Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area At Flagler Beach
This small, 145-acre park, sits on the shores of Floridas Atlantic Ocean the the Intercoastal Waterway, where one can watch dolphins and manatees swimming up and down the river. There is a butterfly garden at Gamble Rogers, as well as opportunities to view plenty of species of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Primitive Camping At Shell Key Preserve:
All Shell Key campers are required to obtain a Shell Key Camping Permit. Permits will be available for $6 per day, with a limit of 6 guests for each permit. Campers must be listed on the permit. A vessel registration is required.
Camping permit does not include the Fort De Soto boat ramp / beach parking fee.
Please respect and appreciate the wonderful natural resource of Shell Key Preserve. Shell Key Preserve is a sensitive environmental area and good stewardship is required to ensure that the islands and waterways remain intact for future generations. It is really important to follow the Shell Key Rules, since through your actions, Shell Key Preserve can remain a welcoming place for generations to come.
A “leave no trace” camping ethic is expected at all times from visitors to the preserve. Access to Shell Key is by watercraft only. There are no facilities at Shell Key Preserve, and campers are required to bring, use and remove portable toilets. Camping is allowed only in the southernPublic Use Area. Within this designated area, there are no defined campsites so visitors are free to select a camping location of their choice. Alcohol, pets, littering, nudity, fireworks and excessive noise are prohibited at all times in the Preserve.
Hillsborough River State Parkthonotosassa Florida
Hillsborough River has some rare class II white water rapids, so for river running enthusiasts, a visit here is a must.
Although not frequent, this state park is a well-loved locale for reenactments at Fort Foster, a Second Seminole War-era fort. As such, cannons and guns can and do go off. Otherwise, theyre silent, a piece of history in the civil war.
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Here Are The 20 Florida State Parks With Camping Cabins
Jonathan Dickinson State Park Central Coast
History meets nature at this largest state park in Southeast Florida.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park spans almost 11,500 acres and is located on the former site of a World War II secret training school.
History enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the remnants of those buildings, as well as learning about the shipwrecked Quaker merchant the park was named for.
On the nature front, park visitors can experience 16 unique natural environments along the Loxahatchee River. These habitats teem with a variety of wildlife and rare bird species.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park has 2 RV campgrounds: Pine Grove Campground and The River Campground. RVers enjoy spacious, level campsites convenient to park activities.
Basic Amenities:
How to make a reservation?
Call 1-800-326-3521 or visit HERE.
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Camping In Cayo Costa State Park
The campground is small and, during peak season, it can be hard to get a reservation. If you dont have your own boat or kayak, there is a ferry that shuttles campers and visitors to the island. Bring everything youll need with you, as there isnt much on the island. There is a tram that brings you and your gear to the campground.
There are 27 campsites and 12 cabins to choose from. All are a hop away from a gorgeous, secluded long stretch of soft white sands and that magical Gulf Coast water.
Welcome To Big Lagoon State Park
Natural communities, ranging from saltwater tidal marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety of birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations.
Think of Big Lagoon State Park as a gateway. It not only offers swimming, boating, fishing, camping, hiking and paddling, but adventurers also can begin or end a 1,515-mile sea kayaking journey on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail around the entire state. The top half of a kayak embedded in sand marks the launch site along with a box containing a weathered log book.
The park is also a gateway for the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The park is a stopover for more than 23 species of wood-warbler and a variety of ducks, sandpipers and black-bellied plovers. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from the ranger station and roam the shore and extensive coastal forest, or climb the three-story observation tower for a birds-eye view.
Begin your outdoor adventure at Big Lagoon State Park!
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Lion Country Safari Koa
The Lian Country Safari park truly is a thing to behold. As its name says, its basically a miniature safari right in the heart of Florida! Granted, its more of a theme-park version of an African safari, but its without a doubt the next best thing you can find. The camp is spread over 320 acres of preserved wilderness, so theres a lot of ground to cover for any fans of hiking or jogging.
Its a stunning combination of a drive-through wilderness preserve and an entertainment park. You can hand-feed giraffes, visit the petting zoo or the animal theatre and even see a dinosaur exhibit. The activities are basically endless, along with all the associations that a safari brings. There are riding carousels, golf courses, and a whole host of sports to play such as volleyball, basketball, shuffle boarding, and many others.
The park is a paradise for children, and can easily make adults feel like children. If long to visit Africa, you may consider Lion Country Safari a sort of a preview of what to expect. The best of all is that the park fully supports RV camping with all the necessary facilities and amenities.
They offer full hookups, the 30/50 amp support, pools, hot tubs, and showers. The basic camping sites without hookups cost $9, whereas the fully equipped ones are $50 per night. Hookup campsites can house up to 6 people per site, so they support a larger family. The park has full Wi-Fi and cell reception, along with churches, malls, and all modern facilities.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Floridas fourth-largest spring, Rainbow Spring and the Rainbow River has been a draw to humans for thousands of years. Today, it is a popular Florida State Park for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking and tubing.
The park has a 60-site campground with full hookups about 1-½ miles downstream from the main headspring and day-use area. Campers can launch their own canoes or kayaks on the river near their campsites, or rent them at the concession at the headspring for the 5.6-mile paddle along the Rainbow River to the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon.
All sites have water, 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric and sewer hook-ups with ADA accessible restrooms. A dump station is located between the upper and lower campgrounds. Amenities include a campground store, laundry facilities, recreation hall, showers and restrooms, laundry,
Rainbow Springs State Park, 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 344434. 352-465-8555. Camping Fee: $30*. For reservations, call
Exit 266 Thonotassa
There is a sense of history in the air when camping in the forest at Hillsborough River State Park, a sprawling safe haven for birds and other wildlife on 2,990 acres near Tampa.
It was here, a strategic river crossing, where native Seminole Indians held the line in their battle for survival against the invaders. That was us.
Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassas, FL 33592. 987-6771. Camping fee: $24*. For reservations, call
For the Best Camping near Tampa, read this article.
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Camping In T H Stone Memorial St Joseph Peninsula State Park
Although a popular spot for day-use, camping is available at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. The park is over 2500 acres of rolling dunes, white sand beaches, and a forested interior.
For a stay in this peaceful Florida state park, camping is available in three different zones. There are 8 cabins on the shores of St. Josephs Bay, 1 camping loop in the shade of the inland forest, and one loop with waterfront sites facing the Gulf. In all, there are 115 sites to choose from for your stay.
Little Manatee River State Park
Exit 240 Ruskin
This is a big state park 2,416 acres full of great recreation opportunities and home to a beautiful, secluded campground shaded by live oaks and pines in a mature forest.
The Little Manatee River offers days of kayaking opportunities along a pristine river with clear water, a white sandy bottom and shaded banks. Rent kayaks inside the park for short out-and-back paddles, or you can use the services of an outfitter adjacent to the park, who will provide livery service for three different segments of this gorgeous river, ranging from challenging all-day paddles to an easy three-hour float.
The campground has 34 campsites with full hookups. There are also equestrian campsites available and a primitive backpacking campsite , which entails a 2.5-mile hike. The primitive site has a picnic table and fire ring.
Little Manatee River State Park, 215 Lightfoot Rd., Wimauma, FL 33598. 671-5005. Camping fee: $22*. For reservations, call
Exit 220 Bradenton
Dont look for manatees here. They cant get past the dam that formed this 2,400-acre reservoir. But you can fish here in a kayak, canoe or small motorboat .
Theres a freshwater swimming beach with cool, clean water and three miles of lakefront to explore at this Florida State Park. Round out your outdoor fun with bicycle trails, on- and off-road, and four and a half-miles of hiking trails. Canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals are available.
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Little Manatee River State Parkwimauma Florida
This park is a hidden gem on the outskirts of Tampa. Little Manatee River has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, in addition to being a part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. What does this mean? Due to the quality of the water and the states efforts on preservation, Little Manatee River State Park offers visitors the chance to observe rare ecosystems found in this park.
There are superb hiking trails, full service camping, and over 15 miles of multi-use trails .
Florida Caverns State Park
For something a little bit more unique, theres the Florida Caverns State Park. This is one of the few parks suitable for RV camping, where you can explore cave systems in all their atmospheric beauty. There are special tours that can familiarize you with their inner structure and every nook and cranny. Youll be seeing limestone stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and all similar rock formations.
The camp also has a ton of other activities you can participate in. There are bike and golf courses, geo-seeking, swimming, and paddling to prevent you from ever getting bored.
Florida Caverns State Park was hit by the Hurricane Michael back in 2018, and many of its facilities were damaged. Since then, the reconstruction effort has been in place with maximum efficiency, and now, almost everything is restored to its initial beauty.
The cave network has a new state-of-the-art LED system that illuminates them perfectly without harming the ecosystem. Flashlights are no longer necessary inside the caves, and you can explore easily without any distractions.
Guided tours are available throughout the year, but be sure to arrive early as the tickets sell out quickly. Groups of up to 20 people can head inside, and the prices are $10 per person for adults with discounts for children.
The park has 35 RV sites with full hook-ups, back-in, and pull-through sites, and also 30/50 amp plugs. Daily rates start from $20, so the park is on the affordable side, despite the services being top-notch.
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Camping In Myakka River State Park
There are four designated spots for Myakka State Park camping staying a night or two within Myakka River State Parks boundaries.
Big Flats Campground is a bit more off-the-beaten path, and coincidentally, also the campground located nearest Upper Myakka Lake. Aim to snag a campsite here if you enjoy peaceful nights on the water.
Falling Waters State Parkchipley Florida
This state park, based on the highest waterfall in Florida, is in North Florida and a popular stopping point for road trippers on their way further south. It deserves its own stay, however, as its a migratory stopover for butterflies, as well.
A fun bit of trivia about the park? No one knows where the nearly 73 foot waterfall finally ends.
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Camping In Henderson Beach State Park
54 campsites spaced around 4 different campground loops, like most Florida state parks camping along the Gulf, Henderson Beach State Park includes incredible swimming in its warm ocean waters.
This is a popular park for weddings or family events rent the campground and get married right on the beach in one of the most stunning areas of Florida.
Camping In Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Hobe Mountain, an ancient sand dune, is home to some truly rare ecosystem: its not found anywhere else in the world. While a day visit to is certainly worth it at this Florida state park, camping is highly recommended: theres simply too much to see and do in one day.
There are 132 campsites for RVs and tents 10 of those are cabin sites.
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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Location: Key Largo, Florida
About the Park
Another awesome state park in the Florida Keys, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers amazing underwater experiences. Renowned for being the countrys first undersea park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park encompasses an impressive 70 nautical square miles. While many visitors view the parks colorful coral reefs and teeming marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour, one can get an even closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.
About the RV Campground
Back on land, the campground has 42 campsites with full RV hookups, a picnic table and a grill. Most sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. The sites also offer level, gravel pads. A bathhouse is available for campers, and a short nature trail can be accessed directly from the campground.
Silver Springs State Park North Central Florida
The underwater world of the Silver Springs comes into clear focus during a glass-bottom boat tour at Silver Springs State Park Floridas oldest attraction!
Since the 1870s, guests have enjoyed peering into the turquoise waters of the Silver Springs and other springs that feed into the Silver River.
They are amazed to see the many species of fish, as well as historic artifacts and even sunken props from the 1960s TV show I Spy.
Other activities include bicycling, horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking.
RVers appreciate that the campground sites are very spacious and level and that the grounds are tree-covered for a good amount of shade.
Basic Amenities:
How to make a reservation?
Call 1-800-326-3521 or visit HERE.
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Camping In Fort Clinch State Park
Bring your shell bags, this state park has a seemingly endless supply of sharks teeth on the beaches of Fort Clinch. This is a popular park among history buffs for its historic fort, and camping here feels decidedly like youre taking a step back in time.
There are 58 sites to choose from, with two loops in opposing ends. The campground is open for reservations year-round.
Free Camping In Florida
Where the state parks can be difficult to get into and private RV parks often dangle a pricey nightly rate, free camping across the state is luckily abundant. From complimentary overnight parking at local Walmarts, casinos and Interstate rest stops to free spots at county parks, fishing docks, and national forests, the thrifty RVer is never far from free camping in Florida.
For generations, travelers in search of a destination like no other in these United States have flocked to Florida, and the states economy and culture has risen up to meet their needs. From the Panhandle to the Keys, Florida promises a place to pull up next to a picnic table and a fire ring and call home.
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Happy Camping In The Florida Keys
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Alafia River State Parklithia Florida
Alafia River State Park was once a phosphate mine in Central Florida, and it features some of the most dramatic elevation changes in the entire state. Because of this, its a hot spot for mountain bikers and equestrians wanting to explore Floridas landscape through 20 miles of forests, flatwoods, and rolling hills.
In fact, its such a popular mountain biking spot, that theres a full service bike shop at the state park. There are freshwater swimming spots throughout the state park, and its an excellent birding, canoeing, and hiking spot in a lush and varied landscape on Floridas central west coast.
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