Camping on the Beach in Florida – 10 Extraordinary Spots for Your Next Getaway
With hundreds of miles of gorgeous coastline, Florida offers tempting beach locales for RV and tent campers alike. Imagine spending a night camping on the beach, listening to the gentle sounds of the surf as a cool breeze lazily pulls sunset-colored clouds across the sky. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Well, it is – if you know where to go!
There are over 900 campgrounds in Florida, including 175 state parks, so it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed when planning your trip. Not to mention you’ll need to know the basics of where – and when – you can camp!
Thankfully, we’ve got all the details on the best beachside camping spots Florida has to offer for RVs and tent camping alike!
Is it Legal to Camp on the Beach in Florida?
Before you pitch a tent on the shore, there are a few things you need to know. First, it is illegal to camp overnight directly on the beach in Florida. Why? Well, most beaches in the state are privately owned, meaning you’d be showing up on someone else’s property. In areas like state parks, there are safety considerations like changing tides and encroaching on wildlife (no one wants a felony charge for disturbing a sea turtle nesting ground!).
If you want to camp, you’ll need to do so in a designated camping area with a permit. These are easy to get and can typically be acquired online. Most of the camping locations are beach adjacent, so you won’t be too far from the sand! Some of these locations fill up quickly, so the earlier you can reserve a spot, the better!
Where are the Best Beaches to go Camping in Florida?
So, let’s talk camping spots! Here are some of the best campsites on either side of the coast for a good night’s sleep.
Grayton Beach State Park
If you are camping in northwest Florida, then Grayton Beach State Park should be first on your list. This Gulf Coast beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, and the campsites are some of the nicest along the Gulf. Most of these sites are separated by foliage, giving you more privacy than other locations.
Grayton Beach campground has 59 camping sites. Each site comes with electricity and water; some sites have sewer hookups. The cost is $30 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RVs.
Bahia Honda State Park
One of Florida’s most popular state parks, Bahia Honda State Park is located on Big Pine Key and a short drive from historic Key West. This scenic destination is great for exactly what you think of when you consider beach camping – palm trees, gorgeous waters, and white sands. At Sandspur campground, you can get oceanfront sites that offer some amazing views!
Bahia Honda State Park has 80 campsites and takes reservations 11 months in advance. Sites typically run about $37 per night.
St. Andrews State Park
Just a few miles south of Panama City, you can find St. Andrews State Park. One of the best Florida State parks with beachside camping, you’ll find some great accommodations nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew’s Bay. The campsite is steps away from the beautiful beaches where you can swim, snorkel, or sunbathe to your heart’s content. The park has quick access to the nearby city (as well as grocery stores and other necessities). You’ll get the best of both worlds here!
As of early 2023, only the West Loop campsites are open to the public. Each campsite in the West Loop features water, electric, and sewer connections. They also have a picnic table and grills. St. Andrews State Park camping sites are $28 per night plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
Long Key State Park
Another spot in the Florida Keys – (What can we say? They’re iconic for a reason!) – is Long Key State Park. Long Key offers primitive tent campsites along the Atlantic coast. While the accomodations aren’t flashy, they are some of the closest campsites to the beach you’ll find! You will have to hike in, though. The offshore coral reefs offer plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, and the nearby lagoon is perfect for kayaking.
There are 60 campsites at Long Key State Park. Camping is $22.50 per night. As this is primitive tent camping, you’ll be expected to carry in everything you need. Each tent site comes equipped with a picnic table, grill, and hammock stand. Pets are welcome!
Fort Picken’s Campground
Right off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, you’ll find Santa Rosa Island. It’s home to Pensacola Beach and Fort Picken’s, a historic fort built in the 1800s. The island also has over 200 campsites that are easily accessible for tent campers and RV enthusiasts alike. This is one of the busiest parks in the state, primarily because of the white sand beaches and ocean-side views. You can hike to the old fort, go swimming, snorkel, or fish along the shore.
All Fort Pickens’ campsites have water, electricity, grills/fire rings, and picnic tables. Sites state at $26 for non-electric tent sites and $40 for RV or electric hookups.
Shell Key
If you’re looking for a primitive camping destination that lets you sleep directly on the sand, Shell Key is the place you want! Located in Tierra Verde, Pinellas County, Shell Key is south of St. Pete’s Beach and north of the far more accessible Fort De Soto Park. As most of the island is a 1,800-acre wildlife preserve, camping is only allowed at the South Public Use area of the key. It’s also only accessible by boat. When they say primitive – they mean it!
Shell Key Camping Permits now cost $6 per boat, and there’s a daily limit of 25 camping permits issued – with each permit allowing up to 6 people. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fort De Soto Park Campground
South of St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, Florida, you can find Fort De Soto Park. While it’s geographically close to Shell Key, you’ll find the camping amenities worlds above that primitive location. Fort De Soto Park features 7 miles of waterfront, 15 picnic pavilions, a dog beach, a historic fort to explore, and campsite fire rings! There are over 200 campsites in the park, including those for RVs and tent camping alike. None of the campsites are located directly on the beach, but many overlook the backwater portion of the island facing Mullet Key Bay. Your views won’t suffer for it!
Camping fees for Fort De Soto Park Campground are $35.50-$40.50 per night. All sites have water and electrical hook-ups, a picnic table, and a grill.
Henderson Beach State Park
If you want a location close to Destin, Florida, for your camping getaway, you should take a look at Henderson Beach State Park. The beachfront campground is close to Destin for anyone who’d like to take a quick trip into the city for supplies (or shopping!), and there’s plenty to do on-site as well. Henderson Beach is relatively small, but the park boasts several boardwalks, a playground, and a nature trail to explore.
The park only has 60 campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs. All sites have water, electricity, picnic tables, ground grills, and a clothesline pole. This is also a pet-friendly campsite!
Anastasia State Park
Just outside St. Augustine (Florida’s oldest city), Anastasia State Park offers four miles of beautiful beaches and a fantastic campground to explore everything the park offers. Anastasia Beach is a popular destination for shelling, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. The Ancient Dunes Nature trail is a fun way to spend the afternoon. The trail loops through a shaded maritime hammock while meandering through the ancient dunes. Even better, you’re just a short jaunt from St. Augustine Beach or the city itself. It’s a delightful historic area to explore!
Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites with electricity and water, a picnic table, an in-ground grill, and a fire ring. A communal dump station is free for park campers. It’s $28 per night, with a $7 utility fee for RVs.
Jetty Park Campground
Want to watch a rocket launch and spend time at the beach? Well, that’s what Cape Canaveral is for! And if you want to go camping on the beach while watching a rocket launch? Jetty Park Campground is located right on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You can easily spend the day lazing around Jetty Beach or exploring the city. The campground is also close to Cocoa Beach and nearby Manatee Sanctuary Park. Since it’s located at the tip of Port Canaveral, you’ll see plenty of cruise ships coming in and out during your stay.
Jetty Park Campground has 150 campsites that range in price from $24-$64 depending on type and amenities.
What are the Best Months to go Camping in Florida?
Despite what you might think, camping in Florida isn’t entirely ideal year-round. Florida’s weather can be harsh, especially in the boggy, humid, summer months. If you’ve ever been outside during a summer evening in Florida, you know it doesn’t take long to get uncomfortably sticky, just from the humidity!
If you’re planning to camp on the beach in a tent, we think it’s best to do so between October and March. Since these are our cooler months, you won’t have the humidity or mosquitoes to worry about! Additionally, October is at the tail end of hurricane season (June through November), so you’ll have less risk of dangerous weather conditions during your stay.
Granted, if you are camping in an RV, you may have an easier time handling some of the muggier days (and sweltering nights!) with that cold AC. Even so, you may not be able to enjoy yourself as much with the pesky mosquitos and occasional hurricane weather.
Have you been camping in Florida? What’s your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover photo: Unsplash
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