The Best Campgrounds on the Beach in Florida

Contributor

Mike Wendland

Favorite Trip

Re-tracing the Lewis & Clark Trail from Pennylvania to Oregon

Home Base

Western Michigan

Favorite RV

Keystone Arcadia Fifth Wheel (bought at Camping World!)

About Contributor

Mike started RVLifestyle.com with his wife in 2012 after deciding to spend their retirement traveling throughout the U.S. Mike also runs the popular podcast called “The RV Podcast.”

Maybe because it is winter in the north but once the holidays come and go, we start dreaming about heading our RV south to the Sunshine State and the awesome campgrounds on the beach in Florida we find every year.

Florida beaches make up some of the most unique and gorgeous beaches in the U.S. And friendly, accessible, and beautiful beach campgrounds for RVers abound. We seek out campgrounds in Florida, and return year after year. We want to help you enjoy them, too. So we put together this article about campgrounds on the beach–could you ask for a better view?

One thing to note is that when going on an RV camping trip through Florida, many campgrounds are in state parks, which require a separate fee to enter. Rather than paying a separate fee for each, you may want to consider getting a Florida State Park Annual Entrance Pass (for about $60) or a Family Annual Entrance Pass (for $120, includes up to 8 people in a group). They can be purchased at any Florida state park or ranger station.

The Best Time to Camp in Florida

bluewater rv resort florida
bluewater rv resort florida

With the breezy Florida vibes, the incredible beaches, views, and perhaps a margarita in your hand, Florida is very much a place to “get away from it all” all year round.

The summertime in Florida is hot and very humid. Summer is also the rainy season. Still beautiful but unless you plan to run your RV AC 24×7,  it can get a bit uncomfortable. The exception is the panhandle and Northwest Florida. There, while still hot, the cooling breezes from the gulf make the beaches much more comfortable than either coast or the Keys in South Florida.

The best time to go in our books is October through the end of April. Ready? Here is our list of the Best Campgrounds on the Beach in Florida

Gamble Rogers State Park

This is at the top of our list of the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds because it is probably our favorite. Officially, it’s known as the Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation areas. It has two loops. On the west side of US-1 is a riverside campground on the Intercoastal Waterway.

But our favorite is the loop on the east side of US-1, right on the ocean.

Gamble Rogers is on an area of the North Atlantic Coast known as the Historic Coast and it has absolutely spectacular beachfront sites just a few steps from the beach.

Gamble Rogers Campground
Gamble Rogers Campground (Image Credit: Mike Wendland)

Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach is on the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle west of Panama City and east of Destin.

Its beach has gorgeous clear water and fine white sand. Book in advance for this one! Well-maintained sites with concrete pads and zen-like raked gravel among diverse plants and trees. All sites have electric-water hookups, picnic tables and grills. The sites are not on the water but the beach is just a nice stroll or a short bike ride from your campsite.  There is potable water, flush toilets and showers, and a dump station. Nightly rates are $30, with a $5 fee to get into the park.

Henderson Beach State Park

Located right in the midst of the tourist town of Destin in the Panhandle and just a few miles west of Grayton Beach is Henderson Beach State Park. A magnificent 30-foot white sand dune separates the camping from the beach but walkways make it easy to get to the water from the 60 campsites. This typically books up a year in advance. That’s what happens when you are one of the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds!

Another huge plus of this beach is it is close to the excellent dining and shopping of Destin but is protected on all sides from the business.

Henderson-beach-state-park-florida
Henderson beach state park, Florida (Image: Shutterstock)

Fort Pickens Campground

This is located near Pensacola in the panhandle, right near the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The general consensus is that Loop A has more spacious sites if that’s what you’re looking for. Otherwise, this is a great campground, with nice trails for hiking and abundant wildlife, and the beach is easily accessible. 136 of the 200 sites have electric hookups, with picnic tables and grills. There’s potable water, flush toilets and showers, and a dump station. Nightly rates run $26-40 depending on hookup needs.

The beach is a short walk from your campsite. That’s why it is one of the best campgrounds on the beach in Florida.

fort-pickens-beach-florida
Fort Pickens Beach, Florida (Image: Shutterstock)

Camp Gulf

We are huge fans of Camp Gulf. It’s a commercial park in the town of Miramar, a very desirable location along the Panhandle’s Emerald Coast.

If you want to splurge, this is the place. Beachfront sites cost $200 a night in season.

What you’ll get at Camp Gulf is one of the best campgrounds on the beach in Florida, with crystal-clear ocean waters lapping up against white sugar sand. It is the full experience of living on one of the best beaches in Florida. Note: they don’t allow pets. For this special access, be prepared to pay about $200 per night. For many, it’s worth it! It includes private restrooms and showers, a community room, two swimming pools, and a full-service camp store.

camping-on-beach-at-Camp-Gulf-Florida
Camping on the beach at Camp Gulf Florida (Image credit: Mike Wendland)

Turtle Beach, Sarasota

This is a smaller but very cute campground, with about 40 sites and beach access. That means it is very hard to get in. But persistence pays off.

Located on the upscale and very beautiful Siesta Key, Turtle Beach is run by Sarasota County. A free trolley takes you into town if you can tear yourself away from the beach. Gorgeous sunsets here!

There are palm trees and shrubbery between the sites, providing some privacy and shade, and the grounds are well-kept. There is a restaurant across the way. All sites have full hookups. Amenities include WiFi, flush toilets and showers, laundry, a playground, and a picnic area with grills. Nightly rates are $50-$60.

Siesta-key-florida
Siesta Key, Florida (Image: Shutterstock)

Fort De Soto Park Campground

Close to St. Petersburg, Fort De Soto Park Campground is a highly-rated campground, with some waterfront sites, and all sites have electric-water hookups. Snowbirds in particular always rate this as one of the best Florida beach RV campgrounds. Kayak on the water, or rent a bike from the camp store. You will find picnic tables, grills, potable water, flush toilets and showers, laundry, and a playground. Nightly rates are $40-$45.

It is run by Pinellas County and is huge—consisting of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected keys. These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods, and scores of native plants. Each of these species plays a vital role in the preservation and protection of the natural environment.

The campground is right near the beach and there are lots of places to fish. Over 328 species of birds can be found here.

Fort-desoto-park-campground-florida
Fort DeSoto Park and Campground, Florida (Image: Shutterstock)

Key Largo Kampground & Marina

Right of US-1, the route from Miami to Key West, Key Largo is considered the gateway to the Keys.

Since the Key Largo Kampground & Marina is located along the marina, there is ample opportunity for boating, and even kayaking among the mangroves. Their 171 sites all have full hookups, and there are picnic tables, potable water, flush toilets and showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a pool, and a dump station. Nightly rates run $85-$130, depending on how close you are to the water.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp is the country’s first undersea park, encompassing 70 nautical square miles. While many visitors view the park’s colorful coral reefs and teeming marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour, one can get an even closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.

Canoeing and kayaking through the park’s waters are popular activities; fishing is permitted in designated areas.

There are two beaches accessible to the 42-site campground.

This park is within easy driving distance to Biscayne National Park and the Everglades. There are great kayaking opportunities, and snorkeling is available when the weather is nice. With 42 sites, all have electric-water hookups. Amenities include picnic tables, potable water, flush toilets and showers, a playground, laundry, and a dump station. Nightly rates run around $36, with an $8 fee to enter the park.

John-Pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park-florida-keys
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Florida Keys (Image: Shutterstock)

Curry Hammock State Park

Near Marathon, FL, the motto for Curry Hammock State Park is Unhurried, Untouched, and Unrivaled. That’s why it is one of the best Florida beach RV campgrounds. It sits halfway between Key Largo and Key West and is 1,000-acres in size. It is the largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key.

This is a smaller campground, with 25 sites situated in a loop. But if you can get in, you are in paradise.

Pets are welcome at the campground, but not on the beach. All sites have electric-water hookups and each as a picnic table and grill. There is potable water, flush toilets and showers, a playground for the kids, and a dump station.

This park is a favorite for kayakers and paddleboarders.

Grassy Key RV

While Grassy Key RV park is a bit on the pricey side, the views you will get are well worth it at this well-kept and clean RV park.

It is really an RV resort and has been recently renovated. It’s on the Gulf side of Highway 1. There are spots right on the water and even one coveted campsite where you are basically on your own little peninsula! All sites have full hookups with picnic tables. There’s potable water, laundry, a pool, WiFi, and cable TV. Nightly rates run $69 – $198, depending on the time of year and proximity to the water.

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is just a few miles north of Key West on US-1, the Overseas Highway,

If you get a spot along the water, you can rent a kayak and set off for a relaxing afternoon of rowing, right from your campsite. The staff is welcoming and the campground is clean. You can also snorkel and swim. Hookups are electric-water, with a picnic table and grills. Amenities include potable water, flush toilets and showers, and a dump station. Nightly rates are $36, with $8 to get into the park.

Known for its iconic Florida scenery — palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters, and magnificent sunsets — visitors to the park enjoy balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. We warn you, if you stay you will return.

Bahia Honda State Park Calusa Beach

Boyd’s Key West Campground

Boyd’s Key West Campground is near the top of the Best Florida RV Beach Campgrounds for many reasons It’s been around for decades and there is an awesome ambiance there, as well as the proximity of the water. Some sites back right up on it.

Spend a few nights here and you will get ALL your kinks out. The grounds are well-kept and the staff is friendly! Most of their sites have full hookups, with picnic tables and grills. Other amenities include potable water, flush toilets and showers, firewood, laundry, a pool, WiFi, cable TV, and a dump station. Nightly rates are $80-130, depending on hookups and location to the water.

The Jetty Park Campground

Jetty Park Campground is located in Port Canaveral Florida, where giant cruise ships arrive and depart throughout the day. In addition, submarines can also be spotted docking there. And from the park itself, rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral Air Force Station can easily be seen.

The Jetty Park Campground has rustic spots with no amenities ($27 in the summer, $37 during snowbird winter time), semi-improved sites with water and electricity ($34 summer, $44 winter), and improved sites with water, electricity, and sewer ($39 summer, $49 winter). There is a free dump station.

With no reservations at the end of February, we were able to snag a Jetty Park Campground spot with water and electricity, a grill, and a very weathered wooden picnic table. There was plenty of room and it was relatively flat. The beach (no dogs allowed) is gorgeous.

HoHum RV Park

This is a small campground on the Gulf of Mexico in the area of the northern Florida Gulf coast known as “the Forgotten Coast.” This is Old Florida. No highrises. No traffic.

HoHum RV Park is located just a few miles east of the tiny fishing town of Carrabelle and smack dab on the Gulf of Mexico. We camp here every time we can. It has awesome views of sunsets over the Gulf and thus qualifies as one of the Best Florida RV Beach Campgrounds.

It’s a delightful little park. Nothing fancy. But clean, neat, and far from the overdevelopment that characterizes so much of the coastline of the Sunshine State. To the east, there were a couple of well-spaced beach houses. To the west, nothing but wild beach, bordered by scrub pine.

The park boasts a lighted 250-foot long fishing pier and a narrow little beach.  Pets, on a leash, are welcome in the park, on the beach, and even on the pier. Kids, not so much. It’s billed as an “adult-only” park.

Prices range from $29 a night off the beach to $39 on it.

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