Forest Camping in Florida

Discover the best forest camping across Florida. Immerse yourself in the forest. Towering trees, dappled sunlight, and the sounds of nature.

20+ Campgrounds4.8★ AverageBest: Year-round

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

Lake Louisa State Park Campground

Clermont · Lake Louisa State Park

Dense canopies of longleaf pines and ancient cypress trees create a shaded sanctuary across rolling sandhills and quiet wetlands where oaks and palmettos form natural hideaways.

4.7(374 reviews)

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Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground

Apopka, FL · Wekiwa Springs State Park

Towering longleaf pines create a cathedral canopy over campsites nestled into sandhill slopes, where dappled sunlight filters through and native understory provides natural screening between sites.

4.6(295 reviews)

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Sand Pond Group Camp Pine Log State Forest

Panama City Beach

Towering longleaf pines create natural cathedral spaces where needle-carpeted floors cushion footsteps and dappled sunlight filters through ancient branches.

4.6(182 reviews)

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About Forest Camping in Florida

Forest camping Florida offers an extraordinary escape into some of the most diverse woodland ecosystems in the Southeast, from ancient longleaf pine forests and moss-draped maritime hammocks to tropical hardwood groves and cypress-lined wetlands. The Sunshine State's forest campgrounds provide a surprising contrast to its famous beaches, with towering pines, shaded hammocks, and crystal-clear springs creating natural sanctuaries throughout the peninsula and panhandle.

Best Time

The optimal time for forest camping in Florida runs from October through April, when temperatures are mild, humidity is lower, and insect activity decreases significantly. November through March offers the most comfortable conditions, with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s°F and cool evenings perfect for campfires.

Scenery Highlights

Towering tree canopies
Shaded, cool campsites
Diverse wildlife viewing
Peaceful woodland atmosphere

More Forest Camping in Florida

Discover 17 additional top-rated forest camping in Florida

Fort Clinch State Park Campground

Fernandina Beach · Fort Clinch State Park

Ancient live oaks draped in silvery Spanish moss create a shady maritime forest cathedral where coastal hammock trails wind through barrier island ecosystems teeming with wading birds and coastal wildlife.

4.7(346)

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Campground

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Rolling prairies dominate this 54,000-acre preserve, but scattered forest edges and hammock islands provide pockets of shade where campers can escape into Florida's rare dry woodland ecosystems.

4.8(107)

Hurricane Lake North Campground Blackwater River State Forest

Milton

Towering longleaf pines create a cathedral-like canopy over shaded campsites, where white-tailed deer wander through ancient wiregrass ecosystems at dawn and dusk.

4.6(113)

Rocky Bayou State Park Campground

Niceville · Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

Centuries-old longleaf pines tower overhead, their massive canopy sheltering winding trails through rare steephead ravines where spring-fed streams carved deep valleys into the coastal landscape.

4.6(166)

Pink Jeep Campground

Ochopee · Big Cypress National Preserve

Ancient cypress trees tower over dark swamp waters, creating a canopy where orchids bloom while wading birds and the rare Florida Panther roam the wilderness below.

5.1(24)

Lower Wekiva River State Park Campground

Sorrento · Lower Wekiva River State Park

Dense hardwood hammocks and sandhill forests create a shaded canopy where 18 miles of trails wind through Florida's diverse wilderness ecosystems. Watch for abundant wildlife along the scenic Sand Hill Nature Trail, or paddle beneath overhanging trees where the Wekiva River carves through...

4.6(295)

River Forest Group Site

Deland · National Forests in Florida

Ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss form a cathedral canopy where sunlight filters through in dancing patterns, while floodplain forests shelter abundant wildlife along the legendary St. Johns River.

4.6(46)

Alafia River State Park Campground

Lithia, FL · Alafia River State Park

Towering hardwood forests blanket the steep ridges and valleys of this reclaimed phosphate mine, creating shaded campsites and miles of winding trails through surprisingly mountainous terrain.

4.6(65)

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground

Micanopy, FL · Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Towering hardwoods and pine flatwoods create a shaded sanctuary where eight interconnected trails wind through dense hammocks and mysterious baygalls teeming with wildlife.

4.8(30)

Explore Forest Camping in Florida

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Popular Activities

Hiking through diverse forest ecosystems and nature trailsWildlife viewing and birding in varied habitatsFreshwater spring swimming and snorkelingKayaking and canoeing blackwater riversMountain biking on forest trails and fire roadsFishing in forest lakes and streams

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve popular state park campgrounds like Wekiwa Springs, Lake Louisa, and Fort Clinch up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America, especially for winter weekends and holidays when snowbirds and locals flock to these destinations.
2State forest campgrounds like Sand Pond and Hurricane Lake North typically don't accept reservations, so arrive early on Friday afternoons during peak season to secure your preferred site.
3Bring a comprehensive first-aid kit and familiarize yourself with Florida's venomous snakes and spiders—while encounters are rare, knowing how to identify them provides peace of mind.
4Pack a screened shelter or tent with no-see-um mesh, as Florida's tiny biting insects can penetrate standard mosquito netting, particularly near wetlands and during dawn and dusk.

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Curated for Forest Camping in Florida

Forest Camping in Florida FAQ

We've ranked 20+ forest campgrounds in Florida based on tree coverage, wildlife viewing, and hiking access. Top options offer shaded sites and peaceful woodland settings.

Forest campgrounds in Florida are home to diverse wildlife including deer, various bird species, and small mammals. Store food properly and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Florida offers excellent forest camping with diverse woodland ecosystems, well-maintained trails, and shaded campsites perfect for summer escapes. Many sites offer both developed and primitive options.

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Forest Camping in Florida

Forest Camping in Other States

Featured Campgrounds

Lake Louisa State Park Campground

Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground

Sand Pond Group Camp Pine Log State Forest

About Forest Camping in Florida

Best Time

Scenery Highlights