Camping sites near Tallahassee, Florida offer varied terrain with a mix of river, lake, and forest settings across Leon County and surrounding areas. Temperatures range from 40s°F in winter to 90s°F in summer, with significant humidity from June through September. Many campsites provide water access, though primitive options in state forests require visitors to bring their own supplies.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: High Bluff Campground provides dock access for anglers with views of Lake Talquin. "Caught a beautiful sunset over the lake and saw a massive gator hanging out by the fishing pier. The gator was back in the morning as I was enjoying my cup of coffee out on the pier," notes one visitor.
Kayaking options: Ed and Bernices Fish Camp offers river access with boat launch facilities. A camper shares, "I really enjoyed this park. The river was beautiful. We kayaked and loved and I mean absolutely love being on this river. Did some swimming and fishing off the side. Caught some huge brim, they were delicious."
Hiking trails: Fort Braden Tract features three loop trails with elevation changes uncommon in Florida. "Three wonderful loop trails, 2 primitive camp sites and a great view through the trees... It took us an extra try to find this location... When we finally got to the correct location the hike was beautiful," reports one camper who recommends calling ahead for permits.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Williams Landing Campground provides peaceful lakeside settings for wildlife observation. One camper describes it as "Quiet and peaceful next to beautiful lake," making it an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive option.
Farm experiences: Goat House Farm offers a unique camping experience where guests camp alongside farm animals. "We had such a fun time camping at the goat farm. Where you literally camp with goats. The male goats hang out right beside you and your tents. (Be sure to keep your tents closed or they will sleep with you too, ha!)," shares one family.
Peaceful waterfront sites: Campers frequently mention appreciating the quiet waterfront locations. A visitor to Fort Braden Tract notes, "Brilliant view of Lake Talquin, right on the water. Thickly treed so hanging hammocks and bear lines was no problem. Brilliant quiet spot," though they caution about limited privacy as campsites are close to trails.
What you should know
Price fluctuations: Campgrounds near Tallahassee may have variable pricing based on events. One camper at Tallahassee RV Park mentioned, "Super clean. Sites all gravel and utilities nicely set up. Was about double the nightly rate ($90) due to a FSU football game over the weekend but the place was only about 25% of capacity."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Some campgrounds have minimal facilities. A visitor to High Bluff Campground states, "No power, no water, no WiFi, no store. T-Mobile was very good with 300+ Mbps. The last 3 miles are dirt road, but in good condition as long as you can stay in the middle without traffic."
Wildlife encounters: Alligators are common in the area's waterways. A Fort Braden camper recalls, "Even got a visit from your friendly neighborhood alligator in the middle of the night, which when I realized after the fact what the sound was was terrifying. Steep bank on this sight though so fewer worries about him actually visiting camp."
Tips for camping with families
Animal interaction opportunities: Families particularly enjoy Goat House Farm. "The kids absolutely loved it. They cried when it was time to leave and told all the animals bye. The staff is so friendly and helpful," notes a family who visited.
Clean facilities: Newport Park Campground offers clean bathroom facilities. "They do have bathrooms and shower which are clean. They also have FHU, W/E and primitive. It is located on a busy HWY 98 so there is traffic noise during the day," reports one camper.
Easy access sites: For families with less camping experience, look for pull-through sites. A visitor to Williams Landing comments, "The sites are pull thru, which was nice as I am still not that great at backing up my little trailer. They are all on a grade so leveling out was a fun experience."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Several Tallahassee area campgrounds have uneven sites. At Coe Landing Campground, "Sites are gravel and some take creative leveling of the rig. Sites 3,4,5 back up to a fence with a private residence on the other side, they are pretty noisy at times."
Size limitations: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. A visitor to Ed and Bernices notes, "Far from the main road, down a steep rutted driveway, onto a grassy lot. Yes, there is 50 amps, water and sewer, but the water spigot is 25 feet from the coach."
Hookup options: Tallahassee RV Park receives good reviews for its utility setups. "Very pretty RV park. Level gravel sites and roads. WiFi, cable, full hookups. Lots of trees and shade. Nice area to walk dogs. Will stay again," mentions one RVer who appreciated the well-maintained facilities.
