Crossing the state line into Florida is something to cheer about, but you’re not “there” yet. Take a break by laying over at one of our favorite North Florida state park campgrounds near Interstate 95 or Interstate 75.
5 state park campgrounds near I-95
Fort Clinch State Park
Mix a little history in your layover exploring the fishing village of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. The fort was built in 1847, after the Second Seminole War, and it was a Union garrison during the Civil War. The park has 3.3 miles of paved roadway for bicycling, and you can ride for miles on the beach at low tide. The campground features 61 sites, including 40 tree-shaded sites along the river and 21 sun-drenched sites behind the dunes on the ocean. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, water, and electric hookups with a dump station nearby and new bathhouses with showers and laundry facilities. Pets OK. (Maximum RV length is 40 feet.)
Fort Clinch State Park, 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. 904-277-7274. Camping Fee: $26. Reservations: For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
I-95 Exit 362 A (18 miles)
Little Talbot Island State Park
Five miles of white-sand beaches mark Little Talbot Island as one of Florida’s few remaining undeveloped barrier islands, and it is the campground anchor for six other state parks clustered around it, collectively known as the Talbot Islands State Parks. There are 40 campsites tucked into the sand dunes, surrounded by a maritime hammock of live oaks and magnolia trees. Sites have electric (20/30 amp) and water hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, a laundry facility and two bathhouses with hot showers. A dump station is available for RV campers. Pets are allowed in designated areas of the campground. (Maximum RV length=30 feet).
Little Talbot Island State Park, 12157 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226. 904-251-2320. Camping Fee: $24. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
Anastasia State Park
Four miles of pristine beach and historic St. Augustine make this state park the perfect layover for visitors to the nation’s oldest city. Hike through the dunes, bicycle on the beach, paddle, sail or fish. Anastasia has 139 camping sites for RVs and tents in tree hammock away from blowing sand and salt spray, but within easy bicycling or walking distance to the beach. Vegetation offers privacy between most sites, which vary from 10 feet to 40 feet. ADA accessible sites are available. All sites have electricity and water, a picnic table, in-ground grill and fire ring. A communal dump station is on site. Pets are allowed in all areas of the park except the restrooms and beach. (Maximum RV length is 40 feet.)
Anastasia State Park, 1340-A State Road A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080. 904-461-2033 Camping Fee: $28. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
Faver-Dykes State Park
This tranquil park borders Pellicer Creek and open marshes that frame the Intracoastal Waterway south of St. Augustine, and it’s just a short hop off I-95. This park is one of the most popular in the state for bird-watching with more than 100 species seen during the fall and spring migrations. Pellicer Creek is an official state canoe/kayak trail. The campground has 30 sites in a shady hardwood hammock, buffered from neighbors by natural vegetation. Each site has water, electric, fire ring with grill and a picnic table. A dump station is on site. Pets allowed. (Maximum RV length is 30 feet).
Faver-Dykes State Park, 1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine, FL 32086. 904-794-0997. Camping Fee: $18 per night. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
Gamble Rogers State Park
Camping on the beach is this state park’s claim to fame with 34 sites tucked just behind a row of dunes. If it’s a bit chilly or too windy, there’s another campground on the west side of State Road A1A. The inland side of the 145-acre park also has a boat ramp and hiking trails that open up on the Intracoastal Waterway, making it an excellent launch for boats, kayaks and canoes for exploring quiet inland waterways. A paved bike path runs along A1A to the nearby North Peninsula State Park. All 34 campsites have water, electric, picnic table and a fire ring. A dump station is on site. Pets are allowed. (Maximum RV length is 40 feet.)
Gamble Rogers State Park, 3100 S. State Road A1A, Flagler Beach, FL 32136. 386-517-2086. Camping Fee: $28 per night. Reservations: For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
5 state park campgrounds near I-75
Stephen Foster State Park
Way down upon the Suwannee River, and very close to I-75, you’ll find this historic state park dedicated to American composer Stephen Foster. Never mind that he never actually saw the Suwannee River. The museum features exhibits and a 97-bell carillon that plays Foster’s music throughout the day. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking are popular, all near the campground’s 45 oak-shaded sites with electricity, water, picnic table and fire ring. All campsites are ADA accessible. Two ADA accessible restrooms with showers and a dump station. Pets are welcome. (Maximum RV length is 45 feet.)
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, U.S. 41 North, White Springs, FL 32096. Camping Fee: $20. Also, two-bedroom cabins for $100. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
O’Leno State Park
Imagine a river that chugs along gracefully, and then it just disappears! So goes the Santa Fe River as it moves through this mysterious state park with one of the “100 Best Campgrounds in America.” There are miles of hiking, bicycling and nature trails, one of which takes you to the point where the river dips underground. No worries! It reappears three miles later to resume its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The park features sinkholes, dense forest and river swamps. O’Leno has two camping loops with 61 campsites, each with water, electric, in-ground grill, picnic table and a centrally located restroom in each camping area. A dump station and dumpsters on site. Pets are OK in the campgrounds but not in the swimming area, river, youth camps or buildings. (Maximum RV length is 50 feet.)
O’Leno State Park, 410 SE O’Leno Park Road, High Springs, FL 32643. 386-454-1853. Camping Fee: $18 per night. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
Paynes Prairie State Park
Give me a home where the buffalo roam, and you’ve got Paynes Prairie! Wild horses, too! Yes, we’re still in Florida. In fact, it’s pure, unaltered Florida, just like the Spanish explorers found 500 years ago. This vast state park near Gainesville is a National Natural Landmark, a sprawling playground for hikers, bikers, bison, wild horses and sandhill cranes. The heavily shaded campground is near Lake Wauburg and accommodates tents (walk-in), trailers or RVs (back in). The 30 RV sites each have 30-amp electric service, lantern post, fire ring with grill and picnic table. Restrooms are ADA accessible with hot showers, and a central dump station serves recreation vehicles.
Paynes Prairie State Park. 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy FL 32667. Phone 352-545-6000. Camping: $18 per night, plus tax, plus a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee. Includes water and electricity. Primitive tent camping is $5 per person, per night. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
I-75 Exit 358 (15 miles)
Silver Springs State Park
If you haven’t experienced Florida’s most famous spring, you’re missing one of the most beautiful destinations in Florida. Silver Springs also happens to be Florida’s original tourist attraction, where glass-bottom boat trips originated 140 years ago. Those glass-bottom boat tours are still marvelous, the electric boats gliding quietly around the spring so you can peer into a deep, clear waters filled with fish. The campground has 59 spacious sites with water and 30-amp electric hookups; 10 sites offer 50 amp service. All sites have fire ring, a barbecue grill and a picnic table. Two sites are wheelchair accessible with an ADA accessible restroom with showers. Pets are allowed in the campground but not in cabins. (Maximum RV length is 50 feet)
Silver Springs State Park, 1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala, FL 34470. Camping Fee: $24 per night. Cabins available for $110 per night. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Florida’s fourth-largest spring, Rainbow Springs has drawn visitors for thousands of years. What’s that you say? Mastodon and mammoth fossils have been found in the Rainbow River, along with relics of American Indians who used the river for transportation and fishing. In the 1930s, it was a popular tourist attraction. The manmade waterfall (pictured above) was created during that era. Today, there is a newly renovated 105-site campground with full hookups well away from the main spring and day-use area. Campers can launch their canoes or kayaks near their campsites, or you can rent them at the concession at the headspring for a 5.6-mile paddle to the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon. All sites have water, 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric and sewer hook-ups. The restrooms are ADA accessible. A dump station is available. Amenities include a campground store, laundry facilities, recreation hall and laundry. (Maximum RV length is 40 feet.)
Rainbow Springs State Park, 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 344434. 352-465-8555. Camping Fee: $30 per night. For reservations, call 800-326-3521.
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Bob Rountree is a beach bum, angler and camper who has explored Florida for decades. No adventure is complete without a scenic paddle trail or unpaved road to nowhere. Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross 14 years ago.