If you're looking for the best RV campgrounds in Florida for families or with beach access, you are in the right place! Not only will we help you find RV campgrounds in Florida with activities for kids and full hook ups, but we'll help you locate the best places with fishing and boating opportunities too.
If you're looking for the best RV campgrounds in Florida for families or with beach access, you are in the right place! Not only will we help you find RV campgrounds in Florida with activities for kids and full hook ups, but we'll help you locate the best places with fishing and boating opportunities too.
With tons of RV campgrounds around the state of Florida, you have a lot of options. If you want to find an RV campground near theme parks, they've got that. If you want an RV campground with pools and water parks, they've got that too!
So if coastal views, sunsets, and miles of coastline are what you're looking for, it is time to dig into Florida. We're sharing the best and most affordable RV campgrounds in Florida, including a few that you can save at with the Campground Partners program, available for for Harvest Hosts and Escapees members. So let's get started to help you find everything you're looking for and more.
Helpful Resources For Your Florida Visit
Before we investigate each region in Florida, we want to make sure you have access to the most up-to-date information. Checking out state websites is always helpful when visiting somewhere different. Below we have compiled a list of some helpful resources around the state of Florida.
Now that we've gotten you the essential information, let us help you figure out where you want to visit in the beautiful Sunshine State.
A Little About Florida
Florida is more than theme parks, beaches, and a few major cities. Florida has over 190 state parks, is home to seven unique habitats, and has 8,436 miles of coast—3,341 on the Atlantic Ocean, and 5,094 on the Gulf Coast. Florida also has 11 sites managed by the National Park System (NPS) with Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Everglades National Park being three of the 11.
The difficult part with RVing in Florida is its size—65,758 square miles. Because this state is so large, we are going to tackle it by dividing the state into 5 different regions. In each section, we will explain some highlights to the region, and list some of the best RV Campgrounds in the area.
When you first think of Florida, you might be thinking of the Florida Keys, Disney World, or Daytona Beach. But Florida's Panhandle has a lot going for it. While the Panhandle is often called the Forgotten Coast, you'll definitely not forget it after your visit.
Florida's Panhandle is made up of undeveloped natural beach villages, quiet fishing towns, historic districts, and a few very popular beach towns. Most of all it is known for beautiful white sand beaches and clear emerald waters on the coast with pines galore inland. If you are looking for that natural coastal Florida experience and in hopes of finding an affordable RV campground in Florida with fishing and boating opportunities this might be the place for you.
This 24 mile stretch of coastal highway is tucked along the Gulf of Mexico and is worth a visit for the views. You'll see beautiful white sand beaches, coastal dunes, and emerald waters. This highway is also home to several festivals throughout the year.
In February, you can participate in this celebration at Alys Beach. As wine enthusiasts and bourbon lovers come together to connect over their mutual love of all things wine and bourbon.
State Parks, Aquatic Preserves, & Gulf Islands National Seashore
With 30A being the crown jewel of the region, that doesn't mean things don't exist beyond that highway. There are tons of state and federal lands that have been preserved for high quality exploration. If you are into OHV driving, kayaking, horseback riding, or hiking, this region of Florida has a lot to offer. You may even find a few turquoise swimming holes in your exploration.
Top 6 Towns and Cities to Visit in Florida's Panhandle
North Florida offers a lot of natural beauty and cultural experiences for any RVer. This part of Florida seems to identify more with parts of Georgia than the rest of Florida due to its culture and biodiversity. There are fewer palm trees here and more pines, oaks, and magnolia trees. And while it might feel more like Georgia than what a lot of people think Florida ought to be like, that doesn't mean they don't have beaches.
Here you'll find great RV Campgrounds in and around St. Augustine, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, Ocala, and Jacksonville.
This has been a hot spot for spring breakers, Nascar fans, and anyone who likes to drive on the beach. While there are plenty of other amazing places in North Florida, this might be the most well known.
This historic town has a lot to offer tourists and residents alike. There are great beaches, historic sites, and plenty of golf courses. If you are looking for a place that offers a lot of things to do and is well-loved by all, this is a great option.
You don't always think of National Forests and Florida, but this is a great place to be outdoors. This National Forest is thought to be one of the oldest Forests in the United States and offers over 600 lakes, bird watching, manatees, and plenty of rare plant species. People typically come here to see the wildlife, and of course, to cool off in the natural springs.
This town is what you might expect out of Florida. A beautiful quaint historic town with miles of beach. In the historic town, you can find restaurants, shops, and things to do. And then you have the beautiful, white sand beaches too. One of the best parts is its location north of Jacksonville. So if you want to get a taste of Florida without heading to the keys, this might be just enough for you.
This area is loaded with things to do. Gainesville is of course a college town and that means there are plenty of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. But the area around has plenty of protected natural nature too. Check out High Springs, Florida. Just 30 minutes outside of Gainesville, you'll find a historic town and the self-proclaimed gateway to the largest concentration of natural springs.
Top 5 Towns and Cities to Visit in North Florida
Gainesville
Ocala
St. Augustine
Fernandina Beach
Cedar Key
Top RV Campgrounds in North Florida—Including RV Campgrounds in St. Augustine
Central Florida is most notably known for its man-made wonders like Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks, but there is more to it than that. On the Atlantic coast, you can enjoy places along the Space Coast—one of Florida's themed stretches of beaches, to the Gulf coast's pristine beaches and little coastal towns.
In between the two coasts, you'll find plenty of lakes, quaint towns, theme parks, and attractions to enjoy. Places like Kissimmee, Orlando, and Lakeland dominate the interior attractions.
For 50+ years, Walt Disney World has been an attraction for people of all ages. If you are going to take a family vacation to Central Florida, there is a pretty good chance this would be a popular option for your family.
Another do-it-all theme park is Universal Orlando Resort. With characters walking around, amazing rides, beautiful architecture, and top-notch customer service, this has been the only rival to the other massive theme park in the area.
The Kennedy Space Center is an incredibly popular attraction in central Florida. This park has seen major activity over the years for astronauts and space enthusiasts. Here you can take a tour, try astronaut food, experience a simulated launch, and more.
This contains the longest uninterrupted, undeveloped Atlantic coastline in the state of Florida. Because of this, you'll catch a glimpse of what Florida's Atlantic coastline was like before its massive development over the years. Here you can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, and even watch rockets take off from the Kennedy Space Center—on the right days.
This is a place that beach lover's seem to fall for quite quickly. With its natural seashore, you'll find plenty of sea shells, opportunities to spot sea turtles, and is a great place for kayakers to get in the water. You can also enjoy birding, cycling, hiking, snorkeling, camping, and more.
With Tampa first being settled in 1823, you can imagine the stories this town could share. By walking the several historic areas within its city you begin to see what this area was once like.
But if you want to check out one of the more lively historic areas, head over to Ybor City—aka Cigar City. Here you can watch cigars hand rolled in Tampa's Latin Quarter. You'll feel like you snuck away and headed to Cuba, but you didn't need a passport to do so.
South Florida (not the keys) is largely dominated by the Miami metropolitan area and Everglades National Park. These are both great places to experience, but there is more to it than that. There is a great food and cultural scene in the entire region. You'll get the full Florida experience with plenty of sunshine and white sand beaches.
This is an incredibly vibrant city with a lot happening. If you are into shopping, style, and people watching, you might want to check out Miami's Design District. But if you are into that industrial district with old converted factories, check out Wynwood. To get a flavor of Cuba, head to Little Havana. And then there is always the famous Miami Beach. You can't go wrong in this city.
This is a National Park unlike most. With its protection of swamp lands and its diverse ecosystem, there are a lot of unique experiences to be had in this National Park. There are biking trails, hiking trails, and camping opportunities. You can also enjoy watching a wide range of birds. This is also a great park to take a guided tour or experience a fan boat.
Within close proximity to Miami and the Everglades National Park, this is a completely different feel. It is self-described as a "Watery Wonderland," and after a short visit you can understand why. It has coral reefs to explore inside of its emerald islands. And of course, the 10,000+ years of human history to explore.
This is a great beach located close to Naples and is protected from larger waves by a chain of islands. It offers a calmer more relaxing environment for families to play in the water and on the beach together. And because it is located in close proximity to Naples, you'll find other family friendly activities nearby.
The best way to experience the 180 mile stretch from Miami to Key West is in an RV. This gives you the ability to stop and check out the amazing islands that make up the Florida Keys. The drive alone is worth it as you cross 42 bridges—with the longest being the Seven Mile Bridge—that helps connect the 800 keys that make up this unique part of the continental United States.
This is a highlight because there is so much to do here—and it is the southernmost point of the continental United States. There are great restaurants, bars, cafes, transit systems, and of course beaches. When you arrive here, you'll definitely want to take a picture at the giant bayou that marks the southernmost point. And then there is Fort Zachary Taylor State Park that predates the Civil War and was designated as a National Historic Monument.
On Big Pine Key, you can find this protected area. The land is a mix of pine rocklands, tropical hardwoods, wetlands, and mangroves. And while this park is named after the endangered Key Deer—the smallest subspecies of deer—there are more than 20 other threatened plants and species that call this area home.
This gem of a state park is located on Marathon Key. It has palm trees galore, amazingly clear waters, and a constant breeze. People come here to enjoy the undisturbed scenery, snorkeling, and sea kayaking. It helps that you can stay at their campground too.
Key Large is a popular key for a lot of reasons, but this state park might help. It is an impressive underwater park. With the area being filled with mangroves, coral reef, and marine life, you can imagine how popular it is for snorkeling and scuba activity.
RV Campgrounds in the Florida Keys, including RV Campgrounds in Key West
Use The Campground Partners Program to Find the Best Campgrounds and RV Parks in all of Florida's 5 Unique Regions
The best way to find the top RV campgrounds in Florida is to know what kind of Florida you want to experience. Do you want the palm trees and white sand beaches, the islands of the keys, the fishing villages, or the inland experience? Find great campground partners near where you want to go right in the Harvest Hosts map!
When to Go Camping in Florida
Because Florida is known as the sunshine state, that means it is warm to hot all year round. This makes Florida a great place to visit anytime. But knowing what kind of experience you want to have will help you determine the best season for you. While Florida winters are comfortable, you might not want to plan a lot of time in the water.
The best time of year to visit Florida really comes down to your own preference. If you are used to hot and humid weather, you might love their summers because it gives you an excuse to be in the water. But if you are from the north, you might not be ready for the mixture of heat and humidity. You'll be that person meandering around Florida in your shorts come January, while the locals are bundled up in winter coats.
One season you'll need to keep yourself super alert to the weather is during Florida's hurricane season which is anytime between mid-August through October. Another thing to consider is that your summer months often include a daily heavy rain. But don't worry because the sun comes right back out.
What to Pack When RVing in Florida
Because Florida is such a large state, there are different things you might need, depending on where you go, and what time of year you go.
UV protective clothing, sunscreen, and eyewear are a must
Bug repellent
Swimsuits and sandals
Fans for sitting outside since it can be humid all day and night
Water gear like kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear
Sand castle gear—there are great kits out there to help you build extravagant castles
Fishing gear
Tips & Tricks for RVing in All of Florida
If you've decided it is time to visit Florida in your RV, then here are some things to consider.
Don't wait to book your site. Florida is an incredibly popular destination, and it's quite competitive for RV bookings.
Watch out for alligators. Your small dogs, cats, and even children might look like a bite-sized snack to these reptiles.
Don't underestimate the bugs. The mosquitos can be intense.
Use Campground Partners to Find and Book Your Next RV Trip
With pine forests in the north, white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, island life in the Florida Keys, and everything in between… Florida is a unique experience! And to help you figure out all the details of your next booking, make sure to browse Campground Partners!
Harvest Hosts is a unique RV camping membership that offers self-contained RVers unlimited overnight stays at 9,600+ unique locations across North America with no camping fees. Stay at farms, wineries, breweries, museums, golf courses, attractions, and other one-of-a-kind destinations while enjoying memorable travel experiences and the peace of mind that comes with knowing a safe place to stay is always nearby.
