Nearly one-third of Florida's 175 State Parks have campgrounds. And, although Florida has one of the best state park systems and some of the finest state park camping in the country, campgrounds do differ. Each offers different amenities and things to do that you might enjoy. So, we have made it easier for you to choose by rating the best Florida State Parks for camping.
Only those Florida State Parks where we have personally camped are included in these ratings. Each time we camp at another Florida State Park we will add that to our ratings. We have included one county park campground as well and it is noted as such in the ratings.
Because we are avid campers we used categories that are important to us but that we think would also be important to you. Each category is rated 1 to 5 Camper Trailers. The category ratings are then totaled for an overall score.
Campsites- size, amount of shade, distance from neighbors
Facilities - bathroom condition, location of the dump station
Things to Do - hiking, biking, paddling, other in the Park
Wildlife- abundance, different types
Friendliness - Campers, Hosts, Rangers
Overall - Atmosphere and Environment
Let the ratings of the best Florida State Parks for camping begin!
Tied for #8 Highlands Hammock State Park
Sebring, FL
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Campsites
Things to Do
Friendliness
Facilities
Wildlife
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 15.5
Tied for #8 Collier-Seminole State Park
Naples, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 15.5
#7 Lake Manatee State Park
Bradenton, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 19.5
#6 Oscar Scherer State Park
Osprey, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 20
#5 Lake Griffin State Park
Fruitland Park, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 20.5
Tied for #3 Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Hobe Sound, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 22
Tied for #3 Myakka River State Park
Sarasota, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 22
#2 Fort De Soto Campground
Tierra Verde, FL (Pinellas County Park)
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 22.5
#1 Hillsborough River State Park
Thonotosassa, FL
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Campsites
Facilities
Things to Do
Wildlife
Friendliness
Overall
Total Camper Trailers - 27
Best Florida State Park Campground Category Awards
Best Campsites - Hillsborough River State Park
Best Facilities - Lake Griffin State Park
Best Things to Do - Jonathan Dickinson State Park & Hillsborough River State Park
Most Wildlife - Myakka River State Park
Most Friendly - Hillsborough River State Park
Best Overall Atmosphere - Fort De Soto Campground & Hillsborough River State Park