Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in Florida (With Travel Guide)

Florida, known as the "Sunshine State," is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering pristine beaches, lush Everglades, crystal-clear springs, and diverse wildlife. Whether you're seeking beachside camping, swamp adventures, or forest retreats, Florida has some of the most unique camping experiences in the U.S.

Below are the top 10 camping destinations in Florida, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging)
✅ Important tips & safety advice

1. Everglades National Park (Flamingo & Everglades City) – Swamp & Wildlife Camping
🌿 Highlights:
Largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. (alligators, crocodiles, manatees)
Airboat tours, kayaking in mangroves, and hiking trails
Flamingo Visitor Center (ocean access & flamingo sightings)
Starry night skies (minimal light pollution)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
November–April (dry season, 60-80°F, fewer mosquitoes)
Summer = extremely hot & humid (90°F+) with heavy rain & bugs
Winter = best for wildlife viewing (drier & cooler)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Flamingo Campground (oceanfront, basic sites), Long Pine Key (near Homestead)
Everglades City (30 mins) has small grocery stores & lodges
Miami (1.5 hours) for full services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Alligators are common—keep a safe distance
Mosquitoes are fierce in summer—bring repellent
Bring lots of water (it’s very dry in winter but hot)

2. Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key) – Beachfront Paradise
🏖️ Highlights:
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida (white sand, turquoise water)
Snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing
Historic Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge (great for photos)
Stargazing with ocean views
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
November–April (dry season, 70-85°F, no hurricanes)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain & bugs
Peak tourist season = March & April (spring break crowds)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Bahia Honda Campground (oceanfront sites with electricity)
Big Pine Key (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Key West (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are essential in peak season (book months ahead)
Ocean swimming has strong currents—swim near lifeguards
Bring reef-safe sunscreen (protects marine life)

3. Ocala National Forest (Silver Springs & The Villages) – Springs & Forest Camping
💧 Highlights:
Crystal-clear springs (Silver Springs, Juniper Springs) for swimming & kayaking
Hiking trails through pine forests & sandhills
Wildlife viewing (deer, turkeys, black bears)
Off-road vehicle (ORV) trails
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
October–April (cool & dry, 50-80°F)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain
Spring = wildflowers bloom
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Juniper Springs Campground (near springs), Alexander Springs
Ocala (30 mins) has supermarkets, restaurants, & gas
Gainesville (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Swimming in springs is cold year-round (72°F)
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Some trails are sandy & strenuous

4. Fort De Soto Park (Tierra Verde) – Historic Beach & Camping
🏰 Highlights:
Five interconnected islands with beaches & nature trails
Historic Fort De Soto (19th-century military fort)
Kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching
One of the top-rated beaches in the U.S.
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
November–April (dry season, 70-85°F, no hurricanes)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain
Spring break = crowded in March & April
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Fort De Soto Campground (oceanfront sites with electricity)
Tierra Verde (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
St. Petersburg (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are highly recommended in peak season
Ocean swimming has rip currents—swim near lifeguards
Bring bug spray (mosquitoes near mangroves)

5. Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine) – Historic Coastal Camping
🏛️ Highlights:
Beaches with sea oats & tidal pools
Kayaking in Salt Run (manatee sightings)
Historic St. Augustine (oldest city in the U.S.) nearby
Birdwatching (ospreys, pelicans)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
November–April (dry season, 60-80°F)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain
Spring break = crowded in March & April
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Anastasia Campground (oceanfront sites)
St. Augustine (15 mins) has supermarkets, restaurants, & gas
Jacksonville (45 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are essential in peak season
Ocean swimming has strong currents—swim near lifeguards
Bring reef-safe sunscreen

6. Withlacoochee State Forest (Brooksville) – Forest & Lakes Camping
🌲 Highlights:
Hiking & biking trails through pine forests
Lake Panasoffkee (fishing & boating)
Wildlife viewing (deer, wild turkeys, black bears)
Off-road vehicle (ORV) trails
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
October–April (cool & dry, 50-80°F)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain
Spring = wildflowers bloom
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Withlacoochee Campground (primitive & RV sites)
Brooksville (20 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Tampa (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Some areas are remote—bring extra supplies
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Ticks & chiggers are common in summer

7. Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key) – Beachfront Camping
🏖️ Highlights:
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida (white sand, turquoise water)
Snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing
Historic Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge (great for photos)
Stargazing with ocean views
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
November–April (dry season, 70-85°F, no hurricanes)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain & bugs
Peak tourist season = March & April (spring break crowds)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Bahia Honda Campground (oceanfront sites with electricity)
Big Pine Key (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Key West (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are essential in peak season (book months ahead)
Ocean swimming has strong currents—swim near lifeguards
Bring reef-safe sunscreen (protects marine life)

8. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (Port St. Joe) – Gulf Coast Beach Camping
🏖️ Highlights:
White sand beaches & clear Gulf waters
Fishing, kayaking, and shelling
Hiking trails through dunes & forests
Fewer crowds than Panama City Beach
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
October–April (dry season, 60-80°F)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain & storms
Hurricane season = June–November (check forecasts)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: St. Joseph Peninsula Campground (oceanfront sites)
Port St. Joe (15 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Panama City (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are recommended in peak season
Ocean swimming has rip currents—swim near lifeguards
Bring bug spray (mosquitoes near marshes)

9. Highlands Hammock State Park (Sebring) – Cypress Swamps & Hanging Moss
🌳 Highlights:
Hanging Spanish moss & ancient cypress trees
Hiking & biking trails through a lush forest
Swinging bridge & picnic areas
Wildlife viewing (deer, wild turkeys, gators)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
October–April (cool & dry, 50-80°F)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain
Spring = wildflowers bloom
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Highlands Hammock Campground (tent & RV sites)
Sebring (15 mins) has supermarkets, restaurants, & gas
Lake Placid (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Some trails are shaded & humid—stay hydrated
Alligators are present—keep a safe distance
Bring bug spray (mosquitoes in summer)

10. Grayton Beach State Park (Santa Rosa Beach) – Scenic Dunes & Beach Camping
🏖️ Highlights:
Tall coastal dunes & sugar-white sand
Blue-green waters of Western Lake (kayaking & fishing)
Hiking trails through coastal forests
Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
October–April (dry season, 60-80°F)
Summer = hot & humid (90°F+) with frequent rain & bugs
Spring break = crowded in March & April
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Grayton Beach Campground (oceanfront sites)
Santa Rosa Beach (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Destin (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Reservations are essential in peak season
Ocean swimming has strong currents—swim near lifeguards
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Final Tips for Camping in Florida
✔ Reservations are highly recommended in peak season (Nov-Apr)
✔ Bugs (mosquitoes, no-see-ums) are fierce—bring strong repellent
✔ Ocean & freshwater swimming has risks—swim near lifeguards
✔ Wildlife (alligators, bears) is common—respect their space

Florida offers some of the most diverse camping in the U.S.—from beachfront paradise to swamp adventures. Whether you want a relaxing ocean escape or a forest hike, these 10 camping spots will give you an unforgettable experience. 🏕️🌴🏖️