How much does camping cost at Gopher?

Camping fees at Gopher range from $1-$5/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Gopher first-come first-served or reservation?

Gopher 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 Gopher?

Yes, Gopher has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Gopher?

Fire policies at Gopher: Each developed site has a fire ring/grill. Collecting firewood in the park is prohibited; firewood may be obtained for a donation at the ranger station. Primitive group sites are limited to one ground fire ring per site and only one fire per group site.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Gopher have?

Gopher has 73 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Gopher?

Yes, pets are allowed at Gopher. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Gopher?

Gopher offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Gopher?

Popular activities at Gopher include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Gopher

4.38

225 reviews

11016 Lillian Saunders Drive / U.S. Highway 41, White Springs, FL 32096

Featured in:Swimming Camping Florida

Quick Facts

Price

$1 - $5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

73 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$1 - $5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

73 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Gopher

$1.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The official page lists primitive group campsite fees of $5 per night per adult and $1 per night per youth (under 18). No other specific per-site...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Florida State Parks

Provider

800-326-3521

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Gopher

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

11016 Lillian Saunders Drive / U.S. Highway 41, White Springs, FL 32096

Gopher

11016 Lillian Saunders Drive / U.S. Highway 41, White Springs, FL 32096

Weather at Gopher

Best Time to Camp at Gopher

January and February draw campers seeking pleasant temperatures and fewer bugs. Fall delivers the sweet spot: mid-60s to low-80s, lower humidity, and calm conditions on the river for paddling and fishing. Summer brings heat, afternoon thunderstorms, and heavier insect pressure. Winter evenings drop cool enough for campfires. The park hosts the Florida Folk Festival each Memorial Day weekend, filling loops with festival-goers and live music. Off-season stretches stay quiet. Reviewers note very low visitation outside peak windows.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

January–February attract campers for pleasant temps and fewer bugs; good winter camping weather.

Planning Tips

About Gopher

Gopher Campground at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park sits along the Suwannee River near White Springs, offering 73 sites spread across three loops (Sandhill, Turkey Oak, and Lakeview). Sites accommodate tents, RVs, and groups, with electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers. Fees run $1–5 per night. Reviewers consistently praise the spacious, shaded sites and cleanliness, though hurricane debris has left some areas with downed trees.

The park contains three developed campground loops (Sandhill, Turkey Oak and Lakeview) with 73 sites that accommodate tents, trailers and motorized campers; two primitive walk‑in campsites; and three primitive group tent campsites. Cabins are listed among park amenities.

Historical Significance

The park honors Stephen Foster, composer of "Old Folks at Home" (Florida's state song). A museum on-site details his work and Florida folk traditions, and the carillon bell tower plays music daily. A craft village has regional artisans. The park includes an old mill site near Sheeler Lake, with interpretive features along trails highlighting natural and cultural history.

Weather and SeasonsJanuary and February draw campers seeking pleasant temperatures and fewer bugs. Fall delivers the sweet spot: mid-60s to low-80s, lower humidity, and calm conditions on the river for paddling and fishing. Summer brings heat, afternoon thunderstorms, and heavier insect pressure. Winter evenings drop cool enough for campfires. The park hosts the Florida Folk Festival each Memorial Day weekend, filling loops with festival-goers and live music. Off-season stretches stay quiet. Reviewers note very low visitation outside peak windows.

Natural Features and SceneryLive oaks draped in Spanish moss create heavy shade across much of the campground. Site 44, for example, sits 90% shaded. The Suwannee River flows through the park's 250-plus acres, visible from riverside trails where wading birds, turtles, and occasional manatees appear in cooler months. A white bell tower rises above the canopy as a visual landmark. Sand pines and native Florida scrub fill the understory. Recent hurricanes toppled trees in scattered spots, though cleared paths remain passable. Sheeler Lake, one of Florida's older lakes, lies within the park boundary.

Scenic ViewsOverlooks of Little Lake Johnson and Pebble Lake are available from the main picnic area and other park vantage points; the ravine and mill site areas offer scenic contrasts between sandhill and hardwood ravine communities.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-out

1p.m. (group campsites)

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made up to 11 months in advance via the Florida State Parks reservations website or by calling 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287). Reservations and some primitive/group-site bookings are made through the park ranger station (352-316-4286) during business hours for certain primitive/group sites.

Total Campsites73 campsites

Best CampsitesLakeview sites 58 and 59 sit closest to the fully accessible Lakeview bathhouse and offer 50-amp service alongside standard 20- and 30-amp hookups. Sites 16–18 also provide 50-amp. Reviewers single out site 44 for deep shade and privacy. Pull-through sites accommodate large rigs. One camper ran a 37-foot fifth wheel with no trouble. Level, well-spaced sites appear across all three loops, with good separation between neighbors.

Need help booking Gopher?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Florida State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Park campgrounds provide potable water at each site, picnic tables, fire rings/grills and centralized services (dump station, bathhouses with hot showers). Lakeview bathhouse is fully accessible; coin-operated washer/dryers are available at Sandhill and Lakeview. A centralized dump station is available. Primitive campsites lack water and electricity; primitive group sites have a shared restroom with flushing toilets and an outside cold shower.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

A wide range of outdoor activities is available including hiking, bicycling, birding/wildlife viewing, paddling (canoe/kayak), fishing and picnicking. The Florida National Scenic Trail and several named park trails traverse the park; there are also equestrian facilities and a canoe/kayak launch for Little Lake Johnson.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVisitors should watch for traffic at road crossings; helmets are recommended for cyclists and required by law for riders 16 and under. Low lake levels limit large-boat launches. Primitive campsites have no water or electricity and require a 3/4-mile hike from the parking area; campers must pack in supplies and pack out trash.

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

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Gopher

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.4

225 reviews

Recommended

Gopher is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Web-sourced visitor feedback describes the park as clean, quiet and well-maintained with spacious, shaded campsites and helpful staff. Reviewers highlight the museum and carillon as attractions and praise bathhouses and campground maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 225 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors commonly praise spacious, shaded and private sites, clean/up-to-date bathhouses with hot showers, helpful camp hosts, and strong birding and nature opportunities; the museum and carillon are...

Based on 225 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Gopher

$1.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The official page lists primitive group campsite fees of $5 per night per adult and $1 per night per youth (under 18). No other specific per-site...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Florida State Parks

Provider

800-326-3521

Go if

Fall and winter campers who want a quiet, shaded base for birding, paddling Little Lake Johnson, or walking the Florida National Scenic Trail will get a lot here for almost nothing. Site 44 is a standout for shade-seekers.

Skip if

Hikers expecting serious trail mileage will run out of options fast; the longest single stretch is 5.4 miles of FNST. No camp store, no wifi, and cell service is unreliable, so stock up and plan before you arrive.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited