serene amount of privacy with the space the campgrounds are working with. It's not a backcountry hike, definitely a drive-up campground but the foliage and large campsites provide a lot of privacy throughout the day and night," reports Issa F.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and grounds are frequently mentioned. According to Brandie B. at Faver-Dykes, "The camp hosts keep each site impeccable and the bath house were very clean. The sites are wide and because of the vegitation almost impossible to see your neighbors."
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer sites with direct water views. Lauren W. describes her experience at Rodman Campground: "Beautiful site! Full shade and very level. Water directly in front of our site. Road our bikes to the dam."
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings heat, humidity, and insects. At Faver-Dykes, Leslie B. warns, "Only problem we had were ticks! They were literally everywhere and we were constantly picking them off ourselves and our dogs."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from unexpected sources. Jeff E. shares about 4 Lakes Campground: "IF there is an 'ALL HOURS WEEKEND' at the nearby Hog Waller Campground and ATV Resort (right across the river), then the trails remain open 24 hours and you will not have any tranquility or relaxation all night."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies widely across the region. Daniel G. notes about Compass RV Park: "The only down side is that the cell service (for both T-Mobile and Verizon) didn't work very well, and the Wi-Fi is iffy at best."
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer recreational amenities. Desirae L. describes Salt Springs: "We went camping here with two small kids, one of the sites closest to the springs, just a short walk. The campsite was much bigger than I expected."
Safe swimming areas: Natural springs provide consistent water temperatures for comfortable swimming year-round. One camper at Compass RV Park noted, "They have a pool and work out room. The sites were large and easy to access. Grounds are well maintained."
Space considerations: Look for campgrounds with room for kids to play. Vivian L. describes Celestial Acres as having "a huge grass area enclosed for kids and animals to play. Also, a beautiful burn pit for a campfire! Very safe place to ease your mind."
Tips from RVers
Site surface types: Different campgrounds offer various parking surfaces. According to Mike K. at Renegades on the River, "Full size RV sites with full hook up and the whole park is paved or pavers. Very nice pool and full laundry."
Utilities and services: Hookup availability varies widely. At Salt Springs, Sue G. mentions, "Sites have paved pads but most are not level. Wifi very spotty. Springs are nice."
Sizing considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. Sandi A. warns about Faver-Dykes: "Road into park narrow. We could not park our rv due to narrow road. They did promise a refund."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near San Mateo, FL?
What camping is available near San Mateo, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, San Mateo, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 255 campgrounds and RV parks near San Mateo, FL and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near San Mateo, FL?
Which is the most popular campground near San Mateo, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Mateo, FL is Salt Springs Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 61 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Mateo, FL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Mateo, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near San Mateo, FL.
What parks are near San Mateo, FL?
What parks are near San Mateo, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near San Mateo, FL that allow camping, notably Ocala National Forest and National Forests in Florida.
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