Tent camping in Florida is a bit of a luxury.
You can comfortably camp nearly year-round.
That means there are endless possibilities for you to take off for the weekend and get lost in the woods.
If that sounds good to you, you’re in luck.
Here are our top 11 places to go tent camping in Florida.
Note to all campers: Be sure to check storm updates to make sure the parks you are planning to visit are open!
1. Jonathan Dickinson State Park – Hobe Sound
Activities: biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing, equestrian, fishing, boating, geocaching
Amenities: washer, dryer, showers, water, electricity, grills
Price: $26 per night or $182 per week
Jonathan Dickinson state park is first on our list for it’s flexibility in what it offers.
You can camp at the full-service campgrounds or go backpacking at one of their primitive campsites.
Whatever you’re feeling, Jonathan Dickinson has it.
The Pine Grove campground is located near over 8 miles of bike trails, and the River campground is located on the Loxahatchee River.
The hiking trails are accompanied by observation towers for those who like to birdwatch.
If you are looking for an all-around great camping experience that caters to just about every style of camping, Jonathan Dickinson state park is for you.
Learn more about Jonathan Dickinson
2. Rocky Bayou State Park – Niceville
Activities: biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, boating, geocaching
Amenities: boat ramp, showers, washer, dryer, water, electricity, grills, playground
Price: $16 per night or $112 per week
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou state park is located in Florida’s panhandle and has a unique history to it.
A World War 2 gunnery and bombing range turned into a campground and recreational area filled with lush nature, beautiful hiking trails, and more.
Some of the campsites have water views with the occasional dolphin spotting.
On the hiking trails you can see many different wildlife, and are even sometimes lucky enough to catch of glimpse of bald eagles soaring through the sky.
Be sure to make reservations (up to 11 months in advance) as these spots don’t stay open for long!
3. Manatee Springs State Park – Chiefland
Activities: biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving & snorkeling, fishing, boating, guided tours
Amenities: equipment rentals, concession stand & restaurant, showers, electric, water
Price: $20 per night or $140 per week
A note from the park officials: “In order to protect the trees you love, we ask that you do not bring your own firewood into the park. The Emerald Ash Borer infestation has been confirmed in northern Georgia and is spread by moving infested wood to a non-infested area. Wood is available at the park for a donation.”
Manatee springs has a lot of amenities and activities on top of the main attraction: a large number of manatees like to hang around in the cooler months.
For those that would like to swim around the springs, be sure to maintain a distance of 50 feet (it’s the law!).
Scuba diving is available at the springs with multiple caverns available for exploring.
For those that want to stay a little closer to the surface, snorkels can be rented at the park’s concession stand.
Tours guided by the park rangers can be attended free of charge, and pontoon boat and paddling tours are also available.
On the drier side of things, Manatee Springs offers 8.5 miles of hiking trails that will take you through swampy areas, sinkhole ponds and uplands.
Learn more about Manatee Springs
4. Florida Caverns – Marianna
Activities: biking, boating, equestrian, canoeing, fishing, hiking, geocaching, guided tours
Amenities: concession & restaurant, showers, water, electricity
Price: $20 per night or $140 per week
The beauty of the Florida Caverns lies underneath the surface.
Guided tours are available year round to take you down into this wonderful cave system.
For those that wish to catch a glimpse of the caverns without going through them can enjoy an audio-visual tour in the parks theater.
A maximum of 25 people can take the tour at once and tickets are sold on a first-come first-serve basis, so be sure to get there early!
Other activities include hiking, paddling, fishing and more.
Tent only campsites are available, and equestrian camping is accomodated with stables for horses and trails for riding.
Learn more about Florida Caverns
5. Falling Waters State Park – Chipley
Activities: bird-watching, hiking, swimming, fishing, geocaching,
Amenities: showers, water, electricity, interpretive exhibits
Price: $18 per night or $126 per week
Falling Waters state park is unique in many ways.
For starters, you’ll be able to see the first oil well ever drilled in Florida.
The remains of a grist mill that operated in the 1860s can also be found within the park.
And, of course, Florida’s largest waterfall resides here, where water falls 100 feet down into a sinkhole.
Take a walk down Sink Hole trail and you’ll find fern-covered sinkholes spread out through giant trees.
This trail is perfect for wildlife viewing and bird-watching.
For those that wish to view the migrating butterflies, check out the park’s butterfly garden.
Normal and primitive camping spots are both available to suit your camping desires.
Learn more about Falling Waters
6. Ginnie Springs – High Springs
Activities: hiking, swimming, tubing, canoeing
Amenities: washer, dryer, showers, water, electricity, grills, restaurant
Price: $23 per night
Ginnie Springs is a riverside campground with over 200 acres of forest.
The Santa Fe River runs alongside the campground where you can tube, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard downriver (small boats are welcome too, just make sure the water level is high enough).
There are a few springs that you can stop at on the way down the river with crystal clear, cool water to explore.
The springs are a perfect place to bring a snorkel and mask as there is a variety of fish that can be seen.
Be sure to check out if spots are available during your desired dates, as Ginnie gets packed during holiday weekends.
If you do visit during a holiday weekend, be sure to bring your giant floats to go along with the other groups there!
Learn more about Ginnie Springs
7. Alafia River Park – Lithia
Activities: Bicycling (& mountain biking), equestrian, birdwatching, boating & canoeing, fishing, geocaching, hiking
Amenities: small boat launch, electricity, water, showers
Price: $22 per night or $154 per week
Alafia River State Park is a hotspot for those looking for some great mountain biking trails on their camping trip.
Located near a reclaimed phosphate mine, the trails of Alafia are much different than the flats of typical Florida; there’s plenty of hills and obstacles to traverse, hence the high interest for mountain bikers (so much so there’s an on-site bike shop!).
For those looking for a different style of activity, take a stroll or ride horseback along Alafia’s 20 miles of hiking trails.
Along the way you’ll see plenty of birds such as hawks and woodpeckers.
You’ll also find a few lakes, perfect for taking a mid-day swim.
Tent camping is available in both the normal and primitive sections of the campgrounds.
8. Cayo Costa – Captiva
Activities: biking, boating, fishing, hiking, scuba diving & snorkeling, swimming, interpretive programs
Amenities: showers, water, grills
Price: $20 per night or $138 per week
Cayo Costa campgrounds can be found off the west coast of Florida and is only accessible by boat.
Ferry services are available to take campers and visitors to the campgrounds.
There are cabins, boat, and primitive tent camping spots available.
Shelling is a huge activity on the island, where visitors can find many shells of clams, oysters, scallops, and more.
Marine wildlife is in abundance around the island, where manatees, porpoises, and many species of fish can be seen.
Scuba diving and snorkeling is an island favorite because of this wildlife.
For those interested in the history of the island (and more), interpretive programs are given by rangers and volunteers on the island’s amphitheater.
Bicycles are also available to rent at the gift shop for those looking to ride through the island trails.
9. Suwanee River – Live Oak
Activities: bicycling, birdwatching, boating & canoeing, fishing, hiking
Amenities: boat ramp, showers, water, electricity, grills
Price: $22 per night or $154 per week, or $5 per night per adult for primitive camping
The beauty of Suwannee River State Park can be experienced both on foot or in a canoe.
Traverse the lands to find historical sites such as a 19th century steamship and old towns reclaimed by the earthy wilderness.
Many species of birds, such as red-shouldered hawks and barred owls, call Suwannee River home and can be seen along over 12.5 miles of hiking trails.
The state park is also home to the Sandhill Trail, which takes you through a forest of pines to Old Columbus Cemetary, one of the oldest cemetaries in Florida.
For those looking for beautiful scenery, canoeing down the Suwannee River is highly recommended.
Primitive tent camping is available along the trail running by Lime Sink Run, and regular campsites are also available.
Learn more about Suwanee River
10. Vortex Springs – Ponce de Leon
Activities: scuba diving & snorkeling, water slides, tubing, canoeing
Amenities: water, electric, grills, dive shop, rentals
Price: $27 per night
Vortex Spring Adventures is unique in that it contains a water park.
You’ll find water slides, a rope swing, and diving boards at the park.
Vortex is also a great place to learn how to scuba dive, voted one of the best and safest diving resorts in the country.
Certified diving instructors are on site ready to teach you how to dive.
The dive shop contains rentals should you want to dive, snorkel, canoe, and more.
On the drier side of things, the park also has nature trails for hiking should you want to take a break from the water.
Tent camping sites are scattered throughout the park, all within close distance to the springs themselves.
Learn more about Vortex Springs
11. Wekiwa Springs – Apopka
Activities: bicycling, birdwatching, fishing, geocaching, hiking, swimming
Amenities: chair lift & ramp for spring entry, showers, electricity, water, grills
Price: $24 per night or $168 per week
Located just a few minutes away from the busy life of Downtown Orlando, Wekiwa Springs are a nice place to get away.
Whether you’re visiting Disney World and want a fun place to take your family on an off day or you’re coming just for the camping, Wekiwa doesn’t disappoint.
You’ll find hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are all available on the 8 mile multi-use trails that take you through the park.
While traversing the trails you may encounter some of the wildlife found in the park, ranging from black bears to gopher tortoises and even turkeys.
A 9 mile offroad cycling trail is also located within the park for those that want a bit more of a challenge.
If you plan to swim, bring a snorkel for the crystal-clear spring waters.
You’ll find primitive camping sites 1 (equestrian camping available here) and 3 miles along the main hiking trails, with regular sites also available.
Learn more about Wekiwa Springs
Ready For Some Tent Camping In Florida?
We’ve given you 11 of our favorite places to tent camp in Florida.
Some are a little more modern with electricity and water available that have wonderful amenities, and some are more off the beaten path with primitive options available.
Are there any we left out that you feel should have made the list?
Leave them in the comments below to help your fellow tent campers!