There’s no denying the state of Florida’s year-round warm weather, stunning beaches, gorgeous waters, and expansive wildlife make this state a magical place to visit. With so many fun activities, whether on land or on water, there are many great places to explore, for a diverse experience whether you prefer a booming nightlife or a more toned down, outdoors experience.
If you want a calmer time outdoors exploring beautiful coastlines, forests, or passing through popular state rivers, then you should consider camping in Florida. This offers the perfect way to truly explore the outdoors without any distractions to bond and connect with your friends and family.
There are a variety of top camping spots in Florida that each offers its own unique spin and reason for why you should camp there. Whether you are looking to camp on an island or have plenty of forest space to explore the great outdoors, there’s truly a camping spot for all types of people in Florida.
In this post, you’ll learn the top 10 best camping spots in Florida so you have all the information you need to decide where you’re next great camping adventure should be!
1. Long Key State Park
Long Key State Park is an excellent camping spot in Florida on an island that was once a popular fishing spot for many back in the 20th century. Today, this island offers the perfect getaway for campers offering over 60 different campsites with stunning ocean views. Each campsite has electricity, water hookups, picnic tables, grills, and gorgeous views of the Florida Keys.
There are many fun camping activities to do whether you enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, or simply walking along the shoreline taking in the breathtaking views and salty air.
If you want a little time away from the water, there’s the Golden Orb Trail which is a mile-long trail you can hike for a more land-friendly experience.
2. Myakka River State Park
With so many wetlands, prairies, pinelands, and areas to explore, the Myakka River State Park is another great camping spot in Florida. This location is home to one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks, where you get to enjoy plenty of wildlife and a variety of trails and waters to venture through.
Whether you’re looking to kayak, fish, boat along the popular Myakka River, or simply enjoy the more peace and quiet along the trails hiking or biking, there are undoubtedly many camping activities for all.
3. Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located right by Miami. So, if you’re looking to escape the glamor and party scene that Miami has to offer and have a more relaxing, outdoor camping experience right next door, this is the camping spot for you.
Even better, the two separate campgrounds are each located on islands! Elliott Key campground has restrooms, picnic tables, grills, drinking water, and cold-water showers for some great amenities to enjoy the island.
Meanwhile, the Boca Chita Key campground has toilets, but no showers, sinks, or drinking water. Therefore, if you are looking to “rough it” more then this campground may be the choice for you.
Another great part of this camping spot is it’s surrounded by water so you’ll get to experience marine life from sea turtles to manatees and other sea creatures to truly witness all the beautiful wildlife here.
4. Cayo Costa Island State Park
This camping spot is so unique it can only be accessed by boat or kayak! This means this rather secluded, nine-mile-long oasis is just the perfect place to swim, fish, and all the other fun camping activities.
There are also plenty of forests and swamps nearby to explore after your time walking along the excluded white sandy beaches of this barrier island.
Whether you want to hike among the many nature trails here, ride bikes, hike, or simply take in the variety of wildlife at this camp spot. In regards to lodging, there are more than 30 campsites with picnic tables, grills, and restrooms.
Therefore, whether you want an exclusive fun in the Sun experience on this barrier island or want to explore the forest and swamp life and all its wonder, this is another fun camping location in Florida.
5. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
If you’re looking for more of a “glamping” experience, this is the place for you! Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo offers a sort of glamping-style tent decked out with spacious tents with permanent fixtures already installed within the tent.
However, if you want more of the camping experience, this location does offer several campsites for those looking to “rough it” during their camping experience.
This camping spot also offers Conestoga wagons and more luxury glamping tents that come with full en suite bathrooms for those who want to feel more than at home in the great outdoors.
Besides all the crazy glamping options and the versatility of amenities at this camping spot, you can enjoy the 1700 acres of land and access to the Kissimmee River where you can ride horses or enjoy the popular Saturday night rodeo.
6. Rainbow Springs State Park
This camping spot is home to beautiful aqua-blue waters that offer a cool, calming oasis for campers to explore and take a refreshing dip in. Rainbow Springs State Park also offers several springs to cool yourself off.
Besides the gorgeous, refreshing waters, this camping spot has a variety of amenities for an exclusive camping experience. Enjoy the spot’s store, showers and restrooms, and laundry facility where you’ll get the best of both worlds camping outdoors with still great amenities access.
It’s important to note you may see an alligator or two if you decide to kayak down the river. So be extra cautious while enjoying the stunning views and wildlife here.
7. Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a historic wonder nestled between the Hobe Sound and Tequesta. The Loxahatchee River also is among the state park. There are two separate full-facility campgrounds: Pine Grove Campground and River Campground.
Pine Grove Campground has nearly 90 campsites on the eastern side of the state park whereas River Campground has 52 different campsites towards the Loxahatchee River. Each campground is decked out with many amenities so you have access to everything you may need for a fun camping trip. This includes each campground having water, electricity, picnic tables, grills, restrooms (with hot water, washer, and dryers), and more so you have access to everything to feel comfortable and at home, even if you’re on a campground.
Being the largest state park in Southeastern Florida, this means there’s plenty of room to embrace nature and do all sorts of camping activities. Whether you want to hike, fish, ride horses, or just chill by the campgrounds and make and cook up some burgers, there are all sorts of activities for everyone here.
8. Ocala National Forest
This camping spot is located north above Orlando in the center of Florida. Being located in the center of Florida, this means there’s plenty of space for camping activities without beach shoreline cutoff.
In fact, this camping spot is nearly 673 square miles full of full-service campgrounds, cabins, or space for tent camping so you and your friends and family have multiple options on how to camp.
Ocala National Forest offers calming energy and will make you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, unlike other camping spots that are only a few miles long.
The Yearling Trail is among this camping location along with plenty of access to nearly 600 different lakes, rivers, and springs for some time in the water. This means there’s plenty of water to kayak, canoe, swim, fish, or just dip your feet in for a refreshing feel at this relaxing camp spot for a great outdoor adventure.
9. Canaveral National Seashore
Want a stunning view of a rocket launch in action?! Then you should check out this camping site at Canaveral National Seashore.
This camping location is known for its unique first look at rocket launches thanks to its close proximity to a NASA site.
However, rocket launches aren’t the only thing that makes this an excellent camping spot. There are over dozen campsites for all your fun outdoor adventures. Even better, the Canaveral Shoreline is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in Florida. This means you’ll have plenty of room to explore and enjoy the beach, dunes, and an assortment of plants and animals that call this location home.
This camping spot is located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, Florida. And, this park is actually located on a barrier island making this spot a unique place to camp with some rare potential sightings of rocket launches in action nearby.
10. St George Island State Park
With over 60 modern family campsites decked out with water and electricity, St George Island State Park is yet another top camping spot in Florida. This location not only provides family campsites but restrooms and shower spaces so you have everything you need to have a great time exploring the outdoors.
Whether you want to tan, swim, kayak, hike, or fish, this state park offers nine miles of gorgeous white sandy beaches to soak in the Sun and do a variety of camping activities.
St George Island State Park is located in Northwestern Florida. This camping spot also has six different picnic areas perfect for grilling and entertaining with friends and family during your camping adventures. Whether you want to set up a nice picnic in one of their many picnic areas or make s’mores back at your campsite, this camping spot is a versatile place that offers many fun outdoor activities to do with friends and family.
