Best National Parks Near Perry, FL
While none of Florida's national parks are close enough to Perry for a day trip, they are worth visiting if you are exploring the state's southern half. Two of the three parks welcome RV campers.
Everglades National Park, 400 miles to the south, is a nature lover's paradise. Exotic birds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, unbelievably clear skies, and gorgeous sunsets highlight these 1.5 million areas of federally protected land. There are two campgrounds here. Long Pine Key, closed during the summer rainy season, is the more primitive site with no hookups. The Flamingo campsite is on the tip of the Florida peninsula and has a camp store, solar showers, and bay water views. The Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo rents bikes, kayaks, and boats. There are also a couple of excellent ranger-led boat tours. RVs with a maximum length of 35 feet are welcome to stay in the park. If you want to camp here in your RV rental, access the park through the main entrance in Homestead.
Biscayne National Park is primarily a saltwater park near Miami and 456 miles southeast of Perry. You may see manatees and dolphins here, and scuba divers and snorkelers can view shallow wrecks and crustaceans. There are no RV campsites in the park.
Dry Tortugas National Park is the least visited national park because of its location. It is not accessible by land, so visitors need to arrive by seaplane, boat, or ferry. It would make a great day trip if you were visiting Key West, 581 miles southwest of Perry, and would like to snorkel. There is a two-hour ferry, or you can rent a private boat. There is no RV camping at the site.
Popular State Parks Near Perry, FL
You'll find the beautiful Suwannee River State Park 42 miles northeast of Perry. The Suwanee and the Withlacoochee Rivers meet in this park, providing excellent fishing, canoeing, and picnic sites with a water view. Spend a few hours hiking along a riverbank or through a pine forest. The RV camp accommodates vehicles 45 feet or less; the 30 shady sites have full hookups and are near the river.
Manatee Springs State Park is about 72 miles south of Perry and, as the name implies, is home to a large population of manatees, particularly in the winter. The clear spring waters are a delight for swimmers and snorkelers. The Catfish Hotel cavern provides an exciting adventure for certified scuba divers. The Suwannee River passes through the park, which opens up more possibilities for aquatic activities. There are two RV campgrounds. The Magnolia 1 Campground has full hookups and is suitable for RVs with a maximum length of 40 feet, and the Magnolia Campground 2 has partial hookups and accommodates RVs up to 35 feet.
Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park outside Tallahassee and about 64 miles northwest of Perry, is known for its Native American earthen temple mounds that were created more than 800 years ago. You can request a ranger-led tour. There is no campground at the park, but you'll find plenty of excellent options in the nearby areas.
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Perry, FL
Big Cypress National Preserve is almost 400 miles south of Perry. That's quite a distance, but it's a convenient stopover if your itinerary also includes Orlando, Tampa, the Everglades, or Miami. With 729,000 acres of marsh, prairies, and hardwoods, it's a diverse environment to explore in an airboat, kayak, or RV. Call ahead to check the schedule for ranger-led tours. Midway is the only campground in the preserve with electric hookups. You may see alligators, manatees, and sand cranes during your visit.
Fort Matanzas National Monument is a pleasant stop if you plan to be in the St. Augustine area. It is located about 191 miles southeast of Perry and commemorates Spain's successful defense of its St. Augustine settlement against a British attack. The fort is on an island and reachable by ferry. If you come on a weekend, you might see a reenactment of the battle.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is the site of another Spanish fort, but this one protected the trade route between St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean from pirate attacks. Constructed in 1695, it is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Stone's Throw RV Park is small and inexpensive, 23 miles north of Perry. It has 20 full hookups, restrooms, and a clubhouse, but no shower. It accepts big rigs but no pets.
Newport Park Campground is within Newport Park. It has 28 RV sites with full hookups and is only 15 minutes from Tallahassee. This lovely campground is on the banks of the St. Marks River, and the amenities include bathrooms with showers. The site is 39 miles northwest of Perry.
Tallahassee East Campground is 39 miles north of Perry in Monticello, about 20 minutes from Tallahassee. It has a lake and curious wildlife that may come around to greet you. There are 116 full hookup RV sites.
RV Dump Stations Near Perry, FL
Rocky's Convenience Store and Campground, located in Perry, charges $10 to use the dump station. Love's Travel Stop is 39 miles northeast of Perry and has a dump station fee of $10. Seventy miles northwest of Perry, Camping World in Midway also has a dump station that you can use free of charge as well as other RV services, such as propane.