The reason for camping is to “get away from it all,” and Florida State Parks offer a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
That does not mean that they are boring places. There is a wide variety of activities that can be found both in and around the parks: beaches, cycling, bird watching, boating, canoeing, equestrian trails, fishing, hiking, inline skating, kayaking, museums, picnics, playgrounds, diving, snorkeling, swimming, tubing and camping.
Let’s take a look specifically at what to expect when camping in Florida State Parks:
- Primitive camping. Primitive Camp is available in some of Florida’s state parks. It is generally not accessible by car, so camping equipment must be carried from a parking area to the campgrounds. Primitive campsites may include a fire ring and picnic table, but most likely they will not include water and electricity. These sites are usually very inexpensive.
- Camping with all the facilities. RV Tent, Trailer, and Campground are available with a variety of campground amenities including electrical hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and water. In addition, comfort stations are provided. Most include toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities. Unloading stations are provided. Campgrounds generally allow up to eight people, two tents or a trailer or RV, and two vehicles.
- Camping cabins. Staying in some of Florida’s state parks could be as easy as packing some clothes, some food, and your toothbrush. Some camping cabins come equipped with everything you’ll need right down to bedding. However, if you are traveling with your pet, you will want to make other arrangements. Pets are not allowed in the camping cabins. The cabins vary in style, from fully equipped modern cabins to hand-carved wooden or palm tree trunks retreats, and generally accommodate up to six people.
Find and Book a State Park Campground
Camping is available in approximately 50 of Florida’s 161 state parks. If you want to camp, finding a state park is as easy as visiting their website at www.FloridaStateParks.org, where you will find a list of state parks divided into camp types: Cabins, RV Camps, Full Facility Camps, Pet Camping , Group camping, Primitive camping and Youth camping.
Once you find a park where you think you would like to camp, click on the link for information on that particular park. About halfway down the center of the page there should be a “Reserve a Camp Now” icon that will take you to ReserveAmerica.com. Reservations can be made from one day before arrival up to 11 months in advance.
ReserveAmerica.com is easy to navigate and has a wealth of helpful information, including camp details and a camp map. Each camp will take into account its size, access, type of camp unit allowed, and amenities.
Payments will be charged to your credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) upon completion of your reservation and there is a cancellation fee to cancel a reservation any day before your arrival date. Any cancellation on the day of arrival or later will also be charged the rate for the first night of camping.
Discounts of half the camp fee are available to Florida residents who are 65 or older or who are 100% disabled. Discount must be mentioned when booking and proof must be provided at check-in.
Checking in
Florida state parks are open from 8:00 a.m. M. Until sunset every day of the year. The gates are locked at that time, so if you are going to be late, you must call the park in advance to get the gate code.
If you qualify for a discount, proof will be required at check-in. While we have never been asked for the information, proof of up-to-date pet vaccinations must be provided. Also, if you are bringing horses, a negative Coggins test will be required.
Rules and regulations
Common rules and regulations in effect in most Florida state parks include:
- Check-in is usually at 1:00 pm and check-out is at 11:00 am (check-in in the cabin is usually at 3:00 pm and check-out is at 11:00 A.M)
- Quiet time each night is generally from 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm until 8:00 am the next morning.
- All plants and animals are protected. Do not feed the wildlife. Do not cut down any trees or vegetation. Do not tie ropes or tie anything to trees.
- Children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times while inside the park.
- Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bike.
- Greywater and sewage must be disposed of at the discharge station.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed outside of the designated camp or cabin.
- Fires are limited to grills or fire rings. Firewood is usually for sale at the entrance station. It is not allowed to collect live or dead firewood (branches, branches, logs, etc.) inside the park.
- Pets must be confined or on a leash at all times (leashes cannot exceed six feet). Pets must be well behaved at all times and be inside the campers unit during quiet time. Pet owners should pick up after their pets and properly dispose of droppings in trash cans (they make it easy by providing Mutt mitts in bathrooms). Pets are not allowed in cabins, bathrooms or park facilities.
- Horses must have proof of a negative Coggins test.
Enjoy camping in Florida State Parks, but remember that leaving your campground clean and nature intact will ensure the preservation of Florida State Parks for the enjoyment of future generations of campers. There is a sign at the entrance to a trail in Hillsborough River State Park that simply says, “Please take nothing but photos… leave nothing but footprints.”
