Chickery's Travels

Chickery's Travels logo. A blue-green Earth globe with continents surrounded by dots with an arrow denoting movement or travel and "Chickery's Travels" as part of the dotted circle. Next to this is a photo of their blue and white Arctic Fox 5th Wheel with the awning out.
  • Home
  • Campground Reviews
    • Alternatives To National Park Campgrounds
    • Best Luxury RV Resorts For All RV Types
    • Best Waterfront Campgrounds For Every Budget
    • Alabama
      • Gunter Hill Campground (Montgomery, Alabama)
    • Arizona
      • Best Campgrounds in Arizona
      • Aspen Campground (Payson, Arizona)
      • LazyDays KOA (Tucson, Arizona)
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, AZ)
    • Arkansas
      • Catherine’s Landing (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
      • Downtown Riverside RV Park (Little Rock, Arkansas)
    • California
      • Best Campgrounds in California
      • Crescent City Redwoods KOA (Crescent City, California)
      • Sea Breeze RV Park (Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station)
    • Delaware
      • Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware)
    • Florida
      • Best Campgrounds in Florida
      • Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area (Pensacola, FL)
      • Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Southeast FL)
      • LazyDays RV Resort (Tampa, FL)
      • MacDill AFB FamCamp (Tampa, FL)
      • Military Camping in Key West
      • Patrick AFB FamCamp (Cocoa Beach, FL)
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Ocala, FL)
      • Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness (Orlando, FL)
        • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
        • Chickery’s Travels Podcast Episode 5: Fort Wilderness Campground Review
    • Maryland
      • Cherry Hill Park (College Park, Maryland)
    • Michigan
      • Port Huron KOA (Kimball, Michigan)
    • Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
      • Boondocking Near Las Vegas
    • New Hampshire
      • Lincoln / Woodstock KOA (New Hampshire)
    • New York
      • Round Pond Recreation Area (West Point, NY)
    • North Carolina
      • Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA (Coinjock, North Carolina)
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City East KOA (Choctaw, Oklahoma)
    • Texas
      • Best Campgrounds in Texas
      • Alsatian RV Resort (Castroville, Texas)
      • Maverick Ranch (Lajitas, Texas)
      • Texas Wine Country Jellystone (Fredericksburg, Texas)
    • Tennessee
      • Camp Margaritaville (Pigeon Forge, TN)
      • Crossville I-40 KOA (Crossville, TN)
      • Midway RV Park (Memphis, TN)
    • Virginia
      • Fort Belvoir Travel Camp (Alexandria, VA)
      • Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA (Broadway, Virginia)
      • Luray KOA (Luray, Virginia)
      • Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (Monroe, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah River State Park (Bentonville, Virginia)
    • Washington
      • Crescent Bar RV Resort (Quincy, Washington)
    • West Virginia
      • Harper’s Ferry KOA (Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia)
  • USA
    • Arizona
      • Apache Trail: A Crazy, Scary, Beautiful Drive
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, Arizona)
      • Phoenix Faves
    • District of Columbia
      • Budget Friendly Fun in Washington D.C.
      • Favorite Hikes near Washington DC
      • Indoor Skydiving and TopGolf: Just Another Day of Family Fun!
    • Florida
      • Best Walt Disney World Festivals For Adults
      • Blowing Rocks Preserve – Jupiter Island, Florida
      • Bok Tower Gardens
      • Daytona Beach – The World’s Most Famous Beach
      • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
      • Gasparilla – Tampa’s Pirate Invasion
      • 3 Days on the Nature Coast 
      • Florida Freshwater Springs on the Nature Coast
      • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
      • Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral
      • Island Hopping at Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks
      • Must See Sights in St. Augustine, FL – America’s Oldest City
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Ocala, Florida)
      • Sunny Sarasota
      • Tampa
        • Get Back to Nature in Tampa Bay
        • Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Spring Training in Tampa, FL
        • The 5 Best Beaches in the Tampa Bay Area
        • Why We Love Tampa
      • Tarpon Springs – The Gulf Coast Town with Greek Flavor
      • Top 5 Things to Do on Florida’s Space Coast
      • What Not to Do When Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River
      • Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
    • Georgia
      • Visiting Atlanta? Don’t Miss These Civil Rights Museums
    • Illinois
      • One Day In The Windy City – Chicago Itinerary
    • Maine
      • Coastal Maine Vacation
      • Monhegan Island Maine
      • Two Days in Acadia National Park
    • Nevada
      • Planning an RV Trip to Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
    • Tennessee
      • Burgess Falls: 3 For 1 Waterfall Special
      • National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis, TN
      • Window Cliffs, TN – I’m Not Afraid of Heights, But I am Afraid of Falling!
      • WWII History in Tennessee
    • Texas
      • Best Eats in Fredericksburg
      • Enjoy a Bird’s Eye View of Texas Hill Country
  • RV Resources
    • 3 Simple Steps to Find the Best RV Campgrounds
    • 5 Years Full-Time RV: Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret
    • Boondocking – What We Learned From Our First Dry Camping Experience
    • Tips for Boondocking Success
    • Essential RV Gear
      • Essential RV Gear Guide
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • RV Must Have: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
      • RV SnapPads Product Review
      • RVLOCK Keyless Entry Door Handle Installation and Review
      • Shop “RV Local” With TechnoRV
      • Top RV Gadgets & Accessories
      • WeBoost Cellular Booster Review
    • Living in an RV
      • 9 Lessons From 2 1/2 Years on the Road
      • Biggest Regret Full-Time RV Living
      • Dealing with my Biggest Full-Time Travel Struggle, Missing Family While Traveling
      • Downsizing: 3 Areas That Make The Biggest Impact
      • Full-Time RV: 2019 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV: 2018 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV Travel – 2017 Year In Review
      • How Full-Time RVers Celebrate the Holidays
      • How to Prepare for Full-Time RV Travel
      • Internet Solutions for RV Travelers
      • Learn How to RV Full-Time
      • Living in a Tiny, Traveling Home
      • Making Friends (and reconnecting with old friends) While Traveling Full-Time
      • Pros & Cons of Full-Time RV Travel
      • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
      • Short-Term RV Storage: Leaving The RV Behind
      • Top 3 Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret: 3 Years Full-Time RV Living
      • What We Wish We Knew Before Full-Time RVing
      • What You Need To Know Before Selling Everything And Moving To An RV
      • Why We Are Traveling Full-Time In Our RV
    • Maintenance Tips
      • DIY Power Upgrade – “Solar Ready” Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • Easy DIY Project to Protect Your RV Water System
      • An Easy Way to Protect Your RV Water Heater
      • How to Reduce the Likelihood of Tire Blowouts on your RV
      • Odor Free RV Black Tank Tips
      • RV Condensation: What It Is, What It Does, and How To Stop It
      • RV Roofs – What You Need to Know
    • Must Read Books Before Becoming A Full-time RVer
    • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
    • RV Remodel
      • Planning an RV Remodel
      • RV Kitchen Cooking Videos
      • Painting Your RV Interior
      • Update the RV Kitchen – Backsplashes & More
      • Updating Your RV Window Treatments
      • RV Bedroom Makeover
      • RV Remodel Costs with Before & After Photos
      • Vintage Camper Renovation
    • RV Holiday Tour – Decorating Our Small Space
    • RV Hurricane Evacuation
    • RV Misery Can Be Overcome By The Generosity Of Others
    • RV Travelers: How to Read Books While Saving Space and Weight in Your RV
    • Slow Travel
    • Small Kitchen Cooking
      • Cooking Videos
      • Eating Healthy on Travel Days
    • Staying Healthy
      • Traveling with Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Other Chronic Pain Conditions
    • Trip Planning
    • Traveling with Pets
      • RVing with Your Cat
      • Traveling with Restricted Breed Dogs
    • Why I Prefer RV Travel Over Flying
    • Your Guide To Planning The Best Family Vacation This Summer
  • Travel Finance
    • 5 Tips to Save on RV Travel
    • 5 Ways to Fund Full-Time Travel
    • Full-Time RV Expenses
      • Annual Full-Time RV Expenses – The Big Three
    • Five Credit Card Strategies To Improve Travel
    • How Much Do Campgrounds Cost?
    • How Much Does it Cost to RV Full-Time?
    • How to Camp for Free
    • How to Start a Profitable Blog
    • How to Save Money on RV Fuel Costs
    • How to Save on Food While Camping
    • How We Earn A Living While Traveling Full-Time (And How You Can Too)
    • How We Paid $139,000 of Debt in 2 Years While Full-Time RVing
    • Learn How to Finance Your Dreams
    • The Top 7 Ways to Save Money While Traveling Full-Time
    • Roadmap to Financial Freedom
      • Roadmap to Financial Freedom: Accountability Report April 2018
      • Roadmap to Financial Freedom: Accountability Report May 2018
      • Roadmap to Financial Freedom: Accountability Report June 2018
      • Roadmap to Financial Freedom: Accountability Report July 2018
      • Roadmap to Financial Freedom: Accountability Report August 2018
      • Roadmap to Financial Freedom: Accountability Report September/October 2018
    • RV Purchasing
      • RV Purchasing: Understanding RV Types
      • Benefits of Renting an RV
      • Should I Buy A New or Used RV?
      • The Costs of RV Ownership
      • The True Cost of Financing an RV
      • Why You Should Attend An RV Show
    • Save Money Using the Public Library (On More Than Just Books)
  • Military Travel
    • Guide To Using Military Campgrounds
    • Health Care for Retired Military Full-Time RVers
    • Why Military Retirees Should Fly Space-A
  • Videos
  • About Us
    • RV Shows We’re Attending
    • Contact Us
    • Follow Us
    • Why We Are Full-Time RVers

June 5, 2019 by Julie Leave a Comment

Best Campgrounds in Florida

671 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Florida is the perfect destination any time of year! The first thoughts that come to mind are sandy beaches and Mickey Mouse, but the state offers so much more including 3 national parks, crystal clear spring fed rivers, and a whole lot of history. 

Just as the state has so many different activities, Florida also offers every type of campground you can imagine. 

No matter what your preference, there is something for you from beautiful beachside resorts to rustic riverfront campgrounds – and yes of, course, there is Disney! 

  • The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Jonathan Dickinson State Park
  • Miami Everglades RV Resort 
  • Dry Tortugas National Park 
  • Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
  • Gulf Coast Campgrounds
  • Lazy Days RV Resort
  • Sanlan RV Resort
  • Camping on Florida’s Spring-Fed Rivers 
  • Bayside Campground, Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area
  • Military Campgrounds in Florida
  • What Did We Miss?
  • Related posts:

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Yes, you can camp at Disney, watch fireworks from the Fort’s beach, and enjoy evening with s’mores and a sing along with Chip and Dale.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness is my absolute favorite campground in Florida, and if money were no object I’d probably live there half the year! But don’t take just my word for it. 

 campground is filled with activities for all ages to enjoy. There are jogging trails, playgrounds, bike rentals, boat and canoe/kayak rentals, two pools with a waterslide and hot tubs, horseback riding, golf cart rentals, volleyball and basketball courts, and even an archery experience.
Photo credit: DQ Family Travel

Margie of DQ Family Travel said, “We love the Fort Wilderness Campground in Walt Disney World Florida! The campground is filled with activities for all ages to enjoy. There are jogging trails, playgrounds, bike rentals, boat and canoe/kayak rentals, two pools with a waterslide and hot tubs, horseback riding, golf cart rentals, volleyball and basketball courts, and even an archery experience.

The campground has so many conveniences like two stores, an arcade, laundry facilities, and the cleanest bathrooms/showers of any campground I’ve ever stayed at. There are five dining options on site ranging from food trucks, quick service meals, casual restaurants, buffet options, a bar, and a musical dinner show.

At night, there is even a campfire sing-a-long with Chip and Dale where s’mores are available. If you’re considering doing Disney on a budget, then you may want to check out Fort Wilderness, and add a little bit of outdoor fun to your vacation.” 

Watch our short video review of the campground below to see the layout of the resort. 

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Need to save a little money after your say at Fort Wilderness? Consider one of Florida’s 59 State Park campgrounds. One of our favorites is in Southeast Florida near the Atlantic Coast is Jonathan Dickinson State Park. There are actually two campgrounds here: one with full hook-ups and a smaller one near the river with partial hook-ups. 

There are so many activities at this state park that you will never have to leave to go sight seeing. One of the highlights is the Loxahatchee River. The campground has a designated swimming area, marina, and even ranger led boat tour. In addition to 3 nature trails there are also paved multi-use trails, as well as the Camp Murphy Off-road Bicycle Trail System which is a nine-mile network of mountain bike trails.

Miami Everglades RV Resort 

If you’re looking for a destination that will allow you to visit both Miami, as well as Everglades National Park, this resort has got you covered! 

Alison of Our National Adventure and her family enjoyed this Thousand Trails / Encore park. “At only $20 per night with our Thousand Trails Membership the Miami Everglades RV Resort is a great deal for south Florida.

park, and swimming pool. This is a great place to stop and relax while you explore two of the three National parks in south Florida (Everglades and Biscayne) or drive out to explore Miami for the day.”
Photo credit: Our National Adventure

This park is big rig friendly with many pull throughs, huge green lawn, kids’ park, and swimming pool. This is a great place to stop and relax while you explore two of the three National parks in south Florida (Everglades and Biscayne) or drive out to explore Miami for the day.”

Dry Tortugas National Park 

Speaking of national parks, have you heard about Dry Tortugas?  An island around 70 miles southwest of Key West, it is considered one of the most remote National Parks in the United States.

The Round the World Guys recommend Dry Tortugas for its isolated, pristine location where visitors can find solitude and an unforgettable experience.

Dry Tortugas National Park is an island around 70 miles southwest of Key West, it is considered one of the most remote National Parks in the United States.
Photo credit: The Round The World Guys

You can even camp at Dry Tortugas National Park (without your RV of course), but you’ll have to bring in everything you need: tent, fresh water, food, and other supplies. The campground fee is $15 per individual campsite and $30 for the group site, but don’t forget you have to pay for the ferry. It only transports 10 campers per day.  

To see what the island is like watch the video below:

Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina

A visit to the Florida Keys has been on my bucket list for a while now.  When I saw that our friends at 1stClass RV Adventures recently visited, I had to ask for their feedback. 

Sandra said, “We loved staying at Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina in Big Pine Key, Florida  so much that we ended up extending our stay. It was magical every time we looked out the windows or walked out our front door. The ocean surrounds the entire park and its location is perfect. 

There is so much to do right in the park that it was hard to leave we hung out there almost every day. For all the fishermen out there this is the place to stay and fish. 

We also loved the convenience of taking the bus right in front of the resort for only $4 per person into Key West instead of driving our truck. The location was perfect to say the least!”

We loved staying at Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina in Big Pine Key, Florida  so much that we ended up extending our stay. It was magical every time we looked out the windows or walked out our front door. The ocean surrounds the entire park and its location is perfect.
Photo credit: 1st Class RV Adventures

Gulf Coast Campgrounds

I suppose if you’re a traveler, you’ll want to leave the Keys at some point. Let’s look at some campgrounds you’ll encounter making your way up the Gulf Coast, beginning with this review of Gulf Air Resort in Ft Meyers, Florida.

Continuing up the coast, be sure to stop and enjoy Sarasota, Florida and nearby Myakka River State Park.

Lazy Days RV Resort

We love everything about Tampa Bay! Whether you are looking for theme parks or some of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast, Tampa Bay has something for you. When visiting Tampa, we love the Lazy Days RV Resort in Seffner, Florida. 

This terrific campground has 300 full hook-up RV sites with beautiful landscaping, an amazing pool area, restaurant, Wi-Fi, cable TV, newspaper delivery, and trash pick-up. 

Watch our short video below to see more of what we love about this amazing RV resort!

Sanlan RV Resort

If you’d prefer a nice, quiet location a bit farther inland consider Lakeland, Florida. As the name implies, there are several lakes with wonderful nature trails all around the city. When in Lakeland, our friend Mary Ottenwess recommends the Sanlan RV Resort.

She said, “It’s a large, mainly 55+, park with both full time residents and RVers. There is an exercise equipment room and several recreational buildings for activities such as exercise classes, card games, and darts as well as courts for pickle ball, horse shoes, shuffleboard, and other games. They also have two heated pools and many small lakes with fishing opportunities. Wildlife viewing abounds as the park has several trails for walking/biking/golf carts that meander through the woods past the lakes, streams and ponds. If you prefer to ride you can rent golf carts at the office during your stay.

Sanlan RV & Golf Resort is a large, mainly 55+, park with both full time residents and RVers. There is an exercise equipment room and several recreational buildings for activities such as exercise classes, card games, and darts as well as courts for pickle ball, horse shoes, shuffleboard, and other games. They also have two heated pools and many small lakes with fishing opportunities.

There is also a 27 hole golf course for those that enjoy golfing and the clubhouse provides lessons during the season. The park in close to Lakeland with shopping, sports stadiums, universities/colleges and other amenities. A short bike or car ride away is Circle B Nature reserve which also provides several trails for wildlife viewing and where you can see some of the largest alligators found in Florida. You can stay for a night, a month, a season or longer. It’s a very nice RV community and we’ve definitely built some lifelong friendships.”

Camping on Florida’s Spring-Fed Rivers 

No discussion of Florida would be complete without highlighting the crystal clear spring-fed rivers found near the Nature Coast.

My personal favorite is Rainbow Springs State Park. This state park campground has huge sites with full hook-ups and access to the crystal clear river. The water is so clear, it looks like a swimming pool. 

Watch this short video to see all the Rainbow Springs has to offer including a sneak peek at the campground. 

If a private RV resort is more your style, consider Belle Parc RV Resort in Brooksville, Florida. Our friends Nick & Julie said, “Belle Parc RV Resort was great! It’s in a beautiful country setting with newly renovated level sites. It has a heated pool & hot tub along with a café serving terrific home cooked food.”

View this post on Instagram

#backtoflorida #belleparc #visitfamily #fulltimerv #newmar #dutchstar #jeepwranglerunlimited #tahoesup

A post shared by ???? & ????? ???????? (@werlolarv) on Oct 15, 2017 at 2:12pm PDT

While there be sure to pay a visit to both Homosassa Springs and Weeki Wachee Sprngs. Both have their own unique attractions including a wildlife center, manatees, kayaking, mermaids, and more! Read about our visit and suggested activities here.

Bayside Campground, Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area

Many RVers who travel to the sunshine state are concerned that it will be too expensive. I hope this article has provided several options that can appeal to any budget. If you’re still not sure, consider some dry camping. There are several locations throughout the state that offer low cost and even free camping. 

Family RV Travelers Exploring the Local Life shared this suggestion. Bayside Campground (also known as Grassy Point) is a free no hook-up campground located in the wilderness to the west of Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle. It has just 12 campsites and a whole lot of wilderness. 

ayside Campground (also known as Grassy Point) is a free no hook-up campground located in the wilderness to the west of Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle. It has just 12 campsites and a whole lot of wilderness.

Jessica said, “Out of all the places we have RV camped in Florida, the Bayside Campground is our absolute favorite. It is off-the-beaten-path, free, and beautiful. You can park your RV right there on the water and watch the sunset right over Blackwater bay. You can swim, fish, hike, or just relax on the shore.”

Read their full review here. 

Military Campgrounds in Florida

A final option we’d like to share for those who have access to military bases, are their campgrounds. There are several options throughout the state managed by various branches of the service. Some of our favorites include: 

Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area – Pensacola, Florida

MacDill Air Force Base – Tampa, Florida

Patrick Air Force Base – Cocoa Beach, Florida

If you’re interested in learning more about military campgrounds and eligibility, be sure to read our Guide to Using Military Campgrounds. 

What Did We Miss?

Florida is a large, diverse state so even though we tried, we know we couldn’t capture it all.

Please share your recommendations with us in the comments below.

And don’t forget to save this image to Pinterest for future reference!

No matter what your camping style, Florida has something for you. From Disney World to Florida State Parks, there are a wide range of campgrounds, RV Resorts, and dry camping options for every RV traveler.

Related posts:

Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware)
Luray KOA (Luray, Virginia)

Filed Under: Campground Reviews Tagged With: campgrounds in Florida

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Full-time RV Finance is a program designed to help you find the means to the live the life of your dreams.
Learn how to start a blog for free. This simple course will walk you through the steps you need to make money anywhere.
Learn how to camp for free at over 2500 locations worldwide.

Signup to receive weekly updates and exclusive free content only available to subscribers!

Privacy Policy

Travel Schedule

Recently
Cape Henlopen State Park, DE

Currently
Front Royal, VA

Next Stops
See our RV show schedule

Notice

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

top rv blogs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email

Free RV camping guide with over 30 pages of tips and worksheets

Download Now

Never see this message again.

671 shares