Fishing, stargazing, and waterfront access draw campers to Shired Island Campground, a drive-in site within the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge outside Old Town, Florida. A deck extends out over the water, giving anglers and night-sky watchers a direct vantage point away from the shore. The campground is first-come, first-served, with sites running $10 to $20 per night and a 14-day maximum stay.
Amenities include electric hookups, picnic tables, covered pavilions, and a bathhouse with showers. The water, however, carries a strong sulfur content that multiple reviewers flag as a drawback, and the bathhouse cleanliness has been inconsistent. Pets are permitted, though only on one side of the campground. Campers should also plan for no-see-ums at dusk, which are a reliable presence in this coastal Gulf habitat.
One recurring complaint worth noting: airboats are permitted at the site, and when they're running, the noise carries significantly. As one reviewer puts it, the machines drown out "the sounds of the sea and the waves hitting the shore." The road access has also drawn mixed feedback, so checking conditions before arrival makes sense, especially after rain. For campers exploring campgrounds around Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, the density of options in this stretch of Florida's Gulf Coast is worth mapping out in advance.
Shired Creek County Park, just 0.3 miles north, gives campers a nearby alternative if the main campground is full or closed due to ongoing storm damage repairs reported in late 2024.
Description
Owned and operated by Dixie County. No reservations; sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Part of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, the Shired Island Boat Ramp & Trail provide access to the Gulf, shoreline fishing, and a short trail to a 7,000 year-old archaeology site. You'll want to bring your camera. For anglers without vessels, the ample sea wall provides plenty of shore-fishing opportunities. There are no nearby stores or tackle shops, so come prepared. 12 hookup spots $20/night for an rv, $10/night for a tent but $20 if hooked up to electricity.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsShired Island Campground is located in Florida near Cedar Key
Address
21354 SE Co Road 349
Old Town, FL
Coordinates
29.39369589861268 N
83.20193156694641 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/1/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 11/19/25
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/1/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 11/19/25
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- WiFi
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 40 min from Gainesville, FL
- 1 hr 49 min from Ocala, FL
- 1 hr 54 min from Homosassa Springs, FL
- 2 hrs 12 min from Wildwood, FL
