8 Best Beachside Campgrounds in Florida

Florida’s beaches are truly unmissable, and finding the right spot to camp by the coast can turn a great vacation into an unforgettable one. There are many top spots for oceanside camping in Florida, available in all parts of the “Sunshine State”.

Whether you crave the cooler temperatures of the Panhandle and the Northeast, a seafront getaway near cosmopolitan Tampa, or a remote paradise in the Gulf of Mexico at the Florida Keys, each region has its own gems to discover. With such a long coastline, there is a myriad of beaches in Florida to discover. And luckily, there are plenty of campgrounds, albeit popular ones, to choose from.

Camping near Florida’s Beaches

Here are just five of our favorite campgrounds close to the beach in Florida, in no particular order:

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

The campground at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is located in beautiful, dense woodland and the foliage affords campers a sense of privacy and connection to nature missing from many campgrounds. Despite the wooded surroundings, there are a good number of campsites (just) large enough for big rigs, you’ll never be more than a 10 to 15-minute walk from the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.

Alternatively, if dragging the family and pets (the park and beach are both dog-friendly) on a 15-minute walk sounds a little taxing, then there is easy road access from your bay directly to the beach.

The beach here is beautiful, spacious, and well worth a few lazy days in the sun. Boats are available for hire, and you can also take a dip in the ocean for some snorkeling or surfing. There are numerous hiking and biking trails through the woodlands that make for a fantastic day trip.

• Closest town: Jacksonville Beach, FL (7 mi)
• Specs: 290 campsites for RV and tents, cabin rentals; full RV hookups; dog friendly, including on the beach (dogs are not allowed in the cabins); RVs can stay a maximum of 30 days in a 45-day period; tents can stay a maximum of 14 days in a 45-day period
• Amenities: Hot showers, restrooms, snack bar, playground, firewood for purchase, sewage dump station, mixed-use trails, boat launch/ramp, boat rental, campsite tables, fire pit, fire rings, laundry, fishing
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here; Or, for same-day rentals contact: hannapark@coj.net; phone: 904-255-6767
• Address: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233 (Map)

Bahia Honda State Park

Home to arguably the best beaches in all of Florida Keys, and certainly one of the most beautiful parks in the state, Bahia Honda has earned itself a reputation as one of Florida’s top camping destinations. There are three campgrounds in total: Buttonwood, Sandspur, and Bayside. Each one is different, and within them, the individual sites vary.

Buttonwood is better suited to large RVs, while Sandspur is better suited to smaller RVs and tents. Both have electricity and water hookups, picnic tables, and grills. The third, Bayside, is more basic and has a 6 feet 8-inch vehicle height restriction and no electricity. It’s well worth contacting the management to inform them of your requirements and preferences to help find a site that best suits your needs.

Around the park is a great place to spot some wildlife, and birds in particular. There is a visitor center, and a number of activities available on the water, including non-motorized boating, fishing, hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. Bookings for Bahia Honda State Park camping open 11 months in advance, and places book up quickly.

• Closest town: Big Pine Key, FL (7 mi)
• Specs: 80 campsites for both RVs and tents; cabin rentals; electric and water hookups, no sewage hookup (varies from site to site, so check when booking); Dogs are allowed in the park, but not on the beaches
• Amenities: Showers, boat launch/ramp, campsite tables, dump station, fire pit, fire rings, BBQ grills, boat rental (non-motorized). (Amenities vary from site to site, so check when booking)
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here; Or by phone: 305-872-2353
• Address: 36850 Overseas Highway Big Pine Key FL 33043 (Map)

Camping on the Gulf

Camp Gulf is a true all-rounder; there are swimming pools, game rooms, a basketball court, and restaurants. And, best of all, everything is just a stone’s throw from the beach. The well-behaved but lively atmosphere at Camping on the Gulf is certainly well-suited to families.

Dogs are welcome in the campground but are not allowed on the beach and on the beachfront areas of the park.

• Closest town: Destin, FL (9 mi)
• Specs: 185 sites with full RV hookups; 7 standard tent campsites; 20 cabins; 3 glamping tents; full RV hookups, dogs not allowed on the beach
• Amenities: Dump station, toilets, hot showers, laundry, 2x heated swimming pool, restaurants, high-speed Wi-Fi. Fire pits are not provided. Bring your own above-ground fires are permitted
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here;  Or by phone: 850-502-5282
• Address: 10005 West Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (Map)

Fort Pickens Recreation Park

Fort Pickens Recreation Park has a slightly more tranquil vibe than Camping On The Gulf.  The beach itself is rarely crowded, so you’ll never have trouble finding a little peace and quiet to enjoy the views.

There is a historic fort to explore, and you can easily spend a long afternoon wandering the local trails by bike or on foot. Kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, and fishing are all on offer if you want to make the most of the ocean. Dogs are not permitted on the beaches but are welcome on the hiking trails nearby.

• Closest town: Pensacola, FL (17 mi)
• Specs: 137 RV and trailer campsites with water and electricity; 41 standard tent campsites; camping limits: 14 nights in a 30-day period; dog friendly, but dogs are not permitted on the beach
• Amenities: Dump station, toilets, laundry, swim beach, mixed-use trails, firewood for purchase, BBQ grills, camp store, picnic tables
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here
• Address: 1463 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 (Map)

Fort de Soto County Park

This award-winning park has cultivated a reputation as one of the best spots in the country for ocean-side camping. The endless sandy shores, historic fort, and high-quality activities both on and off the water make it the perfect location for an active family vacation.

Dog lovers will also feel at home here because this is one of the few places where dogs can roam off the leash on the beach itself. All the sites at the park are situated in natural leafy surroundings and are equipped with water, electricity, charcoal grills, and picnic tables. Best of all, they’re just a couple of minutes walk from the stunning beaches.

• Closest town: St. Petersburg, FL (13mi)
• Specs: 238 campsites for RV, tents, vans, and trailers; electric and water hookups; dog-friendly campsite and beach; camping limits: 14 nights in a 30-day period
• Amenities: Drinking water, laundry, toilets, hot showers, dump station, boat launch, picnic shelters, camp store, BBQ grills, fire pit
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here; or by phone: 727-582-2100
  Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33 715 (Map)

Turtle Beach Campground

Earning its name from the sea turtles that nest on Siesta beach from May through October, Turtle Beach Campground will be a hit with nature lovers. And with direct beach access from the campground, you will never be far from the wildlife action. All the campsites themselves are back-in, with each shielded from the next by palms and hedgerows. Two limitations, however, are that neither pets nor campfires are permitted at the campground.

Day trips can take you to the bustling and beautiful Siesta Key, or for a few rounds on the links of Serenoa Golf Club. Or, alternatively, families will particularly love Oscar Scherer State Park for a day of walking, nature spotting, or biking.

• Closest town: Siesta Key (3.8 mi)
• Specs: 39 Campsites for RV and tents; full RV Hookups; Pets are not allowed.
• Amenities: Hot showers; BBQ grills; cable TV; grills; laundry; picnic tables; dump station.
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here; Or by phone: 941-861-2267
• Address: 8862 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242, USA (Map)

Key Largo Kampground

Enjoying a prime marina-side location, Key Largo Kampground is perhaps the ultimate beach camping spot at the gateway to Florida Keys. All the campsites have full hookups, and are large enough for rigs up to 40ft. You can bring a boat of your own and will just need to rent a boat slip and park the trailer. However, no jet skis or WaveRunners are permitted.

Key Largo’s greatest claim to fame is as the Dive Capital of the World. Numerous diving shops and rental houses pepper the key, and it is undoubtedly one of the globe’s finest locations for ocean fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving amongst coral reefs. And if you’re looking for a tranquil day trip, there are beautiful mangroves that can be explored by canoe or kayak.

• Closest town: Tavernier (10.5 mi)
• Specs: 171 campsites for RV and tents; full RV hookups; pets allowed in RVs only.
• Amenities: Marina; boat ramp; playground; laundry; hot showers; swimming pool; covered picnic area; sports courts; BBQ grills; waterfront sites with private docks; dump station.
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here; Or by phone: 305-451-1431
• Address: 101551 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA (Map)

Sugar Sand Beach RV Resort Campground

Far removed from the large, bustling, energetic campsites that have become the norm, Sugar Sand Beach RV Resort is an intimate slice of beach life. With only ten campsites in total, you’re bound to get to know your neighbors while still enjoying plenty of peace and quiet.

By far the biggest draw here is the fishing opportunities. The Matlacha Pass is a dream for catching saltwater varieties such as shark, cobia, redfish, and mangrove snapper, while the nearby stores can supply you with everything you need for an angling adventure. On the campground, all ten sites are full hookup and can accommodate rigs up to 45ft. Pets are permitted in all areas.

• Closest town: Cape Coral (2.5 mi)
• Specs: 10 campsites for RVs; full RV hookups; pets are allowed.
• Amenities: Picnic tables; kayak launch; kayak use included (when available); laundry; hammocks; large indoor/outdoor movie screen; large dock for boat or fishing; fire pit.
• Reservations: Yes, reserve here; Or by phone: 239-676-3880
• Address: 11200 Porpoise Point Rd, Matlacha, FL 33993, USA (Map)

Those are just a handful of the top campgrounds near beaches in Florida. Remember to book your campsite early as they go fast in the Sunshine State. And keep an eye on the weather report, for storms coming through like hurricanes.