Offering visitors miles and miles of beaches, numerous wildlife management areas, natural springs, and a multitude of national and state parks, Florida has something for everyone. Whether you’re a tent camper, an RV camper, looking to escape civilization for a few days as a primitive camper, or prefer a cabin, there are accommodations to meet everyone’s needs.
Florida boasts over 900 campgrounds with more than 100,000 total campsites. Keep reading to learn more about all that Florida has to offer campers.
There is certainly no shortage of sandy beaches in Florida, and if you’ve ever dreamed of a vacation where you never have to leave them behind, here is your chance. Although camping directly on the sandy beaches is usually not permitted, there are a few options in the state that allow it, and many other campsites waiting just behind the dunes, steps away from the waves. Most of these campsites are Florida State Parks or wildlife preservation areas.
If you’re looking to camp along Central Florida’s coastline, check out Canaveral National Seashore where beach camping is permitted from November through April. Turtle nesting season runs May through October and beach camping in Florida is not permitted during this time. However, when beach camping is permitted, campers may camp directly on the beach and provided they have a suitable fire ring or metal container, may also build campfires along the shore. On the Gulf Coast of Central Florida, check out Fort De Soto County Park or Cayo Costa Island State Park. Fort De Soto even offers a dog park on the beach for your furry friends.
Looking to camp in Northwest Florida? Check out Big Lagoon State Park. The best time of year to camp in this area is March through August as temperatures can be quite chilly during the winter months. Big Lagoon also features nature trails, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.
For a comprehensive map of Florida campgrounds, including Kampgrounds of America locations, Florida State Parks, Florida RV parks, national forests, and private campgrounds, click here.
Florida is home to more natural springs than any other state, and the water is consistently 68 to 70 degrees year-round. Although not every spring in Florida offers camping options, some do. In addition to camping, many springs offer hiking trails, permit swimming, and provide kayaking/canoeing. Florida’s natural springs are home to manatees as they migrate to the springs to take advantage of their warmer waters during the winter months. Bird watching is another popular activity at both Florida springs and Florida State Parks.
Rainbow Springs State Park and Silver Springs State Park in Marion County offer Florida springs camping options for tent camping and RVs, and Silver Springs offers a limited number of cabin options.
If you’re looking for options that offer some of the amenities at home, look no further than Florida. Twenty-one of Florida’s State Parks offer cabins as camping options. Cabin amenities vary by location and are often booked well in advance. To make a reservation, call 1-800-326-3521 or visit Reserve America.
Visit the Florida State Parks website for a complete list of state parks, visitor activities, and rules and regulations regarding use of state parks.
For more information about KOA Campground locations in Florida and to make reservations, click here.
