Manatee Hammock Campground provides affordable waterfront camping with a mix of RV and tent sites on the Indian River across from Kennedy Space Center. The 26-acre park features shaded campsites with water views, particularly from sites 51, 13, 65-69, 169, and 170. While traditional camping options dominate the Titusville area, several properties have expanded to offer yurt camping and other alternative accommodations near Cape Canaveral and the surrounding natural areas.
What to do
Rocket launch viewing: Set up at Manatee Hammock Campground for unobstructed views of rocket launches from across the water. "We saw two rocket launches while here," reports Dave D., who enjoyed the prime location "right on the intercoastal waterway right across from Kennedy Space Center."
Wildlife watching: The natural areas surrounding campgrounds provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Jorge F. notes that Manatee Hammock has "beautiful water views from several campsites" where visitors can spot various shore birds, while at Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground, campers report extensive wildlife sightings: "We saw lots of animals. Really enjoyed the springs and kayaking," says Jayden D.
Water activities: The springs at Wekiwa offer refreshing swimming options. "We ended up here on a trip to Orlando because we just needed a bit of 'nature,'" writes Sara S., who appreciated the "beautiful reprieve from the busyness of Orlando." For saltwater activities, Daytona Beach RV Resort puts you within biking distance of ocean access, making it convenient for beach days and water sports.
What campers like
Waterfront amenities: Joy RV Park in Cocoa offers excellent waterfront camping with strategic positioning for space launches. "We saw 2 nasa launches from our site," reports Paul, who found it to be "a nice campground, clean, quiet... no frills, but a decent place."
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools for when you're not at the beach or springs. At Daytona Beach RV Resort, visitors praise the "very nice, clean facilities" with a "lovely" pool area. Carol B. notes the "super clean and modern" restrooms and "very nice outdoor picnic area, laundry, and rec/fitness rooms."
Natural springs access: Wekiwa Springs State Park receives consistently high ratings for its natural features. Zackari S. shares his enthusiasm: "Really nice campground with all the amenities, showers, water, and power hookups... Beautiful place love the springs!!" The park offers a refreshing alternative to traditional yurt camping near Titusville, Florida, with its unique natural water features.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Popular natural areas fill quickly, especially during peak times. At Wekiwa Springs, Hannah S. warns, "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of cars starts around 9am and park will close at capacity."
Site conditions vary significantly: The quality of camping spots differs greatly between and within campgrounds. At Cape Kennedy RV Resort, Mark S. observes, "This campground has a split personality. The west side has nice wide concrete sites, the east side is on dirt and gravel and not so nice."
Environmental factors: Some campgrounds experience flooding during rainy periods. At Manatee Hammock, Jorge F. notes downsides including "freight train noise every night in the early morning hours and traffic noise, specially with campsites near the busy US-1." Plan site selection carefully based on weather forecasts and noise tolerance.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Daytona's Endless Summer Campground offers extensive family-friendly amenities. Kasey M. shares, "Super family-friendly! It had a great pool, a playground, and a dog run... Our kids were very welcomed. Also, there was cable, which is a fun plus for rainy days."
Space accessibility: While no true yurt camping options exist directly in Titusville, Florida, several campgrounds provide excellent access to space-themed activities. Dan B. from Cape Kennedy RV Resort reports, "I've stayed at this campground many times never had a bad experience. Staff is wonderful if you ever need anything all you do is ask."
Bath facilities: When camping with children, clean bathrooms are essential. L O. from Manatee Hammock notes, "The bathroom and laundry room are about 100 meters from spot 153. Both are clean," making it easier to manage family needs while tent camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Samantha O. advises, "My only problem with wilderness camping. There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot. There is plenty of room between your rv and your neighbor next to you but not a lot of room across from your spot."
Utility considerations: Full hookups are available at most campgrounds, but quality varies. Nathan A. at Manatee Hammock found "Decent rates, full hook ups, great location, friendly staff, clean bathhouse, and beautiful views of the Indian River."
Transportation options: At some larger resorts like Disney's Fort Wilderness, internal transportation is important. Samantha O. reports, "Buses run very frequently and never had an issue getting a bus to the amenities... The bus drivers were very nice and knowledgeable about services and amenties in the resort."