Camping in Florida

Camping, kayaking, hiking, biking and a humongous swimming pool are the top features of this state park that straddles the Hillsborough River.

Glamping in Florida is now offered in four state and one national park, where some fancy tents come with chandeliers. The idea: Be in the wild, but be comfy. Newest addition: Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa.

The Florida Folk Festival marks its 70th year at Stephen Foster State Park over Memorial Day Weekend 2022. The annual event celebrates Florida’s land, people and diverse cultural heritage.

Princess Place Preserve is a big, scenic park with miles of hiking, excellent tent camping, comfy cabins and a historic buiding with an intriguing story. Flagler County is full of great parks, but this one, in an out-of-the-way location, is worth discovering.

Beach camping in Florida is living the dream. Stars in the sky, surf softly lapping ashore, shorebirds gliding. Let’s go camping!

If you think all there is to the Suwanee River is an old song with problematic lyrics, you’re missing out on one of Florida’s greatest kayaking, canoeing and camping rivers.

Peanut Island, reached only by boat in Riviera Beach, has clear turquoise water full of visible sea life. It’s great for a picnic at the beach — even camping. It’s an exceptional county park.

The park is beautiful, the swimming is fabulous and paddling opportunities are numerous. Blue Spring State Park in southwestern Volusia County has something special year-round.

If you haven’t experienced Florida’s most famous spring, you’re missing one of the most beautiful spots in Florida. This weekend, Ocali Country Days, a special living-history festival, will re-create the Ocala of the 1800s. Year-round, this park has it all: kayaking, hiking, glass-bottom boat rides, horseback riding and terrific cabins.

Folks who dream of picnicking or even camping on their own little island can do just that quite easily by kayaking the Indian River Lagoon. There are dozens of spoil islands in the lagoon that make great paddling destinations.

It’s Daytona Speedweek! You’re a little late to snare a campground near Daytona Beach for this year’s big events — but there’s always next year. Get started!

The best Southwest Florida camping can be found in public parks, beaches and forests where the costs are low and experience is wild.

Faver Dykes State Park offers excellent kayaking, productive fishing and woodsy camping just 15 miles from historic St. Augustine.

O’Leno State Park is a Florida treasure. It is here that the Santa Fe River vanishes, only to re-emerge a few miles south to continue its scenic crawl to the Gulf of Mexico.,

Winter is the best time for Everglades camping in both Everglades National Park and Big Cypress Preserve. Options run from recreational vehicles to tents in the back country and glamping.

Curry Hammock State Park is a hidden island in the Florida Keys near Marathon right off US 1. It has excellent camping and a swimming beach safe for kids. The park offers a kayak trail that is perfect for a short, inexpensive paddling experience. (They rent kayaks and SUPs.)

The best South Florida camping can be found in these 17 public parks, which are managed by counties, the state and federal governments.