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Are you dreaming about camping on the beach in Florida? With miles of gorgeous coastline, from the Florida Keys, to the Gulf Coast, to the Panhandle, you’re sure to find your perfect beach side campground getaway. Whether it’s perched over the sun rising on crashing waves of the Atlantic or steps from the calmer blue green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Imagine lounging on the sugar white sand, playing in the surf and watching the palm trees sway in the gentle ocean breeze. When night falls, look up to the starry skies and let the sound of breaking waves lull you to sleep. There’s really nothing quite like spending time in your own Florida oceanfront camping oasis just steps away from award winning beaches stretching out along the shore.
This is what dreams are made of, so let’s take a look at the best Florida beach camping spots and head to the campground!
Florida Beach Camping on the Atlantic Coast
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
Let the sound of the crashing waves wash away your worries each evening as you drift off to sleep in your beach side campsite. In the morning, walk out over the boardwalk to the beach, dip your toes in the water and watch the sun rise over the Atlantic.
Gamble Rogers State Park straddles the A1A, just south of Flagler Beach, and sits directly on both the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway. There are two campgrounds: one overlooking the beach and another on the river side. The beach campground is tighter but well worth it for the proximity to the ocean, especially if you are lucky enough to book one of the campsites with a full ocean view. The riverside campground has much longer sites with plenty of room to spread out.
This is my all time favorite Florida beach campground. Of course it helps that we scored an oceanfront campsite with a spectacular view of the Atlantic!
Above all, Gamble Rogers State Park is an ocean side playground. Play in the sand and surf on the beach and watch the pelicans dive. Launch a kayak and explore the Intracoastal. Check out the butterfly garden. Fish in the ocean or on the river side! You might see right whales and their calves offshore from December through March and in the warmer months keep an eye out for manatees.
A paved bike trail leads to the cute, quirky beach town of Flagler Beach – it’s a slice of “old” Florida – where you can check out the shops, restaurants, beach and fishing pier. Don’t feel like cooking? High Tides at Snack Jack is just 1/3 of a mile away. And there are many more restaurants in Flagler Beach. This is Florida, make sure to check for Happy Hour specials!
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area Campground at a glance.
Beach camping right on Florida’s Atlantic coast in Flagler Beach. Some spots have full open ocean views!
Tip: Sites 17, 19 and 21 have full unobstructed views of the ocean. while 13, 15 and 23 have an ocean view on one side.
40 miles south of St Augustine and 20 miles north of Daytona Beach
RV Price: $35 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Tent Price: $28 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Two campgrounds. 34 sites on the beach side and 34 more on the river side. All campsites have water and 20/30/50 amp electric service. A few ADA campsites on the riverside have full hookups.
Dump station at each campground. (Riverside dump station is larger. )
Anastasia State Park
Just 4 miles from historic St Augustine, the Anastasia State Park campground is set in a Florida maritime hammock near an incredible beach.
Stroll over the dunes on the boardwalk to four miles of beautiful white sugar sand beach perfect for lounging in the sun, swimming or biking at the water’s edge on hard packed sand. Maybe even try your hand at surfing! Conveniently, bikes, surfboards, boogie boards, chairs and beach umbrellas can be rented at the Island Beach Shop and Grill. You can also grab a bite to eat and even a cold beer if you’re so inclined.
For even more fun on the water, kayak, paddle board, canoe and even sailboat rentals are available on the other side of the dunes in the calmer waters of Salt Run. Simply explore the waters or spend some time fishing. On Saturdays walk or bike to the farmers market at the amphitheater for local produce and more!
While there is no beach side camping here, private campsites nestled into dense foliage make a great base for exploring both St Augustine and the park. Sites can be tight and the maximum RV length is 38 feet. The Coquina camping loop is closest to the beach, at about a 1/2 mile. The other loops are roughly a mile from the beach.
Make sure to check out the charming Colonial Spanish Quarter of historic St Augustine, the large stone fortress Castillo de San Marcos and the variety of shops and restaurants that line the streets.
Anastasia State Park Campground at a glance.
Wooded campground near a stunning Atlantic beach and historic St Augustine.
RV camping price: $35 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Tent camping price: $28 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
139 campsites with water and electric. Dump station onsite.
Beach Camping in the Florida Keys
Bahia Honda State Park
Head to Bahia Honda State Park for waterfront RV camping in the Florida Keys! With a beach on the Atlantic and a beach on the Gulf of Mexico, you can swim or snorkel and play in the water.
See sunrise over the Atlantic and sunset over the Gulf of Mexico the same day! How cool is that?
Take a stroll up to the old train bridge for panoramic views over the vivid blue water.. Relax and check out all the birds, go fishing or launch your kayak and explore. (Rentals available.)
By night, Bahia Honda offers spectacular stargazing so relax in your campsite and look up or walk up to the old train bridge to view wide open starry skies. You might even see the Southern Cross!
The campground is nestled between the Overseas Highway (A1A) and the Old Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge at mile marker 37. They even have a gift shop, snack bar, dive shop and marina right on site! Plus, you’re only 35 miles from Key West!
Tip: Sites 12 to 25 are waterfront spots. Sites 12 and 13 are by the marina, 14 is on the channel and 25 is closest to the A1A.
Bahia Honda State Park at a glance.
Waterfront camping on the Florida Keys just a hop, skip and a jump from the beach. (35 miles north of Key West)
RV Price: $42 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Tent Price: $36 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Three campgrounds. Buttonwood campground has 48 RV and tent sites with water and 20/30/50 amp electric service. Bayside campground has 8 primitive sites on a lagoon and vehicles entering the area must be under 6 feet 8 inches. Sandspur campground is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Irma.
Dump station onsite.
Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park campground, in the Florida Keys, is a small peaceful beach side campground with spacious campsites. It sits at mile marker 56.2. about halfway down the Keys towards Key West.
Some campsites sit very close to the Atlantic, with great views, although there is some vegetation and a dune so you’ll have a better view out your windows than when sitting in your camp chair. Not to worry, a small beach is just steps away. There’s even a communal fire ring on the beach.
Tip: Sites 11. 13, 16, 17,21 have a view of the Atlantic.
Two kayaking paths (1.5 miles or 5 miles) offer adventurers the chance to explore, go kayak fishing or paddle your way through a mangrove tunnel! Curry Hammock is also a great place to go kiteboarding or simply watch the kiteboarders flying across the water behind their multicolored kites. Bicyclists can pick up the Overseas Heritage Trail right across the street from the park.
Marathon is only about 5 miles away if you need to restock. Key West is doable as a day trip at about 55 miles away.
Curry Hammock State Park at a glance.
Camping near the beach on the Florida Keys. Some sites have ocean views over the dune.
RV Price: $42 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Tent Price: $36 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
The campground has 28 campsites with water and 20/30/50 amp electric service. Dump station onsite.
Beach Camping on the Florida Panhandle
Grayton Beach State Park
On Florida’s Emerald Coast you’ll find Grayton Beach State Park Campground. There’s something for everyone here, with large private campsites (some even have a lake view), easy access to a stunning beach, biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing and plentiful local color. Look for alligators, bears, deer and a variety of birds among the abundant wildlife.
A short 1/2 mile walk or bike ride away from the campground, you can spend the day lounging on the soft white sugar sand and taking in the clear blue green water stretching out next to miles and miles of beach.
Meander through the dunes, amid the scrub oaks and magnolias and along the lake shoreline on the trail. Fishing fans can choose between the coastal dune lake and the surf of the Gulf of Mexico. Paddle Western Lake by kayak and even follow the water all the way out to the Gulf and the beach. (Rentals available.)
For a change of pace, wander through the quaint seaside towns on the 30A, visit the local shops and restaurants. Or check out the Saturday farmers market. RVers will appreciate the Airstream food “trucks” on Airstream Row in Seaside.
By bike, the paved Timpoochee Trail is a great way to explore the local area, it follows the 30A through villages and beside coastal dune lakes. Watercolor and Seaside (East) – 2 miles. Rosemary Beach (East) – 10 miles, Grayton Beach (West) – 1.5 miles.
The new campground loop has larger paved campsites with full hookups and while the older loop has smaller wooded sites with only water and electric, some are set directly on the lake with water views.
Keep in mind, Grayton Beach is on the Florida panhandle so winter temperatures at this campground will be much cooler than further south on the peninsula.
Grayton Beach State Park at a glance.
Spacious campsites, some with a lake view, near miles of ocean beach on the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle.
RV camping price: $37 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Tent camping price: $30 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
The campground has 59 sites – the older loop offers water and electric and the new loop has full hookup sites. Dump station onsite.
St. George Island State Park
Well off the beaten path, way out on a barrier island between Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico sits St. George Island State Park. Nature and the beach are the name of the game here. Miles of undeveloped sugar white sand beach stretches out alongside the Gulf of Mexico.
Tucked away behind sand dunes under towering pines, the campground has spacious wooded campsites. While you may not have an ocean view, the beach is a short 1/4 mile away. Swim, fish, kayak, bike, catch the sunset or just relax on the beach watching the birds or gathering shells. When night falls, take in the incredible view of the stars and the Milky Way glowing over the shimmering water.
St. George Island State Park at a glance.
This Florida Panhandle campground on a barrier island has spacious wooded sites within easy walking distance to miles of white sugar sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
RV camping price: $31 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
Tent camping price: $24 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.
The campground has 60 sites with water and electric service. Dump station on site.
Camp by the Beach on the Gulf of Mexico
Turtle Beach Campground
Turtle Beach campground sits on the southern end of Siesta Key right next to miles of absolutely gorgeous soft sand beach with plenty of seashells to collect. Sit and watch the pelicans dive and keep an eye out for dolphins.
The campsites are tight and there are none with ocean views. Still, this is one of my favorite Florida beach campgrounds. In less than a minute from any campsite, you can stroll out to the beach and dip your toes in the clear blue water of the Gulf of Mexico.
A free trolley takes you right into Siesta Village for a variety of funky shopping and al fresco dining. Directly across the street, Turtles restaurant offers casual waterfront dining. For a special night out, Ophelia’s on the Bay also has waterfront dining and is an easy .2 mile walk away. Definitely check both for happy hour specials!
Kayak, paddleboard and beach bike rentals are nearby. Make sure to head out to the beach to catch the sunset!
Once you’ve had enough beach time, vibrant Sarasota is only 10 miles away. With an array of activities from a great farmers market, boutique shopping, art galleries and theater it’s a wonderful place to poke around.
Turtle Beach Campground at a glance.
Camping just steps from miles of Gulf of Mexico beach on Siesta Key. 10 miles from Sarasota.
Rate: $56 to $65 (plus 12% tax) per night depending on season.
Campground has 39 sites with full hookups for tents or RVs.
Fort De Soto Park
South of Saint Petersburg, set between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Fort De Soto Park encompasses over 1100 acres on five keys (islands) connected by causeways. Miles of beach, water and paved trails mean you can explore by foot, bike or paddle.
Snag a waterfront site on Mullet Bay Bayou so you can watch the birds and look for dolphins or even launch a kayak from the comfort of your campsite! Be aware, there are a lot of raccoons here so make sure to keep a clean campsite.
Stunning white sand beaches, perfect for swimming, playing in the Florida sun and collecting seashells are just a short drive or bike from the campground. Two fishing piers stretch out over the Gulf of Mexico. Plus a paved path winds around the park from the campground to the beaches and the fort. It’s about 2.5 miles to the fort and the Gulf fishing pier and maybe 4 to North Beach.
As if that’s not enough, you can check out the kiteboarders by East Beach, wander through the historic fort or follow the 2.25 miles self guided canoe trail. There’s even a dog beach for the pups.
Rent a kayak, bike or canoe and explore to your heart’s content.
Fort De Soto Park at a glance.
Bayfront camping near Gulf of Mexico beaches.
Prices range from $42 to $48 plus tax per night.
Campground has 236 sites with water and 30/50 amp electric service. Designated sections for pets, tents and small campers. Dump stations on site.
How to Snag an Awesome Florida Beach Camping Spot
Book early!
Florida beach campgrounds are popular and they book up fast! So, it’s best to plan ahead. Reservations at Florida State Parks can be made 11 months in advance! Turtle Beach Campground reservations can be made a whole year ahead of time! The Fort De Soto reservation window is 6 months before a stay.
Scoop up a cancellation!
Believe it or not, there are often cancellations for epic beach camping spots! Like, a lot of cancellations. So definitely keep an eye on your favorite Florida beach camping destination!
Either obsessively refresh the reservation website for your campground of choice or let a bot do it for you. The bot won’t reserve a site for you, it just lets you know when one opens up – so you’ll have to act fast. We tried Wandering Labs and were thrilled to score last minute beach camping sites at Flagler Beach, Fort De Soto and Fort Clinch in early April of 2022! Camp Nab and Campsite Assist offer a similar service.
Tip: You can find photos of each campsite at most of these campgrounds at Campsite Photos so why not take a look before you book?. For instance, check out the beach side sites at Gamble Rogers State Park.
What’s Your Top Choice for Florida Beach Camping?
Serene seclusion on a barrier island complete with starry nights and miles of white sugar sand beach along emerald green waters? Setting up camp and playing or fishing in the Atlantic surf? Paddling through mangroves on the Florida Keys and relaxing on the beach by the crackling fire as evening falls? Wading in the calmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and searching for seashells and sand dollars? I’ll be listening to the whispering palm trees and lapping waves as the sun rises over the ocean to greet another day of camping by the Florida beach.
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We’ve been full-time RVers since 2012. Over 127,000 miles and 47 states later, we are still towing our home around the United States.
On TowingHome we share what we have learned along the way; what we love (and what we don’t) about the RV lifestyle, tips and tricks, our favorite campgrounds, places and gear.
We hope that it makes your journey a little bit easier.