From beautiful sunny beaches to thick inland forests and serene lakeside settings, Florida offers virtually no end of opportunities to roll out the sleeping bag and enjoy the great outdoors.
But with so many state parks, habitats and adventures to choose from, weekend warriors and week-long vacationers may have a tough time knowing where to get started – or how to get ready for their first camping in Florida experience.
As resident and tent-pitching trailblazer of The Sunshine State, Josh Vignona offers helpful tips on where to set up, what to soak in and how to make your 2020 Florida campout one for the ages.
Camping in Florida: Your 2020 Summer Guide
Between the Panhandle and the Keys lies countless miles of open space, state parks and resorts in which to sleep under the stars.
And to start your next summer camping in Florida trip on the right foot, here’s a brief look at:
The best camping sites in Florida
Josh Vignona offers 10 of his favorite camping destinations in Florida, including:
Top spots to throw a tent
1. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg)
Comprised of five interconnected islands, Fort De Soto Park offers more than 1,100 acres of waterfront, wildlife and recreational opportunities the whole family will enjoy.
One of Josh Vignona’s favorites, Fort De Soto is home to more than 238 camping sites, beautiful sandy beaches, a lengthy multi-purpose trail, multiple swim areas, two fishing piers and thousands of bird and animal species sure to occupy your time and make your tent camping in Florida experience one to remember.
2. Juniper Springs Recreation Area (Silver Springs)
Located in the Ocala National Forest, Juniper Springs provides a truly historic tent camping opportunity amid hundreds of bubbling springs (big and small) in a thick canopy of oak and palm trees.
Activities like swimming, paddling, hiking and canoeing are popular here, while each Juniper tent camping site is within just minutes of an array of hiking and fishing opportunities.
3. Manatee Springs State Park (Levy County)
Fishing, diving and paddling are just a few of the available activities within walking distance of your Manatee Springs campsite, nestled in the heart of the Northern Florida wetlands and along the banks of the age-old Suwannee River.
And if you choose to pitch a tent in the Springs during the mild winter months, you may even witness the spectacular migration of the West Indian manatee, the park’s namesake.
Great sites near the sand
Looking to get a little camping in while soaking up the sun? Throw a little sand into your 2020 Florida plans with these popular beach camping spots:
4. Grayton Beach State Park (Santa Rosa Beach)
No Florida camping checklist is complete without a short stay at Grayton Beach, where pristine sandy beaches and pleasant Gulf breezes provide the ideal setting to relax with your loved ones.
With the 100-acre Western Lake (paddling and fishing), miles of trails and a rustic but comfy campground (cabins and tent camping) nearby, Grayton Beach offers a complete coastal camping experience with something for everyone.
5. Anastasia State Park (St. Johns County)
Over 1,600 acres of unspoiled beach and tidal marsh ecosystem await visitors to the Anastasia State grounds, home to one of the important and diverse bird nesting areas in the state.
Whether it’s a stroll along the beach or paddle-boarding in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, there’s plenty to do throughout Anastasia’s more-than-4-miles of coastline, located just minutes from your campsite.
6. Turtle Beach Campground (Siesta Key)
Whether you’re roughing it or parking the RV, the tree-lined Turtle Beach Campground provides unparalleled beach camping with direct access to one of the highest-rated beaches in Florida and across the country.
Just a trolley ride away from Siesta Key, a weekend stay in Turtle Beach also provides the one-of-a-kind opportunity to see green and loggerhead turtle nests during the summer.
7. Bahia Honda State Park Campgrounds (Florida Keys)
As Joshua Vignona knows, Bahia Honda is the premier Florida Keys camping destination, providing unbeatable year-round camping, fishing and snorkeling in one of the most breathtaking settings in the state, if not the world.
Bahia Honda campsites are surrounded by azure waters filled by tropical fish, making site reservations a hot item among campers and travelers of all types.
Where to hook up your hammock without hurting your budget
Here’s a few free camping in Florida ideas to brighten up the 2020 season:
8. Wood Lake Recreation Area (Apalachicola National Forest)
Available on a first-come, first-served basis, primitive camping sites in Wood Lake Recreation Area put you in the heart of abundant national forest lands (Apalachicola) and just a short drive from the Ochlockonee River.
While primarily a hunting camp during the general gun season, Wood Lake offers a great way to save money and get away from it all in 2020 and beyond.
9. Davenport Landing (Ocala National Forest)
Tucked within the Ocala National Forest area just north of Orlando, Davenport Landing provides three free Florida campsites along the Ocklawaha River, a former stop of steamboats and attractive opportunity for the intrepid waterway paddler.
Though sites are few and hard to come by, Davenport offers a picturesque setting and tent camping experience that make it worth the wait.
10. Potts Preserve (Citrus County)
Between the Ocala Forest and the Gulf lies the protected wetlands of Potts Preserve, a serene inland tableau providing campers extensive access to backcountry hiking, biding, canoeing, boating, birding and more. The Preserve is next to more than 9 miles of multi use trails and offers access to equestrian-only campsites.
Notable camping in Florida mentions include Hatbill Park in Mims (near Space Coast), Dead River Landing Recreation Area (Ponce De Leon), Fort Pickens Campground (Pensacola), Florida Cavern State Park (Mariana) and St. George Island State Park, to name a few.
What to bring camping in Florida
When camping in the Sunshine State, having the right gear is essential. Joshua Vignona looks at what to bring camping during your next Florida adventure:
1. Proper clothing
2. Sun gear
3. Camping supplies
4. Recreational equipment
5. Swim trunks
1. Proper clothing
Regardless of where you’re going in Florida, you can pretty much rely on a warm climate, making items like shorts, t-shirts and open-toed shoes essential things to pack. Still, rainy days and evenings often get pretty cool (and fill up with bugs), making items like jeans, long pants and long-sleeved shirts must-haves for any Florida camper.
And with so many miles of hiking trails, beaches and other terrain surrounding campsites across the state, bringing a good set of hiking shoes and water shoes is always a good idea, making it much easier to traverse and explore new places without melting your feet.
2. Sun gear
They don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing. Wherever you plan on going, having a comfortable hat (or visor), sunglasses, sunblock and other protective sun gear with you at all times is an absolute must, ensuring your family can stave off the sunburn and stay protected in the often intense Florida sunshine.
Portable water bottles also make good sense when it comes to staying hydrated and energized for that day-long kayaking excursion or trek down the beach, a what to bring camping essential allowing you to soak up the rays and keep up with the kids without risking your health.
3. Camping supplies
Tents, sleeping bags and cookware are important things to bring camping no matter where you stake your claim. But as Josh Vignona knows, there are certain supplies key to making beach and tent camping in Florida as enjoyable as possible.
- Tarps. Bringing along a tarp or canopy is essential for creating a much-needed shady respite from the brutal summer sun.
- Larger tents. Bigger tents provide more elbow room and airflow that helps keep things cool during those muggy Florida nights.
- Cots. By elevating your body off the ground, a cot provides additional ventilation that can make sleeping in the woods a little more comfortable.
- Animal-proof containers. Keeping pests like raccoons and Florida black bears from invading your campsite means storing food in safe, animal-proof containers throughout your trip.
- Camp stove. Camping stoves provide an incredibly handy cooking option when fire restrictions are in effect.
- Fresh water. Many places to camp in Florida don’t have a clean water source, making fresh water or a water purification system a must-have.
- Bug spray. Florida is famous for its bugs. Keep the mosquitos and lake flies away means having plenty of bug spray at the ready.
4. Recreational equipment
Are you into watersports? Like to cycle? Want to drop a line in?
Bringing the right recreational equipment ensures you’re prepared for whatever your Florida camping destination has to offer – as well as to avoid the costs fishing, snorkeling, paddleboat and canoe rentals that can really add up fast. Whatever you choose to bring camping, having the right rec. gear handy makes doing what you love that much easier.
5. Swim trunks
Whether you’re near the beach or in the woods, camping in Florida without a pair of swim trunks can leave you, well, hung out to dry. Whether it’s a pool, freshwater springs or the Gulf of Mexico, swimming opportunities abound across much of the state, making it important to pack swim gear no matter where you’re going.
Now that we’ve looked at the basics of what to bring camping in Florida, let’s look at another crucial part of the campout experience:
How to make coffee while camping
While there are many ways to make a cup of coffee while camping, Josh Vignona prizes one method over all the rest:
The pour-over.
To make coffee while camping with the pour-over method, you’ll need:
- A lightweight or compact pour-over stand (found in many coffee shops)
- A cloth or paper coffee filter
- A coffee cup
- A metal kettle
- Your favorite coffee
To make pour-over coffee while camping:
1. Fill your pour-friendly kettle with water and heat on stove or campfire.
2. Attach the pour-over stand to the top of your cup (most stands fit easily over metal camping cups).
3. Place filter in stand and add the desired amount of coffee grounds.
4. Once heated near boiling, slowly pour water over grounds in a circular motion (avoid dribbling).
5. Enjoy your morning brew!
As Vignona knows, the pour-over is a simple and easy way for coffee fans to make a great cup of joe while camping. It’s also one of the best methods for camping groups between 2-4 people.
How to stay warm camping
Josh Vignona provides tips to keep your family warm while tent camping:
- Layer up. Don’t wait until the sun drops to add another layer. Before you feel that outdoor chill, throw on an extra shirt or long pants. Doing so greatly reduces the time it takes to hold in warmth and stay comfortable camping well into the evening.
- Wear thermal underwear. Thermals (long-johns and thermal tops) are the secret to staying warm in cold-weather camping conditions. It may seem ridiculous, but that silly underlayer is a crucial layer of protection when tenting in the early spring or late autumn months.
- Use a hot water bottle. Sleeping in a cold tent can be miserable. But as Josh Vignona knows, a hot water bottle placed strategically near your legs can do wonders for warming up your bag and getting some much-needed shuteye.
- Use a smaller tent. While larger tents are best for staying cool, the opposite holds true for a smaller tent, which can help you stay warm camping simply by providing a much smaller area to heat up.
- Insulate the floor. It may seem odd, but fitting a carpet, rug or other layer for the bottom of your tent is a great way to insulate your sleeping space and keep things warm the whole night through.
- Take extra blankets. Bringing along a comforter and/or extra blankets helps you stay warm camping and feel well-rested the next day.
While staying warm isn’t always the main concern while camping in Florida, temperatures and rainy conditions often fluctuate unpredictably, making it important to be prepared and take the right steps to stay safe and comfortable whenever possible.
What to do while camping
Of course, planning things to do while camping depends mainly on where you’re going, how long you’re staying and which activities you enjoy the most.
That said, some of Josh Vignona’s favorite things to do while camping include:
- Sitting around the campfire. Trading stories and laughs around an old-fashioned campfire is a camping tradition largely without equal among campers and RVers across the country.
- Hiking local trails. Among the favorite activities enjoyed by Vignona while camping in Florida is exploring local trails in search of breathtaking views, wildlife and terrain.
- Watersports. Boating, kayaking, canoeing and tubing are just several of the many activities to consider and enjoy during your next camping adventure.
- Fishing. Whether it’s dropping a line from the boat or relaxing on the shore, fishing is one of the most popular things to do while camping in Florida and elsewhere.
- Swimming. Dipping your toes in the nearby pond, inlet, campground pool or coastal water is always a hit among families camping across the Sunshine State.
Thanks for reading everyone! – Josh
Joshua Vignona 