9 Beautiful Places for Camping Near Water in Florida
Looking for the best camping near water in Florida? Whether you want Gulf Coast beaches, quiet lagoons, crystal-clear springs or a wild Florida river, these campgrounds put you close to some of the state’s most beautiful waterways.
Most of these campsites are located near the water rather than directly on the beach, river or spring. Campsite amenities and access vary, so check the official park page before reserving your stay.
Beach and Coastal Camping in Florida
Big Lagoon State Park
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Big Lagoon State Park is a great choice for campers who enjoy paddling, fishing, boating and coastal scenery. Its 75 campsites are surrounded by pine flatwoods, and each site includes water, electricity, a picnic table and a fire ring or ground grill.
The campground is not directly on the beach, but campers have convenient access to the lagoon and the park’s recreational areas. Big Lagoon is also the western gateway to the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
Grayton Beach State Park
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Grayton Beach State Park combines sugar-white Gulf Coast beaches with coastal forest and rare dune lakes. The park has 59 campsites plus 30 furnished two-bedroom cabins for visitors who want more comfort.
Campers can swim in the Gulf, paddle or fish on Western Lake and explore approximately four miles of trails through the coastal forest. The campsites are inside the park but are not located directly on the Gulf beach.
Fort De Soto Park
Location: Tierra Verde, Florida
Fort De Soto Park covers five interconnected islands near the mouth of Tampa Bay. Its large family campground has 236 sites with water, electricity, picnic tables and grills.
Some campsites have beautiful views of the water, but the campground is approximately one mile from East Beach and five miles from North Beach. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, fishing, biking, birding, the historic fort and a popular dog beach.
St. Andrews State Park
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
St. Andrews State Park offers easy access to both Grand Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico. The renovated campground includes water, electric and sewer connections along with picnic tables and grills.
Campers can spend their days swimming, snorkeling, fishing, paddling or walking along more than a mile of white-sand beach. The campground is near Grand Lagoon rather than directly on the Gulf beach.
Anastasia State Park
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites tucked into a shady maritime hammock. The sites accommodate tents and RVs and include water and electricity.
The campground is not directly on the Atlantic Ocean, but the park provides access to miles of beach, tidal marshes and Salt Run. Popular activities include swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking, biking and bird-watching.
Collier-Seminole State Park
Location: Naples, Florida
Collier-Seminole State Park offers a completely different coastal experience. The park lies within one of South Florida’s enormous mangrove swamps and provides access to waterways leading toward the Ten Thousand Islands.
The campground is inland rather than on a swimming beach. It is best suited to campers interested in canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and observing South Florida wildlife.
Florida Camping Near Springs and Rivers
O’Leno State Park
Location: High Springs, Florida
O’Leno State Park is one of Florida’s original state parks and was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Its shady campground provides a peaceful base for exploring the Santa Fe River and the surrounding forest.
Visitors can hike, bike, fish, picnic or launch a canoe. One of the park’s most interesting natural features is the point where the Santa Fe River disappears underground before resurfacing several miles away.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Location: Dunnellon, Florida
Rainbow Springs is famous for its clear, blue-green water, swimming area, gardens and waterfalls. Its campground is located along the Rainbow River at a separate entrance several miles from the main headspring and day-use area.
Registered campers can enjoy river access, while swimming at the headspring requires traveling to the park’s main entrance. The state introduced a day-use reservation system for the headspring in 2026, so check availability before your trip.
Kayaking, canoeing and tubing are popular on the Rainbow River. The tubing entrance is also separate from both the campground and main headspring.
Myakka River State Park
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Myakka River State Park protects wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands surrounding Florida’s first state-designated Wild and Scenic River. The park offers several developed campgrounds along with primitive camping options.
The campgrounds provide access to the park’s river, lakes, trails and wildlife-viewing areas, although most individual campsites are not directly on the riverbank. Visitors can hike, bike, fish, canoe, kayak and watch for alligators, deer and an impressive variety of birds.
Tips for Reserving a Florida Campsite
- Reserve early: Waterfront and coastal campgrounds can fill months in advance, particularly during fall, winter and spring.
- Check the campsite details: Electrical service, sewer connections, shade, privacy and maximum RV length vary by park and site.
- Confirm water access: A park may have a beach, spring or river even when the campground is several miles away.
- Watch the weather: Florida thunderstorms, hurricanes, heat and flooding can temporarily affect trails, beaches and campgrounds.
- Check swimming conditions: Water quality, currents, wildlife activity and capacity restrictions can change.
Florida offers everything from wooded campsites near quiet rivers to full-facility RV sites minutes from a Gulf Coast beach. Pick the kind of water access you want, verify the campsite location and reserve early—then get ready to explore a beautiful corner of the state.
Park conditions, amenities and reservation procedures can change. Always check the official park website before traveling.
