The North Florida campgrounds are wonderfully diverse. You'll see a lot
of campgrounds surrounding natural springs, and there's a good reason -- the
springs are awesome! But you'll also find oceanfront campgrounds,
riverside sites and an unusual prairie campground.
Some of the North Florida parks and campgrounds are "out in the boondocks"
and some are close to good-sized cities.
North Florida campgrounds have definite seasons. Summers are busy, with
sites filling up quickly. Spring and Fall weekends also tend to get their
fair share of campers, especially on holiday weekends. Winters are
generally quieter, but still enjoyable (if for nothing but the solitude).
North Florida camping weather can be a little extreme at times. Summers
can find you hovering near 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 100% humidity.
Winters can find you down in the 20's with chattering teeth. Spring and
Fall are glorious times, with fewer insects and more temperate weather.
Plan to dress in layers, especially from late October through March. Oh,
and in Summer, do not forget the insect repellant! Trust me on this one --
the insects can drive you crazy without repellant.
Tent campers -- The interior parts of North Florida are thunderstorm and
lightening-prone in the Summer. This means that it's not the best camping
for you. Think about reserving a cabin if you have your heart set on
Summer, or decide on a different time of year.
Reservations for most North Florida campgrounds can be made through
Reserve
America through their website or by calling (800) 326-3521. You'll see
links in the Reservation section for each park if Reserve America will book for
you. Otherwise, call the phone number listed for the campground for more
information.
Most campsites are accessible by small to medium RVs and pop-ups. If
you have a really big RV (you know who you are), check with the individual
campgrounds to verify that they can accommodate you.
One final note: if you need to pick up some camping supplies before you
head on out for your adventure, check out
Basspro.com. Don't let the name fool you
-- they are not just fishing, but have tons of camping, clothes and hunting goods too!
(My husband likes them so much he asks for gift certificates every year for his
birthday.)
So, what are the campgrounds in North Florida? Here they are, in
alphabetical order:
Alexander Springs Recreation Area (Ocala National Forest)
Number of Sites: 50, none with electricity
Cabins: None
Rates: $18.87 per night. This is a federal campground,
so a $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your
reservation.
Notes: Alexander Springs is inside the Ocala National Forest,
close to Ocala and Silver Springs. Amenities include restrooms,
grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, hiking trails, canoe
rentals, swimming and a dump station. If you are a certified
diver, add scuba diving in the springs to the list.
Rates: $23 per night. All sites have electricity and
water.
Notes: Located near St. Augustine, you are near lots of
attractions. This is a beachfront park, and the campgrounds in the
park reflect that, with names like Coquina, Sea Bean and Sand Dollar.
Amenities include restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing,
boating, hiking trails, swimming, beachcombing, snack bar, canoe
rentals, bike rentals and a dump station.
Cabins: 5 Cabins which sleep 6 each. Electricity and air
conditioning included.
Rates: $90 per night
Notes: Located on the famous Suwannee River near the Gulf of
Mexico this is a secluded campground. As of November 2005, the
cabins are brand new. Amenities include restrooms, grills, picnic
areas, play area, swimming, snorkeling, canoe rentals and boardwalk
trail. For more information about the park and services click here.
Rates: $14 per night. All campsites have electricity and
water.
Notes: Faver-Dykes is located about 15 miles south of St.
Augustine, which has plenty to see and do. Amenities include
restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, boating, hiking
trails, swimming, snack bar, canoe rentals and a dump station.
Rates: $22 per night. All sites except youth have
electricity and water.
Notes: Fort Clinch is located near Jacksonville, the largest
city in North Florida. Amenities include restrooms, grills, hot
showers, picnic areas, playground, fishing, hiking trails, biking
trails, swimming, small store, gift house, vending machines and a dump
station.
Rates: $23 per night. All sites come with water and
electric. Oceanfront sites are available.
Notes: Gamble Rogers is between St. Augustine and Daytona
Beach. Amenities include restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic
areas, fishing, canoeing, boat ramp, hiking trails, biking trails,
swimming, snorkeling and a dump station.
Juniper Springs Recreational Area (Ocala National Forest)
Number of Sites: 79
Cabins: None
Rates: $18.45 per night. This is a federal campground,
so a $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your
reservation.
Notes: Located near Ocala and Silver Springs. Amenities
include restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoeing,
canoe rental, hiking trails, swimming, laundry facilities and a dump
station.
Rates: $19 per night. All sites have water and
electricity.
Notes: Located near Jacksonville. Amenities include
restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoe rentals,
canoeing, hiking trails, bike rentals, biking trails, swimming, small
medical facility and a dump station.
Rates: $19 per night. All sites have water and
electricity.
Notes: Located on the Nature Coast area of Florida - no
large cities nearby. Amenities include restrooms, grills, hot
showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoe rentals, canoeing, hiking trails,
biking, swimming, snorkeling, snack bar, vending machines and a dump
station. Primitive youth camping is also available.
Rates: Campsites are $16 per night. Not all have water
and/or electricity. Cabins are $55 per night for 4-person cabin
with air conditioning. Cabins for 6 people range from $65 to $90
per night with air conditioning.
Notes: Located near Gainesville. Amenities include
restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoe rentals,
canoeing, hiking trails, biking, playground and a dump station.
Nine of the cabins have fireplaces. Primitive youth camping is
also available.
Rates: $15 per night. All sites have water and
electricity.
Notes: Located near Gainesville. Amenities include
restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoe rentals,
canoeing, hiking trails, bike rentals, biking trails, swimming,
playground, museum and a dump station.
Rates: $15 per night. All sites have water and
electricity.
Notes: Located near Gainesville. Amenities
include restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, canoeing,
hiking trails, bike trails, overnight backpacking and a dump
station.
Rates: $19 per night. All sites have electricity
and water.
Notes: Located on the Nature Coast area of Florida - no
large cities nearby. Amenities include restrooms, grills, hot
showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoe rentals, canoeing, hiking trails,
biking, swimming, snorkeling, snack bar, vending machines and a dump
station.
Salt Springs Recreation Area (Ocala National Forest)
Number of Sites: 160, some sites are tent only.
Cabins: None
Rates: $14 per night. This is a federal campground,
so a $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your
reservation. Tent sites do not have water or electricity.
Notes: Located near Ocala and Silver Springs. Amenities
include restrooms, grills, showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoeing,
hiking trails, swimming and a dump
station.
Rates: Cabins are $90 per night and sleep 6 each. They
include water, sewer, electricity and air conditioning. Campsites
are $16 and include water and electricity.
Notes: Located near White City, a small town. Amenities
include restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, hiking
trails, biking, laundry room, snack bar, vending machines and a dump
station.
Rates: Cabins are $90 per night and sleep 6 each. They
include water, sewer, electricity and air conditioning. Campsites
are $15 and include water and electricity.
Notes: Located near Live Oak. Amenities include
restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoeing, hiking
trails, laundry room, playground, vending machines and a dump station.
Rates: $20 per night. All sites include water and
electricity.
Notes: Located near Daytona Beach. Amenities
include restrooms, grills, hot showers, picnic areas, fishing, canoe
rentals, canoeing, hiking trails, bike rentals, bike trails, playground,
vending machines and a dump station.
