People have different ways of spending their free time or vacations. Some prefer to go to the beach, attend a book club, participate in voluntary projects, clubbing, or camping trips. If you are an adventurous person that loves to engage in activities that complement nature, a camping vacation in Florida will be a pleasurable experience. As long as you adhere to the state regulations, there is really no point of stopping you from enjoying your vacation along with your loved ones.
Florida’s camping destinations
Are you interested in camping or any activities relevant to camping? If so, then choosing Florida as your camping destination will be a good idea now that spring is about to set in. this is the perfect time to enjoy your vacation along with your loved ones. When you think of Florida, one of the things you will imagine is the beach. Of course, this is a perfect campsite for beach lovers who fancy boat surfing and sunbathing, but there are tons of options you can include in your to-do list.
- Tent Camping

The first thing that comes into your mind whenever ‘camping’ is mention is the use of tents. If you are a tent camper who is interested in exploring crystal clear waters, then it is time you visited Ginnie Springs. Be prepared to undergo onsite dive training as you enjoy the site of the wilderness. Alternatively, you can visit the Big Cypress National Preserve which boasts up to nine sites, each accessible on foot, bike, or off-road vehicle. This is perfect for lovers of nature who consider sight-seeing as their major hobby.
- RV camping
If you aren’t a fan of tents, RV camping has you covered. In fact, Florida offers the biggest RV camping sites in the US. If you don’t own one, fear not. Most sites will allow you to rent one. Florida Caverns State Park is a perfect setting for RV camping thanks to limestone caves. Participants will have an unlimited supply of water and electricity even as they explore the caves under the supervision of able tour guides. If you have extra time on your hands, go for a swim in the Blue Hole swimming area or kayak on the Chipola River. Better still, you can go for hikes on the park’s scenic trails with your loved ones.
If you want to enjoy the best things in life, go for the luxurious Cypress Trail in Ft. Myers. Besides the massive swimming pool, campers will be treated to a lap pool and a Jacuzzi. But if you fancy sporting games like bocce ball, tennis, horseshoes, and shuffleboard among others, Creekside RV Resort is the place to be. Others RV camping sites include St. Lucie campground, Oscar Scherer State Park, and Wekiva Falls among others.
- Beach camping

You don’t have to be in the wilderness or near water bodies to enjoy your camping experience. In fact, beaches at Florida offer multiple vacation services for people who enjoy getting the full view of the ocean. If you want to enjoy a family or staff getaway, then Little Talbot Island next to Jacksonville is the ideal destination. Get immersed in the white sandy beaches, sand dunes, and maritime forests. If you haven’t packed essential camping supplies, worry not. The campground has got you covered thanks to the full facility that can accommodate both tent and RV campers.
Alternatively, you can book reservations in places such as Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area that ushers the dunes of the Atlantic Ocean and a riverfront camping. You can also go for a swim or relax on the beach thanks to Garden Key Campground Dry Tortugas National Park. Other beach campgrounds include Carrabelle Beach RV Resort, Cayo Costa State Park, and Biscayne National Park among others.
- Free campgrounds in Florida
The state of Florida not only allows you to explore the rich nature, but it also exempts you from spending money to enjoy what you love doing the best; camping. As a result, it has created free campsites for people who want to save money. Potts Preserve is accessible on foot, bike, and off-road vehicles for bird-watchers, kayakers, and nature lovers. It readily provides picnic tables, fire rings, and grills for campers who want to stay for two weeks. Others include; Little Lake Bryant Primitive Camp, Hatbill Park, Woodlake Recreation Area, and Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area, among others.
Related: How to Prevent Jet Lag and Sleep Better After A Long Flight
The State Regulations of Camping in Florida
Florida is may seem like the ultimate destination for vacationers and campers. In as much as the state’s mild climate facilitates an all-year-round camping experience, there are things you should know before you get there. For this reason, you will need to understand the state regulations so that you don’t get on the wrong side of the law during your expedition;
Traffic laws
If you are traveling all the way to Florida, you need to adhere to the traffic laws. If you are using a trailer weighing more than 3,000 pounds in weight you must ensure it has brakes on all wheels in accordance with the law. Moreover, each vehicle must have a safety belt or child restraint.
Bugs and insects
To prevent bugs and other insects from feeding on you, consider wearing clothing that covers most of your body or uses a mosquito repellent, sprays, and lotions. To avoid times when mosquitoes are most active, you should stay inside your tent.
Fishing licenses
If you have included fishing in your to-do list, then it is important to obtain a license. People over age 65 and under the age of 16 will not be licensed.
Weather
Florida exhibits unpredictable weather but it helps to confirm with the weather forecasts in advance. This will prevent you from relying on unnecessary rumors. Get the latest updates on weather broadcasts and pay much attention to the oncoming storms. If you are asked to reschedule your camping trip due to a bad weather approaching, then it is advisable to do so with immediate effect.
The activities
Whether you want to test your survival skills or spend some quality time with your loved ones, camping has something for all types of people. Before you set out for the trip, you need to go prepared with some activity plans and a few accessories to make the best out of it. Bringing a good attitude and an open mind is the best way to manage all the tricky situations you may encounter during your stay. Here are some of the fun activities for you and your loved ones.
Water camping activities
Florida has various destinations that have a body of water, including the beach. This is the part where you get wet to have fun. Engage in activities such as swimming, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, water skiing, and water volleyball among others.
Camping games
One of the best ways to relive your camping experiences with your loved ones is by participating in games such as tug of war, hide and seek, charades, card games, red rover, and tag.
Sports
You don’t have to be a professional footballer to qualify as one of the members, but you can still kick the ball, can’t you? As long as the campground offers special treatment, there is no need for turning off the nice gesture. Other sporting activities include; kickball, soccer, volleyball, and footraces among others.
Wild expeditions
Lovers of nature will be happy to know that most campgrounds in Florida offer the best tools and tour guides to delight their experiences. Since it is a typical activity that rings in most people’s minds, they will be allowed to engage in sightseeing, bird watching, photography, hunting, and Geocaching.
Nighttime camping activities
As expected the day will break giving way to nighttime activities to keep you active all through your stay. As you light up the fires to keep you warm and keep bugs at bay, you can enjoy star gazing, truth or dare, evening walks, campfire songs, and midnight swimming.
Indoor activities
The rains may have started forcing you to cancel your plans to engage in outdoor activities. It is the perfect time to stay indoors to wind up. Interestingly, you can still stay inside your tents while participating in book reading, card games, and make up skits, storytelling, or board games. By all means possible, try to vary the activities to enhance the wholesome experience.
Other ideas
Your camping activities don’t have to be restricted to the specific ones that have been mentioned. Rather, you can make your stay more comfortable by; bringing your pets, learn a new survival skill, interviewing other campers based on other experiences, or adopt a new hobby. Remember, you can only come with a pet only if the campground allows you. Some areas may restrict people from accompanying pets because they may collide with other animals.
Essentials Items you need for your camping vacation
The fall season welcomes cooler temperatures and lower humidity, which means it is the ideal time to set out on a camping adventure. If you have studied Florida’s coastline before, you will marvel at the elegant natural landscapes during your stay and even when you are participating in all those outdoor activities. Even though most camping grounds will equip you with necessary items to make your stay comfortable, you will still need to come with yours to avoid inconveniences. Take a look at the following items to find the one that suits your needs.
A Tent
Tents play a major role in enhancing your comfort so that you can go about your normal camping activities in one peace. It is important to do your due diligence to find out whether the campsite offers tents before you come with one. If it doesn’t match your standards, you can carry yours instead. Most of them have contact information for potential campers who need their services.
A sleeping bag or an air mattress

Obviously, you aren’t going to stay awake the entire time and so you will need a good sleeping bag or air mattress to shield you from the cold and enhance your comfort respectively. Most campsites will give you one just in case you forget to carry yours.
Bug repellent and citronella candles
As you go for camping in Florida, you more prone to malaria-causing mosquitoes and other flies through their irritating bites. Not only will this disrupt your comfort, but it will also make you vulnerable to diseases. The last thing you want is having to rush to the nearest hospital because you forgot to take precautionary measures. You will need either a bug repellent or citronella candles to keep them at bay.
Matches
Lighting nighttime fires as you tell stories is part of the camping experience. How will that happen without matches? To ensure it doesn’t get in touch with moisture, you will need to store it in a plastic bag or wrap it in foil. Your camping host should inform you where the fire spit is located.
Cooking supplies
As expected food is a basic need on a camping trip. Though most sites will assign cooks to handle your food, it is advisable to carry your cooking supplies to personalize your experience. These items include coolers, water jugs, plates &bowls, fire starters, charcoals, and measuring cup among others. If the site doesn’t allow you to come with your supplies, you will need to desist from it.
Verdict
The best case scenario is finding a place that fits multiple camping packages. Florida is one of the best camping destinations offering tent, RV, and beach camping services. This means there is something for everyone. You will find tons of reasons to choose your areas of interest and merge it with loved ones. Furthermore, it doesn’t cost a thing to do a background check on the site before concluding. In so doing, you will have enough info about the rates, the equipment they offer, the types of activities, and the number of days you are expected to take. So, here is the chance to enjoy the best camping in Florida.
Related Links
https://www.familyeducation.com/fun/camping/camping-essentials?slide=2#fen-gallery
https://www.beyondthetent.com/best-places-to-go-camping-in-florida/