From amusement parks to incredible beaches to natural attractions, Florida has something for everyone. It’s also a very RV-friendly place. Here is our ultimate guide with the resources you need to plan an RV camping trip to Florida.
- Finding Campgrounds
- Preparing for RV Camping
- Considerations for Camping in Florida
- Planning Your Itinerary
- Exploring Outdoor Activities
- Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
- Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Florida
Finding Campgrounds
Florida has a ton of amazing campgrounds. From luxury campgrounds to primitive camping to urban camping options, there is something for everyone in this state.
The biggest challenge of RV camping in Florida is finding an available campsite. During the winter, Florida’s campgrounds book up quickly, so be sure to reserve your campsite as far out as possible.
Find a comprehensive list highlighting the top-rated campgrounds in the state in our top Florida campground guides.
Exploring Public Campgrounds in Florida
Some of our favorite campgrounds in Florida are the public campgrounds. These include Florida’s stellar state parks, as well as campgrounds in national forests and national parks. These options tend to be more rustic than private parks, but the beauty they offer is well worth the tradeoff.
National Park Camping
Florida is home to three national parks, along with several national monuments, memorials, seashores, and preserves. What does this mean for you? Tons of awesome places to explore, as well as some pretty great camping options.
The national parks in Florida are:
Of these, only Everglades offers RV camping, at Flamingo Campground or Long Pine Key Campground. Both are in excellent locations, but neither offers hookups, so you will want to arrive prepared to dry camp.
National Forest Camping
Looking for more public camping options in Florida? Head to Florida’s national forests!
These include:
All three of these forests offer RV camping.
Ocean Pond Campground in Osceola National Forest, Camel Lake Recreation Area in Apalachicola National Forest, and Alexander Springs Campground in Ocala National Forest all offer awesome RV campsites.
State Park Camping
Florida’s state parks are gorgeous and do a wonderful job of highlighting the unique beauty found in Florida’s springs, beaches, and forested areas.
One of our favorite Florida state parks for RV camping is Anastasia State Park, which puts you right outside of St. Augustine and all the city has to offer. We also love camping at Bahía Honda State Park in the Keys, and at Lake Louisa State Park where you can camp just minutes from Disney World.
Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
Hoping for some glamping while in Florida? Looking for something with playgrounds, a laundry room, a pool, and a dump station? There are plenty of amazing private RV campgrounds in Florida as well!
If you plan to head to Disney World during your stay, be sure to check out Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground. This is easily one of the best RV parks in the country, offering multiple pools, waterslides, onsite dining options, pony rides, archery, and of course, transportation to the Disney parks.
Another great option is Fiesta Key RV Resort in the Florida Keys. This is an absolutely beautiful campground with a private marina, an amazing pool with a view of the ocean, an onsite store, and easy access to all the awesome fun the Florida Keys have to offer.
Boondocking in Florida
If you’re hoping to save some money or just don’t mind roughing it a little, boondocking in Florida might be for you.
The national forests offer some free camping spots for smaller rigs, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife has a handful of options as well. Meanwhile, the Water Management Districts have several free dry camping spots throughout the state. Just be aware that the Water Management District spots must be reserved in advance.
Preparing for RV Camping
To prepare for RV camping, you’ll first need to sort out your RV. Then, you’ll want to pack the things you need to enjoy your camping trip.
Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs
Don’t have an RV of your own? In this case, our recommendation is to start by finding the perfect rental RV.
To narrow down your options, decide whether you’d like the RV delivered or not. From there, decide whether you’d like a motorhome or a towable RV. If you plan to tow it, make sure your vehicle can handle the trailer you choose.
Once you know the type of RV you’re looking for, you can decide on things like size, floor plan, and included amenities. Make sure you choose a rig that your family can comfortably stay in for the duration of your trip. Use this guide for an easy breakdown of RV classes.
Packing Essentials for a Successful Trip
The next step is to make sure you have everything packed for your trip. What you bring along will depend on what you plan to do on your RV camping trip to Florida. Fortunately, we have a variety of packing lists designed for different events and occasions, so you can pick the packing list that suits you best.
Considerations for Camping in Florida
Here are some important considerations when it comes to RVing in Florida.
- The total length of your rig should never exceed 65 feet. Trailers must not be more than 40 feet, and motorhomes can’t be longer than 45 feet. Your RV width should always be 8.5 feet or less, and your setup cannot be taller than 13.5 feet high.
- Triple towing (i.e. towing something behind your towable RV) is not allowed in Florida. Safety chains, a breakaway switch, and fire extinguishers are required on all RVs. Additionally, trailers over 3,000 lbs must have trailer brakes.
- Lastly, it’s good to note that overnight parking is not allowed in state rest areas. You will need to make other arrangements for those quick overnight stops.
Planning Your Itinerary
Now for the fun part—it’s time to plan your itinerary! There are so many amazing things to see and do in Florida, you might just have trouble choosing. Hopefully, we can help by mentioning some top attractions in the sections below.
Features and Attractions in Florida
Starting your trip to Florida with a scenic drive can help you appreciate the state’s beauty and unique features. There are a few great scenic byways in Florida that are perfect for this.
Obviously, you’ll also want to visit some of Florida’s iconic landmarks. These include places like the Southernmost Point in Key West, the excellent Tampa Zoo, and of course, Walt Disney World.
Want even more awesome options of things to do in Florida? The NPS sites are always a good bet! Everglades National Park is also an excellent place to spend some time. Meanwhile, Canaveral National Seashore presents opportunities to explore the east side of the peninsula, and Castillo de San Marcos offers an interesting history lesson.
Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Florida
Planning your trip around an event is always a good idea, and Florida has tons of annual events to choose from.
In the market for an RV? The Tampa RV Show in January will give you plenty of options. The Florida Folk Music Festival in White Springs is perfect for music lovers, and the Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale is the ideal way to celebrate the winter season.
Exploring Outdoor Activities
You can also explore the great outdoors during your time in Florida, and the state’s forests, wetlands, and beaches are pretty fantastic.
Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails
Planning to hike or bike in Florida? You’ll be pleased to learn that the state has many great trails. These wind their way through the state’s natural areas, offering a great way to get to know Florida’s plants and animals.
For hiking, we recommend the following trails:
- Black Bear Wilderness Area Trail in Black Bear Wilderness Area — Moderate
- Kolokee Loop Trail in Little Big Econ State Forest — Easy
- Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park — Easy
- Wekiwa Springs Volksmarch Trail in Wekiwa Springs State Park — Easy
- Bayard Trail and Seminole Trail in Hillsborough River State Park — Easy
Cyclists can try one of the trails below:
- Julington Durbin Creek Preserve Yellow and White Loop in Julington Durbin Creek Preserve
- Circle B Bar Reserve Trail in Circle B Bar Preserve
- Honeymoon Island: Osprey and Pelican Trail in Honeymoon Island State Park
- Spoonbill Trail and Osprey Loop in Robinson Preserve
- The Riverbend Park Loop in Loxahatchee River Bend Park
Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities
Florida has many awesome fishing, kayaking, and swimming spots.
When it comes to fishing in Florida, we have to recommend Dog Island Reef for Spanish mackerel, pompano, tarpon, and cobra. Meanwhile, those who prefer bass might want to head to Apalachicola River for striped bass, white bass, shoal bass, black bass, and more.
You’ll likely also want to hit the beaches while in the Sunshine State. Clearwater Beach is great for families with young kids, as the water is quite warm and calm. For soft sand and fun drum circles, head to Siesta Key Beach. Hoping for some awesome waves? Cocoa Beach might be the spot for you.
Florida isn’t really known for its waterfalls, but it does have a few. Some of the best waterfalls in Florida include the falls in Falling Waters State Park, Weeping Ridge in Torreya State Park, and Falling Creek Falls just north of Lake City.
Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Be sure to pack the binoculars because Florida is home to some fantastic wildlife. To see animals in their natural habitats, head to one of the many state or national parks.
Snorkeling allows you to see underwater creatures, the Anhinga Trail in Everglades often plays host to alligators, and swimming in Crystal River might reveal manatees. You can also spot all kinds of birds around the state.
Other great places to see wildlife include Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, and Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
There are a number of other family-friendly attractions throughout the state of Florida if you have kids with you on your RV camping trip to Florida.
Historical Sites and Museums
NPS sites such as De Soto National Memorial, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Fort Caroline National Memorial, and Fort Matanzas National Monument all offer excellent learning opportunities for families.
Museums are another great way to learn something new while having a great time together. The Frost Science Museum in Miami is a great pick for learning about science. Meanwhile, the Ringling in Sarasota offers both circus exhibits and an art gallery. The Orlando Science Center has hands-on fun, and the History of Diving Museum is a fun niche museum in the Keys.
Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
Most people are well aware that Florida plays host to some of the best amusement parks on Earth. We mentioned Disney World already, but parks such as Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Aquatica, and LEGOLAND all deserve a mention as well.
Zoos are a big deal in Florida too, and they are a great way to entertain the whole family. ZooTampa is probably the best in the state, but we also love Zoo Miami, Brevard Zoo, and Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Florida
Of course, you will want to be safe during your time in the Sunshine State. You can take some precautions with the tips and reminders below.
Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness
It’s no secret that Florida summers are hot. If you visit during the summertime, you will want to be prepared with an RV that has air conditioning and a campsite with electric hookups for running the A/C. Drink plenty of water and be sure to wear sunscreen while outdoors!
Severe weather is another thing to be aware of when visiting Florida. June through November is hurricane season. Additionally, the state sees large thunderstorms and small tornadoes throughout the year.
Be sure to download weather apps and allow push notifications so that you know of any weather events. Heed any alerts, and evacuate or take shelter if necessary. Some people also like to pack a “bug out” bag in case they need to leave their RV quickly.
Wildlife Encounters and Precautions
Florida is full of wildlife. Alligators are found in pretty much every body of water, and it’s not uncommon to see venomous snakes throughout the state. Additionally, there are some Florida beaches that are notorious for shark sightings.
In order to stay safe, avoid swimming in murky ponds and lakes, and stick to rivers and springs that are popular with swimmers. If you see a gator, leave the water immediately. Never let children wander into bodies of water alone or without supervision.
For the most part, sharks will leave you alone, but many people feel more comfortable avoiding beaches where shark sightings are common. You’ll also want to watch your step to avoid walking on snakes.
Hopefully, this article has given you the tools you need to plan an awesome Florida vacation. If this is your first RV camping trip, you may also want to check out our tips for beginners!
