Last updated on June 19th, 2025 at 08:29 am
A new state law allows Florida residents to book campsites up to 11 months in advance while non-residents arer restricted to a 10-month window.
The law went into effect in 2024 following a persistent outcry from residents that they were getting shut out of state-run campgrounds by snowbirds.
Florida State Parks operates 65 campgrounds within its award-winning 175-park system, and most are booked solid well in advance. The restriction does not apply to other state-managed campgrounds, such as state forests, or federal and county campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prove eligibility?
When booking a campsite through the Florida State Park campground registration system, Florida residents will be asked to register a valid Florida driver’s license number or state ID card number.
Your license or state ID will be matched against records maintained by Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. If residency is confirmed, you will be allowed to proceed with your reservation.
Verification will be required annually, and proof of eligibility is required upon arrival at the campground.
How do I register?
You can register in advance or when you book a campsite through the Florida State Parks reservation system, reserve.floridastateparks.org, or by phone, 800-326-3521.
If you already have an account, log into your account and wade through the simple verification process.
Can a resident reserve a campsite for someone else?
No. Campers must produce a state ID, such as a drivers license, upon arrival at the state park, and the ID must match the name on the reservation.
Non-compliance will result in being turned away at the gate, and violations may also lose their right to make future reservations.
Do Florida residents enjoy preference at state forests and national parks?
No. The resident-preference rule does not apply to campground reservations in state forests, national parks or national forests, nor does it apply to public campgrounds managed by city and county parks.
Most county parks have their own advanced booking rules, including county-resident preferences. Other county and municipal parks do not accept advance reservations.
Do Florida seniors still get a discount?
Yes. Florida residents 65 and over are entitled to a 50% discount on the base camping rate at Florida state parks with camping. The discount does not apply to the $7 daily utility fee charged for recreational vehicles, nor does it apply to cabin rentals.
The 50% discount is also available to Florida citizens with a Social Security disability award certificate or a 100% disability award certificate from the federal government. A 50% discount on the base camping fee is also available to families from a licensed foster home.
Why did the rules change?
Residents have long felt disadvantaged by the crush of visitors from out of state who snap up campsites for prime tourist season. Most state park campgrounds are sold out minutes after sites become available.
Visitors from out of state counter that they pay the bills through sales and tourist taxes, not to mention spending in support of local businesses and jobs. They prefer a level playing field.
The Florida state legislature, responding to pressure from voters, approved the new rules in 2023, and they went into effect in 2024.
Any other changes?
A two-night minimum is required for all cabin rentals in Florida State Parks. Until 2024, the two-night minimum applied only to weekends.
State Parks Reservation web site: reserve.floridastateparks.org
Rejoice campers. No more camping during hurricane season for me. Happy camper.
I do believe that this new rule will only hurt the state parks. Locals tend to only book weekends leaving the week open. We will not make the 1,400 mile drive down to be moving every week. That’s if we can even find a place to stay on a weekend. Say goodbye to lots of state revenue from travelers. Don’t forget the revenue that stores and restaurants will lose. Next year will be our last trip to Florida. There are other states more receptive to our money.
do~nt they get federal funding alabama here we come.
I think giving residents priority is fair. However, there will be even more empty sites resulting from residents booking at very low rates and not using them. Many do not cancel because the rates are so low and they don’t want the cancellation fee. This will likely result in much lower revenue for the state and many unused sites. A better solution is full fees or a smaller discount for residents with priority booking and a smaller cancellation fee.
@Donna Urquhart, the only residents who get a discount are seniors over 65 or 100% disabled, and the discount does not apply to the utilities fee. All other residents pay full price, the same as out-of-state visitors. I would also suggest the $7 daily utilities fee, added to the base camping rate, does make it worthwhile to cancel. All you would lose is the $6.70 non-refundable booking fee and the $17.50 cancellation fee.
I completely understand living near Myrtle Beach, SC. With that said, visitors from other states bring in allot of revenue to our state. I think this is pretty selfish for Florida to allow this to happen. I think Desantis will regret this decision .
@Joellen Webb, As a local Floridian who pays taxes and spends money to support our Florida communities all year, I have been unable to get a campsite in my own state. Definitely looking forward to this. Please don’t forget that we support the state ALL YEAR and find it nearly impossible to get a campsite.
This is great. I will be able to camp during the best time of the year. Much thanks
It’s about time!! Long overdue
I truly understand the frustration of Florida residents concerning camping in their own state parks. I hope that it doesn’t come back and bite the state in the butt as your winter campers from out of state tend to book for 2 weeks whereas residents tend to be weekend partiers . An experienced concerned camper!
@Penelope Brooks,
Tell me you’re a snowbird without telling me you’re a snowbird, living cheap in Florida State Parks, instead of paying rent in a residential RV park.
@SteveG, There is nothing cheap about it. To start it cost me about $2K just to pull my camper from MN to Florida. And don’t forget, most snowbirds are also paying for their residence back at home on top of the cost to camp over the winter. You surely don’t think we sell our homes every winter and snowbird on the cheap right?
As if reservations for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park weren’t impossible already.
Depends on whether you are a Florida resident, Ed. But I agree when it comes to visitors from out of state. Pennekamp is very popular with Florida residents, and the new rules may effectively shut out non-residents.
Thank you for this informative post! And, thank goodness for this change. It’s so frustrating to be a home-state resident and not be able to easily camp in your own state. Will still require some planning and scheduling but it’s a tad bit better.
It was bound to happen. The state parks aren’t campgrounds anymore, they are RV parks for enormous vehicles that rarely fit in the parks. All the comforts of home and even wi-fi. That’s why they are so popular for snowbirds, Florida residents, and full-timers that aren’t even retired but can work from their RV (home). Too many RV’ers and not enough parks! Next they will have to change the campground host rules to open up some more spots. Maybe it would have been better to start with U.S. citizens at 11 months and Canadians at 10. That would definitely have made an impact! I see more Canadian plates on vehicles in the winter than neighboring states plates. Oh, and eliminating golf carts, ATV’s, and large electric bikes (motorcycles) would also help. State parks are for relaxation not places to ride around on motorized toys! Give our wildlife a break!