Florida and camping seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. Camping in Florida is such a natural activity. Having year-round temperate climate, clear waters, fine sand beaches, and a variety of greenery, Florida is the perfect camping place.
However, please do not take my word for it. Just check out these numbers. For your information, there are more than 900 Florida campgrounds and over 100,000 campsites! Florida also has campgrounds and sites that cater to every camping level.
Primitive camping, bushcraft, recreational camping, upscale glamping, minimalist camping, RV or trailer camping. So if you have identified Florida as your camping state, get ready for one of the best experiences in the world.
It is no wonder that camping sites in Florida are some most popular destinations. There is so much to do in countless ways, with literally something for everyone. (Read 4 Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Florida)
The Best Campgrounds in Florida
Here is a list of the best camping sites in Florida, in my humble opinion, of course. Do bear in mind that this list is by no means an exclusive one with the number of sites.
1. Big Cypress National Reserve – Best Camp Site for Backcountry Camping
The Gator Head and Pink Jeep Campgrounds are excellent picks for backcountry tent camping. Both campgrounds have nine sites each, and they are reached by hiking, on a bike, or with a 4×4 vehicle. Big Cypress offers an authentic camping experience with no water, so better come prepared.
Soak in the preserve’s huge swamplands, where both temperate and tropical ecosystems thrive. You will also mingle with robust wildlife, including the Florida panther. Big Cypress National Preserve is sprawled on 729,000 acres with many areas of multi-use trails to discover.
Backcountry camping challenges you to an immersive nature challenge. Bring all your supplies on your backpack or in your off-road vehicle and discover a world that will challenge your outdoor skills. Good sleeping systems for this type of camping are the best bivy sacks.
A bivy sack (short for bivouac sack) provides a lightweight option for you to carry but with four-season capability.
2. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground – Best Recreational Vehicle Camp Site
This is a no-brainer, actually. I assure you, no one in the family will complain, thanks to all the special amenities and comforts at this resort found in the Disney compound. The recreational vehicle (RV) campground is a great place to retire after an entire day at the Disney parks.
From the RV park, the nearby Kennedy Space Center is also a great destination to visit. The campgrounds have shady trees, wood trails and are alive with nature. Relax in your RV as the natural environment provides your entertainment for the evening.
You might even see rabbits, deer, ducks, or armadillos.
Children still wound up can take a dip at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool. It has a corkscrew waterslide, toddler-friendly slides, and a fort-themed water play area. Parents can also relax and keep track of their little ones from the whirlpool spa.
Other recreation activities for the whole family include tennis, archery, basketball, horseback riding, sand volleyball, and canoeing. Your pet can even come along thanks to the pet-friendly policy of the resort.
3. Westgate River Ranch – Best Glamping Site
Glamorous camping or “glamping” attracts a certain kind of personality. It is somebody that will straddle the two worlds of outdoor living and five-star hotel amenities. Glamping is now all the rage, and Florida is getting into it too.
Westgate River Ranch, located in Central Florida, is a ranch found in one of the few virgin pieces of Florida wilderness. It is just one hour south of Orlando and has a selection of Florida cowboy-themed accommodations. (Find the Best Florida Hiking Trails)
From the tents to the teepees, all rooms have hardwood floors, upgraded furniture, linens, and modern creature comforts. The ranch even has a rock climbing wall, state-of-the-art ropes course, zip line, mechanical bull, and bungee jumper. This is the whole nine yards for a pampered, glamping experience.
4. Fort De Soto Campground – Best Coastal Camp Site
Fort De Soto County Park has 238 sites for tent and RV campers. There is no shortage of white sand camp areas lining the five keys of Fort De Soto Campground. There are seven miles of paved trail and a 2,200-foot, barrier-free nature trail.
The campground is, for the most part, wooded. It has three areas where one can take tents, vans, and small campers, and the other two are meant for larger RVs. All the sites come with water and electrical hookups, cooking grills, and picnic tables.
Showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities are also conveniently provided.
The waters areas are ideal for paddle boarding, fishing, and kayaking. Although there are no swim areas, just a stone’s throw away, there are wonderful beaches and much to explore.
5. Wright Lake – Best Campground for Tent Camping
Wright Lake is situated in the Apalachicola National Forest. This is a good campsite to bring the best camping tents as the environment is just right. The campground is a beautiful, serene lakefront area complete with amenities and activities for campers.
The area around the lake offers swimming, picnicking, and hiking activities. The campground is in a beautiful forest area along one portion of the lakeshore. It is ideal for the recreational camper, with fishing and boating to keep you occupied.
A bathhouse includes hot showers and flushing toilets. Grills and picnic tables are among trees with views of the lake as you eat and cook. The campground has 18 campsites that come with their own fire rings, tables, and tent pads.
The recreation area is flat, and hikers can take part in a 4.6-mile trail around the lake.
The Florida Camping Experience
There is no doubt that Florida is a destination with something for every level of camping. The Sunshine State certainly needs a visit, and this is best done in the outdoors.
