Camping in Florida

A complete guide to camping in Florida

Sunset over Florida's Everglades, a serene camping destination in the Sunshine State

Photo Credit: A Kuney

Overview

Florida camping happens at sea level. The highest campground in the state sits barely 200 feet above the ocean, and most are within earshot of saltwater or freshwater. The state's 1,350 miles of coastline create a camping scene dominated by beach access, tidal marshes, and barrier island campgrounds. The Atlantic side runs from Jacksonville's dunes south through Flagler and Cocoa Beach to the Keys. The Gulf side stretches from the Panhandle's sugar-sand beaches through Naples and into the Everglades.

Inland Florida offers a different landscape. The central lake region around Okeechobee and Lakeland supports a large RV community that stays through winter. Cypress swamps, spring-fed rivers, and pine flatwoods make up the interior terrain. Ocala National Forest and the Kissimmee Prairie anchor the public-land camping options. The state's subtropical climate means camping is a year-round activity, though summer brings intense heat, daily thunderstorms, and mosquitoes that test even experienced campers. Winter is peak season, when snowbirds fill campgrounds from November through March.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Florida

Spring

Mar-May

High 76°F · Low 64°F

Comfortable temperatures before summer humidity sets in. Spring break crowds thin by April. Good window for beach camping and kayaking in the Keys and Gulf coast.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 87°F · Low 75°F

Hot and humid with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Mosquitoes peak near standing water. Beach campgrounds remain popular but inland sites see lower occupancy. Hurricane season begins June 1.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	76°F	64°F	Comfortable temperatures before summer humidity sets in.
Summer	Jun-Aug	87°F	75°F	Hot and humid with daily afternoon thunderstorms.
Fall	Sep-Nov	76°F	64°F	September and October remain hot with active hurricane season.
Winter	Dec-Feb	65°F	53°F	Peak camping season.

Camping Regions in Florida

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Gulf Coast and Panhandle	Coastal	Destin, Panama City Beach, Naples, St. Petersburg
Atlantic Coast	Coastal	Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Cocoa Beach, Key West
Central Lakes and Okeechobee	Lakefront	Okeechobee, Lakeland, Lake Wales, St. Cloud
Everglades and South Florida	Coastal	Ochopee, Homestead, Key Largo
North Florida and Springs	Forest	Ocala, High Springs, Lake City

Gulf Coast and Panhandle

Coastal · Destin, Panama City Beach, Naples, St. Petersburg

White sand beaches from Pensacola through Panama City and south to Naples. The Panhandle offers the most traditional beach camping experience in the state. Campgrounds sit behind dunes with direct beach access. The Big Bend coast south of Tallahassee is less developed, with marshland and oyster bars replacing sandy beaches. Bayview RV Campground in Destin, Sun Outdoors Panama City Beach, and Camp Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach anchor the panhandle corridor.

Atlantic Coast

Coastal · Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Cocoa Beach, Key West

Florida's eastern shore runs from Amelia Island near Jacksonville south through Daytona, Cocoa Beach, and Palm Beach to Miami. State parks like Anastasia and Sebastian Inlet offer beachfront camping. The Intracoastal Waterway parallels the coast. Campgrounds tend to be more urban here than the Gulf side. North Beach Camp Resort near St. Augustine and Flamingo Lake in Jacksonville provide the primary north-coast options.

Central Lakes and Okeechobee

Lakefront · Okeechobee, Lakeland, Lake Wales, St. Cloud

The interior lake region around Okeechobee, Lakeland, and the Kissimmee chain attracts long-term RV campers who winter in the mild central Florida climate. Flat terrain with cattle ranches, citrus groves, and freshwater fishing. Less touristy than the coasts with more affordable seasonal rates. Lakeside North RV Resort and Zachary Taylor Waterfront RV Resort in Okeechobee draw the largest seasonal RV population in central Florida.

Everglades and South Florida

Coastal · Ochopee, Homestead, Key Largo

Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve offer a camping experience unlike anywhere else in the country. Chickee platforms in the backcountry, drive-in sites at Flamingo, and canoe-access camping through mangrove waterways. Dry season (November through April) is the only practical camping window. Trail Lakes Campground in Ochopee and Long Pine Key Campground in Homestead provide developed bases for Everglades exploration.

North Florida and Springs

Forest · Ocala, High Springs, Lake City

Spring-fed rivers, pine flatwoods, and the Ocala National Forest define this region. Ichetucknee, Rainbow, and Ginnie Springs draw tubers and divers. Campgrounds here feel more like the rural South than tropical Florida. Cooler winters than the rest of the state. Ginnie Springs Outdoors near High Springs combines camping with one of the clearest spring-diving sites in the state, while Ocala Sun RV Resort serves the national forest area.

Camping Tips for Florida

Reserve winter-season campgrounds months in advance, especially in South Florida and the Keys. Many parks fill their seasonal sites by August.
Bring mosquito protection for any camping between May and October. Head nets, DEET-based repellent, and screened shelters make a significant difference near standing water.
Monitor hurricane forecasts during June through November. Have an evacuation plan and know your campground's storm policy.
Alligators inhabit most freshwater bodies in Florida. Keep a safe distance, never feed them, and store food properly. Campgrounds near lakes and rivers post specific guidelines.
Afternoon thunderstorms develop almost daily in summer, usually between 2 and 5 PM. Lightning is a serious hazard. Get off the water and out of open areas when storms approach.
The Keys have limited camping options and high demand. Bahia Honda State Park and the dry camping on Garden Key in Dry Tortugas require early booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to camp in Florida?

November through April is peak season with dry weather, lower humidity, and comfortable temperatures. January averages 58 degrees statewide. Summer is hot, humid, and mosquito-heavy, though beach campgrounds still draw visitors willing to tolerate afternoon storms.

Can I camp on the beach in Florida?

Several state parks offer beachfront or near-beach camping. Bahia Honda in the Keys, Anastasia near St. Augustine, and St. Andrews near Panama City Beach are among the most popular. Beach camping on undesignated areas is generally not permitted.

How bad are mosquitoes at Florida campgrounds?

Mosquitoes are a real factor from May through October, especially near standing water and in the Everglades. Coastal campgrounds with steady breezes have fewer issues. Bring DEET-based repellent, wear long sleeves at dusk, and choose sites with good airflow.

What should I know about camping during hurricane season?

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Monitor forecasts and have an evacuation route planned. Most campgrounds will issue evacuation orders 24 to 48 hours before a storm. Travel insurance is worth considering for summer and fall camping trips.

Is Everglades camping accessible for RVs?

Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park has sites for RVs up to 45 feet with electric hookups. Long Pine Key is more primitive. Backcountry chickee platforms and ground sites require a canoe or kayak to reach. The dry season from November through April is the practical camping window.

Camping in Florida

Overview

Best Seasons to Camp in Florida

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Camping Regions in Florida

Gulf Coast and Panhandle

Atlantic Coast

Central Lakes and Okeechobee

Everglades and South Florida

North Florida and Springs

National Parks in Florida

Everglades National Park

Biscayne National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park