Hi there!I've lived in Central Florida for almost 15 years, and sadly have not made it out of the Central FL area as often as I would have expected by this point (just a beach trip here and there). So I'm working on putting together a list of CGs for my family to visit over the next few years while we road-trip and see more of the state. We'll be tent-camping or cabin-renting in the short term, and then camping in a pop-up once I get my tow vehicle situation squared away (ideally within a year). We're wanting to hit all regions and variety of distances from home eventually: Local (Central), East / Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, South, North, & Panhandle. So I'm turning to the experts to find the "famous favorites" and the "best kept secrets"! If you've camped here in Florida, what are some of your favorite spots, and why? Also want to hear if you know of places to avoid!Some specifics about us and most important amenities:Wife & myself are late-30's. Our son is almost 4yo.Hiking (if you can call it that here at 1 foot of elevation), biking, canoeing, fishing, etc.Close to points of interest are a big plus, since the big goal is to see the State. (Think St. Augustine, Everglades, Keys, beaches, springs, Kennedy Space Center, etc. We aren't afraid of crowds or being tourists!)Kid-friendly amenities are a big plus (playgrounds, pools, family socials, the kinds of activities I've seen at KOAs or Jellystones)Electric & water hook ups are a must (not trying to take on this FL heat without AC, LOL).Not looking to rough it or dry camp. The idea is to keep the wife and kid relatively comfy, cool, and entertained while also getting a dose of the outdoors and RV lifestyle. All while road-tripping and seeing all the attractions.Thanks in advance for any recommends!

I can't help you with any locations in Florida. But, if you want to see the state and America, stay off the Interstate Highway System.Travel the side roads, there's more to see and experience.

Several good State Parks in the pan handle and Keys. Most stay pretty busy so get your reservations in early.

I will share some ideas with you later

There must be thousands of campgrounds in Florida. Try to get a copy of the magazine-size directory of Florida State Parks, and another similar one listing many commercial campgrounds. I've found them both at the state welcome center on I-95. The SP guide has full descriptions of all the parks by region and you can circle the ones with campgrounds or cabins. Water & electric hookups are often available. Also there's Everglades National Park, which is great to visit in the winter and spring, with electric sites at the Flamingo Campground.Most activities, ranger kids' programs, socials, etc at all types campgrounds will be underway full strength in the winter season, but outdoor water sports like swimming are fun in the summer. (Bring bug repellent.) There are some SP with springs and several on the Gulf beaches up at the Panhandle. For St. Augustine, book Anastasia State Park, which has a beach. There's a string of Other SPs down the Atlantic Coast to try. For example, Jonathan Dickinson has boat trips back into the Loxahatchee River. In the Keys, John Pennekamp SP has a small beach and a couple of easy hikes. Bahia Honda SP has a larger beach, and has some small camping sites not available for RVs that might work for you.You may have an easier time getting tent sites than RV sites in popular state parks like Long Key, so enjoy that. However, if you are camping in the summer, my guess is a tent won't be cool and comfy.

Alafia River State Park has some decent hiking trails, as does Myakka River SP. Up north, the Stephen Foster Folk Center has some cool trails, including a fairly long trail along the Suwannee River. All have electric and water, and Myakka has full hookups in the Palmetto Ridge section. Further south, we like the Midway Campground on the Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress National Preserve section of the Everglades. Sites are electric only, but there's water available near the dump station. There's some pretty good hiking trails nearby.

Florida Camping: Where are your spots in the Sunshine State?

Linda_VA2
Explorer
Aug 14, 2016
Knights Key, Marathon, FL (Keys)
Treasure Coast RV Resort, Fort Pierce, FL
New Smyrna Beach CG, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Mexico Beach, FL
St. Josephs Island State Park, FL (never camped there, but it is beautiful)
Mich_F
Explorer
Aug 14, 2016
The OP is late thirties, so a lot of years away from being a senior. I'm a FL senior and at John Pennekamp in Key Largo, Fl, right now. Thur. afternoon I got a reservation for Fri. and Sat. Night (someone had just cancelled)- cost $52.20. Made a reservation for Sun. night for $29.45.Three nights on two different sites for $81.65. The discount per night here, for a FL senior is $18 off the $38.50 per night charge. You then add taxes and a $6.70 per reservation charge.
Retired_JSO
Explorer
Aug 14, 2016
RRinNFla wrote:
Retired JSO wrote:
Seniors in FL state parks are 1/2 price. Usually runs us $11-$14 a day.

Only if you can show prof of Florida residency.

Yes, and I believe the original poster lives in central Florida.
RRinNFla
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
Retired JSO wrote:
Seniors in FL state parks are 1/2 price. Usually runs us $11-$14 a day.

Only if you can show prof of Florida residency.
Retired_JSO
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
Seniors in FL state parks are 1/2 price. Usually runs us $11-$14 a day.
garmp
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2016
I don't know what discounts residents get, but as a non-resident veteran I have a Lifetime Military Entrance Pass. Which gets me/my vehicle admission for free, a savings of $2-$4.00 depending on the park. No camping discounts though.
Mich_F
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
bigred1cav wrote:
You are a resident and get a very good discount my suggestion is TOPSAIL SANTA ROSA very nice.

I believe only Fl seniors (65 years and up) get discounts at Fl state parks. The OP is 30 something. ;)
bigred1cav
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
You are a resident and get a very good discount my suggestion is TOPSAIL SANTA ROSA very nice.
RRinNFla
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Already mentioned, but worth mentioning again:
Myakka River
Silver Springs (formerly called Silver River)
Hillsboro River
Florida Caverns

Others to consider:
Tomoka River
Falling Waters
Camsmom
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
After years of spending vacations in Florida we finally ventured off to the panhandle portion a few years ago. For us that part of Florida is now by far our favourite. The white sand beaches and blue waters of the Gulf. We like the state parks anywhere from St Joseph Peninsula up the coast all the way to Gulf State Park in to Alabama. We usually mix and match our two week vacations with a week at a different park. Next vacation is a week at St Andrews then a week at Grayton. They all offer something a little different. I think our absolute fav is St Andrews though. Always book a site on the water, we can put our kayaks in or fish right from our site. Cant beat it and the price of a state park makes an affordable vacation. We try for two weeks in the spring and two weeks in the fall! We have stayed at St Joseph, Grayton, Topsail, Henderson, St Andrews, Fort Pickens and Gulf State park. Pick any one and you will have a great vacation.

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