Matanzas State Forest Group Camp

Star3.79
39 reviews
6840 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine, Florida, 32086, United States
Peace & Quiet

Quick Facts

39 ft

Price

$9/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Matanzas State Forest site

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Matanzas State Forest Group Camp
$9.00 - $9.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The fee for each campsite is $9 plus tax. Payment is required online to secure a reservation and obtain a gate code for entry.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$9.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.79

Mixed Reviews

Based on 39 reviews

24 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacy

Some mention

noise

"User reviews highlight the campground's remote and quiet location, lush vegetation, and opportunities for privacy. Feedback also indicates that the facilities are primitive, with some complaints about the porta-potty and ticks."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

6840 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine, Florida, 32086, United States

Matanzas State Forest Group Camp

6840 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine, Florida, 32086, United States

Driving directionsFrom Exit 305 on I-95, travel east on County Road 206 for 2 miles. Turn right (south) on US Hwy 1. Travel 2.8 miles on US Hwy 1, and turn left (east) on Double Gate Road into the main entrance of Matanzas State Forest. Travel 1.4 miles and turn left (north) on Longleaf Road. Travel 0.4 miles and turn right (east) on Evans Road. Travel 1 mile and turn left (north) on Group Camp Road. Travel 1.2 miles to the campground.
The roads leading to the campground are mostly unpaved and can be challenging for low-slung cars, especially after heavy rain. The entrance is gated, and a combination lock is used for access. "The road in is heavily washboarded."
Nearby places
St. Augustine is approximately 25 minutes away. Crescent Beach is about 10 minutes from the forest entrance and 25 minutes from the campground.
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies include a Publix grocery store approximately 7 miles away, which sells firewood. A nearby gas station offers convenience items but does not sell firewood. Smokin D's BBQ is a notable nearby restaurant.

Best Time to Camp at Matanzas State Forest Group Camp

The subtropical climate creates an ever-changing tapestry throughout the year, with October emerging as a sweet spot when pesky insects take their leave and comfortable temperatures invite extended outdoor adventures. During the rainy season, the forest transforms into a lush, emerald wonderland, though the grounds can become delightfully swampy—a reminder that you're camping in a living, breathing wetland ecosystem where nature sets the rules.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
2.5 / 5

Subtropical summers bring heat, bugs, and muddy roads; less comfortable.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

October cited as a sweet spot: bugs minimal and comfortable temperatures.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring can bring ticks and rainier conditions that affect roads.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.5 / 5

Open year-round; winters are mild though few specifics in reviews.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open year-round.
  • Current Alerts: No specific alerts provided, but user reviews indicate concerns about ticks and noisy neighbors impacting sleep quality.

About Matanzas State Forest Group Camp

Escape into the wild heart of Florida at Matanzas State Forest Group Camp, a hidden gem tucked away in the pristine wetlands just south of historic St. Augustine. This back-to-basics paradise offers four secluded group tent sites, each thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills for memorable outdoor gatherings. Here, you'll trade modern conveniences for an authentic wilderness experience—no electricity, running water, or trash services means you'll truly disconnect and immerse yourself in nature. Days unfold with endless possibilities for exploration, from meandering through forest trails to spotting rare birds and observing native wildlife in their natural habitat.
The Matanzas State Forest Group Camp offers primitive camping with minimal amenities, suitable for those seeking a back-to-nature experience.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
1PM
Check-out
10 PM
Stay Limit
4campsites available with maximum occupancy per campsite of 20 individuals.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Matanzas State Forest Group Camp include hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, biking, and horseback riding. The forest is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, making it an attractive spot for bird enthusiasts.
HikingHiking is a key activity, with forest roads and trails available for exploration. Specific trail lengths and difficulty levels weren't detailed, but the terrain is described as forested and natural.
BikingBiking is supported, especially on forest trails. The exact difficulty and extent of the trails are not described.
Wildlife viewingThe forest is rich in wildlife, including deer, otters, bald eagles, and gopher tortoises. One user reported seeing a bear near site #4, adding, "I just kept quiet and let it pass."
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTicks are reported to be a significant issue. "I pulled over 100 ticks off of me." Ants were noted but manageable. Non-potable water from the pump station is described as smelling like diesel.
Active AlertsNo specific alerts provided, but user reviews indicate concerns about ticks and noisy neighbors impacting sleep quality.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Matanzas State Forest Group Camp

Reviews

3.8
39 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Matanzas State Forest Group Camp has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's remote and quiet location, lush vegetation, and opportunities for privacy. Feedback also indicates that the facilities are primitive, with some complaints about the porta-potty and ticks.
Review Summaries
Based on 39 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers appreciated the remote and serene environment. "Cute, small campground, well off the beaten path, deep in the forest," remarked one user. Site #4 is frequently praised for its privacy.
Based on 39 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative aspects include the lack of amenities like trash bins and drinking water. "The pump water station...stunk like diesel," said one camper. Others disliked the porta-potty and the heavily...
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Based on 39 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water and trash bags. "Publix is about 7 miles away and they do offer firewood," one reviewer recommended.
Based on 39 reviews

Seasonal Insights

October appears to be a favorable time, with one reviewer noting, "Overall bugs were minimal. But we also camped in October." Rainy conditions could make roads difficult, and tick issues were noted...
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Based on 39 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We stayed in site #2...this site was really big." "The vegetation is lush, lots of palm trees." "Nice size snakes and other wildlife." "In the one night of being there, I pulled over 100 ticks off...
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Based on 39 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #4 is consistently rated the best for privacy. Site #2 is spacious but visible from site #3. Sites #1 through #3 are closer together and less secluded.
Based on 39 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific accessibility-related user reviews were mentioned.
Based on 39 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but no specific user reviews address this aspect.
Based on 39 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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