Camping options near Williston, Florida offer diverse terrain across Marion, Levy, and Alachua counties at elevations between 25-100 feet. The region features a mix of springs, prairies, and forested areas with average winter lows around 45°F and summer highs reaching 90°F. Most campgrounds in the area experience peak visitor traffic from October through April when temperatures are milder.
What to do
Spring exploration: Devil's Den Spring offers unique underwater adventures with equipment rentals available onsite. "They have scuba lessons in pool if you have never dived. They also rent the equipment for both scuba and snorkeling. They have a covered picnic area," notes Nora B., who visited the spring.
Wildlife viewing: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground provides multiple habitats for spotting native animals. "Many opportunities to spot wildlife close by. The camp is frequented by college students. Bathrooms are clean. Plenty of hiking to be found. Buffalo, deer, eagles, alligators, owls....Visit Sweetwater," advises Jenn B.
Kayaking: Rainbow Springs State Park Campground features crystal-clear water perfect for paddling. "If you enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or just floating down river on a tube in addition to camping, this is your spot... Such a gorgeous river," shares S L., who kayaked the spring run.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at many Williston-area campgrounds. "The sites are large and level. The facilities were much nicer than I expected and all of my questions were answered at the entrance gate," writes Charlie M. about Silver Springs State Park Campground.
Swimming opportunities: Natural springs provide year-round swimming spots with consistent 72°F water. "The spring was an amazing experience. The campground was maintained but the bathroom needed to be attended to. Overall, great experience!" reports Tom H. after visiting Devil's Den Spring.
Equestrian facilities: Black Prong Equestrian Village caters specifically to those traveling with horses. "Massive RV pad, full hookups, Golf Cart, plus privacy between you and your neighbor. As an added bonus we were able to bring our horse for trail rides throughout the park," explains Jeremy R.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Florida state parks often fill quickly during winter months. "It's a decent drive from any other major city in Florida. The springs themselves are quite cold so in the end we didn't spend that much time swimming," Laura H. notes about Devil's Den Spring.
Accessibility limitations: Some trails and facilities have restrictions. "The biggest disappointment for this state park is that all of the things they advertise (and I was looking forward to) - bison, horses, wildlife - are all on trails where pets are not allowed," explains Denise about Paynes Prairie.
Water levels: Manatee Springs State Park Campground and other water features can change seasonally. "Boardwalk and swimming in the springs was open, but we didn't see where to rent kayaks or buy anything, not sure if those are closed for COVID. Boardwalk was really cool and long and we saw a couple of manatees," shares Laura M.
Tips for camping with families
Tent selection: Choose sites with adequate shade during summer months. "The sites are big and shaded with plush vegetation, there clean facilities with showers. There is camp store and barbeque stand, as well as canoe rental and shuttle on site," recommends PopandNana D. about Manatee Springs.
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs that engage children. "We had the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes," explains Lindsey H. about Paynes Prairie.
Safety considerations: Springs and water access points require supervision. "The spring is an underground river in a cave with stairs leading down. There is a minimum age limit for snorkeling and diving," one camper advises about Devil's Den.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds offer pull-through sites with varying degrees of privacy. "Large sites with ample separation from your neighbors. I am a native Floridian and this is the real deal. This is a quiet park w a lot of nature," explains Jody O. about Sportsman's Cove Resort.
Connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. "They have an amazing campground WiFi deployment. I was getting about 15mbs down and 6mbs up. Obviously depending on when people are using it all that can change," shares John about Ocala North RV Park.
Pet-friendly policies: Most campgrounds allow pets but have specific rules. "Leashed pets are welcomed for a meer $12 per person entry fee that is certainly worth it," notes Danyel P. about visiting Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens from Williston Crossings RV Resort.
