Florida’s sub-tropical climate is glorious much of the year, but tent camping in summer is a challenge due to smothering humidity.
Camping in Florida
Best affordable camping
Camping should be affordable, but it’s not always so in Florida. Many private campgrounds, especially in Florida’s vacation hot spots, charge more for a campsite than hotels do — because they can!
Florida Rambler is your resource for discovering affordable campgrounds in a natural environment. You’ll find them here…
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Towering dunes, perfect beach, rare lakes
Topsail Hill State Park preserves 3 miles of pristine beach, magnificent white sand dunes and sparkling coastal lakes. With lots of camping and cabin sites, it’s a gem in the Panhandle. The park is one targeted for development by the state with the addition of a 350-room hotel.
Chill spring anchors this shady park with swimming, campground, kayaking near Tampa Bay
Tucked into a corner of Hillsborough County is a small 160-acre preserve with a fabulous swimming hole and shady campground along the Alafia River.
O’Leno State Park: Vanishing river, scenic trails & spacious, wooded campground
One of Florida’s original state parks, O’Leno State Park is a wonderland of forest trails and mysterious lakes. The densely wooded campground erases all reminders of civilization, a serene haven not far from busy Interstate 75.
Planning your Florida camping trip
Camping veterans know that planning a successful Florida camping trip in any season, but especially the busy winter season, takes advance planning and a lot of patience.
Kayaking the Indian River Lagoon: Island hopping to picnic, even camp
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.
Manatee Hammock: Waterfront camping near Kennedy Space Center
I’ve camped a few times at this Brevard County park in Titusville, enjoying its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral National Seashore and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. And I’ve used it as a base for exploring Cocoa Beach.
Stunning Panhandle beaches with camping
These state parks with camping along the Gulf coast feature Florida’s most beautiful beaches.
Fort De Soto Campground: Hard to get. Worth the trouble.
Nearly half of the 236 campsites at Fort DeSoto are waterfront, allowing you to launch a kayak from your back yard. And while these sites are hard to get, the price is right.
Hillsborough River State Park offers historic charm, shady campground, lots to do outdoors
Hillsborough River State Park has been closed since October after getting slammed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Fabulous Florida wilderness camping: Paddling Flamingo to Cape Sable
Cape Sable is 11 miles from Flamingo, the end of the road in Everglades National Park. It’s a wild and wonderful destination for a canoe/kayak camping adventure.
Best camping in Southeast Florida parks
The best South Florida camping can be found in these 17 public parks, which are managed by counties, the state and federal governments.