Tent Camping On The East Coast Of Florida

If you're looking for an economical and memorable place to stay on the East Coast of Florida, consider ditching the hotel and pitching a tent. The Sunshine State features over 900 campgrounds and 100,000 campsites, and some of the most diverse opportunities for tent camping can be found on the Atlantic coast. Camp near palm-lined beaches, famous surf breaks or fishing spots, and even watch a satellite be launched into space. Remember to bring your camera as the sunrises are unforgettable.

The Basics

Full-facility campgrounds at state parks include water, picnic tables and grills, as well as communal restrooms. These state park campgrounds fill up fast so it's best to make a reservation, which can be done through the Reserve America system at the reserveamerica website. Certain state parks also offer primitive tent camping and group camp sites, both of which have to be reserved directly with the individual park. Camping opportunities are also available at private campgrounds, which tend to have a lot of RVs, and at federal and county-owned facilities.

Northern Coast

Anastasia State Park near the city of St. Augustine is one of the most picturesque campgrounds in the state of Florida. Four miles of beach, recreational opportunities and an archaeological site make this one of the top family campgrounds in the United States, according to Reserve America. The campsites are located in a wooded area protected from the ocean winds, but still within walking distance of the beach.

The Space Coast

The Space Coast in the middle section of the East Coast is world-famous for Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Air Force Base, and also features a county park, Manatee Hammock, where you watch space shuttle launches from your campsite. To get off the beaten track, canoe to an island campsite at the Canaveral National Seashore or find your own secluded spot on the beach. Reservations for camping permits are accepted seven days in advance, and beach camping is not available during turtle nesting season, which is March through October.

The Treasure Coast

Gold coins from a sunken Spanish ship still wash ashore at the three-mile stretch of sand at Sebastian Inlet State Park in Melbourne Beach. Today, surfers on the hunt for waves and anglers looking for fish flock here. Tent camping for all treasure seekers is situated within walking distance of the beach.

The Gold Coast

The southern section of mainland Florida from Palm Beach down to Miami features wealthy enclaves and world-famous clubs and restaurants, but the adventurous also find lovely camping opportunities. Peanut Island Campground is a unique Florida camping opportunity provided by Palm Beach County that features grills, picnic tables and hot indoor showers in a tropical island setting. You need a boat to get here, or hire a local water taxi service. Reservations can only be made up to three months in advance.

The Florida Keys

If you want to camp on white sand beaches right on the Atlantic Ocean, head down south like pirates and Jimmy Buffet before you to the Florida Keys. The southernmost campground in the United States can be found at Long Key State Park on the island of Long Key. Sixty beach campsites within a stones throw of the Atlantic fill up fast, so reserve ahead. Bahia Honda State Park features palm trees and crystal blue water.