defuniak springs free camping
Directions on the dirt AND Google take you to an outdated, run down housing complex that's really sketchy looking. No campsite, bathroom, etc there.
21 campgrounds with availability this weekend
St. Andrews State Park Campground accommodates campers with pets across tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and yurts near Youngstown. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park, with designated pet waste stations positioned along main trails and camping loops. Blue Spring Recreation Area offers a more secluded pet-friendly camping experience with three well-separated sites featuring covered picnic pavilions and level parking for vehicles. Southern Grace Lavender Farm provides an enclosed off-leash play area for pets complete with toys, balls, fresh water, and waste disposal tools. The farm's RV sites include electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables where campers and their dogs can relax together. Very close to beautiful freshwater springs.
Pine Log State Forest's Sand Pond Campground features pet-friendly sites accessible by boat, vehicle, or foot with electricity and water hookups available. Outback Springs RV Resort maintains clean facilities with a beautiful pool area where pets are welcome throughout the property but must be supervised at all times. Falling Waters State Park enforces a two-pet maximum policy with additional fees for pets staying in cabin accommodations. Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Youngstown provide access to hiking trails where leashed dogs can explore, including paths leading to freshwater springs and swimming areas. Florida Caverns State Park's Blue Hole Campground requires proof of current vaccinations upon check-in and restricts pets from certain cave tour areas for safety reasons. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, requiring extra planning for pet comfort during summer months when ground temperatures can exceed 100°F.
"A little less “outdoor feeling” than other Florida state parks but very comfortable. The park itself is great with an amazing beach."
"Clean and peaceful and beautiful walking trails and easy access to the beach. Beautiful sunsets on the beach."
Available this weekend
from $28 / night
"Very close to beautiful freshwater springs"
"Private camp spot in a great location."
from $18 - $25 / night
"Nice tiny campground in the Florida forest. There are only 3 sites and you must reserve online through the water management district even though it is free."
"Pretty hot during the day - 90s and around 70 at night. But the spring is about a 5 min walk and one can swim whenever. Already made reservations for next year. Beautiful and quiet only 3 sites."
"The lookout point is a perfect location to stand and watch the waterfall and take pictures of course! The park offers some great hikes as well."
"Great open field behind volleyball court with fencing all around to burn the dogs’ energy before taking off."
Available this weekend
from $18 / night
"Kerri Very Welcoming and Knowledgeable Very nice level sites w electric water fire ring, picnic table Leah free pet play area!"
"This place is beautiful and very well run, has an off leash play area for pets, free range chickens ( Gave Me 2 free eggs ) Very quiet off main Rd 1/4 Mile. Very quiet restful night..."
Available this weekend
from $45 - $55 / night
"We just stayed here for the weekend with our two kids and dog and it was so nice. We had a site right in front of the pond and it was not a long walk to the bathroom/shower area."
"Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the beach areas but close enough to enjoy them just the same."
Available this weekend
from $23 / night
"There are three tent sites that are a very short walk with the furthest being a double picnic shelter length. The other spots are drive up and can accommodate a roof top tent or small rv."
"My husband and I were pleasantly surprised at our stay at Florida Caverns State Park. Although not a huge cavern such as Carlsbad or Mammoth, Florida Caverns did not disappoint."
"Really enjoyed getting into this Florida gem and enjoying surrounds. Great place for a stopover in this area of Florida. Even a little rain didn't stop the fun."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"Cute dog parks, with water for the dogs, and a swing for you to hang out on while you wait for the dogs business to be done. There is a petting zoo with baby goats and piglets here too."
"Open 4 years Very Big Big Rig Friendly with state of the art full hookup 20 30 50 amp level sites 7 back in's 17 pull throughs up to 110 feet 2 large shaded dog parks corral for Horses Family Friendly"
from $30 - $45 / night












Directions on the dirt AND Google take you to an outdated, run down housing complex that's really sketchy looking. No campsite, bathroom, etc there.
Heaven on earth!
Full hook ups, big rig friendly. The hosts were extremely helpful and nice. Laundry room was great $2 a load with 2 washers and 2 dryers. Perfect stop to re group. Great location near gas, groceries and clothing stores
This has to be one of the most peaceful campgrounds we’ve been to. It’s very quiet and dark at night. The bathhouse was really clean and spacious. Our site is perfect with unobstructed water views. We were able to do the trails and ride our bikes on the road.
We stopped at the entrance, but no one was in there. Luckily a nice gentleman was coming in and said for us to follow him in. Rangers are at another office within the campground from 9:00-9:30 and 4:00-4:30. We went over in the afternoon to check in.
Well kept campground. Paved roads. The loop C has a concrete parking pads. Gravel picnic table area with a fire pits and bbq stand. Well kept grass. Very shallow water off bank. We have camped here before and had a local five foot alagator that hung around. But I didn't see it this time. Spent a couple days. Has a few restaurants just a few miles. The park is in eastern time. A couple miles west is Central time. So my phone said eastern..my wife's phone read central. The shower house and restroom combo is very dated and needed some paint and rust removal. Didn't check out the other restroom. Don't plan on fishing...water very shallow and weeds. The sunsets are fantastic.
Just be forewarned this is NOT a normal camping experience. By far.
Firstly, there are no actual accommodations as advertised. The "camping" you will experience consists of no primitive sites, no RV hookups, no amenities to speak of, and many other inconsistencies despite what's being presented here. There are no private areas even for changing your clothes much less anything else. As it sits beside a major county roadway with a public boat ramp with roadside public parking making any chance of alone time impossible most days. You CANNOT per county ordinances have any unregulated fires or burning due to the lake being EPA protected. If you get caught disturbing any of the flora or fauna you are subject to possible fines or prosecution by FWC. Not one stump is to be disturbed at all. The advertisement is misleading regarding this property. For the amount of money being charged you may as well go a few more miles and get a room at a motel. It would be cheaper if you did. I gave two stars because of the lake itself. Which BTW, is NOT actually "visible " from this property itself. The best viewing and admiring is better at the PUBLIC areas that are county owned and somewhat maintained. The lake itself is public use for everyone. Not to mention that this property owner has a negative reputation for shady practices in the local area. Any observations of illegal practices should be reported to law enforcement.
So we didn't actually stay here. We were at another campsite that was 30 minutes away with higher reviews. However, we stopped by to check this place out on our way to the Florida Caverns and we really wished we would of stayed here! This place was amazing. And the convenience of the gas station and corner store in walking distance plus all of the activities they had for kids. We surely would of enjoyed this place. And the view of the water and ability to fish and kayak were an added plus. Our kids were disappointed in me for not choosing this one. Definently keeping it saved for the next time we go though. And it was only 10 minutes from the Florida Caverns and close to several stores and not to far off Highway 10. There was plenty of spots and cabins when we went in October and spacious and not over-crowded.
Think The Dyrt forgot to mention that this site is for 50 years and older. My family and I were effected by Hurricane Isaias and were looking for a RV resort that hadn't lost power. We explained the situation to the resort manager and although we are in our 40s with 3 kids, they were very welcoming of us and so friendly. Mr. Glen, the owner, was a great person and I shared great conversation with him about his life. The view from the resort is amazing. Acres of land in a sloping hillside with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Small 4ft pool and very spacious and clean bathrooms and clubhouse. It SOOOO peaceful and quiet out here . I went along a trail that they have to read and watch the sunrise and was welcomed by deers that roam the land. This was a very gorgeous spot and I'll likely return in 9 years after I hit the age requirements to enjoy again😁. But we were so grateful for them being so accomodating given our circumstance.
My campsite was turned into a construction zone. See pictures. My site should have not been available given the work that would be done. People all over my site, terrorizing my dog, using my picnic table as a staging area for supplies. Manager devoid of any form of empathy. They offered a site move(no thank you a day before departure) and 50% off(not adequate). AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Camping near Youngstown, Florida offers a blend of forest and freshwater experiences with elevations between 30-150 feet above sea level. The region experiences significant seasonal variations with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and winter lows occasionally dipping below freezing. Spring and fall camping seasons provide the most comfortable conditions for exploring the area's natural springs, forests, and caverns.
Snorkeling at jetties: St. Andrews State Park features protected snorkeling areas where the rock jetties create calm waters. "Best area for protected, near shore snorkeling. A small area located inside rock jetties provides the perfect area for amateur and intermediate snorkeling. Many divers also frequent the rougher/deeper areas near the jetties," notes Denise K. about St. Andrews State Park Campground.
Paddle the calm waters: Multiple waterways provide paddling opportunities for various skill levels. "I like to kayak in calm waters. There was plenty of that. I also like to camp on the water. Which was perfect," shares Vicky E. about her experience at St. Andrews State Park.
Take a cave tour: The region features notable underground formations worth exploring. "The caverns are a must see in this park. Come early before they open as there is a line. Our guide was very knowledgeable," reports Jenn B. about visiting Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State Park.
Secluded primitive sites: Some areas offer extremely private camping with limited sites. "There are only three primitive camping sites out here and they are very secluded. In site 3 we had a great view of the river and easy access to the hiking trails! If you like primitive camping, this place is the way to go," recommends Ben G. about Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest.
Waterfront camping opportunities: Many sites provide direct access to water features. "We were placed on a campsite right next to the pond. It made for fantastic sunsets!" shares Jennifer D. about her stay at Sand Pond Campground.
Covered picnic areas: Several campgrounds feature sheltered eating spaces. "Porta Potty, garbage cans, covered and paved picnic table and fairly level sites on all 3 spots. All the sites are fairly separate and the middle site, site #1, is a 'bump out' style and is more open and close to some swampy water," details Laura M. about Blue Spring Recreation Area.
Reserve well in advance: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Just be sure to book the campsite well in advance, this place is super popular and fills up very quickly," advises Angeline S. about St. Andrews State Park.
Road conditions vary: Access to some sites requires navigating unpaved roads. "We have about 1 mile of dirt road to get here. Some campsites can be tight if you have a big rig. Within the past year, they have removed some trees to make it easier to maneuver in the campground," explains Eric R. about Sand Pond Campground.
Construction impacts: Some parks are undergoing improvements. "Nice park and CG. Park is under construction with improvements. Trails, paddling access, shelters, concession, food available," notes James M. about visiting Falling Waters State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several parks offer chances to observe local fauna. "The deer around were practically tame," mentions Vicky E. about St. Andrews State Park. This makes for excellent nature observation opportunities for children.
Beach access options: Some campgrounds provide multiple water entry points. "The beach access was great from a couple of areas. We rented a boat and spent a few hours on Shell Island. Because it is difficult to access there are very few people out on the beach," shares Matt S.
Annual group camping tradition: The area works well for multi-family trips. "St. Andrews State Park is a regular destination for our group of Dads and kids annual camping trip. These sites are perfect for our group to book two or three sites together (we book between 6-10 months in advance) and for the kids to ride their bikes around the loop," recommends Matt M.
Pet facilities: For those seeking pet friendly camping near Youngstown, Florida, some campgrounds offer dedicated pet areas. "They have a nice sized enclosed dog run, complete with a bucket of toys and balls, fresh water (continuously filled), and a poop scoop," shares Laura M. about her stay at Southern Grace Lavender Farm.
Interstate noise considerations: Proximity to highways affects some camping experiences. "Right off I-10. Stayed 1 night. Owner is so nice. Park is well kept. Nice dog park. Little road noise but not horrible," reports Mimi B. about Hitchinpost RV Park and Campground.
Site variations: RV site quality and size differ significantly between and within campgrounds. "The sites are all VERY different. Some are tiny, some are huge. Some have waterfront and many don't. If you want a good spot once they reopen, definitely book early and pay attention to the measurements on the website," advises Sonyia W. about St. Andrews State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Youngstown, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Youngstown, FL is St. Andrews State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 60 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Youngstown, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Youngstown, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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