Is Hontoon Island State Park Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Hontoon Island State Park Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Hontoon Island State Park Campground?

Hontoon Island State Park Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Hontoon Island State Park Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Hontoon Island State Park Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Hontoon Island State Park Campground

3.91

22 reviews

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

23 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

23 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Hontoon Island State Park Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Florida State Parks

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Campground Map

Hontoon Island State Park Campground

28.9764, -81.3570

Weather at Hontoon Island State Park Campground

Best Time to Camp at Hontoon Island State Park Campground

Winter offers the most comfortable weather for island camping, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-70s and nighttime lows in the 40s–50s. Lower humidity and far fewer mosquitoes make this season ideal for paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing, and cooler river water draws manatees to nearby areas like Blue Spring. Weekends can still be busy, but overall crowd levels stay moderate. Summer and the wet season bring higher heat, humidity, and swarms of biting insects; trails can turn muddy after rain, and exposed roots become slippery. Some visitors report children falling on rough trail sections during wet conditions. Hurricane damage and high water have caused partial closures in the past, so check current ferry hours and park status before planning a trip. Mid-week stays typically feel more peaceful year-round.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Planning Tips

About Hontoon Island State Park Campground

Hontoon Island State Park sits on a St. Johns River island accessible only by free park ferry or private boat, offering primitive cabins and tent sites in a quiet, wooded setting. Each cabin has bunk beds, a ceiling fan, one outlet, and a screened porch with table and chairs; outside you'll find a water faucet, picnic table, and grill. The island preserves more than 1,600 acres of floodplain forest, hardwood hammocks, and wetlands, with hiking trails, kayak and canoe rentals, a small store, and abundant wildlife viewing. Plan to book cabins and sites well in advance or join a waitlist, as this popular spot fills quickly on weekends and holidays.

Weather and SeasonsWinter offers the most comfortable weather for island camping, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-70s and nighttime lows in the 40s–50s. Lower humidity and far fewer mosquitoes make this season ideal for paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing, and cooler river water draws manatees to nearby areas like Blue Spring. Weekends can still be busy, but overall crowd levels stay moderate. Summer and the wet season bring higher heat, humidity, and swarms of biting insects; trails can turn muddy after rain, and exposed roots become slippery. Some visitors report children falling on rough trail sections during wet conditions. Hurricane damage and high water have caused partial closures in the past, so check current ferry hours and park status before planning a trip. Mid-week stays typically feel more peaceful year-round.

Natural Features and SceneryThe island protects low-lying floodplain forest, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, and wetlands along the St. Johns River near DeLand and Orange City. Large live oaks and other canopy trees shade much of the campground, while trails wind through mixed forest with palms, cypress, and Spanish moss draping the understory. Tannin-stained water flows through oxbows, sloughs, and backwaters around the island, creating classic Central Florida river scenery. Wildlife sightings are frequent: alligators and manatees inhabit the surrounding waters, and wading birds, ospreys, and other species forage along marsh edges and in the canopy. Raccoons, squirrels, and numerous insects (especially mosquitoes in warmer months) share the campground. The quiet, rustic feel comes from boat-only access. No road noise reaches the island.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Best CampsitesCampers rarely identify specific numbered sites in reviews. All sites sit relatively close together under shade trees, creating a cozy, communal feel rather than backcountry isolation. The primitive cabins draw the most consistent praise: screened porches protect from bugs while preserving a rustic experience, and nearby fire rings with grills make evening meals easy. Mid-week visits offer the quietest experience regardless of which site or cabin you book.

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Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.9

22 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Hontoon Island State Park Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise Hontoon Island State Park as a peaceful, "old Florida" island getaway with free ferry access, well-maintained hiking trails, abundant wildlife, fishing spots, and friendly park staff. Campers and day visitors highlight tent sites, cabins, boat/overnight mooring, rentals (bikes, kayaks, canoes), a small on‑site store, playgrounds and picnic areas, though visitors advise checking for closures or limited services after storm damage.

Review Summaries

Based on 22 reviews

What Campers Love

["Free ferry access to the island (many reviewers note no charge for park entry or ferry).","Well-maintained hiking and biking trails with scenic palms and wildlife viewing (alligators,...

Based on 22 reviews

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Go if

Winter weekdays are the sweet spot: cooler temps, fewer mosquitoes, manatees in the nearby waters, and a real shot at a cabin with bunk beds and a screened porch. Kayak and canoe rentals on-site mean you don't need to haul gear.

Skip if

No pets allowed, full stop. Also, summer brings serious bugs, muddy rooty trails, and heat that reviewers consistently warn against. And if you haven't reserved weeks (or months) out, the waitlist is your only option on weekends.

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River Forest Group Site is a USDA Forest Service campground in National Forests in Florida near Deland, designed for large gatherings along the St. Johns River. The site features a screened pavilion, new bathhouse with showers, and access to hiking trails through live oak hammocks. Groups can reserve the entire facility for multi-day events, with tent and RV options spread across a spacious, well-maintained property.