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Florida is the ultimate winter RV camping destination. However, most RV parks in Florida are cramped and many lack shade trees. State parks generally have larger campsites with better views and access to nature. Here are the 15 best Florida State Parks for RV camping.
The only downside to camping in state parks is they limit stays to two weeks. If you are looking for a longer camping reservation in Florida, check out our lists of the top luxury RV resorts in Florida and the best Florida RV campgrounds for families with kids.
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Best Southern Florida State Parks for RV Camping
Bahia Honda State Park
Location: Big Pine Key, Florida
About the Park
For those looking to enjoy sun and sand, Bahia Honda State Park is an amazing destination. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda offers an array of water activities, including snorkeling, swimming and kayaking. Visitors can bring their own snorkel gear or rent some at the park, and enjoy snorkeling right from the park’s shore. More adventurous travelers can book a tour aboard the Coral Reef Park Company’s snorkel boat to visit the amazing Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, the most spectacular reef in the Florida Keys. Landlubbers will enjoy the largest natural sand beach in the Keys.
About the RV Campground
The Buttonwood campground at Bahia Honda State Park offers campsites for small and large RVs. These sites are the largest in the park and have gravel pads. All Buttonwood campsites have electric hookups, water, a picnic table and grill. There is also a bathhouse with restrooms and hot showers and a dump station. Sites 12 through 25 are waterfront, offering incredible views, but little shade. If you plan to book a waterfront campsite, check out our favorite RV shade solutions.
Collier-Seminole State Park
Location: Naples, Florida
About the Park
Collier-Seminole State Park lies partly within the great mangrove swamp of South Florida, one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. A wide variety of wildlife, including black bear, alligators, ospreys and white ibis, inhabits this unusual blend of temperate and tropical native plant communities. The park has four nature trails for hikers, including two hikes through its unique cypress strand swamp. With the Blackwater River flowing through the park, there are also plenty of opportunities for paddlers to explore.
About the RV Campground
The campground at Collier-Seminole State Park is considered a tropical outpost on the edge of the Everglades. All 105 sites have electricity, water, a grill and a picnic table. The campground also offers laundry facilities, bathhouses with hot showers and a dump station. There are also plenty of trees surrounding the RV sites, so campers can stay cool on warm days.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Location: Key Largo, Florida
About the Park
Another awesome state park in the Florida Keys, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers amazing underwater experiences. Renowned for being the country’s first undersea park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park encompasses an impressive 70 nautical square miles. While many visitors view the park’s colorful coral reefs and teeming marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour, one can get an even closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.
About the RV Campground
Back on land, the campground has 42 campsites with full RV hookups, a picnic table and a grill. Most sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. The sites also offer level, gravel pads. A bathhouse is available for campers, and a short nature trail can be accessed directly from the campground.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Location: Hobe Sound, Florida
About the Park
Located near the Atlantic coast, Jonathan Dickinson State Park features a variety of environments, including coastal sand hills, upland lakes, scrub forests and the Loxahatchee River. On land, the park has an extensive trail system for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Guided trail rides are available in the winter season, and allow campers to experience the park on horseback without bringing their own pony. For visitors who prefer the water, the Loxahatchee River is a beautiful river for canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Equipment rentals are available at the park.
About the RV Campground
Jonathan Dickinson actually has two RV-friendly campgrounds. The Pine Grove Campground, with 90 sites, is located near the ranger station on the east side of the park. The River Campground, with 52 sites, is about four miles from the park entrance, near the Loxahatchee River. Both campgrounds have bathhouses with hot showers and laundry facilities. All campsites include water, electricity, picnic table and a grill; sewer hookups are also included at all Pine Grove campsites.
Best Central Florida State Parks for RV Camping
Colt Creek State Park
Location: Lakeland, Florida
About the Park
Comprised of large strands of vulnerable longleaf pine flatwoods, lakes and winding creeks, thick cypress domes and open vistas, Colt Creek State Park is home to many species of plants and animals. Visitors can enjoy more than 15 miles of multi-use trails, shared by hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. Lakes within the park are a great place to bird or spot wildlife, and visitors can rent canoes and kayaks to get out on the lake.
About the Campground
The campground at Colt Creek offers 27 full hookup campsites for RVs. All of the RV sites have large pads and a gravel sitting area with a picnic table and fire ring. Most of these large sites have room for RVs and tow vehicles 60 feet or longer. A bathhouse and dump station are available to all campers. The park’s 2 accessible RV campsites have concrete pads with walkways to the bathhouse.
Little Manatee River State Park
Location: Wimauma, Florida
About the Park
Within this state park, the Little Manatee River flows for 4.5 miles through 11 unique natural communities within the park. The park boasts one of the premier hiking trails of Florida, a 6.5-mile stacked loop located in the wilderness area in the north half of the park. Picnic pavilions along the river provide scenic spots to eat and relax. Campers can also paddle on the river’s designated paddling trails.
About the Campground
The loop campground contains 30 sites for tent or RV camping. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, water and electric hookups. A bathhouse with hot water showers and laundry facilities is located in the center of the camping loop. The largest campsite can accommodate vehicles up to 75 feet long. A dump station is also available to all campers.
Myakka River State Park
Location: Sarasota, Florida
About the Park
The majestic Myakka River flows through its namesake state park, of one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks. The beautiful park also features arching palm trees and live oaks that sit above the winding tea-colored river. The Myakka is also home to several species of wildlife, include alligators, limpkins, osprey and turtles. Hikers will love this state park for its 38.9-mile hiking loop. The loop intersects several backcountry roads, allowing visitors to shorten the loop to their desired length. Campers can also rent canoes and kayaks to take paddling on the 14 miles of river that flow through the state park.
About the RV Campground
Myakka River is one of the best Florida State Parks for RV camping because it has three well-equipped campgrounds. The Palmetto Ridge campground is the top pick because there are laundry facilities and all of the campsites have gravel pads and full hookups. The Old Prairie and Big Flats campgrounds have dirt campsites with water and electric hookups. All of the campgrounds have bathhouses with hot showers.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Location: Dunnellon, Florida
About the Park
Rainbow Springs State Park is built around the sapphire-blue waters of the Rainbow River headsprings. The springs provide activities for visitors of all ages. Many campers enjoy cooling off in the 72 degree natural swimming area. Further down the river, away from the headsprings, visitors can also rent tubes and enjoy a relaxing float. More active travelers can rent canoes or kayaks and explore the park by water. Back on land, the park offers easy trails through shady gardens with azaleas, oaks, magnolias and three man-made waterfalls.
About the RV Campground
Rainbow Springs State Park’s campground is located along the Rainbow River, at a separate facility a few miles from the main headspring and day use area. However, campers do not need to leave the campground to enjoy the water. The campground has direct access to the river where campers can fish, swim and snorkel. All of the campsites offer full hookups and some sites can accommodate RVs up to 103 feet long! Other amenities include a campground store, showers and restrooms, laundry and a playground.
Best Florida Panhandle State Parks for RV Camping
Florida Caverns State Park
Location: Marianna, Florida
About the Park
On our list of the best Florida State Parks for RV camping, Florida Caverns is one of the few parks not built around a water feature. Instead visitors to this park will head underground to explore stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones within the cave. Guided cavern tours are offered year-round. Tour tickets are first-come, first-served and can be purchased at the gift shop starting at 9am on the morning of the tour. In addition to the cave, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy multi-use hiking ang cycling trails.
About the RV Campground
The Blue Hole camping area at Florida Caverns offers 32 RV-friendly campsites with water, electric and sewer hookups. The sites also have picnic tables, in-ground grills and fire rings and can accommodate RVs up to 32 feet long. Bathhouses and a dump station are available for campers. The campground is shaded and is within walking distance to the park’s trail system.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Location: Niceville, Florida
About the Park
A former World War II gunnery and bombing practice range has been transformed into a stunning natural landscape shaded by longleaf pines, some over 300 years old. This beautiful park’s centerpiece is Rocky Bayou, the trailing arm of Choctowhatchee Bay and a prime spot for saltwater fishing. The park also offers three hiking trails, including the Red Cedar Trail which home to impressive red cedar trees along with many other varieties of plants, shrubs and trees. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the park, and paddlers often spot otters, dolphins and a variety of bird species.
About the RV Campground
The campground at Fred Gannon offers 42 spacious, clean and shady sites for RVs and tents. Each site has electric and water hookups, a picnic table and a fire ring. All campers have access to modern bathhouses and laundry facilities. Several of the campsites (sites 28 through 35) are directly across from the Bayou and offer water views. The campground also provides direct access to some of the park’s hiking trails.
Grayton Beach State Park
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
About the Park
Grayton Beach State Park offers something for everyone. Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Further inland, the park’s Western Lake offers fishing and paddling. Those who want to explore on foot have 4 miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias are bent and twisted by salt winds.
About the RV Campground
Grayton Beach campground has 59 camping sites and is one of the nicest state park campgrounds along the Gulf Coast. Each RV site comes with electricity and water and some sites also have sewer hookups. The maximum RV length at this state park is 40 feet. All of the RV sites have gravel pads, and the best sites back-up directly onto Western Lake.
Best Northeast Florida State Parks for RV Camping
Anastasia State Park
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
About the Park
More than 1,600 acres of unspoiled beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hammocks and ancient sand dunes make Anastasia State Park a captivating destination for visitors. Visitors should plan to spend their days in or near the water. The white sand beaches provide great opportunities for shelling, walking and wildlife observation. For those who prefer to be in the water, the area offers four miles of beach break for surfing. There is also an estuarine tidal marsh where campers can enjoy cruising in rented kayaks or canoes. The Ancient Dunes Trail, the only hiking trail in the park, loops through a shaded maritime hammock and meanders through the ancient dunes.
About the RV Campground
The campground at Anastasia State Park is both big and beautiful. There are 139 campsites, all of which offer water and electric hookups, picnic tables and fire rings. Campsites can accommodate RVs up to 38 feet long. Located within the maritime hammock, the campground is just a short bike ride or walk to the park’s beach. Anastasia also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers ages 4 to 9. Campers cans stop at the ranger station to check out a book.
Faver-Dykes State Park
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
About the Park
Half an hour south from Anastasia State Park is Faver-Dykes, another great Florida state park with RV camping. The park’s main attraction is Pellicer Creek, which lies along the park’s southern border. The creek offers opportunities for boating, paddling, birding and wildlife watching. It is also one of the most pristine estuarine tidal marshes on the east coast of Florida, with abundant salt and fresh water fish.
About the RV Campground
The park has 30 RV campsites, located in a shady hardwood hammock with natural vegetation buffers between most of the sites. All of the sites have electric and water hookups, a fire pit, a grill and a picnic table. These sites can only accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. A bathhouse and dump station are available for all campers.
Fort Clinch State Park
Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida
About the Park
History meets nature at Fort Clinch State Park. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or a bit of both, enjoy exploring the unique natural and historic resources of this pristine park. Fort Clinch is a preserved Civil War era fort that sits on the St. Mary’s river right across from the Georgia border (click here to check out the best RV parks in Georgia to stay at on your drive south). Visitors can explore the fort’s many rooms, galleries and grounds, and learn about the life of a Union soldier through unparalleled living history programs. The historic fort is only one aspect of this diverse 1,400-acre park. Maritime hammocks with massive arching live oaks provide a striking backdrop for hiking and biking on the park’s many trails.
About the RV Campground
Fort Clinch State Park offers 63 RV-friendly campsites in two separate and unique campgrounds. The Amelia River campground offers 42 campsites surrounded by shady, Spanish moss-laden oak trees and breathtaking views of the river. Located just steps from the ocean, Atlantic Beach campground offers 21 sunny RV sites surrounded by snow white sand dunes. All sites have water and electric hookups, and both campgrounds have dump stations, laundry machines and bathhouses.
Little Talbot Island State Park
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
About the Park
Last but least on our list of the best Florida State Parks for RV camping is Little Talbot Island. The island is one of a handful of undeveloped barrier islands remaining in Northeast Florida. Boasting more than 5 miles of pristine beaches and 3 miles of bike trails, Little Talbot offers untouched natural beauty and diverse ecosystems for visitors to explore. In addition to the white sand and rolling surf typical of many beaches in the area, there are also eroding sun-bleached roots and fallen trunks of cedar and palm that create incredible natural sculptures. Visitors enjoy beachcombing, surfing, fishing, hiking, birdwatching and kayaking.
About the RV Campground
The campground at Little Talbot Island State Park offers 36 campsites with water and electric hookups, fire rings and picnic tables. The campground also offers a laundry facility, children’s playground and two bathhouses with hot showers. Winding tidal creeks border the western edge of the campground where a short dock and canoe and kayak launch is available to campers.
Florida State Park RV Camping Tips
As your can see from this list there are many amazing RV campgrounds within the Florida State Park system. However, booking RV campsites in Florida always requires planning and preparation.
Make Reservations Early
Reservations at Florida State Parks can be made online up to 11 months in advance. Most of the campgrounds on our list of the best Florida State Parks for RV camping are very popular and may book up the same day reservations are released. The earlier a reservation is made, the more likely you are to score a campsite with a great view. If you are booking last minute, consider camping on weeknights when more sites are likely to be available.
Check Length Restrictions
Most Florida State Parks have length restrictions on RVs. Some parks can only accommodate short RVs while others have big rig friendly campsites. Visit the park website to confirm the maximum RV length for each park. Also, check the maximum length for specific campsites when making your reservation. If you show up with an RV that is too big for the campsite, you will likely be turned away.
Florida has so many beautiful natural places to explore. Staying at state parks allows visitors to truly enjoy the best parts of the Sunshine State. Which of the parks on our list of the best Florida State Parks for RV Camping is your favorite? Share your pick with us in the comments below.
For more winter RV destinations, check out our list of the best warm-weather winter RV road trips and our favorite Arizona RV parks.
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.
