Last updated on February 13th, 2026 at 08:45 am
Florida is blessed with amazing public parks with campgrounds, especially in our state and national parks. Often overlooked are dozens of county parks that slip under the radar, even those in highly visible recreation destinations.
The big attraction for public parks is affordability. County parks are often more available, accessible and near fun things to do.
We have travelled across the state and spent a few nights at most of these county parks. Others we have visited while camping nearby, paddled nearby rivers or hiked nearby trails. We also listen to other campers like you.
County Campgrounds in Central Florida
Kelly Park/Rock Springs (Orange County) RV and Tent
Kelly Park is the source of scenic Rock Springs Run, which meanders through a striking tropical environment to the pristine Wekiva River, eventually spilling into the St. Johns River. There are only 26 campsites, and every one is spacious, clean and shaded. The sites are arranged in a circle with feeder paths to a central bathhouse. Each site has a fire ring with grill, picnic table, water and electric hookup. Swimming, wading, tubing in the springhead basin. Kayaking from the park’s Camp Joy (fee), adjacent to the campground. Kayak/canoe rentals available downstream at Kings Landing. No pets, no alcohol. Very good security with locked gates, day and night. Camping rate is $23 for out-of-county residents, $18 for Orange County residents. Reservations up to 45 days in advance online at ocfl.net. Campground closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Address: 400 East Kelly Park Road, Apopka Phone: (407) 254-1902.
Related article: Beautiful park, cool swimming, shaded campground
Hardee Lakes Park (Hardee County) RV and Tent.
I wanted to try camping at Hardee Lakes because it looked a little lonely on my maps, a dot in the middle of a lot of nothing, yet on my way to something. What I found was a reclaimed phosphate mine, reimagined into an extraordinary county park with a lakefront campground. A real gem! Lots of room to play. Miles of off-road trails. Fishing in four lakes. Camping for a modest $20-$28 per night. There are horse trails, bike trails and hiking trails, all intersecting with old mine roads throughout the 1,260-acre park. The call of these trails was strong, and I spent much of my visit on my e-Bike. Shore fishing, dock fishing and boat fishing are permitted on all four lakes in, and each lake has a place to launch a kayak. Book your campsite online up to one year in advance, go to app.fireflyreservations.com. Or call the park office at (863) 767-1100. Address: 5502 Ollie Roberts RD, Bowling Green, FL 33834.
Related article: Hardee Lakes Park: Reclaimed mine makes exceptional park
Lake Mills Campground (Seminole County) Tent Only
Lake Mills is a 50-acre park located in the southwest part of Seminole County in Chuluota off Lake Mills Road. The park offers an up-close look at a mixed hardwood swamp, a sandy beach area on the lake and plenty of recreational opportunities. Each camp site offers a picnic table, grill and room for one car to park with overflow parking nearby. All sites are tent only. RV’s, Campers or Trailers are not permitted. Camping area has showers available for registered campers only. No electric or water hookups. Individual Sites (Sites 1-4, 6-14. Up to 6 people): $15+tax/night. Group Site (Site 5. Up to 40 people.): $30+tax/night. Maximum 7 day stay. Lake Mills Park, 1301 Tropical Ave, Chuluota, FL 32766. Phone: 407-665-2190
Moss Park (Orange County) RV and Tent
Moss Park is 1,500 acres on a peninsula between two large lakes, one of which has a swimming beach. Adjacent to the campground is another 2,000 acres in the Split Oak Nature Preserve, great for hiking and orienteering. There are two playgrounds, one near the freshwater beach. Rest rooms with showers; Grill, table, fire ring, water and electric at every site; Dump station; Swim in lake, hiking in the preserve, bike; Boat launches for both lakes; No pets, no alcohol. 24 miles to Disney World. On the night I stayed, a pair of drunk yahoos in a campsite near mine allowed their campfire to spill out of its fire ring, and the woods caught fire. Sites are $23 per night for out-of-county residents, $18 for residents of Orange County. Reservations up to 45 days in advance online at ocfl.net. Address: 12901 Moss Park Rd, Orlando, FL 32832. Phone: (407) 254-6840
Related article: Camping near Disney World: Our 7 picks within an hour’s drive
County Campgrounds in Northeast Florida
Huguenot Park County Campground (Jacksonville) RV and tent
Perched on a sandbar at the mouth of the St. John’s River, the campground is protected from the Atlantic Ocean by high, rolling dunes along 1.5 miles of ocean-facing beach. The park is a popular summer destination for beachgoers. The river is a busy thoroughfare for fishing boats, cargo ships and warships based at the neighboring Mayport Naval Station. On the north side of the park, enjoy small boat access via inland waterways to the sea islands of Northeast Florida. Campground amenities are limited to electric hookups, in-ground grills and picnic tables. Tent sites are $22.70; RV sites, $27.54. Campground reservations can be made online or call (904) 255-4255 from 9 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday. Address: 10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226. Phone: (904) 255-4255.
Read more about this campground: Wind-swept Huguenot Park
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park (Jacksonville) RV and Tent
This 447-acre natural playground includes more than 20 miles of biking and hiking trails through cool woodlands and access to 1.5 miles of white sand beaches with multiple access points. Home to the premier surfing spot in northeast Florida known as “The Poles”. Kayak and bicycle rentals available. Leashed pets OK on beaches. 24-hour security. Tent camping, $18/night; RV, $30; Cabins, $30 (Two night minimum stay.) Address: 500 Wonderwood Drive, Jacksonville 32233. Phone: (904) 249-4700.
Related article: The Talbot Islands: Paradise on the edge
Lake Ashby Park (Volusia County) Tent only
Lake Ashby Park is a former Boy Scout Camp with nature trails, boat ramp, a boardwalk over the lake with fishing pods, and a grassy beach for launching kayaks and canoes. The park also has a playground, volleyball court and picnic pavilions. Primitive tent camping, and you have to pack your gear into the woods from the parking lot. No RVs. The park’s 10 campsites are spacious with plenty of shade for $25/night. Each site has a picnic table, grill and there is a well-maintained rest room but no hot showers. Address: 4150 Boy Scout Camp Road, New Smyrna Beach. Call 386-736-5953.
Related article: Daytona Beach camping guide
Lake Monroe Park (Volusia County) RV and Tent
We camped here a few years ago and found it pleasant enough, though a bit rough around the edges. This is one of Volusia County’s oldest and most popular parks. Recent renovations include boat ramps, floating docks, modern restrooms, picnic pavilions and a new trailhead to the multi-use Lake Monroe-Gemini Springs trail. 44 RV sites and 26 for tents, all with water and electricity. Security seemed marginal on our visit. $40/night for RVs; $25 for tents. Address: 975 U.S. Highway 17-92, DeBary. Call 386-668-3825 for reservations or book your site in person.
Related article: Best Camping near Daytona Beach
Princess Place Preserve (Flagler County) Primitive tent camping
Princess Place preserves 1,500 acres of pristine land midway between St. Augustine and Flagler Beach, offering offers miles of hiking trails under ancient live oaks, a wildlife-rich saltwater marsh perfect for exploring by kayak and primitive camping. There are a dozen tents-only primitive campsites, including an equestrian campsite and a group campsite. The fee for non-county residents is $25 for family sites. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance on the Princess Place Preserve website. Address: 2500 Princess Place Rd, Palm Coast, FL 32137.
Read more: Princess Place Preserve
County Campgrounds in East Central Florida
Manatee Hammock Campground (Brevard County) RV and Tent
This 27-acre RV and tent campground on the Indian River Lagoon is shady and often crowded because it’s close to Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. And that’s exactly why you might like it. The park has a 197-foot fishing pier (Indian River Lagoon), a playground, kayak launch, and a perfect view of Kennedy Space Center rocket launches. Features 166 campsites with electric, water and sewer, and another 20 sites with water and electric only. Rest rooms with hot showers and laundry. Swimming pool. Wi-Fi. Busy campground with good security. Rates are $26/night plus tax. 7275 South US 1, Titusville, FL 32780. Phone: (321) 264-5083. Reservations accepted online at Brevard County WebTrac.
Related article: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Long Point Park (Brevard County) RV and Tent
Long one of our favorites, Long Point has 170 campsites on an 85-acre island with 113 waterfront sites directly on the Indian River Lagoon. Each of the waterfront sites has water and electric hookups. On the interior of the island, there are an additional 57 campsites, some with full hookups. Bring your own shade (the island is barren). Food, beer and bait is available at a convenience store at the corner with A1A. I’ve never had an issue with security, and I’ve camped here often. Camping is $30 per night plus tax (late checkout fee $18). Reservations up to a year in advance. Address: 700 Long Point Rd, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951. Phone: 321-952-4532
Related Article: Sebastian Inlet: Two great campgrounds with plenty to do
Donald MacDonald Campground (Indian River County) 26 Tent, 5 RV
Wooded and shady public campground in Sebastian offers direct access to the St. Sebastian River, which flows into the Indian River Lagoon directly across from Sebastian Inlet. All 31 sites have a fire ring and picnic table. Five sites have electric and water hookups for recreational vehicles, and they can be reserved, but this campground is really about the 26 non-electric sites for tent camping. You’ll share water spigots. A sheriff’s deputy lives in the park (patrol car included) and security is comfortable. Nightly fees are $20 for the primitive sites; $30 for electric (28-31). Reservations accepted online. Address: 12315 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL 32958. Phone: (772) 226-1878.
Read more: Donald MacDonald Park and Campground
County Campgrounds in Southeast Florida
Savannas Recreation Area (St. Lucie County) RV or Tent
The Savannas Recreation Area was a pleasant surprise on our visit, although the park was obviously home for a few homeless campers and there was little security. The park is tucked into a 12-mile-long, 6,000-acre freshwater coastal marsh, the last of its kind in South Florida, sharing the wetlands with the adjacent Savannas Preserve State Park and featuring hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking in shallow marsh “lakes.” The campground offers full hookups — water, sewer, electric — for $26 a night for RVs and $18 for tent campers. Campground reservations can be made by phone or in person up to a year in advance but are not site specific. Address: 1400 E. Midway Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34982. Phone: (772) 464-7855
Related article: The Savannas: An unlikely oasis
Phipps Park Campground (Martin County) RV or ‘Rent A Tent’
Phipps Park features 99 campsites for RVs, including 24 waterfront sites on the Okeechobee Waterway with water and electric hookups for $50-$60 per night. Interior RV sites are $45-$50. Personal tents are not permitted, but the park has 19 safari-style “Adventure Tents” that rent for $35-$40 per night. The 10×10 walled canvas tents are on platforms with grill, picnic table, fire pit are only available from Nov. 1 until May 31. (They get too hot in summer.) Bring your own sleeping bags and gear. Address: 2175 SW Locks Rd, Stuart, FL 34997. For campground reservations, book online or call (772) 287-6565 .
Related article: Phipps Park ideally suited for family outings
Peanut Island (Palm Beach County) Tent camping
Peanut Island has 17 landscaped campsites with tent pad, grill and picnic table. (Sites 1 & 2, 8 & 9, and 15 & 16 are double pads.) Restrooms with hot indoor showers, a picnic pavilion and large fire ring. Swimming and snorkeling for campers and day visitors. Be aware the 79-acre island is surrounded by busy boat channels in the Port of Palm Beach. Camping is $28 per night plus tax for a max three-night stay. Reserve online at www.bookyoursite.com/campgrounds/peanutislandfl or call 561-845-4445. The island is accessible via Peanut Island Shuttle from the Riviera Beach Marina. Map of area: Intracoastal waterway, near the Lake Worth Inlet, Riviera Beach, FL. Phone: 561-845-4445.
Read more: Peanut Island is exceptional park for snorkeling, camping
C.B. Smith Park (Broward County) RV and Tent
Sprawling 300-acre Broward County park with two large lakes and a spacious, well-groomed campground. The water park has two 50-foot water slides (open spring to fall), and facilities include a golf driving range, miniature golf, batting cages, volleyball, basketball, racquetball, tennis, pickle ball, picnic areas and shelters, horseshoes and playground. Good security. Sites are $45/night (Nov. 1-Apr. 30) and $35/night (May 1-Oct. 31). Address: 900 North Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028. Phone: 954-357-5170.
Read more about Camping in Broward County parks near Fort Lauderdale
Markham Park (Broward County) — RVs and Tents
Sitting below a levy that holds back the Everglades, Markham Park is the largest regional park in Broward County encompassing 670 acres, and it features a huge campground, an observatory, a model airplane field, mountain bike trails (and bike rentals), dog park, and a first-class outdoor shooting range. If gunfire throughout the day bothers you, you might not want to camp here. On the southern rim of an Everglades water conservation area, the park also features a boat ramp and great fishing. Address: 16001 West State Road 84, Sunrise, FL 33326. Phone: 954-357-8868.
Read more about Markham Park: Markham Park trail follows Everglades levee
South Bay RV Campground (Palm Beach County) — RVs & Tents
This is not in Disney’s “Central Florida.” It’s South Central Florida on Lake Okeechobee. Spacious and clean campground at the foot of the levee encircling Lake Okeechobee with full hookups and a boat ramp over the levee, this campground is paradise for bass anglers, paddlers and cyclists. Hike or bike the 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, which circles the lake atop the levee. The campground has 72 paved RV sites, each with grill, picnic table, and full hook-ups to water, electric (30/50 amp) and sewer. Rates are $29.38 plus tax for tents and RVs. Reservations must be made by phone or e-mail. Call the campground office at 561-992-9045 or email to SBCamp@pbcgov.org for your reservation. Address: 100 Levee Rd.,South Bay, Florida 33493. Phone: 561-992-9045
Read more about the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
John Prince Park (Palm Beach County) — RVs and Tents
John Prince Park is one of those jealously guarded secrets, but its 300-plus sites are hard to overlook given their location in the heart of Palm Beach County, and 50 of those sites are waterfront on Lake Osborne. Bring your boat and use the campground boat ramp. All sites have water and electric hookups, and there is a dump station available. Water sports, bicycling and walking on paved trails are popular activities throughout the 725-acre park. Camping fees are $31 for waterfront, $29 for interior sites. Add $3 for non-residents. Address: 4759 South Congress Ave., Lake Worth, Florida 33461. Phone: 561-582-7992
TY Park (Broward County) — RVs and Tents
T.Y. Park is smothered in shady Live oak trees that sheltering multiple picnic areas and trails around a lake. The park’s 150 acres include two water playgrounds and a swimming lagoon, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, fishing and a playground. I was impressed with the paved multi-purpose trails for bicyclists and joggers. Not my favorite campground, but it was clean. Rates are $50 per night. The park is only four miles to Hollywood’s North Beach Park, where you can access the city’s beachfront Broadwalk. Address: 3300 North Park Road, Hollywood, FL 33021. Call 954-357-8811 for campground reservations.
Easterlin Park (Broward County) — RVs and Tents
This charming little park is in the heart of Broward County and the closest campground, public or private, to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale (about 7 miles). I’ve never camped here, but it’s near my house and I do use their dump station ($20) when returning from trips. Besides the campground, the 50-acre park includes basketball courts, volleyball, disc golf, horseshoes, shaded picnic areas and hiking on trails with 250-year-old cypress trees. The only drawback is its proximity to busy railroad tracks, which run along the park’s perimeter. Sites are $50 per night. Address: 1000 NW 38th Street, Oakland Park, FL 33309. For reservations, call the park office at 954-357-5190
County Campgrounds in Tampa Bay
Fort De Soto Park (Pinellas County) RV and Tent
Fort De Soto is the largest public campground in the Tampa Bay region with 236 sites, and most are waterfront. One campground loop with 85 sites is exclusively for tents, vans and popup campers. Another loop is set aside for campers with pets. The beaches are consistently ranked among the best in Florida, bicycle trails connect all areas of the park, and you can kayak to offshore islands on a calm day. RV sites, $44-$48, are usually booked solid long in advance, but you can often find availability in the tent section, $34-38. Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715. Phone: (727) 582-2267.
Related article: Fort De Soto Park: Tampa Bay treasure delivers
EG Simmons Park (Hillsborough County) RV and Tent
This 469-acre waterfront park on southern end of Tampa Bay has 110 campsites, and all but a dozen sites are waterfront. Each has a fire ring, picnic table, water and electric hookups with dump station nearby. The sites are spacious, although there is little privacy and little shade. You can launch a kayak from your campsite. Rates: $24/night ($18 for seniors 55+; $12 for seniors 65+ who are county residents). Campground reservations can be booked online. Address: 2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, FL 33570. Phone: (813) 671-7655.
Related article: Best camping near Tampa Bay
Edward Medard Conservation Park (Hillsborough County) RV or Tent
This 1,284-acre park, reservoir and campground near Plant City has 42 sites with water and electric, picnic tables and grills, accommodating RVs, tents and trailers on two loops within a heavily wooded area with a magnificent tree canopy and ground vegetation for privacy. The 700-acre reservoir is a popular fishing hole with boat launch, picnic area, a fishing pier and boardwalk. Kayaks and canoes are available for rental. Rates are $24/night ($18 for seniors age 55+; $12 for county resident seniors over 65.) Campground reservations can be booked online. Address: 6140 Turkey Creek Rd, Plant City, FL. For more information, call (813) 757-3802 or visit the park web site.
Related article: Florida Strawberry Festival
Lithia Springs Conservation Park (Hillsborough County) RV or Tent
The main attraction at this 160-acre Hillsborough County park is its natural spring swimming hole. The spring feeds the Alafia River, offering multiple canoe and kayaking opportunities. Most of the campsites offer good privacy, and the campground is well-maintained. Rates are $24/night ($18 for seniors age 55+, and $12 for age 65+ county residents). Reservations can now be booked online. Address: 3932 Lithia Springs Road, Lithia, FL 33547. Phone:(813) 744-5572.
Related article: Camp at this cool, secluded park near Tampa
Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park (Pasco County) Tents only!
This primitive, tent-only Pasco County campground is managed in partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The park is part of a 18,000-acre water-management preserve with unlimited hiking and a 7-mile paved bike trail, part of the 42-mile Suncoast Trail. The campground is the ultimate prize for tent campers. RV campers are prohibited. There are 16 campsites with restrooms and showers and a small shelter. Water spigots are shared. On the hiking trail, there are three remote primitive sites without amenities. Sites are $15 per night, $10 for backpacking sites. Reservations: Book online up to 30 days in advance. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Boulevard, New Port Richey, FL 34655. Phone: (727) 834-3247.
Read more: Starkey Wilderness Park is a refuge for tent campers
Withlacochee River Park (Pasco County) Tents and RVs
This fun campground on the edge of the Green Swamp is popular with amateur astronomers as a dark-sky park. Aside from the park’s main campground, the St. Petersburg Astronomy Club calls the park’s sprawling Activity Field home on new-moon weekends, and campsites with hookups for water and electric are available in the field. You do not have to be a member, and reservation are not necessary — except during the February New Moon. Non-member camping fees are $25/night with electric or $10/night without. The park’s regular campground has 15 RV sites with water and electric in the woods that you can book in advance. Nightly rate is $25. The campground also has 7 primitive tent sites without hookups for $15/night, and another 8 hike-in sites. For reservations in the main campground, book online. Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525.
County Campgrounds in the Big Bend
Shell Mound Campground (Levy County) RV and Tent
This cool little campground is isolated, ensuring a quiet evening on tidal Suwannee Bay. The park has a long fishing pier and boat ramp. Like most of waters in this area, the muddy flats are shallow and fully exposed at low tide, forcing boaters to time their adventure to the tides. The campground is surrounded by the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, the Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area and the Lower Suwannee River National Wildlife Refuge. Water and electric sites for two people are $16, electric-only sites are $10.90 and tent sites are $5.45, including tax. ($2 for each additional person). Cash only. If you arrive after hours (7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), pick an open campsite and pay in the morning. The campground is remote but you should have plenty of company, mostly anglers. Safety in numbers? Address: 17650 SW 78th Place, Cedar Key, FL. Phone: 352-221-4466
Related article: Six things to do on Cedar Key
Shired Island Park (Dixie County) RV and Tent
Shired Island is on the Gulf edge of Big Bend’s endless saltwater marshes, a 3-acre sliver of sand and muck in the vast Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. We’re talking good fishing out here. Stock up on supplies in Cross City before heading out here. Kayakers launch from the boat ramp or along the beach. The island is a gold mine for shell collectors. Just hike out to the point. The cammpground offers 12 hookup “pads” for RV’ers, with or without electricity. Tent campers are welcome. All camping spots are first-come first-serve. No reservations. An employee of the parks department comes around to collect the camping fee, but there is virtually no security. Weekend campers are often rowdy. Weekdays are best for peaceful camping here. Sites with electric are $20 for non-residents, $10/night for county residents. The maximum stay is 14 nights. Address: 11072 SE Hwy 357, Horseshoe Beach, FL 32648. Phone: 352-498-0009
Read related story: Camping near Cedar Key
Coe Landing Campground (Leon County) RV and Tent
Small campground with 20 sites on Lake Talquin near Tallahassee. Each gravel-based site has electric (30 amp) and water hookups, picnic table and fire ring with grill. Clean restrooms, hot showers, wireless internet, dump station, boat ramps, boat docks, restroom, fishing pier, picnic shelter. Fishing pier and boat launch. $27/night. Reservations online at Leon County Parks. Notes: Expect cold weather over the winter. Address: 1208 Coe Landing Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32310. Phone: (850) 350-9560
Editors Note: There are 67 counties in Florida, and while every county has parks for its residents, only a handful manage campgrounds. These campgrounds are often a cooperative effort with a state agency, such as a water management district or wildlife refuge.
