Top 5 Little-Known Campgrounds to Visit in Florida

Are you planning a trip to the Sunshine State? If so, our native Floridian RV contributors have some suggestions for you. Here are Jason and Lisa McEwen’s top five little known campgrounds to visit.

Anastasia State Park

This oceanside park sits along the Atlantic side of Florida and is close to the historic city of St. Augustine. When you stay at this campground, you can spend plenty of time in the ocean, soaking up the sun.

If you can tear yourself away from the waves, St. Augustine is a great city to explore. Most of the city is walkable. Start your journey on St. George Street, a pedestrian-only, cobble-stone road with plenty of shops and restaurants. Take a walk over to the iconic Bridge of Lions for a few pictures or consider taking a tour of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, which is still in working order today.

Gold Head Branch State Park

Located near Keystone Heights, a remote part of northern Florida, Gold Head Branch State Park is a quiet park and is a great place to enjoy nature. Take a hike to a remote ravine, go on sunset walks, and see a variety of water fowl on the lakes.

The park is also home to a small swimming pond, making it a great place to visit in the humid Florida summers.

Hanna Park

Hanna Park, a large campground run by the city of Jacksonville, Florida, is a great beachside park to visit. The campground has full hookups, an on-site store, many walking and biking trails, and it’s a short walk to the beach.

The roads are a bit narrow though, as are the sites, so it’s a bit tougher for larger rigs to visit.

Tomoka State Park

Tomoka State Park is another off-the-beaten path campground. Its spacious sites are appealing as are its fishing spots. There’s an entire loop dedicated to fishing, with areas for anglers, and you can visit the outpost to rent a kayak or canoe.

If you’d like to trade the calm waters for ocean waves, the park is close to Ormond Beach too.

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

The main attraction at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is its swimmable springs. As with most springs in Florida, the water is a constant temperature of 72 degrees, and is a great way to cool off in the summer.

The state park is on the smaller side, with about 30 campground sites, and this location shares a dump station with a neighboring campground, so it’s best for shorter stays.

For RVers looking for unique campgrounds to visit in Florida, keep this list handy as you make upcoming camper reservations.