Florida isn’t just about sandy beaches and theme parks—it’s also home to some of the best camping spots in the country. Whether you’re looking for a secluded getaway in the woods, a beachfront campsite with ocean views, or a family-friendly spot with plenty of outdoor activities, Florida has it all. From the panhandle to the Florida Keys, here’s a detailed guide to the top camping sites in the Sunshine State.
Best Beachfront Camping Sites in Florida
Nothing beats waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. If you love the idea of pitching a tent near the ocean, here are some of Florida’s best beachfront camping destinations.
1. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg)
📍 Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
📞 Phone: (727) 582-2267
🌐 Website: https://pinellas.gov/parks/fort-de-soto-park
Why It’s Great:
✔ Gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters
✔ Pet-friendly camping area with a dedicated dog beach
✔ Kayaking, fishing, and biking trails nearby
✔ Historic fort to explore
✔ Modern campground amenities, including electric hookups, restrooms, and showers
Fort De Soto Park is a camper’s paradise, offering one of Florida’s best beach camping experiences. With over 1,100 acres of beautiful coastal scenery, this park is perfect for nature lovers, history buffs, and outdoor adventurers. The campsites are spacious and shaded, many with waterfront views, allowing campers to enjoy the tranquility of the bay.
One of the highlights of Fort De Soto is the historic fort, which dates back to the Spanish-American War. Visitors can climb the old cannons, walk through the stone corridors, and learn about Florida’s military history.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Kayak through the mangrove tunnels and spot dolphins or manatees
- Bike along the scenic trails and explore the park’s five interconnected islands
- Visit the dog-friendly beach, one of the best in the state
- Fish off the pier or try surf fishing along the shore
⭐ Pro Tip: Book early! This campground fills up quickly, especially during winter and spring. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance on the Pinellas County website.
2. Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine)
📍 Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
📞 Phone: (904) 461-2033
🌐 Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia
Why It’s Great:
✔ Miles of unspoiled beaches with soft, golden sand
✔ Close to historic St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S.
✔ Hiking, birdwatching, and paddleboarding opportunities
✔ Well-maintained campgrounds with clean restrooms and hot showers
✔ Dunes and nature trails provide a secluded and peaceful environment
Anastasia State Park is perfect for campers who love both the beach and history. Located just minutes from St. Augustine, this park offers an ideal blend of coastal beauty and cultural exploration. The four-mile-long beach is perfect for sunbathing, beachcombing, or surfing, while the inland trails allow for hiking through sand dunes, salt marshes, and dense hammocks.
For history lovers, the Castillo de San Marcos—the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S.—is just a short drive away. Visitors can explore St. George Street, a charming cobblestone road filled with boutiques, cafés, and historic landmarks.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore Salt Run Lagoon
- Hike the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail and see unique coastal ecosystems
- Take a short drive to St. Augustine’s historic district for a day of sightseeing
- Try surfing—this area is a hotspot for beginner and experienced surfers alike
⭐ Pro Tip: Bring a bike! The park’s scenic trails and the short ride into St. Augustine make cycling a fantastic way to explore.
3. Bahia Honda State Park (Florida Keys)
📍 Address: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
📞 Phone: (305) 872-2353
🌐 Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/BahiaHonda
Why It’s Great:
✔ Stunning white-sand beaches with breathtaking ocean views
✔ Snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming in crystal-clear waters
✔ A gateway to exploring the Florida Keys, just 30 miles from Key West
✔ Camping right on the water, with some sites offering direct beach access
✔ Diverse marine life, including tropical fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles
Camping in the Florida Keys is a bucket-list experience, and Bahia Honda State Park is one of the best places to do it. The park features some of the most beautiful beaches in the Keys, with shallow, warm waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
For adventure seekers, Bahia Honda offers some of the best snorkeling in Florida. Just offshore, you’ll find vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, rays, and even sea turtles. The park also has a boat launch and kayak rentals, making it easy to explore the surrounding waters.
One of the most iconic sights in Bahia Honda is the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, which provides a stunning panoramic view of the island and the turquoise waters below.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Snorkel in the clear waters and see Florida’s unique underwater ecosystems
- Take a boat tour to the nearby Looe Key Reef, a top diving destination
- Watch a breathtaking sunset over the Gulf of Mexico
- Fish from the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, known for its excellent catches
⭐ Pro Tip: Bring snorkel gear and water shoes—the shallow reefs near the shore are incredible for snorkeling but can have sharp coral and rocks.
Best Forest & Nature Camping in Florida
If you prefer towering trees, shaded campsites, and lush greenery, Florida has plenty of forested camping spots that offer peace and tranquility.
4. Ocala National Forest (Central Florida)
📍 Address: 40929 State Road 19, Umatilla, FL 32784
📞 Phone: (352) 669-3153
🌐 Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83528
Why It’s Great:
✔ Over 600 lakes, springs, and rivers for swimming, kayaking, and fishing
✔ Multiple campgrounds and primitive camping options
✔ Hiking and off-road trails through Florida’s largest sand pine scrub forest
✔ Rich wildlife, including black bears, deer, and otters
✔ Home to several stunning natural springs like Silver Glen Springs and Juniper Springs
Ocala National Forest is one of the best places for camping in Florida, offering a mix of relaxation and adventure. Spanning over 600 square miles, this national forest is a nature lover’s dream. Whether you enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, or off-roading, there’s something for everyone.
If you love crystal-clear freshwater springs, don’t miss Silver Glen Springs or Juniper Springs, where you can swim in cool, turquoise waters surrounded by lush vegetation. For a more rugged experience, dispersed camping is allowed in certain areas, allowing you to set up camp deep in the wilderness.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Swim or snorkel in the springs and explore the vibrant underwater life
- Hike the Yearling Trail, which passes through an old homestead and offers a look at Florida’s pioneer history
- Paddle through Juniper Run, one of Florida’s most scenic kayaking routes
- Try stargazing—Ocala’s remote location makes it one of the best places in Florida to see a sky full of stars
⭐ Pro Tip: Black bears are common in Ocala National Forest! Store food properly and use bear-proof containers if camping in the backcountry.
5. Blackwater River State Park (Florida Panhandle)
📍 Address: 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd, Milton, FL 32564
📞 Phone: (850) 983-5363
🌐 Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blackwater-river-state-park
Why It’s Great:
✔ Crystal-clear, spring-fed Blackwater River perfect for canoeing, tubing, and kayaking
✔ White sand riverbanks give a tropical beach feel in a forest setting
✔ Secluded and peaceful camping experience
✔ Abundant wildlife, including turtles, deer, and a variety of birds
✔ Great fishing for bass and catfish
If you’re looking for a peaceful and scenic escape, Blackwater River State Park is a hidden gem in Florida’s Panhandle region. Known for its clear, slow-moving river and pristine sandbars, this park is perfect for floating down the river in a tube or paddling in a canoe.
The campground is small and quiet, making it an ideal spot for those who want a break from crowds. Surrounded by pine forests and cypress swamps, the park offers beautiful hiking trails that let you immerse yourself in nature.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Canoe or kayak down the Blackwater River, one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the U.S.
- Go tubing—just float down the river and relax!
- Hike the Chain of Lakes Trail for incredible forest and wetland views
- Go fishing—bring a rod and try your luck catching bass or catfish
⭐ Pro Tip: Bring an inflatable tube or rent one nearby—floating down the river is one of the best ways to experience the park!
6. Myakka River State Park (Southwest Florida)
📍 Address: 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241
📞 Phone: (941) 361-6511
🌐 Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park
Why It’s Great:
✔ One of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks
✔ Diverse landscapes, including wetlands, prairies, and dense forests
✔ Myakka Canopy Walkway—a 40-foot-high bridge for a bird’s-eye view of the forest
✔ Wildlife sightings, including alligators, rare birds, and even bobcats
✔ Boating and airboat tours available
For those who love adventure, wildlife, and scenic landscapes, Myakka River State Park is a must-visit camping destination. This huge park (58 square miles!) is home to Florida’s first designated Wild and Scenic River, and it’s one of the best places in the state to see wildlife up close.
The park is famous for its Myakka Canopy Walkway, a 40-foot-high suspension bridge that offers a unique view of the treetops and allows visitors to observe birds, squirrels, and other wildlife from above.
Myakka River is also home to one of Florida’s largest alligator populations, so it’s not uncommon to see these reptiles basking in the sun along the riverbanks.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Walk across the Myakka Canopy Walkway for an unforgettable view
- Take an airboat tour and see alligators up close
- Paddle the Myakka River in a canoe or kayak
- Hike the William Boylston Nature Trail, one of the best trails for wildlife photography
- Camp under ancient oak trees and enjoy the peaceful, quiet atmosphere
⭐ Pro Tip: Winter is the best time to visit—cooler temperatures make hiking and wildlife spotting more enjoyable!
Best Camping for Outdoor Adventure in Florida
For those who want more than just relaxation, these camping spots offer thrilling outdoor activities, from kayaking to mountain biking.
7. Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Jupiter, FL)
📍 Address: 16450 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
📞 Phone: (772) 546-2771
🌐 Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/jonathan-dickinson-state-park
Why It’s Great:
✔ Fantastic kayaking and paddleboarding on the scenic Loxahatchee River
✔ Over 9,000 acres of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding
✔ Historical sites, including Trapper Nelson’s 1930s homestead
✔ Diverse ecosystems, from coastal sand dunes to pine flatwoods
✔ Great birdwatching and wildlife sightings
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a paradise for outdoor adventurers. Kayaking the Loxahatchee River is a must—paddle through cypress swamps and mangrove forests, where you might spot alligators, turtles, and manatees.
The park also has mountain biking trails ranging from beginner to advanced, with steep climbs, tight turns, and sandy tracks that provide a challenge for riders. Hikers will love the Hobe Mountain Trail, which leads to an observation tower with stunning views of the park and Atlantic coastline.
For a bit of history, take a boat tour to Trapper Nelson’s historic homestead, where you can learn about the fascinating life of a 1930s “wild man” who lived off the land in the Florida wilderness.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Kayak or paddleboard along the Loxahatchee River
- Hike the Kitching Creek Trail for beautiful views of wetlands and pine forests
- Mountain bike the Camp Murphy trails for an adrenaline-filled ride
- Take a guided tour of Trapper Nelson’s historic site
⭐ Pro Tip: Rent a kayak at the park or bring your own—paddling through the river is the best way to explore Jonathan Dickinson State Park!
8. Everglades National Park (South Florida)
📍 Address: 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034
📞 Phone: (305) 242-7700
🌐 Website: https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
Why It’s Great:
✔ One of the most unique ecosystems in the world
✔ Opportunities to camp on remote chickee huts (platforms over the water!)
✔ Incredible wildlife sightings, including alligators, panthers, and manatees
✔ Paddling trails through mangroves and sawgrass marshes
✔ Multiple campgrounds for both tent and backcountry camping
For a truly wild camping experience, Everglades National Park is unmatched. The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., offering a rugged and immersive adventure. You can paddle for days through mangrove tunnels, camp on a remote chickee hut, or hike through the vast sawgrass prairies.
Backcountry camping in the Everglades is a one-of-a-kind experience. The park offers ground sites, beach sites, and chickee huts—wooden platforms built over the water that give you a unique floating campsite. Expect unforgettable sunrises, amazing birdwatching, and the occasional visit from dolphins or manatees!
Activities to Enjoy:
- Kayak through the Ten Thousand Islands and explore a maze of mangroves
- Camp on a chickee hut and fall asleep to the sounds of the Everglades
- Take an airboat tour and spot alligators up close
- Hike the Anhinga Trail for one of the best chances to see Everglades wildlife
⭐ Pro Tip: Mosquitoes are intense—bring industrial-strength bug spray! 🦟
Best RV Camping in Florida
If you love camping but prefer the comforts of an RV, Florida has plenty of RV-friendly campgrounds with modern amenities, full hookups, and gorgeous scenery. Here are some of the best RV camping spots in Florida!
9. Bluewater Key RV Resort (Florida Keys)
📍 Address: 2950 Overseas Hwy, Key West, FL 33040
📞 Phone: (305) 744-0999
🌐 Website: https://bluewaterkey.com/
Why It’s Great:
✔ Luxury RV resort with oceanfront campsites
✔ Private docks for boats and kayaks
✔ Close to Key West’s famous attractions
✔ Beautifully landscaped sites with lush tropical vegetation
✔ Heated pool, clubhouse, and pet-friendly areas
For those who want RV camping with a touch of luxury, Bluewater Key RV Resort is the ultimate destination. This high-end RV park in the Florida Keys features spacious sites with lush landscaping, private docks, and stunning waterfront views.
The location is just a short drive from Key West, so you can explore Duval Street, visit Hemingway’s House, or enjoy famous Florida Keys sunsets. If you prefer relaxing at the resort, you can kayak right from your site, fish off the dock, or take a dip in the heated pool.
Activities to Enjoy:
- Snorkel or dive in the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys
- Explore Key West’s vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and attractions
- Relax at your RV site with unbeatable oceanfront views
- Rent a boat and go fishing or island-hopping
⭐ Pro Tip: Book early! Bluewater Key is one of the most popular RV resorts in Florida and fills up months in advance.
Final Thoughts: Why Camping in Florida is Amazing
Florida offers a wide range of camping experiences, from beachfront escapes to wild forest adventures. Whether you prefer a laid-back getaway or an action-packed outdoor adventure, there’s a perfect campsite waiting for you.
No matter where you go, camping in Florida is an opportunity to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with nature, family, and friends. So pack your tent, load up your RV, or rent a cabin—and get ready to explore the beautiful landscapes of Florida!
👉 Which Florida camping site is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! 🏕️
